News

New frog sculptures adorn popular Alton roadside flower garden

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ALTON, Ill. – New frogs mean new life for a repeat target of theft and vandalism in Alton, Illinois.

Back in May, FOX 2 reported about a frog fountain water feature being stolen or destroyed at a roadway flower garden for the fourth time in five years. The frog, nicknamed Fernando, was the centerpiece of a garden residents started in the median of the State Street-Belle Street split.

Things have certainly changed since our initial report.

“Unbelievable! I always knew Alton was a great community,” said Laura Wallendorf, who started the garden along with a neighbor.

Missouri’s prescription drug monitoring program to launch soon

About six weeks ago, she was distraught. Someone had stolen Fernando again.During our first report about the thefts, drivers stopped to donate money for a fifthFernando.

Things have gone way beyond that now. Not only is there a new Fernando fountain, he has three new frog sculpture buddies adorning the garden, including a large frog statue from Community Seed and Feed garden center in East Alton. It came with a spectacular paint job, warts and all.

“I just can’t believe we got donated this frog,” Wallendorf said, patting the back of the statue. “Also, a gentleman came up one day. We got one of the neighboring businesses to record (a surveillance camera feed) 24 hours a day. They said they had a camera and they would point it right here. So, we really do have a camera and we’ve great (warning: surveillance) signs and it’s helped a great deal.”

She had no idea how much the garden was going mean to people when she and her neighbor began transforming the weed-filled median into a larger flower bed five years ago. Drivers were stopping again during our interview on Monday.

“I never ever envisioned this,” Wallendor said. “I came up here one day. The weeds were so tall, we couldn’t see around the stop sign.”

A just then a driver interrupted her, shouting, “It’s beautiful!”

“Thank you!” Wallendorf beamed.

“It looks great, looks great man,” another driver said. “You’re sad if you’ve got to steal a frog!”

With all the donations that came in after our first report, there are still a few hundred dollars left over. Wallendorf said she’d spend the money on new plants and upkeep but, hopefully, no more frogs.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

Illinois man charged with sharing sex video of former St. Louis County official

The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link

News

Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

[ad_1]

ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

Accused killer’s case thrown out over one question at trial

Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

Close Modal

Suggest a Correction

[ad_2]

Source link