October 2025

The sun literally shone on Alicja Jarosz for her last match of the Excelsior Springs Girls Tennis Invitational. Jarosz, an international exchange student at Excelsior Springs, rode those rays of sunshine to a 6-4 victory over Harrisonville’s Abbey Coffey for the No.

Excelsior Springs is preparing to launch a new program designed to deliver not only meals but also companionship to homebound residents. Beginning in 2026, the Meals and a Visit Program (MVP) will provide nutritious food and social connections to seniors and individuals with disabilities within the city limits.

Excelsior Springs doubled down on community spirit during this year’s Night Out Against Crime, with more than 200 people gathering at the Hall of Waters for games, food and a chance to connect with first responders. Organizers emphasized the event not only drew twice as many families as the year before but also strengthened ties between neighbors and the people who serve them.

Excelsior Springs property owners will see a slightly lower city tax rate for 2025 after reassessment pushed valuations above the cost-ofliving increase, triggering a mandatory rollback under state law.

Excelsior Springs firefighters marked a new era in public safety this week as the city dedicated a sprawling training facility built with steel, sweat and vision. What began as a far-off idea has grown into a nearly 4,000-square-foot structure made of shipping containers that now sits behind the fire station, offering more than 50 different training opportunities.

BE HOME SOON Excelsior Springs varsity softball coach Megan Gilbertson and her Tigers will soon be home for a while – for the most part. After four straight road games scheduled for this week, the girls will return to Miracle Field to host a tournament Saturday.

Claycomo and surrounding residents turned out in record numbers for this year’s National Night Out, enjoying food, activities and demonstrations while connecting with local law enforcement and first responders.

Editor’s note: This is the final of a two-part series on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Respirator Approval Program. This installment explores how policymakers, manufacturers and advocates are responding to funding challenges and why cutting the program could have long-term costs. Part one, which published in the Sept. 26 edition, examined reliance of Missouri workers and industries on the program to guard against unsafe or counterfeit respirators.