Kirkwood Pulse • December 22, 2025

Autogenerated on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 12:08 UTC • 8 stories from the last 36 hours.

Kirkwood Pulse • December 22, 2025

subject: J. Travis Schmidt key_points: -: Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2022, which progressed to metastatic cancer. -: Chemotherapy turned his beard white, inspiring him to wear a Santa suit during treatments. -: Became a professional Santa Claus, bringing joy to hospital staff and patients. -: Created a professional Santa suit with help from local costume designers and businesses. -: Participates in local holiday events in Webster Groves and Camdenton, Missouri. -: Offers visits, video calls, and appearances as Santa; more info at uncletravissantaclaus.com. -: Works at Lydia’s House, a domestic violence shelter, and sells pot pies to support women in need. -: Manages his cancer diagnosis by compartmentalizing emotions and maintaining hope. -: Featured on Siteman Cancer Center’s podcast 'This Is Cancer' to inspire others. -: Views cancer as a catalyst for positive life changes and embraces his role as Santa.

Vibe-O-Meter

• Score (0-100): 50
• Sentiment (-100..100): 0
• Mood: Even Keel
• Why: Mix of 0 positive, 8 neutral, and 0 negative stories. Average sentiment lands at 0.

Stories worth a look

• Living His Best Life With Metastatic Cancer (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — subject: J. Travis Schmidt key_points: -: Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2022, which progressed to metastatic cancer. -: Chemotherapy turned his beard white, inspiring him to wear a Santa suit during treatments. -: Became a professional Santa Claus, bringing joy to hospital staff and patients. -: Created a professional Santa suit with help from local costume designers and businesses. -: Participates in local holiday events in Webster Groves and Camdenton, Missouri. -: Offers visits, video calls, and appearances as Santa; more info at uncletravissantaclaus.com. -: Works at Lydia’s House, a domestic violence shelter, and sells pot pies to support women in need. -: Manages his cancer diagnosis by compartmentalizing emotions and maintaining hope. -: Featured on Siteman Cancer Center’s podcast 'This Is Cancer' to inspire others. -: Views cancer as a catalyst for positive life changes and embraces his role as Santa.

  events:
  name: Skate with Santa
  date: 2025-12-23T17:30:00-06:00
  location: Benny Gordon Recreation Center, 33 E. Glendale, Webster Groves
  registration: wgparksandrec.com Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

• Shrewsbury Adopts $11 Million Budget For 2026 (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — budget_2026: total_revenue: 11824430 total_spending: 11189456 expected_reserve_growth: True personnel_costs_percentage: 80 public_safety_spending_percentage: 70 population: 6400 city_administrator: Dustin Ziebold tax_increase: False focus: Operational spending control 2024_audit_findings: general_fund_reserves: 1600000 reserve_days_of_operations: 230 debt_reduction: amount_paid: 1400000 remaining_debt: 8200000 timeframe_years: 5 expense_increase_percentage: 8 expense_drivers: -: employee salaries -: pension payments revenue_growth_sources: -: local sales taxes -: use taxes cash_reserve_increase: 900000 financial_progress_since_2020: significant improvement budget_performance_2024: general_fund: under budget park_fund: under budget Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
• Homeowners Raise Questions (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — issue: St. Louis County property tax bills are arriving late and inconsistently in 2025, causing confusion and concern among homeowners, especially seniors. key_points: -: Tax bills, usually mailed in November, are arriving late, some as late as December, risking late payment penalties due by Dec. 31. -: Older residents face challenges with online tax bill access and payments. -: The county is believed to be responsible for delays, with advice to contact county council members or the Department of Revenue if bills are missing. -: The senior homeowner tax freeze program caps tax payments at a base year amount, providing significant relief to seniors, with over $30 million in total relief in 2025. -: Seniors must renew the freeze annually, but the process is simplified and does not require full reapplication. -: Some critics argue the freeze reduces revenue for taxing districts and question its value, but advocates recommend continued participation. -: Younger homeowners express concern about rising appraisals and taxes, but the Assessor’s Office clarifies it only values properties based on fair market value and is independent of tax collection or freeze programs. contacts_and_resources: tax_bill_info_online: https://stlcountymo.gov department_of_revenue_phone: 314-615-5500 assessor_office_phone: 314-615-2555 Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
• Waste Connections Official Fields Question (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — issue: Spotty trash collection in Des Peres due to driver shortages, heavy yard waste, and a snow and ice storm. official_response: apology: Tony LaMantia, Waste Connections business development manager, apologized publicly at the Dec. 8 Des Peres Board of Aldermen meeting. actions: Hiring more drivers and planning to overstaff to improve service reliability.

  concerns_raised:
  by: Alderman Jim Kleinschmidt
  concern: Lack of communication about missed trash routes; residents had trash out for two weeks without notification.
  -:
  by: Alderman Sean Concagh
  concern: Inconsistent collection of materials, specifically cardboard boxes placed outside bins not being collected; need for clearer communication to residents.

explanations: weather_impact: Drivers advised not to leave trucks during snow and ice for safety and insurance reasons. prioritization: Yard waste collection was delayed as trash and recycling were prioritized during adverse weather.

• Kirkwood School District To Comply With Religious Rights Of Parents (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — issue: Kirkwood School District received a legal demand to respect religious parents' rights after showing an LGBTQ+ History Month video to middle school students. legal_action: demand_letter_date: 2025-10-30 law_firm: Thomas More Society basis: First Amendment rights and Supreme Court decision Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025) request: Remove LGBTQ+ History Month video from Schoology app threat: Potential lawsuit if non-compliant district_response: compliance: District confirmed it will comply with Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling and accommodate religious objections. actions: -: Removing video from student devices upon parental request -: Revising notices for e-book software Sora to allow opt-out -: Affirmed commitment to legal compliance and parental involvement statement_by: Steph Deidrick, Chief Communications Officer law_firm_statement: view: Victory for parental rights and religious freedom monitoring: Will closely monitor district's compliance requirements: Advance notice to parents for content conflicting with religious beliefs related_lawsuit: case_name: Rawlins v. Ulrich filed: June 2024 claims: Kirkwood School District violated Missouri’s Sunshine Law by withholding public records context: Includes controversy over a 2022 student survey on sexual habits linked to a 2023 yearbook article Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
• Construction Site Blasting Draws Concerns (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — location: Magnolia Ridge Development, 13431 Manchester Road, east of Sam’s Club, Town and Country issue: Blasting at the construction site causing house shaking and potential damage to nearby properties and pools concerned_resident: name: Cherie Regev address: Pingry Place concerns: -: Nuisance from blasting -: Potential structural damage to houses and swimming pools -: Blasting hours earlier than originally communicated -: Lack of response from construction company

  official_responses:
  name: Steve Meyer
  title: Des Peres Public Works Director
  response: Blasting permits are under St. Louis County jurisdiction; residents within 500 feet are notified, Regevs live beyond that distance.
  -:
  name: Scott Schaefer
  title: City Administrator
  response: Acknowledged some residents noticed cracks; explained county inspection process with before and after photos; facilitating contact between Regev, county officials, and Brinkman Construction Company.

developer: Brinkman Construction Company next_steps: Resident advised to follow up with St. Louis County inspector for concerns and possible restitution claims. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

• Naughty Or Nice (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — overview: Local children from Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and nearby areas shared their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa, revealing popular toy trends and unique requests. popular_toys: -: Labubu bag charms -: Barbie dolls -: American Girl dolls -: Pokémon items -: Slime -: Legos -: Skip-It -: Bop-It -: Fart Blaster (Despicable Me) notable_requests: toys: -: Ken doll -: Hungry Hungry Hippos game -: Vampire teeth -: Bulldozers -: Trains -: Trucks -: Toy bus -: Rolling suitcase -: Barbie house -: Magic portal -: Monster truck vehicles: -: Bicycles -: Scooters -: Motorcycles -: Hoverboards -: Cars (including Porsche 992 GT3 RS) pets: -: Dogs -: Cats -: Bunnies -: Hamsters -: Brown bear -: Dinosaur ride-on toy -: Turtle stegosaurus -: Unicorn -: Horse -: Peregrine falcon costume technology: -: Phones -: Smart watches -: Video game systems -: 3-D printers -: DJ table -: Camera -: Tablet food_and_treats: -: Candy -: Chocolate Santas -: Apple juice -: Pizza -: Chocolate fountain -: Kinder Surprise eggs -: Sour treats unique_requests: -: A man (boyfriend) -: A handsome, God-fearing man -: Social media access (not a gift request)

  child_quotes:
  name: Dahlia
  age: 5
  location: Shrewsbury
  wishes:
  -: Ken doll
  -: Hungry Hungry Hippos
  -: Vampire teeth
  quote: I have been very good this year.
  -:
  name: Wally
  location: Kirkwood
  wishes:
  -: Monster truck
  quote: Please don’t forget the monster truck.
  -:
  name: Henry
  location: Kirkwood
  wishes:
  -: Baggy jeans
  -: Gold chain
  -: Porsche 992 GT3 RS
  quote: P.S. I’m getting social media; Not asking :) :) :)
  -:
  name: Kate
  location: Webster Groves
  wishes:
  -: A handsome, God-fearing man to make my boyfriend
  -:
  name: Harper
  location: Kirkwood
  wishes:
  -: Books
  -: Clothing
  -: Horse
  quote: I would never ask for another thing again, not for my birthday, not for Christmas, not for anything. So please! A horse!!!
  -:
  name: Jamey
  location: Kirkwood
  wishes:
  -: DJ table
  -: Camera
  quote: I have been a good boy when I can. I do like to say bad words and I don’t like to listen, but I try my best.
  -:
  name: Gus
  location: Webster Groves
  wishes:
  -: Tablet
  quote: I play well with my friends at school, say kind words to adults and can also help clean up.
  -:
  name: Maybellene
  location: Webster Groves
  wishes:
  -: Unicorn
  -: New flowers
  -: New house Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

• Webster Groves Council Delays Vote On Sales Tax Hike Ballot Measures (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — decision: The Webster Groves City Council unanimously voted to delay the vote on two proposed sales tax increases until their next meeting on January 6, 2026. reason_for_delay: Council members requested more time to gather feedback from residents and business owners before voting. deadline: The council must approve ballot language by January 27, 2026, to place the measures on the April 7, 2026 municipal election ballot.

  proposed_measures:
  name: Economic Development Sales Tax
  rate: 0.5%
  purpose: To fund economic development initiatives including marketing, land acquisition, job creation grants, infrastructure, streetscape improvements, and parking garage repairs.
  management: A newly created five-member advisory board.
  estimated_revenue: 1400000
  -:
  name: Fire District Protection Tax Increase
  rate_increase: from 0.25% to 0.5%
  purpose: To fund fire department operations and reduce pressure on the general fund.
  estimated_revenue: 700000
  current_fire_department_expenses: 5400000

context: sales_tax_revenue: 8600000 percentage_of_city_revenue: 37 total_city_revenue: 23200000 budget_deficit: 1100000 fiscal_year_start: 2025-07-01 reserve_fund: 17900000 previous_year_surplus: 3600000 next_steps: Council will further discuss and debate the proposals in upcoming meetings before deciding whether to forward one or both measures to the ballot. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

Keep an eye on Living His Best Life With Metastatic Cancer from Webster-Kirkwood Times – News.