Fall 2023 City of O'Fallon Newsletter

Path of Heroes Program

The City of O’Fallon is proud to continue its Path of Heroes program. This past Memorial Day, three O’Fallon service members who were killed in Vietnam were honored along the path. The honorees included LCpl. Ben Bono (USMC), PFC Robert Swafford (USMC), and PFC Robert Underwood (USA). Please join us at the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Walk where we plan to honor three more American heroes. To learn more about the program, turn to page 10 for a special feature.

The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri

Falling Leaves and Cooler Weather!

Each year, I am sad to see summer end, but I hold fond memories of another wonderful summer season in O’Fallon. Again this year, we had a record turnout for the always-popular Heritage and Freedom Fest, and every Tuesday evening Civic Park came alive with spectacular live music.

While we all turn our attention from hot summer nights to cool autumn breezes, I look forward to the festivals, sports, and upcoming winter holiday events. These O’Fallon traditions offer something for everyone in your family. I hope you have the opportunity to join me and your fellow neighbors as we take part in an O’Fallon autumn.

O’Fallon’s Fall into the Arts festival will take place in O’Day Park on Sunday, September 17. Join me as this crowd-favorite festival takes over the beautiful park where you can enjoy shopping for fine arts and gifts, live music, local food trucks, and more.

Looking for something a little spookier? Dames Park will host the annual Food Truck Fright in October, on Friday the 13th! Book an old-fashioned, tractor-pulled hayride through historic Fort Zumwalt Park from October 12 – 29, and gather around a bonfire afterwards to snack and socialize. With fall's brilliant colors on display, heavily wooded Fort Zumwalt Park makes for great photos.

Looking for something to do indoors? This fall, join our talented thespians for O’Fallon Theatre Works’ version of Emma. Performances are held at the O’Fallon Municipal Centre from October 20 – 22 and October 27 – 29. Be sure to purchase your tickets online before they sell out.

In November, please join me with your family at City Hall for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Each year, I ask the kids to help me count down to the lighting of our huge tree, and I’ve been told Santa might just stop by to visit with all the good girls and boys who are there that night! And, once again, we can make plans for a memorable trip through the 22nd annual Celebration of Lights in Fort Zumwalt Park.

Please join us on November 11 at the Veterans Memorial Walk as we honor those who served and sacrificed for our fellow Americans. I want to wish each of you a safe and enjoyable fall season.

Sincerely,

Bill Hennessy, Mayor

Elected Officials

Mayor Bill Hennessy

636-379-5500

bhennessy@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 1 Councilmembers

Deana Smith

636-379-5582

dsmith@ofallon.mo.us

Ron Epps

636-379-5581

repps@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 2 Councilmembers

Tom “Duke” Herweck

636-379-5583

therweck@ofallon.mo.us

Lisa Thompson

636-379-5591

lthompson@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 3 Councilmembers

Nathan Bibb

636-379-5585

nbibb@ofallon.mo.us

Steve Koskela

636-379-5586

skoskela@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 4 Councilmembers

Jeff Kuehn

636-379-5587

jkuehn@ofallon.mo.us

Jim Ottomeyer

636-379-5580

jottomeyer@ofallon.mo.us

Ward 5 Councilmembers

Debbie Cook

636-379-5588

dcook@ofallon.mo.us

Linda Ragsdale

636-409-0863

lragsdale@ofallon.mo.us

23rd Annual Cornucopia of Care Food Drive

November 1 – December 8, 2023 - Multiple Drop-off Sites

Join Volunteer O’Fallon as we collect items for donation to local food pantries. With holidays around the corner, there is no better time to share goodwill with those less fortunate within our community. You can help restock pantry shelves with canned and boxed food items such as cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter, instant potatoes, and rice. Or you can contribute quick meals like pasta, beef stew, or chicken & dumplings. Learn more at www.ofallon.mo.us/cornucopia-ofcare. Donation collection locations include:

• O’Fallon Municipal Centre, 100 N Main St.

• Renaud Center, 2650 Tri Sports Circle

You can choose to host a collection for public donations, or spearhead a focused private drive that engages your friends, neighbors, business, church, or civic group. Contact Volunteer Services to register your site at volunteer@ofallon.mo.us.

Plan your visit to the Celebration of Lights Early!

The holiday season is just around the corner, and one of our favorite events of the year is gearing up for another incredible season! There are many ways to experience the Celebration of Lights! Bring the family for a drive-through light display experience.

Join us on December 3, 4 & 5 for the Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll! Visitors will walk along the illuminated route, enjoy holiday music, visit with Santa and enjoy a fireworks show over Lake Whetsel. Drive-through and Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll tickets go on sale Monday, November 6, at 9 a.m. and must be purchased in advance. Experience the magic of the Celebration of Lights from a hayride or the City Train! Reservations for speciality rides are now available and must be purchased in advance!

Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll tickets, and specialty ride reservations are subject to availability & date restrictions. Don't miss out! Be sure to plan your visit now!

Helpful Numbers

City Council Meetings are typically held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at City Hall. Council Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit the City's Website Calendar for updates.

Citizens First Center

636-379-5553

City Hall

636-240-2000

Police (Non-emergency)

636-240-3200

O’Fallon Water & Sewer

636-281-2858

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This Newsletter was brought to you by the City of O'Fallon Communications Department

Director of Communications Tony Michalka

Communications Specialist Katelyn Mitchell

Communications Specialist Lauren Borgmeyer

Upcoming Events

Fall into the Arts

Sunday, September 17

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., O'Day Park

Indulge yourself in creative art, crafts, beer, food, live music, and more in beautiful O’Day Park at O’Fallon’s annual Fall into the Arts festival. Featured fine and folk artists will be displaying and selling their works in several mediums, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, and more. Plus, young art lovers can enjoy free kids’ activities during the festival.

Food and drinks available for purchase from local vendors including Doughboy’s Pizza, Wayno’s Mobile Cuisine, Good News Brewery, and many more!

Admission and parking are free. Check out the most up-to-date list of artists and vendors at www.ofallon.mo.us/fall-arts.

Art • Eats

Pumpkin Plunge

Friday, October 6

Beer

Music

It’s time for the 6th annual Pumpkin Plunge! Dive for the perfect pumpkin to decorate. Little ones will also get to plunge for their perfect pumpkin at our Jr. Pumpkin Plunge! Parents and siblings: Sign up for a special discounted admission rate and swim with your plunge participant after the event! This event will have limited capacity. Participants must be registered by Monday, October 2. Min/ Max: 20/45 (Jr. Min/Max: 20/30)

Jr.

Food Truck Fright

Friday, October 13

6–8:30 p.m., Dames Park

Save the date for the fall version of our popular Food Truck Frenzy. You’ll have a great time enjoying delicious food truck fare by SNS Goodies, Angie Burger, Doughboys Wood Fired Pizza, and more. Plus, great drinks by Short Leaf Brewery and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck. This family favorite event also includes an inflatable for kids and music by a local DJ!

Admission and parking to the Food Truck Fright is free, and you can see the whole tasty lineup of food trucks on deck at www. ofallon.mo.us/food-truck-frenzy.

Hayrides at Fort Zumwalt Park

October 12–29

Thursdays and Fridays • 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays • 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Experience the colors of fall, snap photos and make memories while enjoying a tractor-pulled hayride through beautiful, historic Fort Zumwalt Park. Outside food and drink are welcome to enjoy by guests around the bonfire following your ride. Hayrides must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the date. For more information or to submit a hayride request form, please visit our website at www.ofallon.mo.us/hayrides.

After

(Parents & Siblings)

Become a volunteer! Call 636-379-5417, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer or email volunteer@ofallon.

Emma

Weekends, October 20 - 22 & 27 - 29

7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday

O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall), East Entrance

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

This fall, O'Fallon Theatre Works is putting on a very special production. Emma: A Novel by a Lady, was written by Carole Lanham, one of our incredible directors! Based on the work of Jane Austen, Emma is a 21-year-old girl living in the early 1800s Regency Era. She loves matchmaking for her loved ones but is spectacularly bad at it. Learn more & buy tickets at www.ofallon.mo.us/otw.

Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Market

Wednesday, November 15

6–8 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

Kick off the holiday season with this O’Fallon favorite!

Gather your family and join Mayor Bill Hennessy in counting down to the lighting of the great tree in City Hall, officially welcoming the holiday magic to O’Fallon. With plenty of children’s activities, holiday music, festive vendors, food trucks and a chance to meet Santa, there’s something for the whole family!

In the spirit of giving, please bring donations of canned or boxed food, & personal care items for local food pantries to share with O’Fallon residents in need.

Celebration of Lights

November 24 – December 30

Nightly, Fort Zumwalt Park

It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without the annual Celebration of Lights display in Fort Zumwalt Park! Join us at this magical winter wonderland for an unforgettable trip through our holiday light display. Celebration of Lights is full of magical scenes designed and funded by local organizations, churches, and businesses. Tickets must be purchased in advance; get yours at www.ofallon.mo.us/celebration-of-lights

Specialty rides

See the lights from a sleigh hayride or the City Train! These specialty rides tend to fill quickly. Reservations are required. See www.ofallon.mo.us/celebration-of-lights for more details, including pre-purchase information.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland • Ages 2-12

Saturday, December 2

Walking in a winter wonderland! Join Santa as he celebrates the holiday season with a candy cane hunt, workshop activities, and cookies and milk, of course! Children will also get to have the opportunity to get photos with Santa during the event! Preregistration is required, and the deadline is November 5. 310109-B

Snaps with Santa + Paws & Claus

Sunday, December 3

Bring the whole family out to O’Day Lodge to get your picture taken with jolly old St. Nicholas! Santa hasn’t forgotten about your favorite pup either! The kids and fur-babies can get their photo taken with Santa! After the pictures, families can chat with Santa and enjoy treats for all the children & pups on the nice list. Pre-registration is required; register by November 28. Price is per family up to 5 people, and 2 dogs for Paws & Claus.

Old-Fashioned Holiday Stroll

Sunday, December 3, through Tuesday, December 5 6–8:30 p.m., Fort Zumwalt Park

Visitors will walk along the illuminated route, visit with Santa and other special holiday characters, live reindeer, and enjoy a fireworks show over Lake Whetsel. Fireworks start at 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. each night.

Tickets go on sale November 6 and must be purchased in advance. Holiday Stroll tickets may be purchased online at www. ofallon.mo.us/holiday-stroll, there will be no sales at the gate. All sales final.

Snowball Blizzard Blitz

Friday, December 15

•

Ages 5-12

Tired of being stuck at home? Come to the Renaud Center on December 15 for our annual Snowball Blizzard Blitz! Participants will have a blast with snowball fights and winter games! Must pre-register by December 6.

310202-A Sa 6:00-7:00P Dec 15 RC $15/18

Historic Site Tours

Historic Heald Home & Zumwalt’s Fort Tours

Open on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 12–3 p.m.

Come to Fort Zumwalt Park to tour the re-created Fort and Heald Home on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, the final tours of the season are Sept.10 and 24 from 12-3 p.m. Admission is $5 per person to see both attractions, and children 10 and under are admitted free. For private and/or group tours of 10 or more, please call Teresa Schmidt at 636-379-5574.

Patriotic Events & Volunteer Opportunities

For more information or to register for an event, visit www.ofallon. mo.us/volunteer.

Patriot Blood Drive

Friday, September 8, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre

Honor the first responders who bravely rushed to help those in need on September 11, 2001, by helping to save local lives through blood donations.

Patriot Day Ceremony

Monday, September 11

8:30 a.m., 9/11 Memorial at the O'Fallon Municipal Centre

Please join us in honoring our first responders and remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Remembrance Walk

Monday, September 11, 9 a.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre

Immediately following the 9/11 Ceremony, this 1-mile walk reflects on the sacrifices made, honors those who continue to inspire us, and ends in a show of patriotism along Main Street.

POW/MIA

Remembrance Day Ceremony

Friday, September 15, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Walk

This candle-lighting ceremony is dedicated to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who remain missing in action or imprisoned on foreign soil, and the families who are still waiting to welcome them home once again.

O’Fallon’s 23rd Annual Make a Difference Day

Saturday, October 28, 9–11 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m. – Noon

Become a major participant in the community by volunteering on the largest national day of service in the country! Volunteer projects are environmentally-focused. Pre-registration is required.

Veterans Day Ceremony

Saturday, November 11, 11 a.m., Veterans Memorial Walk

America has an estimated 20,000,000 veterans, and we owe each of them a “thank you” for our country’s freedom. Please join us at this ceremony in honoring and thanking our nation’s veterans for keeping our country safe.

22nd Annual National Family Volunteer Day

Saturday, November 18, 9–11 a.m., O’Fallon Municipal Centre

Families are invited to join us to distribute items donated in the Cornucopia of Care Food Drive, and decorate placemats. Preregistration is required.

Senior Residents

Information for O'Fallon's Senior Residents

O'Fallon Senior Center

106 North Main Street | 636-272-4180 | www.agingahead.com

If you are age 60 or older, please visit O’Fallon’s Senior Center, where a welcoming atmosphere awaits seniors who’d like to socialize over bingo, crafts, billiards, dice, card games like pinochle and bridge, Wii games, and other activities. Computer and fitness classes are also available. Delicious hot lunches are served for a suggested donation of $5 per meal; make a reservation by calling the day before.

To register for transportation to/from the O’Fallon Senior Center, O’Fallon residents must call 636-579-0555 and speak with a Community Options Specialist. The Community Options Specialist will walk the resident through the enrollment process.

Senior Resident Advisory Committee

The mission of the Senior Resident Advisory Committee is to advise the Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator regarding issues affecting O’Fallon’s senior citizens. The committee studies, assesses, and renders advice on plans and City programs related to seniors, and brings forth issues and concerns to the City’s elected officials in order to better serve senior residents.

211 Senior Resources by United Way of Missouri

Call 211 to speak with the United Way of Missouri regarding senior resources such as basic needs including housing, transportation, food, and services.

Meals on Wheels

Since 1973, Aging Ahead has been delivering nutritious meals, friendly safety checks and access to resources that enable home bound older adults to live nourished lives with independence and dignity in St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin Counties. Please call 636-272-0019 to learn more.

The City Train is fun for all ages!

Hot meals being served at the Senior Center.

Residents enjoying a walk with their dog at Dames Park.

Dancing at the Senior Activities Fair.

Public Assistance

O’Fallon’s grants and assistance programs can help eligible residents with home maintenance

For low-income residents and others who qualify for help, the City of O’Fallon offers a variety of programs such as zero-interest loans and grants for home maintenance. All programs are subject to funding availability.

Check your eligibility and learn more about available programs at www.ofallon.mo.us/grants

Mobile Home Repair Program

O'Fallon's Mobile Home Repair Program assists low-tomoderate level income O'Fallon residents with mobile home repairs that they would not otherwise be able to afford. This program offers up to $3,000 in the form of a one-time grant for eligible repairs.

O'Fallon Transportation Program

O’Fallon’s Transportation Program provides transportation for necessary medical, shopping, and essential services and is available to O’Fallon residents who meet one of the following criteria:

• At least 62 years of age; or

• Be deemed disabled per HUD Section 504 regulations; or

• Qualify as low income or moderate income.

Help a local charity when you pay O’Fallon utility bills

Water & Sewer

The City's Public Works Department operates and maintains the water supply, including the water treatment plant, wells, booster stations, transmission lines, and distribution systems, along with providing 24/7 emergency response and repair, meter reading, water sampling and testing, line locations, and predictive and preventive maintenance. The City has duly licensed, Statecertified operators who are responsible for system operations and maintenance.

Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion

O’Fallon’s sewer system includes a vast collection system and a full scale, state-of-the-art regional wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 14 million gallons per day, complete with two equalization basins, a bio-solids dewatering and handling facility, 17 wastewater pumping stations, and large capacity interceptor sewers ranging up to 48 inches in diameter. The collection system consists of over 200 miles of interceptor and collector lines with a little over 6,000 manholes.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project started in July of 2020, and is now completed.

Annual pretreatment underway

Residents can easily assist a local charity by donating $1, $3 or $5 per billing cycle when they pay their City water, sewer and trash collection bills. Each year, the O’Fallon City Council designates a charity to receive the funds, and for 2023 your voluntary donation can help Meals on Wheels. The nonprofit depends on voluntary donations for the hot, nutritious food delivered to homebound seniors who can’t easily prepare a meal.

To register for the donation program, please call 636-3795566 or email kpieper@ofallon.mo.us

The annual pretreatment program cross-checks are taking place from August to September. Pretreatment involves quantity reduction or elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of pollutant properties in waste water before it is discharged into a sewer system or a treatment facility. The cross-check process thoroughly reviews and assesses the pretreatment program's operations, compliance with regulations, and overall effectiveness.

During this period, the Public Works Department will evaluate their pretreatment processes to ensure they are in line with regulatory requirements and environmental standards. This might include reviewing documentation, conducting inspections, performing audits, and verifying that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent harmful substances from entering the wastewater system.

Roscoe’s Den

Trash, recycling and yard waste announcements

Free Shred-It Day for O’Fallon Residents

Saturday, September 16

8 a.m. – noon, Environmental Services building

O’Fallon’s Environmental Services Division offers a “Shred-It Day” where current trash customers can bring in boxes of paper to be shredded in a secure environment. The event will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 8 a.m. until noon at the Environmental Services building at 1550 Progress West Lane. To participate, place the documents in cardboard bankers’ boxes, or cardboard boxes of a similar size, and drive up to the facility and drop them off. Please make sure the boxes are not too heavy to lift or overfilled. The service is free for residents for up to five bankers-sized boxes. Additional boxes will be accepted for a cost of $5 per box. Non-residents may also drop off paper for shredding at a cost of $5 per box.

Residents must bring photo identification showing O’Fallon residency and all trash customers must have their account in good standing in order to receive the free services.

Please do not bring computer discs or hanging file rods. If you can tear it, then we can shred it with this complimentary service. It is okay for documents to have staples or paper clips.

Free Electronics & Appliance Recycling Events

Saturday, October 21 and December 9

8 a.m. – noon, parking lot southwest of CarShield Field Bring outdated or broken electronics and appliances to O’Fallon’s Free Electronics & Appliance Recycling Events! The drop-off events will be held in the parking lot at the southwest corner of T.R. Hughes Blvd. and Tom Ginnever Avenue, adjacent to CarShield Field. The events are free except for the following:

• LED/LCD/Plasma televisions = $20

• CRT monitors = $5

• CRT TV’s 26” or less = $30

• CRT TV’s 27” or greater = $50

• Wood console and big screen/projection TVs = $50

• Any freon containing unit = $10

For a detailed list of items that can be recycled and future event dates, visit www.ofallon.mo.us/electronics-recycling. Or, call Environmental Services at 636-272-0477.

Free Bulk Waste Drop-off Events

Saturday, October 14 and December 16

7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Environmental Services Transfer Station

Make plans to drop off your oversized trash at our free Bulk Waste Drop-off events! Current O’Fallon trash customers can drop off certain items that are too large to fit in trash containers, such as carpeting or furniture, at the City’s waste transfer station. The Bulk Waste Drop-off is only open to City of O’Fallon trash customers. The transfer station is located at 1572 Progress West Lane. For a full list of eligible items and event rules, please visit www.ofallon.mo.us/bulk-waste.

Make your next renovation project easier with roll-off container rentals

Planning on redoing your kitchen? Need to clean out the basement or garage? A large roll-off trash container delivered right to your driveway can make these big jobs much easier!

Roll-off containers may be used for most trash, excluding tires, appliances, liquids, car batteries, and hazardous waste. In addition, roll-off containers may be used for yard waste projects, but yard waste may not be combined with other trash.

Container sizes vary with 10-, 20- and 30-yard containers currently available. Visit www.ofallon.mo.us/roll-off or call 636-272-0477 to reserve a roll-off container.

Your tax dollars at work!

Projects and ongoing developments continue across O’Fallon

City staff continues to work on improvement projects throughout our community, and motorists will soon see the benefits of these important infrastructure upgrades.

• Main Street Improvements: Phase 1

This project, along Main Street from Pitman Street north to the railroad tracks, will provide a new asphalt surface to improve the ride quality and longevity of the pavement. Additionally, this project will provide reconstructed sidewalks to improve pedestrian accessibility. The City is anticipating construction beginning in 2024.

• Guthrie Road Improvements

Crews continue to work on improvements to Guthrie Road through the long-term road closure. Clearing, grading, rock breaking, wall construction, and storm infrastructure are well underway as crews continue to work. The City anticipates the road to be open by the end of 2023.

2023 Crack Sealing Programs target new neighborhoods

This year our crack sealing program will be sealing joints and cracks on roughly 58 lane miles of roadway throughout our neighborhoods and subdivisions. This work will be taking place throughout Ward 2.

2023 Concrete and Asphalt Programs are wrapping up

The City’s concrete and asphalt programs are wrapping up for the year. This year the City was able to replace or repair over 80,000 square yards of pavement within the City through these two annual programs.

www.ofallon.mo.us/projects

Have you ever wondered “what’s being built on that corner?” as you drive by a construction site? Now, you can quickly see what’s being built or has recently been completed near you!

O’Fallon’s Active Development Map is a searchable, interactive tool that allows interested parties to easily locate and learn about new development projects throughout the City of O’Fallon, as well as keep track of what stage of the process each project is in: Approved, Under Construction or Completed.

This highly-interactive map is updated on a regular basis as items are reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and City staff. Check it out now at www.ofallon.mo.us/planning

Have a question or concern for City of O’Fallon staff? If so, visit the Citizens First Center at www.ofallon.mo.us

www.ofallon.mo.us

O'Fallon's Path of Heroes

Launched in 2022, the City of O’Fallon developed a way to recognize fallen heroes that once called O’Fallon home. Nominated by their families, these veterans that gave the ultimate sacrifice, are honored along the streets of O’Fallon with a sign displaying their name, rank and branch of service. Each fallen veteran has two signs displayed in each direction along major area roads like Main Street, Mexico Road, Woodlawn Avenue, and more.

Key

Location of Memorial Signs

Roadways

LCpl Jared M. Schmitz, Marines

CPL Gunnar W. Zwilling, Army

PFC Robert S. Underwood, Army

LCpl Ben D. Bono, Marines

SPC Mark D. Blakey Jr, Army

PFC Robert W. Swafford, Marines

CITY OF O'FALLON PATH OF HEROES

Roadways constituting Path of Heroes

Approximate location of Memorial Signs (the intent is have each sign pair approx. 0.5 "clicks" apart)

On Veterans Day 2022, the City unveiled its first honorees: Marine LCpl Jared M. Schmitz, Army SPC Mark D. Blakey Jr and Army CPL Gunnar W. Zwilling. All were the City’s three most recent fallen heroes. With a commitment to honor three individuals each year, the City unveiled three more honorees on Memorial Day of 2023. The following day, signs were installed for Marine PFC Robert W. Swafford, Marine LCpl Ben D. Bono and Army PFC Robert S. Underwood.

Mexico Rd.

Belleau Creek Rd.

T.R. Hughes Blvd.

Tom Ginnever Ave.

N.Main St.

Civic Park Dr.

Woodlawn Ave.

The City of O’Fallon is proud to honor its local heroes through this award-winning program. If you would like to nominate a family member that was killed in the line of duty, please visit www.ofallon.mo.us/veteranscomission for the Path of Heroes application and rules and policies for this program.

The City of O'Fallon is honored to receive the 2023 MML Innovation Award for the Path of Heroes. This award is given by the Missouri Municipal League to municipal programs for innovative projects.

Veterans Report

O’Fallon Veterans Assistance Office

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (except holidays) 636-379-5577 or veteransaffairs@ofallon.mo.us 1st floor, O’Fallon Municipal Centre (City Hall)

The Veterans Assistance Office is staffed by veterans who are dedicated to helping all U.S. military veterans and their families regarding eligibility or entitlement to Veterans Affairs benefits.

Veterans Service Officer Available

Missouri AMVETS Representative Veterans Service Officer William "Sif" Sifford will be available by appointment only, in the O'Fallon Veterans Assistance Office at City Hall. The Veterans Service Officer is a liaison between veterans and their families in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans Service Officers assist veterans in filing serviceconnected disability claims with the VA. Here are a few things the Veterans Service Officer can assist with:

• Act as your official representative to the VA

• Assist in ensuring all evidence necessary for a successful claim is submitted in a timely manner

• VA Disability Compensation

The Veterans Service Officer will help distinguish which injuries are eligible for compensation, and file paperwork.

• Veteran's Pension

The Veterans Service Officer can assist you in filing for a Veteran's pension. They can also help you understand the evidence necessary and the application.

• Survivor's Benefits

Surviving spouses may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The Veterans Service Officer can help you understand the requirements and submit the application.

• Burial Benefits

The VA will pay benefits toward burial expenses; however, the amounts may vary. The Veterans Service Officer can find that information for the survivor. Additionally, they can help with filing for a U.S. Flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, standard government headstone or marker, or a Government Medallion.

• Understand VA Correspondence

• Provide Guidance in other VA benefits

• Current VA Regulations

Relocation of St. Charles County VA Clinic

The St. Charles County VA Clinic has been relocated to St. Peters. The facility has moved from 844 Waterbury Falls Dr. in O'Fallon, to 2845 Veterans Memorial Parkway, St. Peters, 63303.

O'Fallon Police Department hosts sold-out Women's Self-Defense Class!

On August 26, the O'Fallon Police Department hosted the highly-anticipated Women's Self-Defense Class at the Justice Center. Participants learned about a variety of self-defense tactics and strategies such as situational awareness and conflict prevention, and techniques to neutralize an attacker. These women got to learn about physical strengths and weaknesses, and how to overcome them. This event was incredibly popular, and will be taking place again soon! Be sure to follow the O'Fallon Police Facebook page for event announcements.

Get Book'd Program

This Summer, the O'Fallon Police Department debuted their new reading program called "Get Book'd." As part of their continued outreach efforts, this program aims to introduce the youth of our community to law enforcement. The children will receive a talk about personal safety and what to do in emergency situations, and then the officers will read a book with them! So far, this program has visited eight day cares, an estimated 250 children in the short time since its launch earlier this year.

Get Book'd also speaks to our elderly residents! They recently visited the Abbey Senior Health Community and spoke to 45 seniors about safety.

Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 21

5 – 7 p.m., Carshield Field Parking Lot

Looking for a safe and fun Halloween experience for your family? Look no further! The O'Fallon Police Department's Trunk or Treat returns this fall! This family-friendly event will be a Halloween celebration filled with treats, games, and excitement. Costumes are encouraged, and this event is free to attend! The OPD Trunk or Treat is made possible by a partnership with Midwest Off-Road HERS. Join us for the Halloween fun!

Cocoa with a Cop

Saturday, December 2

9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Location to be Announced on Facebook

Sip on delicious hot cocoa while having casual conversations with police officers at a local restaurant. Meet Officer Klaus and get pictures with Santa in a blue suit! This is a great chance to get to know the officers who work to keep our great community safe.