July 2022

Voters need a better system for candidate selections

3 years ago By News Staff

To the Editor: A significant number of Americans are concerned about our current system of electing those who represent us. Many, if not most, of us deeply believe that changes must happen in order to give us confidence that we can support candidates whose views and goals reflect our own.

Kotalik’s Etsy business Hustle and Heart grows into physical Excelsior wholesaler

3 years ago By Sophia Bales

Excelsior Springs native and entrepreneur Serena Kotalik is continuing a family tradition. Watching her parent open their own business inspired Kotalik to one day work for herself.

SERENA KOTALIK owns a wholesaling company that customizes drinkware, blankets, tie-dye apparel, tote bags, koozies, hats, and more.

Changes announced in school leadership

3 years ago By Brian Rice

School leaders will take new roles within the district, beginning with the 2022-23 school year. Dr.

DR. BRETT COFFMAN NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

ESSD enrollment up; state funding might dip

3 years ago By Shawn Roney

Enrollment at the end of May was slightly higher for the Excelsior Springs School District than May 2021, Superintendent Travis Hux reported when the Board of Education convened June 27 at the Support Services Center.

ROTARY GROCERY GRAB WINNINGS DONATED TO LOCAL FAMILY

3 years ago By News Staff

CHRISTEN EVERETT was selected July 9 to run through the aisles of Price Chopper and grab as many groceries as possible. Everett, the Excelsior Springs High School principal, was chosen at random out of six other contestants to participate in the Excelsior Springs Rotary Club’s annual Grocery Grab fundraiser. During her 5-minute run through the store, Everett racked up $795.76 in meat, snacks and cleaning supplies. She then donated all of her winnings to an Excelsior Springs family.

City of ES dissolves Vintage TIF

3 years ago By Shawn Roney

Excelsior Springs has dissolved its Vintage Plaza II tax increment financing (TIF) plan. As recommended by Melinda Mehaffy, city economic development director, the City Council approved the closure June 21 at the Hall of Waters.

Webinar explores proposed recreational marijuana amendment

3 years ago By Sophia Bales

It’s appearing Missouri voters will get to decide in November whether it’s time to legalize recreational marijuana. As the Missouri Independent and other sources have reported, Legal Missouri 2022 submitted roughly 400,000 signatures in May to the Secretary of State’s Office to get the issue placed on the ballot.

JOHN PAYNE is the Legal Missouri 2022 campaign manager, seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in the state on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Irene Jeffries

3 years ago By News Staff

With deep sorrow we mourn the unexpected passing of Irene Jeffries, 73, on July 1, 2022. Irene was born January 29, 1949 to Lodis and Iris (Rock) Tuma. She lived and attended public schools in Belleville, Kansas. She was a pre-nursing student at Kansas State University for two years. There she met her soulmate, Phil, and began a wonderful 54-year journey with him through life. She earned a BSN degree in nursing at the KU Medical Center. She worked as an RN at several medical facilities in Massachusetts, Kansas, and Missouri.

The lost conversation of civil discourse

3 years ago By News Staff

Eight days of rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon with my daughter promised to be an exceptional experience. Introducing myself to a fellow voyager, a Texan, I joked that surely Texas wasn’t really planning to secede, because it would be a pain to have to obtain a visa to visit Austin.

City officials agree to study lime disposal options

3 years ago By Shawn Roney

Excelsior Springs is examining how it should dispose of lime from its water treatment plant. Per approval by the City Council June 21 at the Hall of Waters, the city has hired Lamp Rynearson to conduct a best professional judgment (BPJ) analysis regarding the issue.