🌱 Santa Robs Credit Union + Delmar Fire + Apply For COVID Relief

Welcome back, St. Louis! It's Monday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 47 Low: 23.

Here are the top stories today in St. Louis:

1. A man wearing a Santa hat robbed a credit union in St. Louis this weekend. Authorities say the 58-year-old suspect stole $1,000 from the First Community Credit Union in Bridgeton on Saturday while threatening to blow up the building. He was arrested by police later that afternoon and has been charged with first-degree robbery and making a terrorist threat. (STLtoday.com)
2. Smoke was visible for miles after a fire broke out downtown on Saturday afternoon. St. Louis Fire Department crews worked to put out the blaze at a three-story brick warehouse on Delmar Boulevard. The crews were able to safely evacuate the building, but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. (KSDK.com)
3. The City of St. Louis debuted a program that aims to provide pandemic relief money directly to residents facing COVID-related economic hardships. More than 500 residents lined up at the event at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park on Saturday to apply for the program, and hundreds more applied via an online application. The city is looking to send out the first payments next week. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

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Today in St. Louis:

• Create An Easy Christmas Tablescape At Girls Nite Live (Virtual) (3:00 PM)
• Photo Puzzles with Cricut At Barr Branch Library (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• S’mores kits and other sweet treats will be available at the St. Louis Zoo for the U.S. Bank Wild Lights event. (Facebook)
• The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra recapped its year of growth in a photo retrospective showcasing its digital events and new partnerships. (Facebook)
• The St. Louis Science Center will have limited holiday hours beginning Dec. 20 and extending through Jan. 1. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! See you all tomorrow for 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.