CLAYTON > Personal property forms mailed • St. Louis County mailed personal property declaration forms this week to individual property owners. Residents of the county as of Jan. 1 must declare all personal property, including vehicles, boats, aircraft and livestock. Completed and signed forms must be returned to the assessor's office by March 1 in order to avoid late fees and penalties. Businesses operating in the county as of Jan. 1 are also required to file personal property declarations by March 1; business/manufacturing declaration forms were mailed in December. Individual owners who do not receive a declaration form, or have questions about the process, should call 314-615-5500; businesses should call 314-615-1500. Information is also available by visiting the street level floor of county government headquarters, at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Paul Hampel)

JEFFERSON CITY > Congressional map upheld • A state trial judge has upheld Missouri's new congressional map, rejecting arguments that the redrawn districts do not meet the requirements of the state constitution. The new eight-district U.S. House map was challenged in two lawsuits that claimed districts were not sufficiently compact. Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green rejected the argument in a ruling Friday, following a three-day hearing this week. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say they're likely to appeal Green's ruling next week to the Missouri Supreme Court, which had ordered the legal review of the new map. Missouri's congressional districts were redrawn last year to reflect changes in the population and the state's loss of a ninth congressional district. The Republican-controlled Legislature enacted the plan after overriding Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's veto. (Associated Press)

KIRKWOOD > Money for park planning • The Kirkwood City Council on Thursday dedicated nearly $23,000 toward designing the city's 15th public park, the first north of Manchester Road. The park, expected to be just over one acre, is along Avery Drive, from which it takes its name. City officials expect the park to be completed within the year. Two homes, at 221 and 225 Avery, will be razed. Loomis Associates was hired to prepare construction plans for the park. The city bought the two properties in March 2011 for just under $200,000, according to City Clerk Betty Montano. (Special to the Post-Dispatch)

ARNOLD > Farmers market rules set • The Arnold City Council has adopted rules regarding the Farmers Market that will be set up at Fox Middle School. Previously the council had bought a number of tents to use at a cost of $18,224. The weekly city-operated market will be run by a market manager, who will determine eligibility of vendors and products, assign display and selling areas, and collect rent. Products sold can include produce, prepared foods, consumable products crafted in the home such as soaps or candles, and handmade crafts/art. The Farmers Market will operate Saturdays beginning in May through the last Saturday in October with the 2012 season lasting 25 weeks. Rent for the entire season will be $200, with monthly rates of $35 or weekly rates of $10 available. (Special to the Post-Dispatch)