A morning fire destroyed a home valued at $300,000. Nobody was home at the time, however the whereabouts of two family dogs is unknown. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Crash investigators say it appears the woman crossed over the centerline and struck an oncoming logging truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A 4-year-old boy had to be extracated from the car and is in critical condition.

After more than three decades serving St. Louis County, Mark Monacelli has announced he is retiring as director of Public Records and Property Valuation at the end of March.

After reviewing reports from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and other involved agencies, St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin has determined a deputy sheriff and Gilbert police officer were justified in their use of deadly force for a man in Gilbert who'd already fired at them.

Commissioners have given preliminary approval to authorize $727,000 worth of projects focused on stopping the introduction or spread of aquatic invasive species in area lakes and rivers.