■ Arnold resident Scott Beaty’s journey has been an amazing one. He has traveled an arc of redemption from Navy submarine machinist to drug addiction to possible suicide to rehabilitation – and now to his current place as founder and creator of Visions for Vets, a nonprofit organization that helps empower and heal veterans through art. Visions for Vets provides space and guidance for veterans to explore drawing, painting, sculpture and more in weekly studio sessions. The group meets now at Fontbonne University, but Beaty is working to develop a venue in Jefferson County. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 feature story – and read stories about veterans’ service in the special section in observance of Veterans Day.
■ The Jefferson County Council has taken its first steps toward prohibiting horses in most county parks. The County Council voted 5-2 on Oct. 28 to give preliminary approval to an ordinance that would ban horses in all county parks except for Big River Saddle Club Park in Dittmer and, once it is developed, Beck Park in the Eureka area in the northwest corner of the county. Big River Saddle Club, a 10-acre site, hosts horse shows at its arena and pavilion. Beck Park has been in the Parks and Recreation Department’s land bank for about 25 years and has largely been unused. The council likely will take a final vote on the ordinance Nov. 12. See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story and Peggy Bess’ column in the Editorial section.
■ A once-popular restaurant location in De Soto is preparing to spring back to life. The owners of Café Telegraph SmokeShack in south St. Louis County have purchased the old Off the Hook restaurant site at 12636 Hwy. 21 and plan to open a new restaurant there in the first quarter of 2020. Co-owner Bill Cieslinski said the ownership group closed on the purchase of the site, from Ronald Orchard, on Oct. 31. The new eatery, Café Smok N Pi, will open early next year and offer a wide range of family-style food in a “fast casual” atmosphere. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ Jim Berger, the region’s leading pickleball booster, has a new assignment – organizing an annual Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Midwest regional tournament for youngsters. Berger, who lives in Crystal City, has plans to hold the tournament on courts in Festus and Crystal City, which could bring hundreds and possibly thousands to the area. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The sports teams at schools in the Windsor C-1 School District may not win every game they play, but the buses that transport them to away games are hard to beat.
The 40 buses in the district’s fleet have passed five consecutive state inspections with a perfect score of 100. The district’s transportation director, Gary Drury, reported the good news at the Oct. 23 Board of Education meeting. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ Perfectly nice Christmas gifts might be found in a store or somewhere on the internet – but for a truly personal, one-of-a-kind holiday gift, you just can’t beat the vendors at local farmers markets. Jefferson County has several, including those currently active in Arnold, De Soto and Hillsboro. Vendors from each of those will be on hand at the Leader Holiday Shopping Spree, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Quality Inn, 1200 W. Gannon Drive, in Festus. Admission is free and everyone is invited. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 story.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando writes about a local boy who caught a 50-pound catfish, and shares some fish tales of his own. Catch up, too, on fall sports that are ending their seasons.
*** See you at the Holiday Shopping Spree on Nov. 16.