May 2025

Residents challenged to host block parties

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MIRANDA JAMISON Excelsior Springs residents are being asked to dust off their lawn chairs, fire up their grills and meet the neighbors they may have waved at for years but never really got to know. To strengthen community ties, Mayor Mark Spohn has launched the Mayor’s Block Party Challenge, a citywide push to organize 50 neighborhood gatherings between Easter and Halloween.

Grateful gesture for those who serve

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RESIDENTS OF VALLEY MANOR deliver handmade cards to the Excelsior Springs Fire Department as a thank-you to the local heroes who serve the community. Pictured above are Melva Blackwell (from left), 95; Jason Ortbals; Joseph Cherco; and Jackie Deitman, 86. 

Grateful gesture for those who serve

Woodruff sentenced, plea deal drops 6 felonies

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A Wood Heights man who originally faced seven felony charges has pleaded guilty to just one and may serve no prison time if he successfully completes a 120-day Department of Corrections program. James Wayne Woodruff Sr., 66, recently entered a guilty plea before Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Dennis A.

CAROLYN A. BIRKENESS

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Carolyn Birkeness It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn A. Birkeness, a cherished mother, sister and friend, who left us on April 3, 2025, at age 79.
CAROLYN A. BIRKENESS

CLARA ANN WICKSTROM

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The Excelsior Standard, May 2, 2025 Clara Wickstrom Clara Ann Wickstrom, 86, of Excelsior Springs, formerly of Hardin, passed away April 22, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City.
CLARA ANN WICKSTROM

DAVID ROLAND KNAUSS

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The Excelsior Standard, May 2, 2025 David Knauss David Roland Knauss of Kearney passed away April 23, 2025, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was born Nov.
DAVID ROLAND KNAUSS

Biermann leads boys golfers in dual loss to Kearney

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Landon Biermann continued to lead the Excelsior Springs varsity boys golf team in its lone competition last week – a dual with Kearney. The North Central Missouri College-bound senior was the medalist for the April 22 Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division competition, held at Excelsior Springs Golf Course.