🌱 Fire Destroys 75-Year-Old Church + Board of Aldermen Goes On Break

Good morning, hello! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the St. Louis Patch newsletter — here to explain everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer; breezy in the morning. High: 63 Low: 44.

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

1. An early-morning fire on Tuesday destroyed the majority of the 75-year-old St. John Temple Church in north St. Louis. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, and a church spokesman said the church is discussing how to rebuild and where to house its services in the meantime. (KMOV4)
2. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has gone on break after an eventful session during which the board managed to pass several bills even as federal prosecutors indicted three former members for bribery. Bills that the board passed included a pilot to test a guaranteed basic income program and a pay raise for the board. When the board returns from its break at the end of April, it will have only four bills left to consider. (St. Louis Public Radio)
3. St. Louis rapper Big Boss Vette was one of several musicians referenced during the 26th season premiere of the TV show "South Park." The rapper is known for her song "Snatched," which went viral on TikTok. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)

Today in St. Louis:

• Soulard Farmers Market At 730 Carroll St. (8:00 AM)
• Margaret & Friends At Hammerstone's (3:00 PM)
• Family Night With Fredbird At Cardinals National Restaurant & Bar (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a new place to call home? Check out this roundup of newly-listed properties in the St. Louis area, including a two-bedroom, two-bathroom place for $179,900 and a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house for $495,000. (St. Louis Patch)
• The St. Louis Actors' Studio will be performing a production of the classic theatrical work "Uncle Vanya" from Feb. 17 through Mar. 5. at the Gaslight Theater. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• President's Day is this weekend! The City of St. Louis will be adjusting its trash and recycling schedule to account for the holiday on Monday, Feb. 20. If your roll carts are normally collected on Mondays and Thursdays, then your carts will be collected on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 23. For those whose normal collection days are on Wednesday and Friday, then you can expect collection on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and Friday, Feb. 24. (Press Release Desk)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.