🌱 Homicide Suspect Killed + Shriners Receives Historic Donation

Happy Saturday, people of St. Louis! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything worth knowing today in St. Louis.

First, today's weather:

Clearing and breezy. High: 41 Low: 26.

Here are the top stories today in St. Louis:

1. A homicide suspect who was out on bail became a homicide victim Tuesday morning. Tatyana Smiley, who was charged for the first-degree murder of 72-year-old Charles Watkins last year, was released on bond in March to await trial. Her body was discovered at her house in Hamilton Heights just 12 hours before a fire broke out at the home. Authorities have not yet determined whether the incidents are connected. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)
2. A St. Louis-area hospital has received the largest donation in its history. The contribution of $2 million to Shriners Hospital for Children was a gift from Ellisville resident Marcia Billhartz, whose brother was a former leader of the Southern Illinois chapter of Shriners International. In recognition of the donation, the hospital’s lobby will be named in honor of Billhartz's brother, Edward Allan. (Free: Belleville News-Democrat, Subscription: St. Louis Business Journal)
3. A new smashburger concept, Intergalactic, has opened at the City Foundry food hall. The menu for the new concept includes smashburgers, waffle fries, and milkshakes. The restaurant is the 14th food concept to open inside the $300 million mixed-use redevelopment of the former factory site. (KSDK.com)

Today in St. Louis:

• 2022-2023 St. Louis Public Schools Budget Forum At St. Louis City (Virtual) (9:00 AM)
• A Christmas Jazz Affair At Mahler Ballroom (6:00 PM)
• Katie McGrath's "One Degree from Elvis" At Blue Strawberry Showroom (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The St. Louis County Police Department's Central County Precinct received stuffed animals from Toys Across America to hand out to children in the area for the holidays. (Facebook)
• Pride St. Louis will host a garage sale on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 3738 Chouteau Avenue.(Facebook)
• The St. Louis Science Center’s Esports Program was proud to get in the game at the Gateway Legends esports competition this year. Here's how the Science Center and teens in the Youth Exploring Science Program helped facilitate the event. (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with 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.