Look Inside to Be ‘Drawn In’
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@stlouisamerican
Be sure to look for the special insert of Drawn In, a new comic book series from Nine PBS and Lion Forge Animation. Share it with the kids in your life! Look for a new issue each month through the end of the year. Watch for our new animated series and more debuting on Nine PBS (9.1), and on drawnin.org.
St. Louis American See insert
The
CAC Audited OCTOBER 20 – 26, 2022
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
Jana Elementary to close Hazelwood school contaminated by radioactive waste
By Kate Grumke St. Louis Public Radio The Hazelwood School District in Florissant is closing an elementary school because of radioactive contamination from World War II-era nuclear waste. At a packed school board meeting Tuesday, district leaders announced Jana Elementary will move to virtual learning, starting next week, and teachers will work from another location. As early as November, the district says families will get information about new school assignments and students could start at
n Parents were also unhappy with the district’s communication about the report. Many parents said they heard about it Friday from local news or the school’s Parent Teacher Association.
those new locations by Nov. 28. “We recognized that you are being faced with a situation not created by anyone in this room and over which you have no control
and that this is causing a disruption to our student’s education and school climate,” said school board president Betsy Rachel. “For that we sincerely apologize.” At the board meeting, many parents said they were glad the district took action but still frustrated by the plans for virtual school. Teresha Anderson’s daughter is a second grader at Jana and has special needs, which makes online class difficult. “It’s just a whirlwind,” Anderson said. “I know my child. She cannot. We already did the virtual thing when the pandemic first hit
See JANA, A6
Vol. 94 No. 30 COMPLIMENTARY
The execution of Kevin Johnson
Part II: The making of a murderer By Sylvester Brown Jr. The St. Louis American “I think of execution a lot. Laying on that gurney, having the drugs administered one at a time, wondering who is in the audience on the other side of that two-way mirror.”-Kevin Johnson Kevin Johnson, 36 and sentenced to die next month, has been writing to his high school teacher, Melissa Fuoss. Kevin In one of those missives he Johnson mused about pentobarbital, a chemical sedative that slows the activity of the brain and nervous system used for executions in Missouri and a handful of other states. Johnson was convicted for the July 5, 2005
See JOHNSON, A6
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
At the 26th Annual Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series, which featured a special dedication of Nash Way, Nash family members Terrell Nash-Mann, Dr. Alison Nash, St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones, Lauren Nash-Ming, Tracy NashHuntley and Sherry Nash-Heard were on hand for the dedication.
Nash Way dedication honors legacy of ‘medical royalty’
Nash family tribute held Oct. 14
n “They were perfect mentors for life and pediatric care.” – Dr. Alison Nash
By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American Dr. Alison Nash spoke of her late father and aunt, Dr. Homer E. Nash Jr., and Dr. Helen Nash with reverence during the 26th Annual Homer G. Phillips Public Health Lecture Series October 14, 2022, on the Washington University School of Medicine campus. “They were perfect mentors for life and pediatric care,” she told an audience that also
LIVING IT
New series helps viewers understand government
shared earlier in a special dedication of Nash Way in the heart of campus. “When I worked with dad, that’s where I learned the art of medicine. They both taught me you have to be of the community you are caring for.” Nash, who was moved as she neared completion of her remarks, said “we must make sure a sense of family is with us as we
care for patients.” The Nash family is truly remarkable. Her grandfather, Homer C. Nash, was a graduate of Meharry Medical School and served as a physician during World War I. Helen Nash was the next doctor in the family, followed by her younger brother, Homer. After completing her residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, she became the first African American woman to join the attending staff at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. She was instrumental in the creation of one of the first specialized wards for premature infants. She remained a Homer G. Phillips Hospital
BUSINESS
Soi Day Spa offers self-care in soothing environment
Kelly McGowan, a self-proclaimed health advocate, talks about the legislation of local St. Louis politics in her animated series Straight Facts.
Soi Day Spa opened Sept. 5. Clients are greeted by rich, navy blue walls, white and gold accents including a crystal chandelier, and soft jazz and R&B music.
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See NASH, A7
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Y. Castillo joined Rodney Crim, St. Louis Economic Development president and CEO, during a roundtable discussion and celebration for the St. Louis region winning a $25 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant.
Manufacturing a winning plan for St. Louis Region celebrates winning $25 million challenge grant
By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American California has its ‘Silicon Valley” and St. Louis is developing its “Silicon Prairie,” according to Mayor Tishaura Jones. Jones and Congresswoman Cori Bush joined U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Y. Castillo and a host of elected officials and economic development partners to celebrate the region winning a $25 million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant. The grant will fund the first phase of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center [AMICSTL] in North St. Louis, adjacent to Ranken Technical College.
See ST. LOUIS, A7
SPORTS
Irish eyes smiling on St. Louis again
Standout running back Jeremiyah Love of CBC gave a commitment to Notre Dame. Love chose the Fighting Irish over Texas A&M, Michigan, and Oregon.
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