November 2023

Nov. 13 marks the beginning of National Crash Responder Safety Week across Missouri, reminding drivers to follow the law and move over for traffic incident responders.

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Eighteen-year-old Austin Martin is an Excelsior Springs High School senior who recently made posters to celebrate the importance of local news outlets. He shared his thoughts on the representation of local news reporting. Martin explained that each poster displays different aspects of local newspapers, such as those that move away from home and utilize the paper as a way to stay connected, as well as the other people represented in a community. “I feel like local newspapers are so important because they hone everything down to where you are instead of everything else going on around you,” he said. “Me, watching bigger news media broadcasts, I tend to get more overwhelmed with information from other countries.”

Ameren Missouri is now providing $25,000 for energy assistance to active-duty military members, veterans and their families and continuing to offer post-military career opportunities in honor of Veterans Day.

Clay County Sheriff and veteran Will Akin, shared his thoughts on Veterans Day and explained ways people can honor and support those who have served in the military. Akin, an Army veteran, began his journey as a parachute rigger after enlisting in the military in 1994.

The Excelsior Springs American Legion Post 236 honored five veteran members during a recent tribute and farewell “Post Everlasting” ceremony held at the Clay-Ray Veterans Association facility. According to American Legion customs, when a comrade passes, the Post-Everlasting ceremony is held in honor and memory of a departed member.

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Clay County voters took to the polls and passed a new 911 funding mechanism that allows the county to implement a $1 monthly fee on any wireless device able to call 911. The fee, designed to cover the existing cost of the 911 emergency system, was approved with 8,833 yes votes totaling 60.9% of the populace, versus 5,671 or 39.1% opposing the new fee.

The Excelsior Springs Christmas Committee, in partnership with the Downtown Excelsior Partnership (DEP), is gearing up to kick off the holiday season by selling tickets for their Holiday Home Tours event that will commence Dec. 2 even as they finalize plans for the Nov. 18 Holiday Festival in downtown Excelsior Springs.

• Scooters Coffee honors Veterans by serving complimentary drinks upon presenting a valid military identification cards at participating locations. • Applebee offers all Veterans a free meal off a limited item menu from 11 a.m.