Good morning, St. Louis. Today, we cover the investigation into a detainee’s death at the City Justice Center, ongoing jail safety concerns, and official statements about transparency and policy changes.

MAIN STORY

St. Louis Jail Death Under Investigation

Samuel Hayes, who was awaiting trial for a 2024 murder, died July 19 while strapped to a restraint chair inside the City Justice Center, according to city officials. Hayes’ death comes as city leaders face renewed scrutiny over jail safety, detainee treatment, and new policy promises.

Hayes was indicted for the shooting death of Bryan Boyle and had been jailed since spring. By the date of Hayes’ death, the jail population had climbed from 666 to 728 detainees. City officials said he was restrained after an altercation with a cellmate and failed to comply with guards’ commands. A Monday autopsy’s results are pending, and police say Hayes had no external injuries. Alderman Rasheen Aldridge said this is the first time he’s heard of using a restraint chair in the jail.

Mayor Cara Spencer plans to release video footage of the incident to Hayes’ family. The investigation into jail staff conduct is ongoing. Read more about the case and official responses in this detailed report.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis Public Schools may close more than half its buildings before the 2026-2027 school year, according to a new proposal. The plan, presented by Cordogan, Clark and Associates, recommends shuttering 37 of 68 schools due to a projected 30% decline in enrollment and $1.8 billion in needed repairs, particularly after the May 16 tornado damaged 12 schools. Superintendent Millicent Borishade and the school board will discuss the proposal on Tuesday; no specific schools have been identified yet. Former board president Dorothy Rohde-Collins urged delaying closures to prioritize tornado recovery, while board president Karen Collins-Adams said the current focus should be supporting displaced families ahead of the August 18 school start. SLPS last closed schools in 2021, and you can find more details in the full proposal summary.

St. Louis music festivals Evolution and MATI will donate a significant portion of their proceeds to tornado relief efforts this year. Following a destructive May tornado, Evolution Festival converted to a nonprofit status, promising all net proceeds to the United Way of Greater St. Louis and committing at least $100,000, regardless of ticket sales. The event, scheduled for September 27-28 at Forest Park, features well-known artists, including Lenny Kravitz. For more information on artist lineups, see Evolution Festival and MATI event details.

Matthew Tkachuk celebrated his wedding and Stanley Cup win in St. Louis with local fans and patients. The Panthers forward married Ellie at the Ritz-Carlton (Clayton) on Saturday, then brought the Stanley Cup to St. Louis Children’s Hospital Monday, just as he did last year. Tkachuk, who returned from injury to score the Cup-clinching goal, also visited Brentwood’s police and fire departments and local businesses, sharing the victory with the community. The Panthers aim for a rare three-peat next season.

ALSO READ

Olive Street Buildings Saved

The Kranzberg Arts Foundation will transform two historic Olive Street buildings into The Key Burger Bar and Boogie, a restaurant and dance venue, after purchasing the properties in Grand Center last year. St. Louis University previously planned to demolish the 130-year-old sites.

Preservationists rallied against demolition, citing the buildings’ ties to Tony Faust’s restaurant empire from the late 1800s. The foundation aims to preserve original features, including tin ceilings and wooden trusses. The buildings, just outside the former Mill Creek Valley neighborhood, lack official historic status, but now have a new purpose for community gathering.

ALSO READ

Hi-Pointe Launches Charity Burger

Hi-Pointe Drive-In has introduced the “Sit. Stay. Slay.” burger as a limited-time menu item, aiming to support local shelter pets. The special burger will be available at all nine locations through September 30.

A portion of the proceeds from each burger will help Stray Rescue of St. Louis cover animal adoption fees. Hi-Pointe offers both meat and vegetarian versions. Stray Rescue, a nonprofit, reports high costs for animal medical care and hopes the partnership will boost adoptions. Learn more about the campaign and menu details from Hi-Pointe’s promotion.

QUICK HITS

Zum will provide 240 buses and more than 50 attendants for St. Louis Public Schools’ 220 routes starting Aug. 18, as the district relocates at least 2,000 tornado-displaced students and seven shuttered schools for the fall semester.

Fountain Park residents are still recovering from the May 16 tornado as local organizations provide shade, water, and cooling stations to help families facing excessive heat and ongoing housing challenges.

City of St. Louis completed a five-year project to overhaul 7th Street downtown, adding new pavement, protected bike lanes, lighting, and crosswalk upgrades to boost connectivity and encourage business growth between Busch Stadium and the Dome.

Festus cat advocates support trap-neuter-return programs to control growing stray cat populations, as the city enacts new rules penalizing residents who feed feral cats with fines of up to $250 after multiple offenses.

Maryland Heights City Council approved Harmony Homes’ plan to demolish a 1908 English Gothic mansion at 211 Midland Avenue, paving the way for a six-building, 96-bed senior care facility to open beginning in early 2026.

GENERATING BUZZ

A recent community discussion raised questions about the stigma surrounding Dierbergs, a long-standing grocery chain in St. Louis that has been in operation since 1854. Participants shared that some locals associate shopping there with being "Midwest bougie," reflecting perceptions tied to the store’s reputation for quality products, cleanliness, and higher prices compared to competitors. Others noted Dierbergs’ history of modern store design and community involvement. The thread highlighted varied opinions on Dierbergs’ role in the local grocery market as well as how newcomers to the city interpret the local shopping culture. Check it out.