🌱 New CITYPARK Detection Dog + Nigerian Restaurant Opening This May

Good morning, neighbors! I'm back with your new edition of the St. Louis Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things going on these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy with periods of rain. High: 57 Low: 47.

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

1. Spirit, a German Shorthaired Pointer, has been named the official detection dog for CITYPARK in St. Louis. Spirit, a member of the St. Charles County Police Department's K-9 unit, will serve as a detection dog for home soccer matches and other events at CITYPARK. She is certified in explosives detection and odor tracking by the North American Police Work Dog Association. (KMOV4)
2. A new Nigerian restaurant is slated to open in downtown St. Louis this May. Levels Nigerian Cuisine, owned by Ono Ikanone, will serve traditional dishes like jollof rice and egusi soup in a contemporary and casual atmosphere. The restaurant will aim to not only be a destination for great cuisine, but also a place for customers to experience Nigerian culture. (Sauce Magazine)
3. On Monday, a woman was shot in the leg while in the city's Vandeventer neighborhood. According to police, the shooting occurred on North Sarah Avenue in St. Louis at around 1:50 p.m. The victim, whose name has not been released as of Monday evening, was conscious and breathing when taken to the hospital for treatment. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)

Today in St. Louis:

• Fabricating Empire: Folk Textiles And The Making Of Early 20th-Century Austrian Design At Saint Louis Art Museum (10:00 AM)
• Andy Coco & Co. At Broadway Oyster Bar (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page has announced upgrades to the online permitting system, allowing construction plans to be submitted online and streamlining the permitting process for applicants. (KMOV4)
• Looking for some last-minute Valentine's Day plans? Here's a roundup of things to do in St. Louis this Feb. 14. (KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis)
• South Park's season premiere kicked off last week with a nod to St. Louis's own Big Boss Vette and her viral song "Pretty Girls Walk," currently trending on TikTok. (Riverfront Times)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— 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.