South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers
South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers
Erin Achenbach

Erin Achenbach, Former News Editor

News Editor 2022 through 2024.

All content by Erin Achenbach
Thank you and goodbye

Thank you and goodbye

By Erin Achenbach, Former News Editor
October 22, 2024
Mehlville school board approves 2024 tax rates

Mehlville school board approves 2024 tax rates

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 2, 2024
Bernard Middle School Student Council members serve lunch to a St. Louis County police officer at the school’s 14th annual Patriot Day BBQ on Sept. 11. Approximately 150 first responders attended the event.

[Photo] South County rallies for Patriot Day with first responders and veterans BBQ, cemetery cleanup

By Ellie Marshall, Staff Reporter
October 1, 2024
Sunset Hills aldermen approve stipend increase

Sunset Hills aldermen approve stipend increase

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 26, 2024
Fifth District Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, center, listens to members of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership board testify in 2019 along with 6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, left, and 7th District Councilman Mark Harder.

St. Louis County voters will determine if council needs own attorney

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 25, 2024
Affton School District agrees to $2.4M settlement in student death lawsuit

Affton School District agrees to $2.4M settlement in student death lawsuit

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 24, 2024

County taxpayers could pay for Hancock’s attorney fees

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 24, 2024

Mehlville School District holding public hearing Thursday to set 2024 tax rates

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 23, 2024
Presiding Officer Ernie Trakas questions Stinson attorney Andrew Scavotto during the Ethics Committee meeting July 24, 2018.

St. Louis County voters will decide in November on council hiring its own attorney

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 11, 2024
Dennis Hancock

Judge reinstates Councilman Hancock amid nepotism allegations

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 6, 2024
Council members Mark Harder and former Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger listen to then-Councilman Sam Page speak during a Ethics Committee meeting in 2024.

St. Louis county manager proposal stalls at County Council

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 28, 2024
Dennis Hancock

Dennis Hancock barred from St. Louis County Council over nepotism allegations

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 27, 2024
Fifth District Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, center, listens to members of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership board testify in 2019 along with 6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, left, and 7th District Councilman Mark Harder.

St. Louis County Council considers pros and cons of a county manager

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 20, 2024
Election signs along the entrance to the polls at Sperreng Middle School along Tesson Ferry Road on Election Day in August 2020.

South County election results from the August 2024 primaries

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 14, 2024
Veterinary clinic, vehicle service facility proposals on Planning Commission’s agenda

Veterinary clinic, vehicle service facility proposals on Planning Commission’s agenda

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 8, 2024
Voters line up outside Cliff Cave Library in Oakville to vote in the 2020 primary election.

Ernie Trakas loses reelection bid, Amendment No. 4 passes and other results from the Aug. 6 primary races

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 7, 2024
Seventh District Councilman Mark Harder and 3rd District Councilman Tim Fitch at a May 2019 meeting.

Mark Harder proposes county manager system of government

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 2, 2024
Sixth District Councilman Ernie Trakas cracks a smile after St. Louis County Executive Sam Page gives him the pen used to sign an anti-vaping bill championed by Trakas at Hancock High School in May 2019.

St. Louis County Council approves additional funding for senior property tax freeze

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
July 30, 2024
Sixth District St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas, the council's presiding officer at the time, listens to public comment from mothers of St. Louis County policemen at a 2019 council meeting.

Council postpones vote on legislation for additional senior property tax freeze funding

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
July 23, 2024
Mehlville approves universal free breakfast program at three district elementary schools

Mehlville approves universal free breakfast program at three district elementary schools

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
July 15, 2024
Planning Commission recommends approval of A1’s proposal to move

Planning Commission recommends approval of A1’s proposal to move

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
July 9, 2024
A1 Wine & Spirit seeks conditional use permit to occupy old Dairy Queen

A1 Wine & Spirit seeks conditional use permit to occupy old Dairy Queen

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
July 1, 2024
The bid to ban ranked-choice voting

The bid to ban ranked-choice voting

By Erin Achenbach
June 27, 2024
Mullally Drive dead-ends at the location of the proposed subdivision, which will use Mullally to access Reavis Barracks Road.

Proposal for 121-home subdivision in South County on hold after neighbor opposition

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
June 25, 2024
Mehlville, St. Louis County Police Department enter into contract for SROs

Mehlville, St. Louis County Police Department enter into contract for SROs

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
June 12, 2024

Residents voice concerns at County Council meeting about subdivision proposal

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
June 4, 2024
Mark Harder.

County manager system proposed

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
May 21, 2024
Top right: The Yaeger-Milburn intersection, and examples of the roundabout that could be installed at that intersection. Image courtesy of the St. Louis County Department of Transportation.

County moving forward with $2.3M roundabout

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
May 21, 2024
A rendering of the proposed layout and location of the St. Louis Bomber's rugby park.

City strikes traffic study requirement for rugby club

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
May 20, 2024

Mehlville Fire holds training on specialized care for pediatric patients

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
May 9, 2024

Mehlville BOE approves 2024-25 classified salary schedules

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 29, 2024
Lindbergh Schools swears in Rachel Braaf Koehler, left, and Megan Vedder, onto the Board of Education at a meeting April 9. Koehler and Vedder won election to the school board April 2. Photo courtesy of Lindbergh Schools.

Lindbergh, Mehlville swear in new board of education directors after April election

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 26, 2024

Incumbents come out on top in April 2 elections, Crestwood’s Prop A also passes

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 25, 2024
Lindbergh leads April 2 election races in spending

Lindbergh leads April 2 election races in spending

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 23, 2024
Fifth District Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, center, listens to members of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership board testify in 2019 along with 6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, left, and 7th District Councilman Mark Harder.

Senior property tax freeze legislation advanced by St. Louis County Council

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 22, 2024

Vet clinic/doggy daycare up for public hearings

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 17, 2024

Lindbergh and Mehlville school boards swear in new, returning directors

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 17, 2024
Voters check in to cast their ballots at the Sunset Hills Community Center during the April 2019 municipal election.

Incumbents victorious in 2024 South County municipal and school board elections

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 3, 2024
Candidate filing closes for August primary

Candidate filing closes for August primary

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
April 1, 2024
South County Election Guide 2024

South County Election Guide 2024

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
March 29, 2024
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, right, and his wife, Jennifer, vote for Page in the 2020 Democratic primary. There is no race for the county executive in the 2024 election cycle.

August primary races mix of incumbents, newcomers to office

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
March 26, 2024
The preliminary development plan for ‘The Grove at Grant’s Trail,’ per the St. Louis County Planning Commission March 11 public hearing agenda. The subdivision features 121 single-family homes.

Residents concerned about increased traffic from subdivision proposal

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
March 22, 2024

WATCH: Nine of 10 Mehlville BOE candidates field questions from voters at forum

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
March 19, 2024
Single-family subdivision, other commercial uses on planning panel agenda

Single-family subdivision, other commercial uses on planning panel agenda

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
March 6, 2024
Missouri’s first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in South County at the Mehlville Fire Protection District’s Engine House No. 2, 5434 Telegraph Road. The box was dedicated at a ribbon cutting event Aug. 8, pictured above, which was attended by Rep. Jim Murphy of Oakville (pictured center) – who sponsored the legislation for the baby boxes, Mehlville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. The boxes are designed to let parents anonymously and safely surrender newborns at firehouses, hospitals and other public safety locations.

First baby surrendered at MFPD firehouse

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
February 20, 2024
A rendering of the Castle Bluff Energy Center. Courtesy of Ameren Missouri.

Ameren reveals plans for new natural gas facility in South County

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
February 20, 2024
St. Louis County Planning Commission will hear petitions for tattoo parlor, athletic fields

St. Louis County Planning Commission will hear petitions for tattoo parlor, athletic fields

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
February 8, 2024
The campaign committee for Mehlville School District’s Proposition S, Mehlville-Oakville United, hosted a donut drive-thru in 2021 at Mehlville High School, Washington Middle School and Oakville Middle/Wohlwend Elementary. The event featured free donuts, “Yes on S” car painting and committee members dressed in costumes to raise awareness about the bond measure.

Oakville Middle, Wohlwend Elementary will get secure entry vestibules

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
January 23, 2024

Mehlville BOE votes in favor of retaining 19 ESSER interventionists

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
January 8, 2024

Mehlville School District eliminates At Home program due to deficit spending

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 18, 2023
Smart investing in education

Smart investing in education

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 14, 2023
MFPD program will provide blood transfusions on location

MFPD program will provide blood transfusions on location

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 13, 2023

Mehlville considers cutting At Home program

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 13, 2023
Candidate filing underway for April 2024 municipal and school board elections

Candidate filing underway for April 2024 municipal and school board elections

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 11, 2023
Planning Commission set to hear petitions for two South County zoning proposals

Planning Commission set to hear petitions for two South County zoning proposals

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 7, 2023
MFPD introducing onsite blood transfusion program

MFPD introducing onsite blood transfusion program

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
December 5, 2023
County Planning Commission set to hear two proposals in South County

County Planning Commission set to hear two proposals in South County

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 30, 2023
Roundabouts are good, actually

Roundabouts are good, actually

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 24, 2023
Green Park Officer Jeremy Hake, right, with former Mayor Bob Reinagel at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Green Park McDonald's in 2017.

Special meeting called to discuss Green Park police services gets nowhere

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 23, 2023

Property tax freeze for seniors 67 and up becomes law without Page’s signature

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 23, 2023
Kevin Schartner.

Former Mehlville BOE director announces bid for County Council

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 22, 2023
Top right: The Yaeger-Milburn intersection, and examples of the roundabout that could be installed at that intersection. Image courtesy of the St. Louis County Department of Transportation.

Proposal for roundabout at Yaeger-Milburn met with skepticism

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 21, 2023

Senior property tax freeze becomes the law without county executive’s signature

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 15, 2023

Senior property tax freeze becomes the law without Page’s signature

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
November 7, 2023
Two grants from the Missouri Department of Conservation have allowed Wohlwend Elementary School in the Mehlville School District to transform portions of its campus into a native prairie habitat, pollinator garden and outdoor classroom. The prairie along with the pollinator garden provide learning opportunties for students, and creates a habitat for native wildlife and pollinators.

Wohlwend GROWS project cultivates learning opportunities by taking the classroom outdoors

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 25, 2023

County Council approves property tax freeze for seniors

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 24, 2023
An aerial view of the office building that is undergoing renovations to become the new Mehlville Central Office at 2900 Lemay Ferry Road, from the building's real estate listing in March 2021.

Mehlville BOE approves bid for phase one of new Central Office project

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 18, 2023

Mehlville Fire sets tax rates, sees $418M increase in assessed values

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 17, 2023
A rendering from the developer of the proposed redevelopment of the vacant Weekends Only at 6303 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The redevelopment would include a Dogwood Social House restaurant, retail space, a self-storage facility and two outs. Rendering via St. Louis County.

Traffic, noise are concerns of Dogwood Social House neighbors

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 16, 2023

Two South County elected officials fined by ethics commission

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 11, 2023

County Council reconsiders property tax freeze

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 9, 2023

County Council reconsidering senior property tax freeze bill

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 6, 2023
A rendering from the developer of the proposed redevelopment of the vacant Weekends Only at 6303 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The redevelopment would include a Dogwood Social House restaurant, retail space, a self-storage facility and two outs. Rendering via St. Louis County.

County Planning Commission set to hear postponed petition for Dogwood Social House

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
October 4, 2023
Community job fair hosted by school district, chamber and newspaper

Community job fair hosted by school district, chamber and newspaper

By Erin Achenbach and Ellie Marshall
October 3, 2023
Photo courtesy of McArthur's.

McArthur’s reopens South County store to foot traffic, launches two new concepts

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 28, 2023

Mehlville BOE approves 2023 tax rate, includes 31-cent Prop E levy

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 28, 2023
South County deserves more thoughtful developments

South County deserves more thoughtful developments

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 27, 2023
Despite a strong showing in the first half of the game, the Oakville Tigers fell to the Ladue Rams 40-33 in week four of the season. The loss was Oakville’s first for the season.Despite a strong showing in the first half of the game, the Oakville Tigers fell to the Ladue Rams 40-33 in week four of the season. The loss was Oakville’s first for the season. Photo by Jeremy Housewright.

[Photo] OHS has first lost of season against Ladue

By Jeremy Housewright, For the Call
September 25, 2023
The Dogwood Social House in Ellisville.

Planning panel hears petition for car dealership, Dogwood Social House postponed

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 25, 2023

St. Louis County Council gives Boeing tax incentives approval

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 25, 2023
The Dogwood Social House in Ellisville.

Public hearing set for South County Dogwood Social House

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 12, 2023
The Wild Horse Ammunition company logo, from the company's website at wildhorseammunition.com.

Aldermen reject petition for ammunition storage warehouse in Green Park

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
September 8, 2023
The state's first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at the Mehlville Fire Protection District's Engine House No. 2, 5434 Telegraph Road. The boxes are designed to let parents anonymously surrender newborns at firehouses, hospitals and other public safety locations.

Missouri’s first ‘baby box’ installed at Mehlville Fire engine house in Oakville

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 31, 2023
The annual labor of love

The annual labor of love

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 30, 2023
Officers with the 131st Security Forces Squadron and members of Mehlville Fire Protection District wait for mock victims to be extracted from a building during a simulated active shooter event, Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, Mo., Aug. 11, 2023. The two organizations worked together over multiple days to train and test their capabilities. Photo by U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Mundwiller.

‘First of its kind’ civilian police force takes over at Jefferson Barracks base

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 30, 2023

Council restricts smoking on county property

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 30, 2023

County Council moves to advance Boeing tax incentives proposal

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 30, 2023

Committee recommends against tax rate roll back

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 29, 2023
Despite being a small team this year with just four varsity players, the 2023 season could be a memorable one for the Mehlville girls golf team. Photo courtesy of the Mehlville School District.

[Photo] MHS golf is ready for a memorable year

By Stephen Glover, For the Call
September 1, 2023
The seniors on the Oakville High School football team. Photo courtesy of the Mehlville School District.

[Photo] Oakville Tigers football team has high aspirations for the 2023 season

By Jeremy Housewright, For the Call
August 31, 2023
The Mehlville Panthers football team is looking to improve this season after going 3-7 in 2022.

[Photo] Consistency is key for Mehlville Panthers football in 2023 season

By Jeremy Housewright, For the Call
August 31, 2023
Thousands of sunflowers were planted by Tom Rollins on his property at Cliff Cave Park in honor of his wife, Marian, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2017. Rollins hopes the fields that he calls ‘Marian’s Place,’ pictured above, can provide a place of health and healing for the community.

Love in bloom: Sunflower sanctuary sprouts hope amidst couple’s dementia journey

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 28, 2023

Council advances tax break for Boeing project

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 22, 2023
Missouri’s first Safe Haven Baby Box was installed in South County at the Mehlville Fire Protection District’s Engine House No. 2, 5434 Telegraph Road. The box was dedicated at a ribbon cutting event Aug. 8, pictured above, which was attended by Rep. Jim Murphy of Oakville (pictured center) – who sponsored the legislation for the baby boxes, Mehlville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. The boxes are designed to let parents anonymously and safely surrender newborns at firehouses, hospitals and other public safety locations.

State’s first ‘baby box’ installed at Mehlville Fire engine house in Oakville

By Erin Achenbach, News Editor
August 15, 2023
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