St. Louis County Council

Statewide Smoking Ban in Missouri? Maria Chappelle-Nadal Proposes Broad Restrictions

While St. Louis County officials consider putting in place a stricter smoking ban policy, a bill at the state legislature to ban smoking across the entire state has gotten little attention this legislative session. That's partly because opposition is so strong, it's not likely to get far in the pr ... More >>

Creve Coeur Park Treetop Adventure Course: Bird Lovers Upset, Say It Could Ruin Habitats

When we first wrote about the proposal for a treetop adventure course in Creve Coeur Park this month, we said it sounded pretty friggin' cool. We did not, however, give much attention to the bird lovers who apparently made quite a fuss at the St. Louis County Council last night about the damage th ... More >>

Smoking Ban in St. Louis County: What Kinds of Businesses Should Be Exempt?

A controversial smoking ban proposal at the St. Louis County Council has prompted businesses to protest stricter policies that they say could hurt their revenues. As we've reported, the policy under consideration, would limit exemptions to the ban so that a majority of establishments could no longer ... More >>

Video: Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course May Come To Creve Coeur Park

In a break from the reliably wonky policy and finance debates of local government, the St. Louis County Council this week is discussing something that sounds potentially really friggin' cool: A treetop adventure course in Creve Coure Park. And no, it's not just a rinky-dink zip line, y'all. "It' ... More >>

Smoking Ban: St. Louis County Small Businesses Fight For Exemptions, Fear Major Revenue Loss

Today at the St. Louis County Council, members of the public will have an opportunity to offer feedback on a controversial proposal to expand a smoking ban to a variety of business establishments that are exempt under current policy. Carol Fallert, owner of The Brew House in Maryland Heights, will ... More >>

"Arch Tax" Expected to Pass City's Board of Aldermen Today

Last night, Daily RFT asked Seventh Ward Alderwoman Phyllis Young: Does the "Arch Tax" bill you're sponsoring have the votes to pass at Friday's meeting? "If I'm counting properly, we have votes to pass it," she says. If that's correct, it will be up for a final board vote next week, as it will like ... More >>

St. Louis County Approves Protections for LGBT Residents

By a vote of 4-3 the St. Louis County Council last night approved adding sexual orientation and gender identity to its non-discrimination ordinance. The measure makes it illegal to fire an employee based on his or her sexuality as well as deny members of the LGBT community from housing and use of pu ... More >>

County Health Department Releases Open Letter Ahead of Farmers' Market Meeting

Last month, the St. Louis County Council began considering changes to the regulations governing farmers' markets. Clayton Farmers' Market master Deb Henderson has been an outspoken critic of the proposed new rules, telling Gut Check "if [the county] rewrites a definition of of a farmers' market and ... More >>

"It Doesn't Work": Clayton Farmers' Market Master Questions St. Louis County Proposals

On Tuesday, a bill was introduced to the St. Louis County Council that would make significant changes to the regulations governing St. Louis County's farmers' markets. The council did not vote on the measure at Tuesday's meeting but announced instead that it will hold a "Committee of the Whole" next ... More >>

St. Louis County Council to Consider Farmers' Market Changes

Screenshot: www.claytonfarmersmarket.com​A bill scheduled to be introduced at this evening's meeting of the St. Louis County Council could alter the schedules of the county's farmers' markets as well as the produce available at them. The bill, introduced by Councilman Michael O'Mara (D - 4th ... More >>

Cigar Store Owners Fight Push to End Smoking Ban Exemptions in St. Louis County

Premium tobacco retailers pipe up against the smoking ban.​Former councilwoman Barbara Fraser made a cameo at the St. Louis County Council meeting Tuesday to urge her former colleagues to do away with exemptions to the county's smoking ban. Fraser, who now serves as chairwoman for Tobacco Free St. ... More >>

County Council Could Honor Controversial Florissant Mayor Bob Lowery

Bob Lowery, former Florissant mayor and potential St. Louis County Council honoree.​Scandal? What scandal?The St. Louis County Council is poised to honor controversial outgoing Florissant Mayor Bob Lowery at its meeting this evening, despite revelations last year that led to an abrupt decision not ... More >>

Tobacco-Free St. Louis Faces IRS Complaint Over Lobbying, Campaign Contribution

Jim Pepper is complaining to the IRS that an anti-smoking agency has crossed the line.​O'Fallon Councilman Jim Pepper has followed through on his threat to complain to the IRS about the political work of Tobacco-Free St. Louis.Pepper yesterday filed a complaint with the IRS, charging that the non- ... More >>

Stimulus Funds to "Educate" St. Louis County Council About Need for Tougher Smoking Ban

Your stimulus dollars at work!​As we reported earlier today, St. Louis County has received $7.5 million in federal stimulus funds for a campaign to cut back on tobacco use here.But now Daily RFT has learned that the county is using some of the money to hire a non-profit organization to "educate" i ... More >>

St. Louis County Restricts Tether Time for Pets

The St. Louis County Council is okay with you smoking at the bars in Harrah's Casino -- just don't even think about tying your dog up outside while you do it.If it's less than 33 degrees outside, a new law would make this illegal in St. Louis County.​As the Post-Dispatch reports, the council took ... More >>

Lake Saint Louis Approves Smoking Ban, Mayor Still Needs to Sign into Law

​The Lake Saint Louis board of aldermen became the first city council in St. Charles County to pass a smoking ban. The board approved the ban in a 4-2 vote last night. The law still needs signature from Mayor Mike Potter who has voiced concerns about the ban. Like a similar ban in Kirkwood, the La ... More >>

When sweeping smoking bans take effect next year, many bar patrons might not even notice the difference

Walgreens To Soon Stock the Ultimate Drug: Booze

Add to those bargains beer and wine.​This blogger still recalls when Walgreens outlets in St. Louis had their own liquor departments separated from the main store with turnstiles to keep the kiddies out. Then suddenly, a decade or so ago, Walgreens abruptly stop selling booze. Rumor had it that th ... More >>

Metro to Voters: Pass Our Tax or We'll Cut Ya' in Half

That's pretty much the message that Robert Baer, president and CEO of the Metro transit agency, delivered to St. Louis County voters in today's Post-Dispatch. Baer says that if county voters do not approve a half-cent sales tax in April, the agency will be forced to cut half its service beginning ne ... More >>

Did A Vegas Casino Boss Try To Make A St. Louis County Councilman An Offer He Couldn't Refuse?

Image Via​Reporter Paul Hampel has an incredible story in today's Post-Dispatch about the CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. (the Vegas-based company that owns Lumiere Place, the Admiral and the new casino in Lemay) attempting to "muscle" a member of the St. Louis County Council before Tuesday's v ... More >>

St. Louis County Council Clears Way For North County Casino

Image Via​While thousands of St. Louis county voters took to the polls yesterday to decide important issues like a smoking ban and increased 911 funding, the fate of the largest stretch of undeveloped Mississippi River waterfront in the St. Louis region was left in the hands of six members of the ... More >>

Spanish Lake Casino Opponents Set to Picket County Planning Commission Meeting Tonight

www.knitwareblog.com​Remember the late-July proposal from a North St. Louis County developer for a massive casino and resort next to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area? The one that would turn 376 acres of wetlands into 8,000 parking spots, an 18-hole golf course, and another Casino in the St. ... More >>

Eating on $4.13 a Day

stlouiscore.comLewis Reed may look a bit skinnier by next week. ​Thanks to KMOX for explaining the curious tweet Lewis Reed, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, sent out this afternoon. Reed and St. Louis County Council member Barbara Frazier are participating this week in "Hunger C ... More >>

Heart, Lung and Cancer Associations Call on Dooley to Veto Smoking-Ban Bill

Smoking debate drags on.​As mentioned yesterday on this blog, folks on both side of the smoking ban debate aren't happy with a bill that would ask St. Louis County voters to prohibit tobacco use in most businesses. For smoking advocates and many business owners, the bill is an unfair encroachment ... More >>

Joe's trolley, the suffering of the Jews and a casino on bottomland

St. Louis County Council Gives Preliminary Approval to a Weakened Smoking Ban

The St. Louis County Council voted 4-3 last night to move forward on a bill that would ask residents to vote on a smoking ban on the Nov. 3 ballot.The bill exempts casinos from the ban as well as taverns that generate more than 75 percent of their revenue from alcohol sales. Those exemptions would b ... More >>

Smoking Ban Supporters to Rally Prior to Tonight's County Council Meeting

Members of the St. Louis County Council could vote tonight on a proposed bill that would ask its residents to vote on an indoor smoking ban. Prior to tonight's 6 p.m. council meeting, the group Smoke Free St. Louis plans to hold a rally in downtown Clayton in support of the ban. The rally begins at ... More >>

Smoking Ban Opponents Launch Advertising Campaign -- On Christian Radio?

keepstlouisfree.blogspot.com​Keep St. Louis Free, a group opposed to local smoking-ban efforts, launched this week an advertising campaign to try to block such a ban from going up for public vote in St. Louis County. Bill Hannegan -- spokesman and founder of Keep St. Louis Free -- mentioned the ad ... More >>

County Council Receives Smoking Ban Bill, More Provisions to Follow

The St. Louis County Council last night was presented a bill that would ask residents to vote on an ordinance banning indoor smoking in bars and restaurants. The bill proposed by council member Barbara Fraser had few provisions, though more could be added next week. Among those being considered are ... More >>

St. Louis County Residents Could Vote on Smoking Ban In November

flickr.com/photos/carolinespicsBut first the County Council must pass a proposal that would allow residents a voice in the matter. The council could vote on the proposed referendum as early as tonight, allowing the issue to go before voters in November. Council member Barbara Fraser tells the Post-D ... More >>

With Clayton Smoking Ban All But Guaranteed, Where is U. City, Creve Coeur and Overland?

Last night the Clayton board of aldermen gave initial approval to a smoking ban for businesses and restaurants that would go into effect in July 2010. The bill needs one more reading before becoming law, though it looks to be virtual done deal at this point. Just one alderman voted against the ban y ... More >>

Butt Heads: Want to know where our public officials stand on smoking bans? OK, we'll ask 'em!

Enforcement Could Burn City Smoking Ban

flickr.com/photos/wallygThe ban prompts the questions: Will The Smokers abide? And who will make them?Alderwoman Lyda Krewson's bill banning smoking inside almost all public spaces in the city gets its first reading this morning in front of the Board of Aldermen. The ordinance would only go into eff ... More >>

Drag King: Bill Hannegan can't stop huffing and puffing about smoking bans in St. Louis

Joyce Abusive

Nobody's ever voted for Joyce Aboussie, but the congressman, the governor, the mayor and the county executive don't do anything political without her.

Best Newspaper Columnist

Dolores Shante, St. Louis American

Pipe Schemes

The powerful Pipefitters union has a simple plan to provide job security for its members: It wants to take away other people's work.

Hand-Me-Down District

After 32 years, Bill Clay is retiring from his congressional seat. He wants to leave it to his son, but a crowded, eccentric field of candidates is contesting the will.

Getting Burned

A North St. Louis medical-waste incinerator has spewed dioxin for a decade. Nearby residents say it's time to fight the fire.

The Albatross

St. Louis has a long and tortured history with the Admiral, home of the President Casino, but the city is about to gamble another $3 million to keep it afloat. It's a risky bet.

Money Walks

Did a state representative yank the purse strings in an effort to frighten off a would-be challenger to one of his closest allies?

Chartering a Course Through Murky Waters

Charter-school proponents are paddling as fast as they can; plus, other St. Louis follies and foibles

PRAYING AGAINST THE ODDS

Developers of a Lemay casino have political muscle on their side. But the School Sisters of Notre Dame are betting on a higher power.

QUEEN BEEJ

Beej Nierengarten-Smith runs Laumeier Sculpture Park like her personal fiefdom. Despite the damage she's done, powerful allies keep her in charge.

NO MERCY FOR THE KIRKWOOD SCHOOLS

GREEN ACRES

How the Page Avenue extension has been good for influential road-builder Fred Weber Inc. -- through construction contracts, profitable land sales and a sweet deal with St. Louis County to expand its golf course

PEPPER GAME

Laumeier Sculpture Park director Beej Nierengarten-Smith broke all the rules and ordered the removal of Beverly Pepper's "Cromlech Glen." Then the artist heard about it.

Justice for All