🌱 City Celebrates Black History Month + New Halls Ferry Road Closure

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the St. Louis Daily — here to impart everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and milder. High: 46 Low: 14.

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

1. The City of St. Louis raised a red, black, and green flag at St. Louis City Hall to recognize Black History Month. According to St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Black history is American history, so it is essential to honor and show respect. This year's Black History Month theme is "Black Resistance." (KMOV4)
2. St. Louis-based rapper 30 Deep Grimeyy was sentenced to seven years and eight months on gun charges. Arthur Pressley, 25, was convicted of possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. St. Louis police officers located the firearm during a traffic stop on Jan. 5, 2021. He had been under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for over a year. (KMOV4)
3. New Halls Ferry will be closed in both directions under I-270 this weekend. The closure is meant to accommodate the removal of the highway bridge. The roadway will be closed between Dunn and Pershall from 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6. The bridge removal is part of the ongoing I-270 upgrade by MoDOT. (Subscription: St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Today in St. Louis:

• K-12 Art Show At Ritenour (7:00 AM)
• Kranzberg Jazz Jam At Lewis and Clark Branch Library (6:00 PM)
• Little And Big Escapes: Camping And Hiking in Missouri and Beyond At Bridgeton Trails Branch Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will present "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in concert this weekend. Performances will occur at different times from Feb. 3-5. Click here for ticket details. (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra via Facebook)
• Are you searching for a new job or simply considering a career change? The City of St. Louis is actively hiring for a variety of open positions. Click the link to view the complete list. (City of St. Louis)
• The Soulard Art Gallery is presenting "The Art of Water: A Juried Art Exhibit." The exhibit is free to view and will run through Feb. 17. Click the link for additional details. (City of St. Louis)

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Events:

• Fires & Flannels Event (February 4)
• Online webinar about our roofing services in St. Louis (February 17)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you around!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.