News

One woman’s dream to help special needs children culminated in the dedication of an adaptive swing Monday evening at Cornerstone Elementary School. The wheelchair-accessible swing platform brings the fun and health benefits of swinging to children who normally miss out because of their special needs.

Effective Friday, Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Fitzpatrick is leaving his position. Fitzpatrick is leaving Excelsior Springs to take a position in Columbus, Kansas, to aid individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Excelsior Springs Police Department is adding a vehicle to its fleet: a golf cart. On July 18 at the Hall of Waters, the City Council approved Chief Greg Dull’s request to buy a 2017 E-Z-Go cart for $11,538.

If Missourians approve recreational marijuana, it’ll affect dispensaries like the Kansas City Cannabis Co. – and workers in the cannabis industry like Corey Martin.

A Clay County grand jury recently decided no charges will be filed against an Excelsior Springs teacher accused of abuse. The determination follows investigations by the Excelsior Springs School District and the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services, which also showed no wrongdoing by the teacher.

On July 18 at the Hall of Waters, city leaders got a look at how much foot traffic recent events had drawn to downtown Excelsior Springs. Lyndsey Baxter, Downtown Excelsior Partnership executive director, presented a breakdown of the second-quarter downtown foot traffic during the City Council’s regular meeting.

On Tuesday, Mayor Sharon Powell watched Excelsior Springs take another step toward achieving a dream it has pursued, by her estimate, for the 46 years she has lived here. Under overcast skies that afternoon, Powell and other community leaders participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the outdoor pool at the Excelsior Springs Community Center, scheduled for completion in 2023.

The Excelsior Springs School District set a summer school enrollment record, according to Mark Bullimore, district director of communications. During the Board of Education’s July 11 meeting at the Support Services Center, Bullimore announced 1,140 students had attended summer school, which ran June 1-24.

The Excelsior Springs School District is making duty and location changes to its Rockin’ Tiger Club, Heather Gross announced when the Board of Education convened July 11 at the Support Services Center.

In addition to Mayor Sharon Powell’s update on Excelsior Springs, city leaders from the six other Clay County communities shared economic development updates during the annual State of the Cities Luncheon on July 14.