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Excelsior Springs has been selected host city for the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference, which is an annual event organized by the University of Missouri Extension (MUE). Set for Sept.

An Excelsior Springs man has entered a not guilty plea for unlawful use of a loaded weapon while intoxicated, a felony. Justin M.

Pet parents try to ensure their companion animals never want for anything. People will go to great lengths to pamper their pets with the best care, food and accessories. According to the American Pet Products Association, consumers in the United States spent $147 billion on pets in 2023. And it’s not just the essentials that have people opening up their wallets for pets. A 2022 YouGov survey found that 57 percent of owners buy holiday gifts for their pets and 40 percent host birthday celebrations.

The holiday season is steeped in tradition. Though family traditions are part of what makes December such a special time of year, holiday hosts still have some wiggle room when welcoming loved ones into their homes.

It’s easy to recognize the holiday season has arrived. Holiday-centric sights and sounds abound this time of year. In fact, the arrival of decorations in stores seemingly comes earlier and earlier each year, perhaps to accommodate people’s undying enthusiasm for the holiday season.

The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without decorations, which go a long way toward establishing the festive atmosphere that dominates the month of December. Injuries and accidents may be the furthest thing from people’s minds when decorating for the holidays, but the potential for such outcomes is there.

The holidays bring together friends, neighbors and family members to celebrate some of the most festive days of the year. Although celebrants often incorporate traditions they hold dear this time of year, downtime provides an opportunity to embrace new games and entertainment ideas as well.

Hosts have free rein when it comes to planning a holiday menu. Despite that freedom, many hosts feel obligated to prepare some holiday season staples their guests will surely expect when they sit down at the dinner table.

December is a season of giving, and that charitable spirit is evidenced by the uptick in donations over the final month of the year. Perhaps inspired by Giving Tuesday, which is celebrated annually on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, donors tend to be especially generous in December. According to Donorbox, which provides an online fundraising platform to facilitate charitable donations, 31 percent of yearly charitable giving happens in December.

There is no shortage of options to find every item on your holiday shopping list. Shopping malls, online retailers and mom and pop stores along Main Street can be great spots to grab holiday deals, but shoppers also can find great gifts at holiday fairs and bazaars.