Kirkwood Pulse • February 12, 2026

Autogenerated on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 12:14 UTC • 4 stories from the last 36 hours.

Kirkwood Pulse • February 12, 2026

event: Kirkwood City Council public hearing on Double Eagle Development’s proposal for the former public works site date_of_hearing: 2026-01-08 proposal_details: developer: Double Eagle Development site: former public works site housing_units: 203 buildings: 6 parking_spots: 303 building_type: all-residential architecture_style: traditional with pitched roofs, chimneys, covered porches unique_features: -: new through-street connecting Taylor and Fillmore -: townhome style apartments with ground-floor private entrances -: Breezestak layout offering varied floor plans apartment_mix: similar to other Kirkwood developments (e.g., Pitman Place) walkability: limited due to auto-oriented design and many curb cuts parking: surface parking rather than structured parking council_decision_factors: -: likely most lucrative monetary bid -: maximized number of homes to increase property value -: met several RFP criteria including street connectivity -: aligned with Council’s conservative aesthetic preferences criticisms_and_regrets: lack_of_trail_integration: Proposals did not value the upcoming Grant’s Trail extension, missing retail opportunities phased_development: Suggested phased approach could yield better long-term community returns walkability_and_green_space: Project too auto-oriented, lacks common green spaces building_code_flexibility: Recommendation for Council to allow walk-up building layouts in future codes future_considerations: -: City backed off developing KPAC parking lot, preserving prime corner for future development -: Potential for phased development as trail construction progresses overall_sentiment: Supportive of project for better land use but with noted concerns on design and long-term planning key_events: -: Kirkwood City Council abruptly ended city administrator Russ Hawes' decade-long tenure without a formal transition or successor. -: The current Kirkwood City Council, elected April 2, 2024, holds a 6-1 Republican majority with strong ties to the national Conservative Movement. -: This Council has shifted from traditional community-focused governance to a more overtly political agenda aimed at consolidating power and punishing Democratic opponents. -: Several Council members and their spouses have made significant political donations predominantly to Republican and Trump-aligned candidates and causes. -: The Council has dismissed constructive policy ideas based on political bias and is pursuing the sale of the city’s water utility, potentially increasing costs for residents. political_composition: total_seats: 7 republican_seats: 6 democratic_seats: 1

Vibe-O-Meter

• Score (0-100): 50
• Sentiment (-100..100): 0
• Mood: Even Keel
• Why: Mix of 0 positive, 4 neutral, and 0 negative stories. Average sentiment lands at 0.

Stories worth a look

• How Double Eagle Won Over the Council (Kirkwood Gadfly) — event: Kirkwood City Council public hearing on Double Eagle Development’s proposal for the former public works site date_of_hearing: 2026-01-08 proposal_details: developer: Double Eagle Development site: former public works site housing_units: 203 buildings: 6 parking_spots: 303 building_type: all-residential architecture_style: traditional with pitched roofs, chimneys, covered porches unique_features: -: new through-street connecting Taylor and Fillmore -: townhome style apartments with ground-floor private entrances -: Breezestak layout offering varied floor plans apartment_mix: similar to other Kirkwood developments (e.g., Pitman Place) walkability: limited due to auto-oriented design and many curb cuts parking: surface parking rather than structured parking council_decision_factors: -: likely most lucrative monetary bid -: maximized number of homes to increase property value -: met several RFP criteria including street connectivity -: aligned with Council’s conservative aesthetic preferences criticisms_and_regrets: lack_of_trail_integration: Proposals did not value the upcoming Grant’s Trail extension, missing retail opportunities phased_development: Suggested phased approach could yield better long-term community returns walkability_and_green_space: Project too auto-oriented, lacks common green spaces building_code_flexibility: Recommendation for Council to allow walk-up building layouts in future codes future_considerations: -: City backed off developing KPAC parking lot, preserving prime corner for future development -: Potential for phased development as trail construction progresses overall_sentiment: Supportive of project for better land use but with noted concerns on design and long-term planning Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
• Kirkwood’s 6-1 Republican Majority (Kirkwood Gadfly) — key_events: -: Kirkwood City Council abruptly ended city administrator Russ Hawes' decade-long tenure without a formal transition or successor. -: The current Kirkwood City Council, elected April 2, 2024, holds a 6-1 Republican majority with strong ties to the national Conservative Movement. -: This Council has shifted from traditional community-focused governance to a more overtly political agenda aimed at consolidating power and punishing Democratic opponents. -: Several Council members and their spouses have made significant political donations predominantly to Republican and Trump-aligned candidates and causes. -: The Council has dismissed constructive policy ideas based on political bias and is pursuing the sale of the city’s water utility, potentially increasing costs for residents. political_composition: total_seats: 7 republican_seats: 6 democratic_seats: 1

  notable_council_members:
  name: Mayor Gibbons
  political_donations:
  republican: 3150
  democratic: 0
  spouse:
  name: Mike Gibbons
  background: Former Republican state representative and lobbyist
  donations_to_republican_causes_since_2016: 7000
  -:
  name: Council Member Rheinnecker
  political_donations:
  republican: 26525
  democratic: 510
  spouse_donations_to_trump_pacs: 1300
  -:
  name: Council Member Jaksetic
  political_donations:
  republican: 550
  democratic: 0
  -:
  name: Council Member Luetzow
  political_donations:
  republican: 0
  democratic: 200
  spouse_donations:
  democratic: 5

issues_highlighted: -: Abrupt termination of city administrator without transition -: Politicization of local governance with national Conservative ties -: Dismissal of policy ideas due to partisan bias -: Plans to sell the city’s water utility, risking higher costs for residents overall_tone: Critical of the current Council's politicized approach and its potential negative impact on Kirkwood's governance and finances. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

• Get your spring training gear here (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — Spring Training marks the official start of the baseball season, and fans can now purchase themed gear from a newly opened online store. Available items include Spring Training hats, tee shirts, and the popular 'Baseball Bash' tees worn annually at the Spring Training party. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
• As spring workouts begin, 20 pitchers join Cardinals major-league camp for the first time (Webster-Kirkwood Times – News) — overview: The St. Louis Cardinals have 20 new pitchers joining their major-league camp for the first time in 2026, comprising more than half of the 38 pitchers in camp. These newcomers include a mix of 40-man roster and non-roster players, with 11 joining since the end of the 2025 season and two acquired during the 2025 season. key_points: -: Spring workouts for pitchers and catchers began in Jupiter, Florida. -: 20 pitchers are newcomers to the Cardinals major-league camp. -: The total pitching group includes 38 players. -: New pitchers include both minor-league free agents and players acquired via trades. -: Notable newcomers include Scott Blewett, Justin Bruihl, Jurrangelo Cijntje, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, and others. -: Several pitchers are recovering from injuries or are expected to compete for rotation or bullpen spots. -: The group features a mix of right-handed and left-handed pitchers, with some known for unique skills such as ambidextrous pitching.

  notable_pitchers:
  name: Scott Blewett
  status: Non-roster
  background: 29-year-old right-handed reliever with 43 MLB games experience, signed as minor-league free agent.
  -:
  name: Justin Bruihl
  status: 40-man roster
  background: 28-year-old left-handed reliever acquired from Guardians, with MLB and postseason experience.
  -:
  name: Jurrangelo Cijntje
  status: Non-roster
  background: 22-year-old ambidextrous pitcher, expected to pitch right-handed, acquired in trade with Mariners.
  -:
  name: Hunter Dobbins
  status: 40-man roster
  background: 26-year-old recovering from torn ACL, acquired from Red Sox in trade.
  -:
  name: Richard Fitts
  status: 40-man roster
  background: 26-year-old right-handed starter, acquired in trade with Red Sox, competing for rotation spot.
  -:
  name: Luis Gastelum
  status: Non-roster
  background: 24-year-old right-handed reliever from Mexico, signed as free agent in 2023.
  -:
  name: Brycen Mautz
  status: 40-man roster
  background: 24-year-old left-handed pitcher, Cardinals’ minor-league pitcher of the year in 2025. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more

Keep an eye on How Double Eagle Won Over the Council from Kirkwood Gadfly.