The St. Charles City Council has backtracked on a city commitment to fix a longstanding flooding problem in the Pearl Ridge Estates subdivision near the Family Arena. In 2006, the council - then with a largely different membership - approved a contract with a construction firm to remedy the situation. Current council members say they’ve backed off because estimated costs have risen significantly - no matter which of several versions of the plan would be carried out. Residents say they’re caught in a dispute between the city and the developer over who’s responsible for the problem. The developer blames the city because the developer’s engineer drafted subdivision plans according to…

A city advisory commission on health issues wants the City Council to  ban smoking at bars, restaurants and other enclosed public places. A majority of council members are opposed, with some worrying that businesses in the city could suffer if St. Charles acts on its own without neighboring communities doing the same. Should the council pass such a prohibition, let city voters decide in a referendum or leave the law the way it is? 

The Missouri Legislature last week voted to repeal a state law requiring St. Charles to cut the city property tax rate when the city’s share of Ameristar Casino admission receipts increases above 2007 levels. Gov. Matt Blunt has yet to say whether he will sign or veto the repeal bill. Should the state require the city of St. Charles to give local taxpayers some of its casino revenue in the form of a tax cut - or should the money all be dedicated to city services and salaries and capital improvements?

St. Charles County’s unincorporated areas would be split into trash collection districts each served by only one waste hauler under a proposal discussed Monday by the county council.

 Currently 11 companies have permits to operate anywhere in the county’s unincorporated areas.

Proponents say the plan would cut down on noise and slow street deterioration.

At least one council member has objected to the proposal, saying government shouldn’t try to regulate the current free-market system.

 Also, in St. Louis County, a similar proposal has caused political in-fighting.

 Do you think a single hauler in each district is a good idea, and do…

Susan Weich and her mother both were diagnosed with breast cancer. Several other female relatives have had the disease too.

In her column for Mother’s Day, Susan talks to her 14-year-old daughter about her chances of getting breast cancer. She struggles to make her daughter understand the risk factors without frightening her.

When is the right age to talk to kids about their family medical history?