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Ferguson… there’s a new energy on Darst Rd and it’s coming from two young driven, entrepreneurs who turned hustle into a full-blown business.

Meet Andy Knight and John Shanahan, the faces behind Ferguson Auto Body Sales & Service are now officially open in the former Hewkin Auto Body building.

But this isn’t just another shop opening… this is a story built on grit, loyalty, and a 15-year bond.

It all started with a retaining wall. Yeah, you read that right.

About 15 years ago, Andy was knee-deep in a project when John showed up to lend a hand. Different paths, same mindset. That moment sparked a partnership that would evolve into something much bigger.

From there? They didn’t slow down, they leveled up.

John, coming from the food industry, teamed up with Andy and hit the streets with a massive portable grill. They weren’t just cooking they were everywhere state fairs, packed festivals, private events… building a name, building a grind.

Then COVID hit. Most people paused — they pivoted.

Fast forward to last fall… Andy, with years of auto-body expertise, spotted an opportunity to see the old Hewkin building sitting quietly. He turned to John and said: “Let’s build something real. Right here. Right now.”

And just like that Ferguson got its newest powerhouse.

For John, it hit even deeper. Growing up, he spent countless days in Ferguson visiting his grandparents, Jim and Betty Shanahan, long-time community roots. Opening here? It wasn’t random. It was personal.

Now, backed by supportive neighbors like Mark Arnold (who’s been holding it down right behind the shop), these two are bringing life back into the empty space and into the community.

Now Open at 15 Darst Road

Ferguson Auto Body Sales & Service is ready to serve with:

• Collision Repair
• Auto Painting
• Auto Detailing
• Glass Replacement

Monday–Friday: 8AM–5PM
Saturdays: If the doors are open… pull up!
314-522-9468

Follow on Facebook: Ferguson Auto Body Sales & Service

NOW HIRING Techs & Staff Wanted

BIG Grand Opening Event Coming Soon

This summer has been brutal as you all know. The tornado’s of May completely devastated parts of mid-town and north St. Louis. The blistering heat of July and August paired with the lack of rain has left lawns thirsty and gardens suffering.

Although I planted in May, I’m still trying figure out when my tomatoes will be ready for harvest. I’ve only gotten a few ripe Better boys, no Yellow boys or Roma’s. But my grape and cherry tomatoes are providing me a snack almost anytime I go out to my garden.

I still have a lot of green ones but I thought I would at least have some ripe by now. Anyone like fried green tomatoes?

As I write this, school has started and excited students are ready to get back with their friends. Teams are in training with the anticipation of a winning season. Parents of seniors will begin investigating college opportunities.

We all will be looking forward to the change of season and the crisp cool air of autumn, Before we know it snow, ice, slush and we will be longing for the heat of summer. And so the cycle continues…

With everything St. Louis has been through this spring it sure would be nice to get a break. There are some things we cannot control such as weather.

We’ve all seen the destruction and devastation a tornado can cause. My prayers go out to all the families that have had their lives completely disrupted by the storms.

It is good to see people coming together to help the community. If anyone can help, please consider doing so. It sometimes seems that when bad things happen, it brings out the best in people. Just look at what happened after the fire at Drake’s Place. Our community came together because we are a community. This is our home and we all want our home to be a safe place.

Because we all want to celebrate and enjoy our holidays safely, I am begging everyone reading this to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE leave your guns at home locked in a gun safe away from children. There is no reason to bring a gun to the park. There is no reason to bring a gun to a party. There is no reason to bring a gun to a celebration or a parade.

Lets all get out, celebrate, enjoy the parade, enjoy the day. Enjoy the fireworks!

Don’t forget your pets – keep them safe too.

I’m ready to enjoy BBQ – yum!

Happy 4th – Papa Deau

By Dr. Larry A. Brown

Don’t let anything stop you from moving ahead with gusto! Too often, we wish to blame someone or something for our lack of progress. We are quick to place the blame on someone else. As a matter of fact, we may go out of our way in doing so. It’s easy to place the blame for lack of progress on another individual, the overall conditions, or anything else rather than take responsibility for the lack of positive movement!

No matter what conditions exist nor what the situation may be, we should not place the blame on these circumstances on others, but take the responsibility, ourselves, for moving forward. We can always blame, rather than take an honest look at ourselves. As a matter of fact, we should always begin with ourselves. Then we know immediately, what other resources or individuals we need to add in order to achieve the progress.

Often. We decide that something is impossible to achieve because we can’t see ourselves having or handling all the resources necessary to be successful when all that is really needed is for us to augment our own abilities with the other things needed for success. We need to “win” challenges rather than accept defeat, or postponement.

Others are counting on us to overcome obstacles and get things done. Sometimes, we look at a need, and don’t even attempt to make the desired changes, because we think, outfront, that it will be too difficult and that success cannot be obtained.

We exemplify the self – defeat syndrome in many of our challenges and opportunities. If we start to change the situation, unexpected support may be obtained, but if we act defeated at the front end, no help may be given the opportunity to surface. In this instance, we have become our own worst enemy

It is very important to approach and accept challenges with the mindset that we can, and must, be successful. That becomes the driving force we may need to overcome any obstacles to our path.

The universe has help available to us, but it cannot be commanded for use unless we exemplify the desire and tenacity necessary to be victorious. Therefore, we must press on and meet the obstacles so that we become conquerors rather than acceptors of defeat. We must eliminate “ defeat” from among the choices we have!!

It is important to our future generations that we adopt the attitude of success and always strive to achieve!!

Many people say that their vote doesn’t count, or won’t make a difference, so it becomes very low on their “ things to do” list. Some feel that their vote may be manipulated by other politicians. Some even feel that their vote won’t even be counted. Some even feel that others run the system we live in.

We need to let these people know vehemently, that they are totally wrong! One of the features of our society or democracy is that of being able to “voice our choices” in matters that affect us, once we are of the age of reason. Many countries don’t allow everyone to say how they feel about certain matters and who should be elected to serve in certain offices, and which issues must be addressed.

In most cases, it becomes a majority vote that results in change. The size of that majority often dictates the speed and timeliness of the decisions to address the issue.

It has been said that “Every Vote Counts“.

In a democracy, all individuals are supposed to be treated the same and are endowed with certain inalienable rights.

It is expected and necessary for one to use one’s inalienable rights in order for the society to work properly. Therefore, we have a responsibility, when the time comes, to vote.

There is a unique feature included in this option, which is, the importance of the vote which can be for or against an issue or individual!

Not voting, has a negative effect on the process, because reality is not reflected.

It is therefore, most important, that we research the issues and individuals, and caste our votes accordingly.

We also have court backups to insure that what our vote indicates, becomes law and is followed.

If we choose to withhold our vote, then the courts’ decision and other actions and responses may not reflect our feelings.

This allows for us, no matter what our financial standings are, what our ethnic background may be, nor what our current status may be, we can still participate in the affairs of our community as well as the person who is doing great!

It has been said that “ You never miss your water, until the well runs dry” Of course, this means that if your vote is “taken” from you and you no longer have the “right”, is when you unfortunately realize how important it was.

We must exercise every right, privilege, and expectation that we have in order for this society to function properly. We must take a responsible attitude for the success of our community and not leave it up to someone or something else!

Oh, how many folks in other communities wish they had the privilege, which we take very lightly at times!

It is our conclusion that voting is important because it is a responsibility, a privilege, the right of adults in a democracy, a way to participate in issues that will affect us, and for many other reasons.

We reached out to Chief Troy Doyle concerning the senseless attack on Ferguson’s own Travis Brown.

Thank you for reaching out and for the support that you and the Ferguson Neighborhood News have shown to our department and Officer Brown during this difficult time. Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to us, and I know that our officers will be heartened to hear that the community stands with them.

As you mentioned, the situation with Officer Brown has been a challenging one for us all. He is a dedicated officer who has served our community with integrity, and right now, our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as he fights to recover.

If you would like to print something in the upcoming issue, I would appreciate it if you could convey the following message to the community:

“Our department is deeply moved by the outpouring of support we have received from the community. Officer Brown, his family, and all of us at the Ferguson Police Department are grateful for the prayers, messages, and acts of kindness that have come our way. This incident has reminded us of the strength and unity within our community. We ask that you continue to keep Officer Brown in your thoughts and prayers. We also want to assure you that despite the challenges we face, our commitment to serving and protecting Ferguson remains unwavering. Together, we can continue to build a safer, stronger, and more united community.”

Additionally, I’d like to remind everyone of the importance of staying professional and focused during these times. We ask that residents refrain from engaging in negative rhetoric on social media, as it can be divisive and counterproductive to the progress we’ve made. Our goal is to remain united and work together to support Officer Brown and all the officers who serve this community.

Thank you once again for your support, and please do not hesitate to reach out if there’s anything further we can provide.

May God bless you and the entire Ferguson community.

Best regards,
Troy Doyle
Chief of Police
Ferguson Police Department

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the 4th of July. Between swimming, bar-b-que with family, and watching fireworks I don’t know which I like best.

Although we have just celebrated fathers day and memorial day, the 4th is a great time to reflect on those who have made it possible for all of us to enjoy the freedoms we have. So please take a moment with your family to remember those who have sacrificed so that we can continue to enjoy those freedoms.

This year marks 248 years since in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. But did you know:

America actually declared independence on July 2, 1776.
Delegates from the Thirteen Colonies held a meeting called the Second Continental Congress. On July 2, 1776, they agreed to approve a resolution of independence, which proclaimed freedom from British rule. The statement of autonomy, called the Declaration of Independence, was officially approved on July 4.

John Adams predicted modern-day Fourth of July festivities.
In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams wrote about his vision for Independence Day. Here’s what Adams said: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.” He added that it would be observed with “pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

Two signers of the Declaration of Independence became president:
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Both men died on July 4, 1826—a significant date because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Americans eat 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July.
That’s enough hot dogs to stretch from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times!

The Star Spangled Banner became our national anthem in 1931.
Francis Scott Key wrote the ballad during the War of 1812 on September 14, 1814.

Even George Washington got in the patriotic spirit!
Historical sources say that George Washington gave his soldiers double rations of rum on July 4, 1778. Nowadays most adults celebrate Independence Day with beer and BBQ.

We, as a nation are richly blessed.

Count your blessings – Papa Deau

Far too often, when youth are mentioned, it is in bad light. I was blessed recently to meet with what I hope is our future. Five young students from Gina Pereda’s 8th grade science class at the Ferguson Florissant School District STEAM Academy Middle School completely wowed me with not only their smarts, but eagerness to work as a team to accomplish a common goal: success.

The team was selected as winners of NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge which is a national science competition by NASA to receive a $1500 grant. They will work directly with NASA mentors to complete their project which will be launched on a future NASA rocket powered lander test flight on a test field designed to simulate the moon’s surface.

Their project centers around detecting vibrations of a rocket as it rises in altitude and the temperature changes that occur as a result. They hope to build a sensor that will give astronauts advanced notice of these changes which will allow them to deploy early safety measures.

They explained to me the constraints and parameters they are faced with. The project has size and weight concerns as it has to fit in an area the size of a Velveeta box. By working on this project they hope to learn new skills that will give them experience and hopefully open doors in their future.

With a spring deadline looming, they meet weekly with NASA to assure their project is on schedule and within budget. Impressive? Even more so when I learned this was the schools first time entering the contest.

– Papa Deau