It was a year of ups and downs in 2021, the second in the COVID-19 pandemic. While some sectors begin to recover, surges and virus variants continued to cause problems both locally and world-wide.
JANUARY
Jan. 6 — Park Hill School District online students were finding ways to adjust to a new way of learning during the pandemic; Dr. Jeffey Kingsley was appointed to the Platte County Health Department’s board of trustees by the Platte County Commission; Retired Park University president Don Breckon called for perspective and compassion for those facing pandemic pressures.
Jan. 13 — COVID-19 vaccinations began at Platte City nursing homes; Riverside officials planned to place a public safety tax on the April ballot; Platte City police officers work to give back to the community they serve through outreach programs; Though COVID-19 vaccination doses were beginning to be distributed, shots were not yet widely available, according to the Platte County Health Department; A 29-year-old Leavenworth, Kan. man died in a crash on a dangerous stretch of Highway 45.
Jan. 20 — A Weston man was charged with murder and arson in the death of his girlfriend’s father and torching of the family home; The Platte Count Health Department launched its COVID-19 vaccination waiting list; The Parkville Police Department’s assistance fund helped a local family retrieve and repair their car, which was stolen just before Christmas; Gov. Mike Parson appointed judge W. Ann Hansbrough to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of judge James Van Amburg.
Jan. 27 — The Platte County R-3 School District delayed its return to in-person school after a surge in COVID-19 cases; Army veteran Dave Richards started Jamaican restaurant Island Spice in Leavenworth, Kan.; A 31-year-old Camden Point woman died in a crash on Highway 273; Delays in development of the Apex Plaza shopping area cause Parkville aldermen to question TIF agreement.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 3 — Work began at the historic Platte County Courthouse to improve air quality and energy efficiency; The Leavenworth Militaria Show was set to begin in Leavenworth, Kan.; Platte City acquired an abandoned home on Fourth Street to abate the blight of the 20-year-empty structure; Two Platte County Sheriff’s Office deputies were fired at from a moving vehicle near Lake Waukomis.
Feb. 10 — Extreme cold swept the Midwest, bringing record low temperatures; The Platte County R-3 School District board of education voted to move forward with plans to return to in-person education in March; R-3 and Park Hill school districts put staff COVID-19 vaccination plans in place; The construction contract was approved for the replacement of the Buck O’Neil Bridge over the Missouri River; Platte County High School principal Dr. Keith Jones said it’s always a good time to remember Black history.
Feb. 17 — Record cold temperatures continue, with utility companies warning residents to conserve energy to avoid outages; The man accused of shooting and killing two men over firewood in Parkville was released with no charges filed; Waiting lists for the COVID-19 vaccines continued to grow; Area nursing homes and retirement communities continue vaccination programs and limit outside contact; A journalist speaks at Park University on the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Feb. 24 — The Platte County swim team set a new school record at state competition; The Platte County Health Department announces plans to open its first COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Riverside; The families of the two men shot over firewood in Parkville call for justice and assistance; The health department loosened some restrictions on restaurants and bars; Platte County R-3 School District superintendent Dr. Mike Reik presented their plans for major bond projects, including a reconstruction of the high school in Platte City; R-3 plans to stick with its plan to return to in-person education.
MARCH
March 3 — The Platte County Health Department’s mass vaccination site opens, administering 400 shots per day; The West Platte School District’s board of education votes to move the district to a middle school concept; Demand for assistance through Pirate Treasure Chest up during pandemic; The new Jowler Creek Cattle Company offers beef fresh off the farm.
March 10 — The Park Hill School District announced its plans to return to in-person education in late March; Brandy Woodley of Parkville sought to be the first Black person on the Park Hill board of education; Riverside officials turn down an offer from a developer to build an auto rallycross venue in the city.
March 17 — Days of heavy rain causes the Platte River to rise, causing minor flooding; The founder of Om Prana Yoga in Parkville shares her personal story; The Platte County Commission approved 14 parks outreach grants, including projects in Parkville, Riverside, Weston, Edgerton and more; Parkville residents voice concerns about proposed lighted ball fields at Platte Landing Park; Weston teen Chase Archambault dies after he was struck on Highway 45.
March 24 — High school spring sports returns after its cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic; The Park Hill School District was shut down for a day due to a malware attack; Parkville aldermen nix lighting from the Platte Landing Park ball park plans after public complaints; Platte County government may receive up to $20 million in federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); The University of Missouri Extension seeks to provide Platte County residents with nutritional education.
March 31 — An old office building on Marshall Road was demolished to make way for the new Platte City Hall; Residents in the Platte County School District were frustrated by a ballot measure to include the district in the Kansas City Metropolitan Community College district; A rollover crash on Interstate 29 near Camden Point snarled traffic; The Park Hill School District announces the malware attack was due to ransomware and no data was stolen.
APRIL
April 7— The Kansas City Aviation Department gave the media its first look at the new KCI Airport terminal, one year into construction; Platte County R-3 School District voters approve a $73 million bond issue; Brandy Woodley is elected to the Park Hill Board of Education, as its first Black member; The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office establishes a treatment court program for first-time, non-violent offenders.
April 14 — The Riverside to Parkville connector of the Missouri River Trail was opened; The Platte County Health Department’s vaccination clinic was designated as a state facility, increasing capacity; The Platte City community rallied to provide a dinner to cheer up seniors at Heritage Village; The Parkville Board of Aldermen opts to delay a sewer rate increase after questions arise about the process for calculating the rate.
April 21 — An unseasonable snow dumped onto Platte County; Platte County awarded nearly $200,000 in parks Outreach grants; A woman and child were evacuated from a hotel during an armed standoff near KCI Airport; Frances and Marlin Legault of Platte City celebrate 70 years of marriage; Kimberlee Ried and Brandy Woodley were sworn in to the Park Hill Board of Education.
April 28 — The Platte County Commission’s ARPA committee met to discuss uses for $20 million in federal funds; Retired Park University president Dr. Don Breckon shares his thoughts on police accountability; Water line upgrades were under way in Parkville; Weston Rotary Club installs new benches in the downtown city park; Platte City Friends of the Arts hosts a drive-by art show.
MAY
May 5 — Platte County Parks and Recreation’s Tails on the Trails event returned to Barry Platte Park; The lawsuit filed against Platte Woods mayor John Smedley and the city’s chief of police by a former part-time police officer was dismissed by the U.S. District Court; Updates to the county’s investment policies were suggested after a 2014 court ruling; Toni McEnroe creates memory boxes for her grandchildren; Cinco de Mayo comes to Platte City at Mexican restaurant.
May 12 — Widespread road work was scheduled throughout Platte County for the summer construction season; Gov. Mike Parson appointed assistant prosecutor Megan Benton as a judge to the Platte County Circuit Court; A virtual student exchange allows connections between Platte County High School and Truman High School in Independence; Parkville delays approval of a use tax question for voter approval in anticipation of state changes to use tax guidelines.
May 19 — Weston prepared for its first Ben Holladay Festival; Kansas City, Platte County health departments lift mask orders, most COVID restrictions; The Platte County Commission awards annual stormwater grants; Yoga dog JoJo comforts cancer patients at Om Prana Yoga; Central Platte Fire came out on top of the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Platte City.
May 26 — West Platte and North Platte track and field teams celebrate wins at state; Memorial Day observances planned in Platte City, Weston, Parkville; With Celebrate Fatigues, Connie Swartz remembers veterans all year round; Northland Kansas City council members question the city budget and its allocations to police; Platte County High School, other high schools hold in-person commencement ceremonies; A St. Joseph man was found dead in Riverside on the banks of the Missouri River.
JUNE
June 2 — Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas’ controversial decision to shift $42 million in KCPD funding spurs outrage, legal action; Tim Sublette brought his love of music to his own studio in Smithville; Platte County prosecutor Eric Zahnd announces the start of CARES, a program to assist first-time offenders.
June 9 — Former Park Hill High School head football coach John Hood faces new charges in Clay County; Weston prepared for its first Juneteenth celebration; The West Platte community raised funds for the C.J. Donaldson memorial scholarship through a 5K; A long-neglected home on Northwood Road in Riverside was slated for demolition; Parkville plans for future public input on projects at English and Platte Landing parks.
June 16 — Park University pianist Kenny Broberg put the university in the national spotlight as a finalist in a prestigious competition; Platte County winds down its 2020 CARES Act business grant program; The City of Weston moves forward with plans for its Independence Day parade; Platte City McDonald’s owner Jim Wagy continues his pandemic McPantry program to help employees and their families.
June 30 — Veteran Missouri Department of Transportation worker Lloyd Crawford was struck and killed in Tracy while setting up road closed signs due to flooding along the Platte River; Independence Day events were planned for Platte City, Parkville and Weston; Platte City resident Dr. Gena Ross files to run as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate after Sen. Roy Blunt announced his upcoming retirement; Park University’s Kenny Broberg was named the winner of the national American Pianists Association’s award; Commissioners accepted $20 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).