CITY SC’s celebration puts students and artists center stage
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St. Louis American The
AUGUST 20 – 26, 2026
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
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Vol. 98 No. 19 COMPLIMENTARY
County race revives spoiler tactics
By Sylvester Brown, Jr. St. Louis American
Jake Zimmerman’s victory in the Democratic primary for St. Louis County executive revived an old debate in St. Louis politics over the role of so-called spoiler candidates. Zimmerman won with 46.5% of the vote, while state Sen. Brian Williams received 33.6% and state Sen. Angela Walton Mosley finished third with
19.9%. Mosley had faced speculation about being a potential spoiler even before the election. Williams added to the discussion afterward, suggesting the three-candidate field affected the outcome. “We saw the data would have definitely had a different outcome had there not been three candidates,” Williams said. “But we never make excuses, and again, the outcome’s the outcome.”
Angela Walton Mosley
Brian Williams
Mosley rejects suggestions that she entered the race to hurt Williams.
Jake Zimmerman
“I filed for office because the people of St. Louis County deserve a
leader they can trust — someone who answers to them,” she said. St. Louis has a long history of candidates being accused of entering races to draw votes from someone else. One notable case came in 1982, when a young Freeman Bosley Jr. challenged Circuit Clerk Joseph P. Roddy. Another candidate named Clara Jo Roddy also filed for the office. She received more
than 2,000 votes, while Bosley defeated Joseph Roddy by fewer than 1,000. Three years later, Fred Williams was described as a stalking-horse candidate for then-Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. Williams drew Black votes from mayoral candidate Freeman Bosley Sr. in a race Schoemehl ultimately won. The mayor later
See Spoiler, A11
Swinging with the best
Habitat for Humanity St. Louis homeowner Josephine Chambers, right, stands with A’myri Knighten outside her home. Chambers, entered the Habitat program 32 years ago. Habitat is now planning 40 new homes in the Vandeventer neighborhood as part of a major affordable housing development.
Sam Burns helps young St. Louis golfers learn the game
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
Making room for new neighbors
Ten-year-old Ava Wilson had always wanted to meet a professional golfer. On Tuesday afternoon, she got something better: a golf lesson from Sam Burns, one of the best players in the world. “It’s really cool learning to play golf,” Ava said before working with Burns on several iron shots. She’s a left-handed golfer who has been playing for four years with First Tee. “I love it because I can hit the ball well. I’ve always wanted to meet a pro golfer,” Ava said.
See Golf, A10
Habitat plans 40-house development in Vandeventer By Na’Porsha Williams St. Louis American A stretch of vacant lots along Evans Avenue could look dramatically different in the coming years, with Habitat for Humanity St. Louis planning 40 new homes in the Vandeventer neighborhood. Most of the homes will be built
on city-owned vacant lots along the south side of Evans Avenue between Pendleton and Vandeventer avenues. Three structures will be demolished for the project, and a former community garden site also will be used for construction. Habitat plans to break ground later this fall. The development comes as the area continues to recover from the massive
May 2025 tornado that damaged thousands of structures across St. Louis. “The development plans were in the works before the May 16 tornado as the neighborhood was already in need of revitalization,” said Kimberly McKinney, executive director of Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. She said the
See Homes, A11
Photo by Lawrence Bryant / St. Louis American
PGA Tour golfer Sam Burns gives Tristen Thomas tips on club positioning during a youth golf clinic at The Highlands in Forest Park.
Armstead, Knight, McClure lead Salute honorees By Sylvester Brown Jr. St. Louis American Tamiko Armstead, Dr. Paula Knight and Richard “Rich” McClure will receive the top honors at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala on Friday,
Oct. 17. The event, which recognizes educators and community leaders and raises money for scholarships, will be held at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. Armstead, president and CEO of Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School,
will receive the Lifetime Achiever in Education Award. Knight, superintendent of the Jennings School District, will be honored as the Stellar Performer in Education. McClure, co-chair of the Ferguson Commission along with the Rev. Starsky Wilson,
will receive the Champion in Education Award. Importantly, five other educators and education leaders will receive Excellence in Education awards: Dr. Demetrius Adams, principal of Hazelwood West High School; Dr. Samantha
See Salute, A11
Tamiko Armstead
Dr. Paula Knight
Richard McClure