Off the Beaten Patch

Off the Beaten Patch: Two North County Institutions Tangled in Lawsuits

Family sues Lutheran Senior Services, and former STLCC Florissant Valley employee seeks damages.

Jack Schmitz of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and his sister, Jeanne James of Dana Point, CA, are suing Lutheran Senior Services in St. Louis County court for wrongful death, breach of contract and premises liability in connection with the 2009 death of their father Daniel Schmitz, a resident of The Gables at Hidden Lake in north St. Louis County. According to court documents, the siblings allege that Daniel Schmitz passed away four days before his 80th birthday as the result of a fall in his independent living residence at 1728 Catherine Court in North County. On either May 7 or May 8, 2009 Daniel Schmitz is alleged to have fallen at his residence and was unable to get off the floor, use the emergency alert cord in his residence, or notify a …

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Viewfinder

The View From Valley of Flowers

This week's Viewfinder column is dedicated to the Valley of Flowers festival, which took place this past Mother's Day weekend.

The event may be over, but Hazelwood Patch found the perfect place to capture the people, animals, floats and vehicles that were involved with the Valley of Flowers parade and is bringing one last look at the 2011 event. Check out the photos from Sunday, Mother's Day at the "Grand Parade." Di you enjoy the 49th Annual Valley of Flowers Festival, North St. Louis County's big spring event.

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Viewfinder

The View From Luehr's Carnival at St. Louis Mills Mall

Luehr's Carnival employees setup for carnival goers at St. Louis Mills Mall this past weekend on April 30.

That's right. It came back again. We're talking about Luehr's Carnival at St. Louis Mills Mall. The event, which took place from April 21 through May 1, featured funnel cakes, a Tilt-A-Whirl and all sorts of fun and exciting rides for all levels of thrill seekers. At night bright lights lit up the Mills parking lot as families flocked from St. Louis and St. Charles counties to enjoy some fun together. Check out Hazelwood Patch contributor Zekita Tucker's pictures from the carnival crew setting up. If you missed this carnival fanfare, be sure to check out the Valley of Flowers fetivities this weekend.

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Robotics Competition Rouses HSD Fifth-Graders

Students from seven Hazelwood School District elementary schools compete in annual LEGO FIRST Robotics Competition at Florissant Valley Community College.

Since July, nine very determined fifth-graders from the Hazelwood School District have been working as a team to prepare for the annual First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition, and on Sunday, their hard work paid off.  The group of students self-named The Brainbots, were one of 34 teams who participated in the competition at the St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley Campus. "When I say, Brain, you say, Bot," team member 10-year old Nate Moreland said to a large crowd gathered in the gymnasium, eagerly watching the competition." Moreland, who attends Garrett Elementary, shouted this chant, which not only excited the crowd, but also kept his teammates encouraged while they worked together as their battery pack-…

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