The Independent News

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

Meet Me at the Munis –
News of Note from St. Louis
County’s Municipalities Villages

**Holiday Highlights: Several St. Louis County municipalities, including Overland, Ferguson, and Florissant, were stops on this year’s “A Spirited Holiday Past” tour of historic sites in the region. Learn more about this annual event here: http://historicsaintlouis.org/
**Oakville Senior Drafted into Women’s Pro Baseball League: Oakville High School senior Addie Frank was drafted by Los Angeles in the sixth round of the first-ever Women’s Pro Baseball League draft. Frank will join a roster of 120 women from around the world in the league’s inaugural season.
**Webster Groves cancels 4,500 Warrants: Webster Groves will cancel all 4,500 municipal court warrants after an audit found many were inaccurate due to clerical errors and complications from the city’s transition to the Show-Me Courts system. Some warrants remained active despite cases being resolved, while others were mistakenly issued after closure.
The Police Department supports the cancellation, and officers have been asked not to make arrests based solely on these warrants. The court will reissue only verified warrants, prioritizing about 300 serious cases such as assault, property damage, and DWI. Officials estimate the review process could take up to six months and are seeking state assistance.
St. Louis County government headquarters may move to St. Ann: The proposed relocation would see the main county administration building situated at the Crossings at Northwest off Lindbergh, formerly Northwest Plaza Mall. The current headquarters is a ten-story building on South Central in Clayton, which has been in use since 1971 and no longer meets Fire Code. The County Council has been considering the issue for several years, but may finally be reaching a decision.

The history of the St. Louis area – interesting interwoven stories of Native Americans, French colonists, Spanish authorities, early Americans, African Americans, and German and Irish immigrants - has shaped the distinctive character and environments of our vibrant communities.

12/08/2025

SHOP LOCAL FOR HOLIDAYS %& more

12/08/2025

The City of Florissant Parks and Recreation Department invites community members with disabilities and anyone interested in accessibility, inclusion, and park access to share feedback about our parks and facilities. Your input is essential and will help shape a more inclusive future for all.

📅 Public Feedback Meetings (In-Person)
📍 John F. Kennedy Community Center
315 Howdershell Road, Florissant, MO 63031
🔹 December 15 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
🔹 December 16 | 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us to discuss accessibility, share your experiences, and help guide improvements across our parks and recreation facilities. Please feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested.

👉 Take the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Florissant_Parks_And_Recreation_Department_ADA_Project_Survey

Let’s work together to make our parks accessible and welcoming for everyone! 🌟

12/07/2025

12/04/2025

Shop Local for the Holidays and beyond

12/04/2025

Shop Local for the Holidays and beyond

12/04/2025

‘Christmas Wonderland’ Always a
Great Choice for Holiday Lights
Begin your holiday celebration when you experience the enchantment of Christmas at the "Christmas Wonderland" holiday light display. The "Grandpa Gang" has been at it again transforming Rock Spring Park in Alton, Illinois into a Winter Wonderland.
Visitors can drive through the park to view more than 4 million lights decorating the park! This year the popular Enchanted Forest where visitors vote on their favorite decorated tree returns to the park, as do visits with Santa Claus! Take your own free photos with Santa! Walkthrough night is always the first Monday after Thanksgiving (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) for anyone who wants to brave the cold and get an up-close-and-personal view of the holiday light show!
Christmas Wonderland is open the day after Thanksgiving through late December. Visit the twinkling lights from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday - Friday or 5 pm to 9 pm on Saturday & Sunday. The suggested donation is $10 for cars and small vans or $1 per person for vehicles holding more than 10 people.
For more information about Christmas Wonderland, call (800) 258-6645. Reservations are not required.

12/04/2025

Long Time Florissant Dental
Service continues Food Drive

Florissant Dental Services food drive continues through the end of the year/ We are overwhelmed at the participation in November. So many people showed up with donations to help their neighbors during this holiday season. Florissant Dental has delivered pounds and pounds of food so far and they want to keep the momentum going.
As a small business that has been in Florissant for almost 40 years, Florissant Dental Servicew care a lot about the community we serve. They have a bin in their reception room for food bank donations.
Food banks appreciate:
*Canned proteins like chicken, tuna, and salmon
*Canned beans rich in protein and fiber
*Whole-Grain staples like pasta, rice, and whole grain cereals
*Shelf stable fruits and vegetables. Canned or dried, fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins.
*Peanut butter- high protein, shelf stable, and a kid favorite!
*Cooking essentials- don't forget things like spices, cooking oils and condiments!
All donations will go to the Florissant Food Bank Program which deliver the donations throughout the months of November and December.