COTTLEVILLE
Board approves subdivision
The city of Cottleville welcomed a new builder to the neighborhood earlier this month.
The Cottleville Board of Aldermen approved a new single family residential community off of Gutermuth Road.
“Lombardo Homes is developing and building the 64-lot community called Estates at Timberleaf,” said City Administrator Scott Lewis.
The average home price is expected to be in the upper $300,000 range.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY
New updates
The Missouri Department of Transportation is testing a new plan to try to reduce the number of interstate crashes caused by drivers rear-ending slowed or stopped traffic.
On July 22, MoDOT began a test project to share certain speed information on electronic overhead dynamic message signs (DMS) on I-70 from St. Charles County to downtown.
When average speeds on I-70 decrease to less than the posted speed limit, MoDOT will automatically display a variable advisory speed message on the DMS that the speeds ahead are significantly reduced.
MoDOT traffic engineers said this message is intended to get drivers’ attention and encourage them to slow down before they reach slowed or possibly stopped traffic ahead of them. MoDOT currently displays travel times on its most of its overhead boards. That information will remain. The variable advisory speed information posted on the I-70 signs will appear on the third line.
“We believe this information, combined with the travel times on the boards can help drivers make decisions about speed that will lower the number of rear-end type crashes that occur daily on our roadways,” said Tom Blair, MoDOT’s assistant district engineer in St. Louis.
Blair said the variable advisory speed message is just the latest effort in MoDOT’s regional approach to managing traffic and providing safety information to motorists.
O’FALLON
New city administrator
Bonnie Therrien has been named as the new city administrator for O’Fallon after a two-month national search. She will start the position on Aug. 5.
Therrien comes to O’Fallon from Connecticut, where she served in numerous roles in city management, most recently as the interim town manager for North Branford, Conn. She brings nearly 30 years of experience in city management to O’Fallon, having worked as a town manager and assistant town manager for cities ranging in population from 9,500 to more than 150,000, according to an O’Fallon press release.
“We went into this process hoping to find a candidate with significant experience but also someone with fresh ideas who could really make an impact on the direction of our city,” said Mayor Bill Hennessy. “It was clear, as this process went on, that Bonnie was exactly that person. She impressed our entire committee with her honesty, integrity and her vast and varied experience.
The position in O’Fallon brings Therrien to the Midwest for the first time in her career. Therrien said the opportunity to lead O’Fallon was too exciting to pass up.
“I am very much looking forward to moving to O’Fallon and working with the mayor and City Council to lead our city for the betterment of our citizens, businesses and taxpayers,” Therrien said. “The city administrator’s position greatly appealed to me because of the forward-thinking attitude of the mayor and City Council, the high caliber of the department heads and staff, and the enthusiasm of the residents and businesses in O’Fallon.
Therrien has a master’s of science in public administration and a master’s of arts in criminal justice from American International College, a liberal arts college, in Springfield, Mass.
Neighborly assault
An O’Fallon man was charged with assaulting his neighbor — a Hazelwood police officer — earlier this month.
The O’Fallon Police Department was called to 1500 block of Indian Springs Drive on July 14 in reference to a neighborhood dispute.
John J. Kahr is accused of grabbing his neighbor’s arm and pulling it into his vehicle. Police said Kahr then started driving his car, forcing the victim to run alongside the vehicle for approximately 30 feet. Kahr released his grip before fleeing the scene.
The victim and an O’Fallon police officer later attempted contact with Kahr at his residence and were allegedly greeted by Kahr who was carrying an assault rifle. Police said Kahr retreated into the garage after refusing to drop the weapon. The police officer was able to enter the garage, kick Kahr in the chest and take him into custody with no further incident.
Kahr has been charged with second degree assault of a police officer. Bond was set at $50,000, cash-only.
Be safe this summer
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative reminds area residents to be aware of the dangers of electricity while working outdoors this summer.
“Play it safe with electricity,” said Cuivre River Safety Coordinator Doug Bagby. “Accidents involving power lines usually happen when someone doesn’t take the time to look up and observe the whole situation.”
Cuivre River suggests residents check outdoor electrical outlets for protective weatherproof covers and be sure GFCIs are operating properly by using the test button. Always carry a ladder horizontally, and before setting it up, check to see if power lines are located overhead or nearby. Residents should also be alert and watch for power lines when operating tall machinery or equipment outdoors.
“Just use common sense when working around power lines. Look up and survey the scene around you,” Bagby said. “Also make sure to contact Missouri One Call before you dig to avoid hitting a buried power line.”
ST. CHARLES
Art grants support SCRA
Saint Charles Riverfront Arts (SCRA) recently received multiple grants in support of its 2013-14 community arts education programs.
Saint Charles Riverfront Arts programming includes the annual Spring ArtWalk, the second Thursdays community arts series, and its Artists Workshop classes. These signature programs are the primary venues to support the organization’s mission of growing an arts community throughout St. Charles County.
“Over the past eight years, Saint Charles Riverfront Arts has become an important, vibrant element of the St. Charles community,” said Board President Lou Cariffe. “With this financial support for our arts education programming, SCRA can continue to grow and contribute to the entire St. Charles region in terms of opportunities for public cultural enrichment and the promotion of the visual and performing arts.”
Saint Charles Riverfront Arts is seeking additional grants, as well as individual and corporate tax-deductible contributions. As a 501 (c) 3 organization, SCRA can also accept tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under the IRS Tax Code.
The arts and education grants awarded to SCRA were made on behalf of: Ameristar Casinos, General Motors, Missouri Arts Council and St. Charles Arts and Culture.
Torch run stops in St. Charles
The Show-Me State Games and Shelter Insurance hosted a Torch Run in Frontier Park on July 9 in preparation for the 2013 Show-Me State Games.
The Show-Me State Games is an Olympic-style sports festival with more than 40 sporting events hosted annually in Columbia, Mo. It is the largest event of its type in the country and this year brought back the Torch Run.
St. Charles was chosen to host a Torch Run event in part because of the large number of Show-Me State Games participants who come from the St. Charles area.
A cannon shot from the Milicia de San Carlos signaled the start of the St. Charles leg of the run, which began at Jaycee Stage and ended at the Lewis & Clark Boat House. The event was also highlighted by a welcome from Mayor Sally Faith, an appearance from a previous medaling team from the 2012 Games, the St. Charles Heat, and a ribbon-cutting from the Greater St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce.
The 2013 Show-Me State Games will take place July 26 through July 28 in Columbia.
Cowbell adds full marathon
The third annual MO’ Cowbell will include a full marathon this October.
With more than 4,500 runners this year, organizers added the full marathon option for the first time this year. The race will also include a half-marathon, half-marathon relay and 5K.
“We started with the dream of a fun-filled community race that would promote fitness and the uniqueness of Greater St. Charles,” said Race Director Kerin Miller. “With all of our new additions to MO’ Cowbell, there is definitely something for runners of all abilities, and even walkers are welcome.”
Hailed as “the fastest and flattest course in the St. Louis region,” the MO’ Cowbell Marathon is a certified course and can be used as a qualifier for national races like the Boston Marathon.
MO’ Cowbell is organized by the civic group, Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles, with the assistance of Big River Running Company. For 2013, a portion of race proceeds will go to the “Take 20 and Read” program of the St. Charles City-County Library District to promote reading and literacy.
This year’s race starts 7:30 a.m. on Sun., Oct. 6 from Frontier Park in St. Charles. For more information, visit MOCowbellRun.com.
Man zaps wife with stun gun
A 25-year-old St. Charles man allegedly used a stun gun on his wife repeatedly after he couldn’t find his wallet on July 2.
Police said Brian David O’Neill, of the 800 block of North Sixth Street, used a Concorde Defender 3.8 million volt model on his wife’s neck after arguing. She tried to get away from him, but police say he pinned her to the ground, shocking her stomach and thighs.
The woman was able to get to her car, but O’Neill allegedly stunned her again while she was in the vehicle. He then threw the stun gun into the neighbor’s yard and fled on foot.
O’Neill has been charged with second degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, second degree property damage and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. A $35,000 cash-only bond was set.
ST. PETERS
Felony stealing
A 43-year-old St. Peters woman has been charged after allegedly stealing the wallet of an 83-year-old woman at Walmart on June 28.
According to police Tracy Mechelle Jennings, of the 700 block of Queens Court Place, approached the 83-year-old victim at the St. Charles Walmart. Jennings told the victim that she was hired to help customers find items in the store. Jennings helped the woman shop, and then loaded her groceries into her car.
The victim leaned into her backseat to retrieve a can of beans to give to Jennings as a thank you and Jennings then left. When the victim checked her purse, she noticed her wallet containing several hundred dollars was gone.
Police said the theft was caught on security footage which showed the suspect taking the wallet out of the purse while the victim was reaching into the back seat to get the can of beans to give to the suspect. Jennings then concealed the wallet on her person.
A $25,000 cash-only bond was set.
Sobering facts
Nearly 30 percent of Missouri traffic fatalities are due to impaired driving. In 2012, 217 people were killed and 815 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver.
St. Peters Police Department will be working with the St. Charles County DWI Task Force to attempt to remove impaired drivers from the road.
Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, loss of driver’s license, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Missouri also has a zero tolerance law. If you are under 21, your license will be suspended if you’re caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in your system.
“Driving drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” said Chief Jeff Finkelstein. “It is our goal to keep the streets of St. Peters safe throughout the year.”
For more information, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.