Parkway South Student, Manchester Resident Aces ACT

Parkway South junior, Leela Chapman, earned the highest possible score on her ACT college admissions and placement exam.

Parkway School Distict officials stated in a news release that Parkway South junior and Manchester resident, Leela Chapman, scored a 36 on the ACT college admissions and placement exam. The district said that is the highest possible score. (Be sure to "Like" Patch on Facebook - check out our page here.) Parkway officials stated that only an estimated one-tenth of one percent of students receive a perfect score on the ACT. The Parkway School District made the announcement Friday in the following news release: Leela Chapman, a Parkway South junior, recently learned she scored a 36 -- the highest possible score -- on the ACT college admissions and placement exam.  Chapman took the ACT test in late April when it was administered to all Parkway…

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Parkway Central Class of 2012 Goes Out In Style on 'Unbelievable Night'

The Colts' class of 2012 earned more than $8 million in college scholarships.

If the theme for the night could be just one word, it would have to be unbelievable, because that's the one word hardly anyone could stop saying at Parkway Central's Graduation and Commencement Ceremony, at the Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park Thursday night. Surprisingly, there weren't a whole lot of tears shed throughout the evening, but there were certainly lots of smiles, hugs, and cool high-fives, as Parkway Central's 312 graduating seniors said goodbye, received their diplomas, and expressed their love to a school and community that clearly loved them back. "It's great, kinda of a weird feeling, but really unbelievable," said senior and varsity basketball star Zach Biggs, who was also one of 86 Central High students …

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Fundraiser For Muslim Funeral Home Friday at West County Mosque

A fundraiser to build a "first of its kind" Muslim funeral home will be held Friday evening at the Daar-ul-Islam mosque in West County, the Post-Dispatch reports.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the event in West County will raise money for what will be Missouri's first Muslim funeral home. The need for a muslim funeral home became apparent to the idea's originator, Adil Imdad, when his cousin died and the family dealt with the "absence of Muslim ritual following her death," according to the Post's report. Currently, Muslims in Missouri are buried in sections of Christian cemeteries and they are typically guided through the burial process by non-Muslims, the Post reported. (Be sure to "Like" Patch on Facebook - check out our page here.) The report also states that there are many differences in the Muslim burial process and what is normally followed by a typical funeral home, some of which …

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New West County Fire Training Building - Check it Out!

West County EMS and Fire Protection District has a new training facility and Fire Safety House for community and school tours. 'Patch' got a sneak peek. Take a look!

West County EMS and Fire Protection District has a new training facility and Fire Safety House for community and school tours. The building is not yet complete, but Town and Country - Manchester Patch got a sneak peek of the facility set to be finished in June.  Deputy Chief Jeff Sadtler tells Patch construction began in December 2010 and it's funded in part by the $19 million bond issue passed by voters. The cost is estimated at a total of $5 million for the construction of the Fire Safety House and training facility, plus additions to Fire House 2. The new buildings are located behind Fire House 2 off Manchester Road near Mason Road.  Sadtler said the new Fire Safety House offers an interactive experience to adults and children who come …

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Patch Political Potpourri

Missouri's U.S. Senate Candidates Stir Up Novel Approaches For Fundraising

Country music and laryngitis are two of the methods employed this week.

The last few iterations of this column have noted how several candidates for the U.S. Senate utilized creative means to entice fundraising efforts. For instance, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood) used his rhetorical scuffle with President Barack Obama over student loans in a fundraising pitch.   And Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) has directly attacked third-party organizations that are pre-emptively attacking the incumbent lawmaker as she makes a difficult bid for re-election. McCaskill’s campaign staff continued on a creative path in an email that was sent to supporters earlier this week. They played on the fact that McCaskill had lost her voice right before she was supposed to make a speech at a Democratic gathering in Kansas City. “Between …

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St. Louis County 8 Most Wanted Fugitives

To report a sighting of this person or any of the individuals on St. Louis County's Most Wanted list, please call 314-615-4692 or contact St. Louis Regional Crimestoppers at 866-371-8477 (TIPS).

The St. Louis County Police Department website updates its Most Wanted list as fugitives are apprehended. The list currently includes suspects wanted for child kidnapping, tampering with vehicles, robbery, forgery, felony domestic assault, armed criminal action, statutory rape, distributing and manufacturing controlled substances and resisting arrest. (Sign up for the FREE Patch Newsletter, including Breaking News Alerts.) Among current suspects is Ronne Clay Jr., whose photo accompanies this article. His last known address was Florissant, and he is wanted for second-degree robbery, making false declarations, assaulting an officer, stealing, and resisting with a felony arrest. Click here to see photos and details about the other seven, top…

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Not Too Late to Plan a Special Home Graduation Party

Chef Ziegenfuss has all kinds of ideas for the home planner.

Town and Country and Manchester high school graduations are underway. Kennedy Catholic High School's graduation was Thursday, Parkway South's is Friday night at Queeny Park and Westminster Christian Academy's is Monday. In fact, graduations are happening all over the area. Ceremonies are being staged to honor everybody from Kindergartners to college grads. A family can celebrate this special occasion  by dining out, or host a special at-home gala. Chef Greg Ziegenfuss of the Butler's Pantry dishes out advise on how to make your event complete and a success for everyone. (Be sure to "Like" Patch on Facebook - check out our page here.) Chef Greg Ziegenfuss: Executive Chef Butler’s Pantry on how to plan the perfect graduation party  Patch: …

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Town and Country - Manchester Gas Prices: May 18

Here are today's lowest reported gas prices.

Here are the areas lowest gas prices as noted on StLouisGasPrices.com, in Town and Country and Manchester. Spot a lower price? Please add it in the comments. Here are today's lows: Find more information on traffic and gas prices here on Town and Country - Manchester Patch.

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