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A new program introduced by Missouri’s Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) enables participants to obtain vouchers exchangeable for fresh produce at the Lake Saint Louis Farmers and other select locations around the state now through Oct. 31.

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All owners who adopt an animal through the Division of Humane Services must agree to and sign our Pet Adoption contract. Individuals will receive and sign the contract at the time of the adoption.

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Regular grooming has lots of benefits for pets and their owners. Brushing, bathing and clipping nails promotes good health and strengthens the bond between the animal and its owner.

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Become a more responsible pet parent with tips for grooming, vaccinating, microchipping, training and caring for your dog, cat or other animal.

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In 2007, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) declared breastfeeding to be “the preferred method of feeding newborns and infants”.

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The County website has a new look! Overall, access, links and functionality remain the same, but the appearance and colors are refreshed for a cleaner, easier-to-use site.

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The resignation of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, and the appointment of Gabe Gore to replace her by Gov. Mike Parson, is a step in the right direction in our region’s problem with crime. But there’s much more to do. As I’ve often said lately, Garner leaving will stop the bleed, but it won’t heal the wound.
We have been in much need of a plan to work as a regional team, and I believe that we now can begin to get somewhere. The region’s leaders agree on that and met recently for a regional crime summit organized by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. I was encouraged that local political and law enforcement leaders, and business and educational executives gathered to discuss the escalating violence and number of murders.
Some may see this as just a St. Louis City problem because that’s where most of the crimes are being committed. But while St. Charles County’s crime rate is the lowest in the region (see graph), 70 percent of our criminals are from outside our county. As a region, we must work together to find a solution, but as a county, we must continue to be vigilant.
In St. Charles County, we are diligent and tougher on crime than our surrounding communities. Long-term programs and solutions are important but finding a way to get a handle on problems and dangers occurring right now will help us move toward those goals. The County has set a prime example of tackling the immediate issue of auto thefts and break-ins.
After an increase in auto thefts and auto break-ins in 2020, we initiated the Criminal Interdiction Task Force (CITF) in early 2021. The St. Charles County Police Department is joined by police departments in the cities of St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville and Cottleville, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Corrections. Prosecuting Attorney Joe McCulloch is committed to mandatory jail time for those found guilty.
The officers use various tactics to alert to stolen cars and to watch for and apprehend thieves who usually operate in small groups. We serve as a model for the rest of the region. St. Louis County, Maryland Heights and Chesterfield police departments have adopted the operational plan and are running their operations in conjunction with the St. Charles County CITF.
From 2021 to 2022, auto thefts decreased by 37 percent, and auto break-ins by 35 percent. Operations continue, and from February 2021 through May 2023, 948 offenders have been arrested, 30 stolen vehicles recovered, and 74 guns seized or recovered. The Prosecuting Attorney’s office reports that 636 vehicle criminals have been prosecuted or are awaiting prosecution.
More than likely, you’ve read that our lawmakers in Jefferson City were having discussions about how to reduce crime in St. Louis, including returning control of the City of St. Louis police to the state. While nothing was passed this year, I’m happy the lawmakers had a serious debate on the topic. The city has a chance to fix this, and the region’s leaders have made it clear we are all willing to help. In the meantime, we need to, and will, continue to do everything we can to keep St. Charles County safe.

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I expressed concern in my November blog article about explosive growth in St. Charles County, including the 300 percent increase of apartment units in the last two years. There has recently been a submittal to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission for a rezoning from Agricultural District to R1A (1-acre minimum lot size) to R1E Residential District (7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size) for the purpose of developing an approximate 556-home subdivision near Frontier Middle School, down Highway DD all the way to Schwede Road.
This request is being made by developer Jeff Kolb and builder Lombardo Homes. If this land is 15 percent or more contiguous with the city limits of O’Fallon, the City could annex the property and the development would likely move quickly to build small lot subdivisions within the city limits with even more homes than the plan presented to the County. The developer is claiming it is 15 percent contiguous, but that has not yet been verified.
The problem is our annexation laws. Some cities are aggressive in their desire to grow. They believe that being the biggest and most populated city is good for its existing residents! HOW WRONG THEY ARE!
The developer will be coming before the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission to request a rezoning from the Agricultural District to a number of Residential Districts. St. Charles County has several residential district types such as, RR (Rural Residential) – 3-acre minimum lot size; R1A – 1-acre minimum lot size; R1B – 20,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1C – 15,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1D – 10,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; and R1E – 7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size. Most of this development will be zoned R1E.
I find many reasons why this type of large development is not a good fit for this area. First and foremost, the St. Charles County 2030 Master Plan shows Low Density Residential (1-4 homes per acre) and Rural Residential (3 acres per lot) on most of this development area. Most of the rezoning request is for 4-6 homes per acre in the proposed R1E Residential Districts. This development would back up to Busch Wildlife and sit very near to Broemmelsiek Park, both of which are wildlife preserves. Also, this type of development would add approximately 3,000 cars daily on Highway DD, and be a major burden on the public safety, road infrastructure, schools and water systems which would all impact the current surrounding residents.
If the area is 15 percent or more contiguous with the city limits of O’Fallon, it puts us in a bad position. Present annexation laws force us to work and negotiate with the developer on lot sizes. Otherwise, O’Fallon will annex the property, march right in, and open up the area for even more growth and density. By the County approving and retaining oversight of this development, the chances of maintaining smaller lot subdivisions further in this area in the future are better.
Most people live in our county with its rural areas because they love the way it is, but local decision-makers are destroying it by pushing the notion that it is necessary to be the fastest growing county in Missouri. That is not a badge of honor, but a huge burden to the taxpayers by creating a city urban area that many have fled to get away from.
The St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on this plan is at 7 p.m., June 21, at the Family Arena to accommodate the potential for an influx of concerned residents to have public discussion on this subject. Please show up to express your opinion. Also watch for postings for information on public information meetings as well.
Thanks, Joe

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Learn about Planning and Zoning and County Registrar requirements to open medical marijuana facilities.

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Read the Agri-Tourism Land Use Plan.

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