Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one St. Louis nonprofit is turning vacant houses into family homes

And check out Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ" on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Hey hey St. Louis! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one St. Louis nonprofit is turning vacant houses into family homes
  • How bad have conditions inside St. Louis jails really become?
  • How will Lambert’s big makeover change your next St. Louis flight?

Also on today's calendar: Saint Louis Chamber Chorus "Voices of Change, TRANSFORMATION: The Birth of Jesus Christ" and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in St. Louisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in St. Louisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 56 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and cooler, temps: high: 40, low: 33.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 58 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Joseph Housing Initiative is making dreams come true one affordable home at a time (stlpr.org) — A St. Louis nonprofit is quietly turning vacant Dutchtown and north-side houses into affordable, fully renovated homes for first-time buyers like Danny and Maria Estrada. The St. Joseph Housing Initiative pairs rehabbed properties with homeownership classes, down-payment assistance, and donated furnishings, while relying on volunteers and grants to absorb about $50,000 in losses per house to stabilize underserved city neighborhoods.
   

2. Conditions in St. Louis jails are at the breaking point. Here's why (ksdk.com) — Severe understaffing and overcrowding at the St. Louis City Justice Center and St. Louis County Jail are leading to missed medical emergencies, unsafe violence, and even basic needs like showers and hygiene products going unmet. Officers describe crushing overtime and burnout, while detainees report filthy conditions and delayed care. Local leaders are weighing higher pay and recruitment efforts against community calls to reduce jail populations.
   

3. A gateway reimagined (pwestpathfinder.com) — Major changes are coming to St. Louis Lambert International Airport, including merging its two terminals into one and vastly expanding parking to cut long lines and delays. The West Airfield Program aims to modernize the aging facility, add more shops and local food options, and create a cleaner, more efficient first impression of St. Louis for travelers and residents alike.
   

4. Firefighter falls through floor of vacant building as vacant-building fires ramp up in St. Louis (firstalert4.com) — A St. Louis firefighter escaped injury after falling through the floor of a burning vacant home in north St. Louis, highlighting growing concerns about fires in abandoned buildings during cold snaps. Neighbors, alderpersons, and fire officials are pressing the city to speed up enforcement and demolition of dangerous properties, saying repeated fires in places like Mark Twain and Walnut Park East put both residents and first responders at risk.
   

5. This Week's Photos: December 18th, 2025 (stlamerican.com) — Several major St. Louis gatherings are highlighted this week, from a Whitney M. Young Society fundraiser at Anheuser-Busch Biergarten to Nelly’s Black and White Ball at the Four Seasons benefiting local causes. You’ll also see Hyde Park resident Regina Dennis-Nana reflecting on development near the NGA campus and local professionals honored at the Delux Power 100 celebration by the Arch.
   

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Ok St. Louis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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