New Year's Eve Celebrations Just For You

Several West County restaurants are hosting New Year's Eve celebrations this year. Stay close to home and celebrate with your friends and neighbors.

Town and Country-Manchester Bistro 1130 Bistro 1130 serves authentic Mediterranean French delicacies and was voted best new restaurant by St. Louis Magazine in 2011. Bistro 1130 will be offering a special menu. Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pricing: À la carte pricing from a special menu with a special champagne toast at midnight. Napoli2 Authentic Italian cuisine can be found at Napoli2. The Pietoso family, owners of Napoli2, pride themselves in offering quality, consistency and delicious ingredients. The menu for New Year's Eve will be a combination of their most popular specials including sea bass, salmon, scallops, filet mignon, Chicken Picatta and more. Seatings:  Call 636-256-9998 for reservations. Pricing: À la carte pricing with a …

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Parkway South's Class of 2011 Graduates

Parkway South seniors said goodbye to high school Friday night during the their graduation ceremony at Queeny Park.

It may have been Friday 13th, but it was a lucky Friday for the Parkway South High School graduating class of 2011. In spite of some strong winds, the cold weather and rain did not hit the event, which was held at Queeny Park. Parkway South Principal Gary Mazzola told the audience of the many accomplishments of the graduating class, including earning nearly $11 million in total scholarships. Nearly 2,000 students graduated Friday. The Valedictorian is Mona Dai and the Salutatorian is Meghan Scanlon. Student Clinton Cannon gave the commencement address, telling his fellow classmates that the best part of their lives was just about to begin. "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing," Cannon said. Town and Country - Manchester Patch …

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West County Walks for a Cure

Nearly 350 people gathered in West County this weekend to walk in support of cancer victims and survivors

In spite of the early rain and chilly weather, 350 residents of Wildwood, Manchester, Ballwin and other West County cities gathered at Lafayette High School Saturday to participate in the West County Walk.  Since 2009, the walk has gathered supporters of friends and family who have been affected by breast cancer. The walk is an alternative to downtown St. Louis' annual Race for the Cure.  "I'm so excited about today. Everything was just perfect," said Scott Sloyer, organizer of the West County Walk, which raised approximately $10,000 that would go toward the Susan G. Komen foundation. "The weather scared a few people earlier, but we still met our goal—and it turned out to be a beautiful day." Check out the event in the above slideshow.

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The Business Break-Down

Manchester Stalling on Plan to Improve Manchester Road

Manchester’s Planning and Zoning Commission says the Great Streets Initiative has too many unanswered questions.

Manchester’s Planning and Zoning Commission listened to a lengthy presentation on how the Great Streets Initiative could improve Manchester Road Monday night, but members are unwilling to fully back the idea at this time. The Great Streets Initiative is a 30-year master plan sponsored by the East-West Council of Governments that proposes to smooth out traffic problems on Manchester Road west of Highway 141, while making the surrounding communities more attractive to residents and shoppers. The plan would address improvements to 7 miles of Manchester Road that run through Manchester, Winchester, Ballwin, Ellisville and Wildwood. The plan seeks to fix traffic congestion on Manchester Road by removing many of the “curb cuts,” or access points…

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PatchCast: St. Louis County Police Announce Campaign to Combat Rise in Heroin Use

Plus, 12 area fire districts receive life-saving, thermal imaging cameras, and firefighters test their skills in training sessions involving live flames.

Here's a roundup of what's topping news in the region. St. Louis County Police Say They'll Pursue 3-Pronged Plan to Combat Rise in Heroin Use:  Local law enforcement are partnering with a federal agency and a support group to identify traffickers and help those addicted to the drug. Mehlville Fire District Receives Thermal Camera From Eagle Bank:  For their 100 year anniversary, Eagle Bank is donating 12 thermal imaging cameras to area fire departments. Affton Firefighters Train in Compliance Burn:  Along with two other fire departments, Affton firefighters practiced a number of scenarios with a live flame. Girl Scouts Celebrate April With Service Projects:  The Book Baskets Project and April Showers community service project highlight the…

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PatchCast: Repair Work Underway on Route 109

Plus, Rep. Todd Akin considers Senate run, and Bayless Elementary is named National School of Character finalist.

Route 109 Repairs Are Coming Along:  Where failed foundation just occurred last week at a section of this major roadway, now is a gap that is 30 feet deep and 400 feet long. Rep. Todd Akin May Run For Senate Seat:  U.S. Rep. Todd Akin is considering running against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill for her U.S. Senate seat. Bayless Elementary Honored for Character Education:  For the second year the elementary has been named one of 50 National School of Character Finalists. Notebook: Oakville Girls Collect Postseason Awards:  Oakville has several players honored by the Suburban West Conference. Plus, an update on Toraino Hellems.

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PatchCast: New Police Dispatch Center Opens Monday

Also check out business negotiations in Brentwood and a student grant in Affton.

Tri-County Dispatch Center Begins Operating In Town and Country Monday: The new West Central Dispatch Center housing Town and Country, Creve Coeur and Frontenac police dispatchers began operating at its new location Monday. Royals Rule Fat Tuesday With King Cake Tradition: Fenton's Slice of Heaven Bakery has been busy baking hundreds of King Cakes, ensuring the area its share of Mardi Gras royalty. Negotiations Stalled Between Drury and MoDOT: Although land negotiations for a new Drury hotel in Brentwood were making progress, the transaction that has been in the works for two years is now stalled. Since discussions began in summer of 2009, Drury Development Corporation has bought one parcel of land from a commercial property owner, leaving…

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PatchCast: Former Prosecutor Reprimanded by Supreme Court

Also check out Brentwood's new football coach and a Fenton man's balloon display.

Marquette's Pun-off Draws Large Crowd and Big Laughs: Supportive crowd cheered competitors at the comedic wordplay competition, which is in its third year. Former Town and Country Prosecutor Reprimanded by Supreme Court: Keith Cheung, a former prosecuting attorney for Ballwin and Town and Country, was formally disciplined by the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday for causing a mistrial in St. Louis County Court. New Brentwood Football Coach Discusses His Transition: Keith Herring was recently announced as Brentwood High School's new football coach, replacing Scott Surgener. Sammy J To Inflate His Tropical Garden This Week: Thad James, of Fenton, will use more than 7,000 balloons to build a lush jungle setting inside the convention center …

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PatchCast: Police Officer Makes More Than 1,000 DWI Arrests

Also check out thunderstorm damage in Brentwood and an art studio in Chesterfield.

Officer Breaks a Thousand in Career DWI Arrests: In his 14 years with Town and Country Police, Officer Scott Schlager has made 1,068 DWI arrests. This is more than three times the usual number for an officer who has been around that long, and has earned Schlager a reputation as "the DWI guy" at the station. Overnight Storm Sends Tree Through Brentwood Home: Heavy winds caused a tree to fall on a home in Brentwood. No one was injured.  Mall Masterpieces: MindWorks Gallery Hopes Chesterfield Mall Becomes Art Destination: With 20 resident artists, MindWorks Gallery in Artropolis plans to expand to short-term gallery shows. Mind Over Body: Kids Can Learn Mindfulness: Masterpeace Studios teaches kids to be aware of their bodies and to slow down…

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PatchCast: Cabin Fever Hike Draws Crowd

Also on today's PatchCast, growing diversity numbers in Brentwood and a musician spotlight at Marquette High School.

Cure for Cabin Fever? Hiking!: What do people who are a bit tired of being cooped up in winter do? Take an annual hike through the woods, at least in Wildwood that's what many do. Twice the Music's Twice as Nice: Marquette High School's "Battle of the Bands" showcased a talented lineup of students, including Ballwin's own Austin Jones, who flexed his musical chops in two different genres. Brentwood's Growing Population Leads to More Diversity, Revenue: The city's percentage of minority residents nearly doubled over the past decade. Local Police Unenthusiastic About Red-Light Cameras: MoDOT has sanctioned the use of red-light cameras statewide, but officials say they will not be coming to Manchester or Town and Country.

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