🌱 557 Area Code Goes Into Effect + Cyberstalking Charges

Hello, friends! It's me, Helen Eckhard, your host of the Daily. Let's get this weekend started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening around town.

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the St. Louis Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 87 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories in St. Louis today:

1. The 557 area code has gone into effect. The second area code is reportedly needed due to a dwindling number of 314 area code numbers. The 557 area code will be given to new customers. Existing numbers will not change. (KSDK.com)
2. A St. Louis man has been indicted on three cyberstalking charges and two counts of transmitting a threat. Robert Merkle, 53, was accused of threatening five individuals online since October 2021. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Town and Country Police Department and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lang. (Press Release Desk)
3. Some St. Louis area students will return to the classroom this upcoming week. The St. Louis City School District does not start classes until Monday, Aug. 22, however. Click the following link for a complete list of school district start dates. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)

Today in St. Louis:

• LEGO Club At The Weber Road Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• Duck Races At The Carondelet Park Rec Complex (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There is a variety of back-to-school events occurring this weekend in St. Louis. Click for the complete list. (KMOV4)
• The Saint Louis Zoo is reminding the community to celebrate World Elephant Day with a trip to the zoo. Elephants are smart. Click to watch the video. (Saint Louis Zoo via Facebook)
• The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is selling tickets for the Sep. 23 through Sep. 25 performance of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Click to get tickets today! (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Lowered Costs for 2022, Get Your Cannabis Card from Home! (August 14)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.