Latest news with #CaraSpencer


Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Utility Wins Contract Extension as Technology Provider for St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utility Associates, Inc., a leader in public safety technology, is proud to be approved for a three-year, $6 million contract to continue serving as the officer-worn camera and in-car video recording provider for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The decision was made today by a unanimous vote of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, including Mayor Cara Spencer, in its first session since being appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe last month. 'Today's decision confirms Utility's track record of service to frontline professionals in the greater St. Louis area,' said Jason Dombkowski, head of government relations for Utility. "We are gratified to continue to support the officers of St. Louis." Share Utility has been a partner to the City of St. Louis since winning a competitive bid in 2020 to provide the St. Louis Police Department's officer-worn cameras and in-car video recording technology. Since 2019, the company also has served as the technology provider for the St. Louis County Police Department. Additionally, Utility provides digital evidence management for the Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis as well as a number of other surrounding agencies. 'Today's decision confirms Utility's track record of service to frontline professionals in the greater St. Louis area,' said Jason Dombkowski, head of government relations for Utility. 'Since winning the competitive procurement process many years ago, Utility has continued to follow the city's established procurement rules and regulations. We are proud to lead the industry with our policy-based automatic recording tech, including the BodyWorn camera that automatically alerts and records during officer-down situations. We are gratified to continue to support the officers of St. Louis for years to come.' For more than 20 years, Utility has developed best-in-class digital evidence solutions for the public safety sector and the communities it serves. As public safety moves toward greater integration, real-time intelligence, and streamlined operations, Utility's platform offers scalability and future-proof technologies that adapt to the evolving needs of law enforcement agencies, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve. Utility's policy-based recording technology is endorsed by the NAACP National Board of Directors. Notably, the company was named to Government Technology's esteemed GovTech 100 list earlier this year, honoring the top companies making significant contributions to the public arena. About Utility Utility specializes in advanced technology solutions tailored for the vital work of first responders and public safety professionals. With a concentrated focus on law enforcement, Utility's reach extends to correctional institutions, educational campuses, and legal practitioners within county and municipal jurisdictions. Utility offers a robust digital evidence management system that centralizes body-worn cameras, in-car videos, and automatic license plate recognition technologies. This innovative platform fosters efficiency and integration in evidence handling, promoting enhanced legal outcomes and community protection. Based in Decatur, Georgia, Utility is committed to pioneering solutions that support the heroes on the front lines and is proud to partner with sister brands including SOMA Global, STRAX Intelligence Group, and Kologik to bring unified innovation to the public safety sector. For an in-depth look at Utility's contributions to public safety, visit LinkedIn or


Business Journals
14-07-2025
- Science
- Business Journals
St. Louis misses out on $160M NSF grant for neuroscience hub, but Neuro360 coalition persists
BioSTL President and CEO Donn Rubin and St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer at a Neuro360 event at Washington University's Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center on April 23.


The Independent
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Daughter sues city over dad's death after sirens failed to go off when a tornado hit their town: suit
The daughter of a man who was killed in a destructive tornado in St Louis is suing the city over her father's death. Deborah Patrick claims that her father, Larry Patrick, had no way of knowing a tornado was inbound when it struck on May 16 after warning sirens failed to go off. The 82 year-old was killed when a tree crashed down on his home in the city's O'Fallon neighborhood, St. Louis Public Radio reports. The storm struck parts of the Midwestern and Southeastern states, as part of a flurry of 60 destructive tornadoes. It eventually moved across to the Upper Midwest but killed dozens in its path. Seven people died across Missouri, and dozens more were injured. St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said in the days after the tornado struck that the outdoor sirens never went off due to a 'human failure'. Five people were killed in the city by the storm, with Spencer calling the losses 'truly, truly devastating' at the time. The family's lawsuit was filed Tuesday in St. Louis Circuit Court and is seeking at least $25,000 in damages. Patrick's daughter claims her father had no way of knowing he needed to flee to safety and was left in a vulnerable position when the tree struck. The lawsuit also alleged that the city failed to adequately maintain the tree and had dismissed her father's complaints about it being unsafe in high winds. According to city records seen by SLPR, a complaint was submitted to the city's Forestry Division in August 2023 for a broken and hanging tree limb, along with property damage. There was no mention of pending litigation. The Independent contacted St. Louis City for comment. The tornado that hit St Louis was an EF3 that generated winds between 136 and 165 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The mayor pleaded for help from the federal government and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the aftermath of the devastating weather event. 'We need partners at the national level, at the federal level, to step up and help — and this is not just true for St. Louis,' city Mayor Cara Spencer told MSNBC at the time. 'Cities across the nation, when they are experiencing disasters such as this, this is what the federal government is for.' Earlier this month, Missouri senators approved a plan to provide over $100 million in aid for the tornado-ravaged city. The package also authorized$25 million for emergency housing assistance and a $5,000 income tax deduction to offset insurance policy deductibles.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jami Cox Antwi wins Ward 8 election with 55% of the vote
ST. LOUIS – Jami Cox Antwi, backed by Mayor Cara Spencer, won the Ward 8 election, securing 55% of the vote. The election saw a total of 1,935 voters, with Antwi receiving 1,070 votes. Five candidates competed for the position, including Shedrick Kelley, who was endorsed by Aldermanic President Megan Green; Jim Dallas, a retired insurance executive; Alecia Hoyt, a photography studio owner and Cam McCarty, the Libertarian Party nominee. Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Interim Dustin Allison released a statement, saying 'Our sole focus must be getting St. Louis growing again. We supported Jami Cox Antwi in this campaign because we believed she was the best candidate to act with focus and urgency to advance policies necessary to drive inclusive growth and move St. Louis forward. 'We are pleased to congratulate Jami Cox Antwi on her victory in today's special election,' his statement concluded. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Time of India
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Donald Trump approves FEMA aid for St. Louis tornado victims: $71 million unlocked after EF-3 storm kills 7, damages 5,000 structures; check eligibility and how to apply
President Donald Trump on Tuesday, June 10, approved a major federal disaster declaration in response to the devastating EF-3 tornado that tore through St. Louis, St. Louis County, and Scott County on May 16. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move clears the way for roughly $71 million in federal aid for affected individuals, local governments, and nonprofits, state officials confirmed. The tornado, which struck around 2:39 pm CDT, left a 26-mile trail of destruction in just 26 minutes, with wind speeds peaking at 152 mph and the twister widening to nearly a mile at its broadest. The storm killed seven people, injured 38 others, and caused an estimated $1.6 billion in property losses, damaging or destroying about 5,000 structures, including homes, churches, and businesses. Federal emergency teams described it as the most extensive residential destruction in Missouri since the 2011 Joplin tornado. Many residents reported missing siren alerts and widespread power outages, and areas like Forest Park suffered severe damage. Mayor Cara Spencer underscored the city's dependence on federal support, saying, 'No city can shoulder this burden alone.' The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has since opened applications for two main aid programs: Individual Assistance: Up to $43,600 for temporary housing, home repairs, vehicle replacement, medical bills, and other urgent needs. Public Assistance: Funds to help local governments and nonprofits with debris removal, infrastructure repair, and reimbursement for emergency services. Residents can apply online at via the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling 1‑800‑621‑3362 from 6 am to 10 pm CT daily. Required documents include contact details, addresses, social security number, damage list, insurance information, and bank account details for direct deposit. The deadline to apply for Individual Assistance is August 11, 2025. Public Assistance requests will be coordinated through local government offices. To further support the recovery, a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) is now operational in St. Louis, open June 9–12, June 16–18, and June 23–26, from 10 am to 7 pm Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be scheduled via 211 or online. Governor Mike Kehoe and Mayor Spencer have urged affected residents to apply promptly to ensure they receive available support.