January 2026

A new comprehensive plan set to guide land use, housing and economic development in Excelsior Springs for the next 20 years is expected to be formally adopted next month, providing a long-term roadmap for growth as the city responds to changing community and business needs.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and the FBI is reminding the public to be an active partner in preventing human trafficking in the community. Human trafficking is the exploitation of a person for labor, services or commercial sex acts through force, fraud or coercion.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is once again calling on the community to help spread kindness and connection through a Valentine’s Day initiative focused on local seniors. As part of its annual “feel-good mission,” CCSO is collecting both handmade and store-bought Valentine’s cards to be delivered to nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Clay County.

The Excelsior Springs School District spent just under $2 million last year educating 26 students outside the district, prompting administrators to examine whether expanding in-district special education programs could better serve students while managing rising costs.

Reece Ryan’s presence on the basketball court was missed when Excelsior Springs faced Odessa Jan. 17 in the thirdplace game of the Lawson Invitational Tournament, Tigers coach JD Biermann and Josie Casler agreed.

Excelsior Springs School District leaders say revenue collections are tracking behind last year largely due to timing differences, while longerterm pressures tied to enrollment and attendance continue to shape the district’s plans for staffing, facilities and future funding.

Dear Editor, As we enter 2026, I want to speak directly to police officers, supervisors and leaders, not from a position of theory but from lived experience. Law enforcement is a profession built on service, sacrifice and resilience.

Excelsior Springs High School officials reported measurable gains in student attendance, credit completion and classroom engagement as targeted academic programs and instructional changes continue to reshape the way students are supported. High school leaders reported significant academic and attendance gains tied to the Tiger Success Academy (TSA), a targeted program designed to support students who struggle in traditional classroom settings.

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Booker O’Neill, Owen O’Dell and their Excelsior Springs varsity boys teammates had a reason to cheer the night of Jan. 16.