Settlement at Bridgeton Landfill
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited JULY 5 – 11, 2018
Vol. 90 No. 15 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Expanded Gateway Arch Park and Museum, opens
Photo by Wiley Price
Looking out from the newly renovated Gateway Arch Museum, hundreds of people gathered July 3 at the foot of the Gateway Arch to be a part of the event.
‘Completely transformed’
YourSTLCourts system consolidates court information
Kacie Starr Long recovers from scandal to begin a new church with a new husband By Sophie Hurwitz For The St. Louis American
Online system covers 75 percent of St. Louis area by population By Sophie Hurwitz and Rebecca Rivas For The St. Louis American Navigating the court system in St. Louis’s disjointed landscape – a metropolitan area with 90 municipalities and 10 unincorporated census-designated areas – can be difficult for residents. Several groups have launched initiatives to help residents out. The local nonprofits Rise Community Development and CivTech St. Louis recently piloted the YourSTLCourts system, which was designed to help consolidate court information and make it easier for people who get traffic tickets to know where and when to go to court and what they’re being charged with. “We want to be able to give people the Blake chance to see what their traffic ticket information Strode is, regardless of where they live, and have one place to go online to do it,” said John Cruz, data management coordinator of Rise Community Development. The way the municipalities are set up, Cruz added, means “a lot of different court systems,” and also means that it’s often difficult for people to get the information they need n “We want to be able to before going to court. give people the chance to By putting all the see what their traffic ticket necessary information into one online portal, the information is, regardless nonprofit hopes to help of where they live, and people be more prepared have one place to go for court, Cruz said, so they online to do it.” don’t end up in jail over a minor traffic infraction. – John Cruz Among other things, the program includes an FAQ page detailing what people should wear to court, and what to expect at their court date, as well as a text message notification system to inform participants of upcoming court dates. Last year, the YourSTLCourts program was a success when it was piloted in unincorporated St. Louis County. This year, it’s expanded to include dozens of municipalities, and cover 75 See COURT, A6
Kacie Starr Long – formerly St. Louis Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett – and her husband, Alfred Long, planted their new church, CityReach Church in Florissant, last September.
Kacie Starr Long – formerly St. Louis Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett – and her husband, Alfred Long, planted their new church, CityReach Church in Florissant, last September. Kacie Long sees n “We had no idea of CityReach as how God had called us to filling a niche minister to the children of the that has been community.” left empty by the church – Kacie Starr Long community. “People are like, ‘Oh, you started another church, there are tons of churches in St. Louis. But our mission is different, because we are going after those that are not likely churchgoers,” said Kacie. See LONG, A7
Don’t wait to register to vote Must register by July 11 to be able to vote in August 7 primary By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
site, especially if they live out of state. When freshmen start arriving in the fall, the Institute will be ready to get them registered using tablets, said Tom Danforth, with the Gephardt If you aren’t registered to vote yet, then hopeInstitute. fully you’re among those people who shine under “We want to make it as easy for students as n “We want to pressure of a deadline. possible,” Danforth said. The last day to register to vote for the August 7 make it as easy Since students are transient, they are often hard for students as primary is Wednesday, July 11. to pin down to register to vote – much like the Thanks to technology, this process does not homeless population. Cathy Daniels, better known possible.” require you to put a stamp on an envelope or even as Mama Cat, has been working with her group, walk into a building (although those are both still the Potbangerz, to not only feed the unhoused pop– Tom Danforth valid ways to make it happen.) With a mobile ulation but also to register them to vote. device or tablet, Missouri residents can complete “If they don’t have an address, then they can’t an online voter registration form and sign with vote,” Daniels said. their finger. Some homeless individuals are staying at Biddle House and Turbovote.org is one website that walks people through can use that address. Others have family in town and can use the process and answers questions that people might have. the family’s address, she said. The local Gephardt Institute office, located on Washington University’s campus, recommends that students use this webSee VOTE, A6