Webster Groves Daily Briefing for February 7, 2026

Stormwater lecture to help residents manage heavy rains

A new stormwater lecture announced Friday will kick off this year’s Eco-Ed series later this month. The free “Rainscaping 101” session is set for Monday, February 23 at City Hall, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and a talk at 7 p.m.

The program will walk homeowners through ways to handle runoff on their own property, from rain gardens to other landscape features that soak up water instead of sending it into streets and creeks. A guest educator from a regional environmental center will explain how rainscaping can reduce flooding, improve soil health, and support pollinators.

Residents will also hear about cost-share and small grant programs opening in February that can help pay for qualifying projects. City staff are encouraging anyone who routinely sees standing water, erosion, or soggy yards after storms to attend.

April 7 city election now on the calendar

A fresh city notice this week confirms that Webster Groves voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 7 for the general municipal election. The ballot will include races for mayor and three council seats, all four-year terms.

Prospective candidates finished filing in late December, and the city’s election office will finalize the certified list in the weeks ahead. Residents can expect more details on sample ballots, absentee voting, and polling locations as April approaches.

For now, local officials are using the February window to remind people to check their voter registration status, verify their polling place, and watch for upcoming forums where candidates will lay out their priorities on issues such as public safety, development, and infrastructure.

Arts award shines spotlight on local designer

Earlier this week, longtime costume designer and educator Dottie Marshall Englis was named the next recipient of Webster Groves’ Achievement in the Arts Award. The honor recognizes her decades of work in theatre and design, including a long teaching career at Webster University and collaborations with major St. Louis stages.

An awards reception is planned for the evening of Monday, February 23 at the Loretto-Hilton Center lobby. Neighbors are invited to attend the celebration, which will include remarks from city arts leaders and colleagues who have worked with Englis over the years.

The award is meant to highlight how the local arts community contributes to the city’s identity and economy, from student productions to professional performances that draw visitors into Webster’s business districts.

Looking ahead

Next week’s city calendar features a Safe Streets task force meeting on Monday and Old Orchard business district and historic preservation meetings on Tuesday, all open to the public. Residents who want a say in traffic safety, neighborhood character, or small-business vitality have several chances in the coming days to listen, learn, and weigh in.

Sources

• https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1286
• https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/
• https://www.webstergrovesmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=6,1
• https://www.wgparksandrec.com/m/NewsFlash?cat=1
• https://webstergrovesmo.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=783&ARC=1530
• https://hoodline.com/2025/12/webster-groves-election-alert-deadline-approaches-for-mayoral-and-council-candidates-to-file-petitions/
• https://www.webster.edu/about/mission.php