News Flash

Spotlight On: Historic Sites at St. Charles County Parks

Rough stone and creaking timber in the homes of pioneers; the smell of kettle fires as historians make dyes and soaps from scratch; water splashing from steam-powered pumps—there’s more than playgrounds and hiking trails to find at St. Charles County Park...

Police Officers Face Society’s Challenges. Training and Support Get Them Through It

Driving 80 mph down Highway K with lights and sirens wailing, St. Charles County Police Patrol Officer Andrew Nicolay locks his eyes ahead as he focuses on the first task of his shift: responding to an elderly woman’s medical emergency during evening traf...

New Housing Construction Recovers in St. Charles County

Swooping out of the deep dive it took in 2022, the market for new housing construction here is leveling off.

“Last year was a sudden drop off. This year the decline has slowed and is keeping level with last year’s numbers,” says Director of Community Devel...

Homeowners Warned: Take Steps to Detect Property Fraud

St. Charles County property owners will get a warning about title theft and property fraud with their tax bills this year. The crime involves registering a fake deed with forged signatures to claim ownership of a property, in order to sell it or take out ...

Charities and Taxpayers Help with Homelessness

In the spirit of the season, the poor and homeless among us are getting some help through local charities that are funded by County taxpayers.

It’s part of a year-round effort to help those struggling who can almost seem invisible in the midst of an afflue...

Reminder: 2023 Tax Bills are Delinquent Jan. 1, 2024

Don’t be late! Pay 2023 taxes to St. Charles County Collector of Revenue Michelle D. McBride by Dec. 31, 2023. Taxpayers are encouraged to make payments online, by mail, by phone at 1-855-227-7840, or by using the drive-by drop box at the corner ...

Family Arena Getting Major Renovation in 2024

Like an aging rocker—wrinkled but still rocking—St. Charles County’s Family Arena is going on with the show with the help of a $13 million makeover.

“So many people have enjoyed cheering at soccer games, concerts and shows at the Family Arena. Whole genera...

Spotlight On: The Collector of Revenue's Office

Whenever you send your kids to public school, check out a library book, or call for help in an emergency, you’re using a publicly funded service that the County Collector’s Office helps make possible.

Nearly 350,000 annual property tax ...

Missouri Veterans Commission Helping St. Charles County Veterans

They served their country, many saw combat, and now they call St. Charles County home.

The number of veterans living here is 24,085, according to numbers provided by the Missouri Veterans Commission, a state agency with an office in the County Administrati...

Tax Bills Going Out in Late November

St. Charles County property tax bills will go out in the mail and become available online in late November. Here’s a quick look at important information and dates:

• Tax bills won’t be finalized until Nov. 15, so the County Collector&...

County Veterans Group Collecting for 'Support Our Troops' Care Package Drive

The St. Charles County Veterans Best Practices Working Group (VBPWG) is sponsoring a Support Our Troops Care Package Drive through Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. Items collected will go to troops overseas and local veterans through H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, a...

Help Wanted: Snow Plow Drivers

The St. Charles County Highway Department is looking to hire a few good men and women ahead of winter. Highway Superintendent Ted Dunkmann says it’s a rewarding job.

“If you’re looking for a job that’s hands-on and s...

Vehicle Thefts are Down. You Can Keep It That Way.

With the season of driveway warmups approaching, St. Charles County Police Chief Kurt Frisz is warning motorists to guard against car thieves looking for easy pickin’s.

Motor vehicle thefts in St. Charles County have declined dramatically since t...

Veterans Day Celebration Planned

The public is invited to attend the St. Charles County Veterans Day Celebration outside the Historic County Courthouse at Third and Jefferson, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.

The ceremony will include a wreath laying, a speaker who served in the ...

Spotlight On: The Police Department Training Center

One of the best law enforcement training facilities in the region, relied on by more than 20 other local, state, and even federal agencies, belongs to the St. Charles County Police Department.

Located on Highway 94 south of the Busch Wildlife Conservation ...

Police K-9 Tank Retires After Seven Years of Service

Tank, a St. Charles County K-9 officer with one of the best noses in the business, has turned in his police badge and his license to sniff after seven years on the beat finding lost people and putting bad guys in jail. The St. Charles County Police Depart...

‘Flu Fighters’ Offer Drive-Thru Flu Vaccinations Oct. 6

Free, quick and convenient flu vaccinations are available for you and your family at the Flu Fighters drive-thru vaccination clinic from 3-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at St. Charles Community College.

“We’ve structured the drive-thru format...

You’re Invited: Police Department’s Trunk-or-Treat Oct. 14

Enjoy games, giveaways and, of course, lots of treats at the St. Charles County Police Department Trunk-or-Treat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14. This free event is open to children ages 12 and under and their parents/guardians.

County Hosting Job Fair Oct. 11

In the midst of a nationwide worker shortage, St. Charles County Government is pushing to hire applicants for open positions across 30 departments dedicated to serving the community. The County will host an in-person job fair on Oct. 11.

St. Charles County...

Property Tax Freeze for Seniors Signed into Law by County Executive Ehlmann

Eligible Seniors can get relief on their property tax bills under an ordinance signed into law Sept. 14 by County Executive Steve Ehlmann.

“This is not a tax cut, but a tax freeze for seniors,” Ehlmann says. “The intent is to ...

Spotlight on: The Highway Department

The St. Charles County Highway Department is responsible for maintaining more than 800 miles of roads and public infrastructure and overseeing new road construction and improvements in the unincorporated portion of the county. The department has three div...

Residents with Security Cameras Can Help Combat Crime

Got an exterior security camera or doorbell camera for your home or business? You can help the St. Charles County Police Department fight crime just by registering your address.

By signing up for the County’s Community Camera Program, you can let...

Young Adults: Get Charged Up for Career Event at Job Center of St. Charles County Oct. 3

Young adults looking to energize their career opportunities should get hyped for Charge!, a youth career program offered through the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County. The Job Center is hosting an open house for the program 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct....

‘Flu Fighters’ Offer Drive-Thru Flu Vaccinations Oct. 6

The St. Charles County Department of Public Health has joined forces with community organizations again this year to fight the flu. These professional “Flu Fighters” are hosting a free, drive-thru vaccination clinic from 3-7 p.m., Frid...

County Police Get New Tool to Help Children Experiencing Autism Events

St. Charles County Police say it’s a common problem.

“We get calls quite frequently for kids with autism who are out of control, and their parents are afraid they’ll hurt themselves or someone else,” says Sergeant Da...

Council Passes Emergency Bill to Hire Contracted 911 Dispatchers

Faced with an ongoing shortage of dispatchers to take 9-1-1 emergency calls, the St. Charles County Council passed a bill to hire specially-trained contract employees to temporarily help answer emergency calls with the Department of Emergency Communicatio...

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know You Could Do on the County Website

The County website, sccmo.org, has a new look! Overall, access, links and functionality remain the same, but the appearance and colors are refreshed for a cleaner, easier-to-use site.

Here are 10 things you might not have known you can do on the County web...

St. Charles County Police SROs Shift Focus to Training, Community During Summer Months

When the final bell rings and schools in St. Charles County let out for summer break, the police officers who keep those schools safe don’t take a three-month vacation. Instead, the 23 School Resource Officers (SROs) of the St. Charles County Po...

Assessor Hosting Reassessment Community Q&As

St. Charles County Assessor Scott Shipman and Assessor-Elect Travis Welge are hosting community question-and-answer sessions to give the public an opportunity to discuss real estate reassessments. The reassessment process occurs every odd year to revalue ...

Adopt-A-County-Road Program Promotes Environmental Stewardship

The St. Charles County Highway Department’s Adopt-A-County-Road program offers an opportunity for organizations or individuals to adopt a section of county-maintained roadways and conduct periodic litter clean-ups to help protect the environment...

Spotlight On: The Assessor's Office

Personal property assessment forms are due March 1 each year and are used to establish personal property values for the current tax year. But these forms are just one piece of information the Assessor’s Office uses to ensure all citizens are paying a fair...

Citizen Police Academies Open for Applications

The St. Charles County Police Department is offering its Citizen Police Academy this spring, and the Sheriff’s Department is launching Citizen Police Academy 2.0 to dive into the Sheriff’s Department role as well as the judicial process in the county. Par...

Highway Department Launches Snow Route Progress Map

It may look and feel like Spring some days, but as Missourians know, weather can change in an instant! So, if winter weather strikes again this season, St. Charles County residents and travelers can access snow removal information about roads maintained b...

Be Prepared When Severe Weather Arrives

March 6-10 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri, but you can rest assured St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management (REM) is watching and preparing for severe weather every day of the year. 

While emergency responders and governm...

New Police K9 Teaming Up with St. Louis CITY SC

Meet the newest addition to the St. Charles County Police Department (SCCPD)’s K9 Unit! Spirit, a German Shorthaired Pointer, was gifted by St. Louis CITY Soccer Club (SC) and specializes in explosive detection. She and her handler, Officer Jeff Spain, wi...

CPR Classes Available

The St. Charles County Department of Public Health is hosting several CPR/AED and First Aid classes in 2023. Upon completion of the class, participants will earn an American Red Cross training certificate valid for two years from the date of completion.

Th...

New Voter Registration Laws in Effect

Have you moved recently? With the enactment of new voting laws, current Missouri residents now have more flexibility to update their address and register to vote. New Missouri residents and those who have not previously registered to vote are required to ...

Recorder of Deeds Offering Fully Online Marriage License Process

The St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds office now is one of two offices in the State of Missouri beta testing a new system that enables the processing of electronic marriage license applications without the need for either applicant to appear at the off...

File Personal Property Assessments Online

Save time (and a stamp!) by filing your 2023 personal property assessment online. Just find the e-filing website and unique secure access code on the form mailed from the St. Charles County Assessor at the end of January. Assessment forms must be complete...

There’s So Much to Love About St. Charles County!

If you don’t already know, St. Charles County is a great place to live, work, play and do business. Throughout the month of February, follow along on County social media as we highlight and show appreciation for different Count...

Personal Property Assessments To Be Mailed in January

The Assessor’s Office will mail 2023 personal property assessment forms later this month. These assessments track what residents owned as of Jan. 1 of this year, and are used to determine what appears on personal property tax bills in December. ...

Emergency Weather Response Program in Effect This Winter

When winter weather temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the Emergency Weather Response program activates to aid those in need of a warm place to spend the night in St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren counties. The program is coordinated by a group ...

Looking for a New Job? Now's the Time to Apply with St. Charles County Government

With a new year comes a new budget for St. Charles County Government, and with the 2023 budget came a renewed dedication to making County employees’ salaries competitive with others in the market. Increased salaries for long-term employees and h...

Transportation Improvement Plan Approved for 2023-2025

The St. Charles County Council recently approved the 2023-2025 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), which includes projects focused on reducing congestion and increasing safety on roadways throughout the county. Project highlights include reconstruction...

Meet Your Newly Elected Officials

Family and friends gathered Dec. 29 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of St. Charles County’s newly elected and re-elected officials. Chief Judge for the United States Eastern District of Missouri Stephen R. Clark presided over the Oath of Office ceremon...

Recycle Natural Christmas Trees with Recycle Works

When the holiday season comes to an end, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health provides drop-off sites for natural Christmas trees at its Recycle Works locations in St. Charles and Wentzville. Recycled evergreens can serve as fish habitats in...

Santa Cops Giving Program Benefits Families in Need

Looking for a way to support the St. Charles County community this holiday season? Be a part of Santa Cops! Santa Cops is the St. Charles County Police Department (SCCPD)’s holiday giving program sponsored by the Happiness for Harper Foundation. This prog...

Know Before Snow: Highway Department Strategy for Snow and Ice Removal

The St. Charles County Highway Department plows approximately 1,400 lane miles of County roads and another 400 lane miles of roads for the cities of Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Flint Hill, Foristell, Josephville, Portage Des Sioux, St. Paul, Weldon Spr...

Housing, Commercial Construction Pacing Ahead of 2021 Totals

St. Charles County is reporting robust mid-year totals for 2022 housing and commercial construction permits that pace ahead of 2021 numbers. 

“Through July of this year, housing and commercial construction in St. Charles County continues...

Flood Recovery Ongoing; Assistance Available

After torrential rain caused flash flooding throughout the area in late July, many residents and business owners have continued to grapple with recovering from flooded homes and facilities. Following disaster declarations by County Executive Steve Ehlmann...

Workforce & Business Development Department Relocating

The St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development and home of the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County is closing its location at 212 Turner Boulevard in St. Peters Sept. 19, and plans to open in a new space on Oct. 3 at 3757 ...

Port Authority Secures $3.5 Million in Grants for River Terminal Infrastructure

The St. Charles County Port Authority has secured $3.5 million in funding to improve the river terminal in the City of St. Charles and at Klondike Park near Augusta. This, just a year and a half after formal organization of the Port Authority’s ...

Work Continues on Muegge Road Interchange; Safety, Traffic, Improving Local Access Main Objectives

Much needed traffic relief is on the way for those who travel Highway 94 in the City of St. Charles. Improvements currently are being constructed and include adding a third lane in each direction on Route 94 and interchange improvements at Route 364/Route...

Resolution Intends to Adjust Tax Rate to Negate Windfall Created by Increased Vehicle Value

The St. Charles County Council passed a resolution that will pave the way for a tax rate ordinance later in the year which will voluntarily lower the overall tax rate to effectively keep flat the amount of tax the County collects in 2022 compared with tax...

BikeFest Coming to Kinetic Park Aug. 6-7

The St. Charles County Parks Department is diligently preparing Kinetic Park in Dardenne Prairie for BikeFest 2022, and racers and spectators alike won’t want to miss it! In addition to two major pump track championship events, the weekend of Au...

St. Charles County’s Oglesby Park Opening July 30

Save the date and plan to join the celebration of the opening of St. Charles County’s newest park! The opening festivities for Oglesby Park are planned for 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, July 30, with a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and fun for ...

County Law Enforcement Forms Critical Incident Response Team

St. Charles County area law enforcement agencies have formed the St. Charles County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), a multi-jurisdictional unit tasked with conducting thorough, objective, and transparent investigations of high-level and officer-in...

County Government Military Veterans Hosting Flag Collection June 14

If you have a worn or damaged U.S. flag and don’t know where or how to dispose of it properly, the military veterans of St. Charles County Government are ready to help. The County’s Veterans Best Practices Working Group is hosting its ...

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Prop R for Roads

Every precinct in St. Charles County approved Prop R for Roads April 5, voting to reauthorize the County’s ½-cent Transportation Sales Tax for another 10 years. The tax originally was enacted by voters in 1985, and this is the fourth ...

Police Department Receives CALEA Re-Accreditation

The St. Charles County Police Department has successfully completed the re-accreditation process designed to maintain international recognition for advanced law enforcement accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agen...

County Ranks Among the Top of Missouri's Healthiest Counties

With acres of parkland and miles of trails to encourage activity, well-trained professionals practicing quality medical care, and a population committed to healthy habits, it’s easy to understand why St. Charles County ranks at the top of Missou...

Oglesby Park Coming Soon to Wentzville

St. Charles County Parks’ newest park near Wentzville is Oglesby Park, named after one of the property’s early owners. The 199-acre plot of land is at 2949 West Meyer Road and is scheduled to open this summer.

Benjamin Oglesby was born enslaved in 1825 in ...

Barn Cats Work to Help St. Charles County

Hundreds of feral cats can be found in colonies around St. Charles County. Because a female cat and her offspring can generate more than 400,000 kittens in just a few years, overpopulation quickly becomes a nuisance to the communities that surrou...

Heritage Museum Closes to Prepare for New Exhibit

The St. Charles County Heritage Museum in St. Charles has temporarily closed its doors, but the public can look forward to a big celebration when it reopens with a new and exciting exhibit, “The American Revolutionary War in the West.” Scheduled to debut ...

Your Transportation Dollars in Motion

In December 2021, St. Charles County residents received an informational mailer from County government detailing the history of the County’s ½-cent Transportation Sales Tax. This tax was first enacted by voters in 1985, and the county has benefitted from ...

Election Judges Needed for 2022 Elections

The Election Authority is looking to add to its roster of election judges as staff gear up for the April 5 General Municipal Election, the Aug. 2 Primary Election, and the Nov. 8 General Election. It takes 720 election judges to work at the 104 polling pl...

Watching and Preparing for Severe Weather

Severe weather comes in many forms, and it seems as if St. Charles County has had its share of late. In December we saw a tornado in the Defiance area, and so far this year, we’ve had several days of freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow along with high win...

County to Benefit from Settlement with Opioid Manufacturers, Distributors

St. Charles County will receive a gross allocation of $19.6 million in a nationwide settlement of lawsuits against companies that manufactured and distributed opioids. Once final, this community-led effort will secure billions of dollars in opioid epidemi...

St. Charles County Parks Kicks Off 25th Year with New Logo and Tagline

The St. Charles County Parks Department is starting off its 25th Anniversary by unveiling a new logo and tagline that better illustrate the energy and growth of the Parks system. The County has acquired 21 parks—17 which are open and four in res...

Housing, Commercial Permits Keep Pace with Population Growth

Good news on the housing front continues to come out of St. Charles County. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the County reports year-end totals for housing and commercial construction permits for 2021 remain ahead of the pre-pandemic numbers of 2019 and riva...

Treatment Court Marks 20 Years of Success with 100th Graduation

With issues such as substance abuse and mental health diagnoses increasingly impacting the criminal justice system, St. Charles County’s 11th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court has proven to be efficient and successful in preventing incarceration ...

I-70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds Project Plans Announced

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) awarded the Interstate 70 Cave Springs to Fairgrounds (CSFG) Design-Build Project to Millstone Weber of the City of St. Charles. The total project cost is $62 million, $10 million of which comes f...

Lock It or Lose It: Keep Your Vehicle and Valuables Safe

Auto thefts in the St. Charles County region continue to be top of mind for law enforcement and prosecutors. The St. Charles County Police Department and the County’s Prosecuting Attorney’s Office continue to raise awareness and show u...

Keeping Safe During a Tornado or Severe Storm

The recent tornado in our area might have you wondering if you were prepared enough or if you could have, or should have, been more prepared. St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management Director Captain Chris Hunt says now is the time to prepare for ...

County Acquires Property for Future Park in Wentzville

St. Charles County has purchased land near Wentzville that will bring the number of County parks to 21. The property is 199 acres.

“Wentzville is a growing, rapidly changing area,” says St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, &l...

Tornado, Severe Storms Cause $3.4 Million in Damages

Missouri Governor Mike Parson visited the Defiance area after a tornado and severe storms ripped through the area on Friday, Dec. 10. Estimated damages are more than $3.4 million, according to assessments completed by County inspectors. The County&rsq...

Fundraising Opportunities at The Family Arena

Non-profit organizations looking to raise money in a safe and exciting environment are invited to check out the Family Arena’s concessions income program. Groups can make up to $1,000 during each three-hour event.

“The Family Arena is dedicated to excellen...