Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Your online news source for St. Charles County, Missouri

The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Becky-David Elementary, Daniel Boone Elementary and Warren Elementary as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The Francis Howell schools received the prestigious award based on their high academic performance. Only five other elementary schools in Missouri received the award this year.

Harvest Ridge Elementary has been selected to receive a $25,000 grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Bayer Fund. The grant is intended to increase engagement, accessibility and achievement in science, technology, engineering and math [STEM] fields.

On Sept. 20, Lutheran High’s Sapphires Spirit Squad put on a fundraiser at the Future Cougar Night football game to raise money for the school’s upcoming state competition in Kansas City. They hope to put the funds toward new uniforms for the competition. The fundraiser offered the opportunity for future LHS students to dance with the Sapphires at the game and learn a fun halftime routine. Over 40 future Cougars attended, and the team was able to raise about $1,000.

The latest in senior health and wellness news.

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has asked the St. Charles County Council to consider asking voters to approve an amendment to the County Charter to guarantee consumers are aware of additional sales taxes assessed by Community Improvement Districts [CIDs].

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, more people between the ages of 18 and 34 lived with their parents than with a spouse in 2016. Although there are a number of reasons for the marriage decline, part of the explanation is a growing scarcity of “economically attractive” men as potential marriage partners, say researchers at Cornell University.

Construction of a new bridge structure on Jungermann Road located north of Country Creek Drive remains ongoing. The west side of the bridge, roadway and sidewalk improvements are scheduled to be completed in November 2019. The entire project is slated to be completed in April 2020.

Dardenne Prairie recently examined a project that would install a new one-way, low-flow spillway pipe at the 15-acre lake at the Dardenne Greenway in BaratHaven Park. It also would install a trailside concrete swale to direct stormwater from the Henning Road bridge to two existing plastic cross-trail culverts, both of which will be extended to Dardenne Creek.

Due to the upcoming contract expiration with waste provider Grace Hauling, Inc. on Dec. 31, Dardenne Prairie city staff requested proposals for the pickup of resident trash and recycling in subsequent years. Four proposals were received. After evaluation of potential criteria, including “capped” rate increases for future years, the proposal by Grace Hauling, Inc. was determined to be the most favorable.

This fall, Zumwalt North is led by a talented group of nine seniors already has more wins than each of the last two seasons. The Panthers are starting their best season since 2016.