WEBSTER GROVES > New restrictions on fences OK'd • It took two more readings than normal, but the Webster Groves City Council has passed a bill establishing new standards for the design and material of front-yard fences.

Not allowed under those standards are what are commonly called 'stockade" fences. That's in part why Councilman Ken Burns voted Tuesday against the bill. He said the fences were attractive, affordable and readily available through home improvement stores.

The law applies to fences in front of a main building, and in front-yard areas, in residential areas. It requires the fences to be "decorative or ornamental, and constructed of wood, wrought iron, ornamental wire, brick, stone, or like materials." It outlaws chain-link fences and wire-mesh fences, among others.

The bill had languished before the council. Tweaks to it eventually led to five readings, rather than the typical three.

Also, what two weeks ago appeared to be a contradiction between the bill and current city law turned out not to be so, according to City Clerk Katie Nakazono. The bill appeared to limit fences on an entire lot to 4 feet in height. But Nakazono said current law exempted backyard fences, which can be as high as 6 feet. (Special to the Post-Dispatch)

ROLLA > University's enrollment climbs • Enrollment at Missouri University of Science and Technology has reached its highest level in nearly 30 years.

The Rolla school says this year's enrollment is 7,522 students, up 316 students from the official fall 2010 figure. Distance education programs grew by more than 25 percent, to 863 students from 686. On-campus enrollment has increased slightly more than 2 percent.

The school says it's educating more women, too. Total female enrollment hit 1,685 students. The official enrollment figure is recorded at the end of the semester's fourth week

Missouri University of Science and Technology is part of the four-campus University of Missouri system. (AP)

ST. LOUIS COUNTY > Grants cover $27 million in parks projects • The St. Louis County Municipal Park Grant Commission has funded almost $27 million in projects, with more than 200 projects for 67 of the 91 municipalities in the county. The activity is financed by 20 percent of a one-tenth of one percent sales tax collected in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, approved by voters in November 2000.

The St. Louis County Municipal League is a member of the commission, and executive director Tim Fischesser notes that more than 100 percent of the tax is returned to the public in the form of new projects.

"The commission costs are less than the interest earned," he told the league at its meeting Thursday night.

Fischesser urged cities to apply for the next cycle of grants before the deadline of Oct. 28.

Grants have covered projects such as playgrounds, small parks, trails, outdoor courts and safety improvements. More than 95 percent of approved projects have been completed.

JEFFERSON CITY > Howard County to get flood aid • Another Missouri county that has been battling flooding will get some federal help.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had agreed to help reimburse Howard County and its local governments for their flood response efforts.

Earlier this month the same help was offered to Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Cooper, Holt, Lafayette, Platte, Ray and Saline counties, all situated along the Missouri River.

Nixon said in a news release that the counties were eligible to recover some of their costs for emergency protective measures and rebuilding. (AP)