Another year is nearly in the can — to coin a journalistic term – with 2014 waiting patiently. 2013 was an odd year, numerically, and sometimes literally, with Platte County seeing two high-profile murder trials and other crimes. In better news, the first half of the year also saw the renewal of the Platte County Roads Tax and the graduation of area seniors. Following are headlines which appeared in The Citizen from January through July, 2013. January 2: Authorities charge Dearborn man, son with sodomizing minor; Stolen car chase begins in KCK, ends in northern Platte County; Parkville city administration searches to fill position; Park Hill South Panthers fall to Liberty North in Jewell tourney title game. 9: Man nabbed at local bank after cashing forged checks in Platte County totaling more than $4,500; Court drops hammer on husband/wife burglary team; Two high-profile county jury trials set for June, Church and Lemasters; North Platte girls move on after losing all five starters following back-to-back final four runs. 16: Proposed county budget calls for pay increases; Lottery winner announces big plans for Camden Point; Parkville banking on County support on 45 Highway project; Park Hill School District athletic directors Bill Sobbe and John Sedler retire after school year. 23: Commission votes to place roads tax renewal on April ballot; Longtime West Platte board member abruptly quits, elementary school principal also resigns; $44.9 million County budget approved; Platte County senior wrestler meets same opponent he injured knee against earlier in the season – and gets the same result – a win. 30: Quintin O’Dell avoids death penalty by pleading guilty to hatchet murder, razor assault – sentenced to life in prison without parole; Parkville officials want more purchase power; West Platte wrestler Justin Rhodes wants to leave mark as one of the best. February 6: Super Bowl party turns deadly when convicted felon said he drank shots, smoked pot before shooting, killing friend in Riverside; Platte City Comfort Inn robbed; Teen charged with stealing thousands; Pirates swimmers take fourth at conference meet. 13: Platte County R-3 School District wants public input as it mulls placing tax increase back on ballot this year or next; Weston hears status report on, concerns about Dollar General; Parkville search for city administrator position draws 30-plus applicants; Platte County wrestling’s 11 state qualifiers seek Pirates eighth state title. 20: West Platte moves quickly to fill vacant board spot after turbulent stretch that saw two principals resign; County Commission awards first community center bids; Thrift store project in Platte City requests help from volunteers; Park Hill wrestling finishes at State with Class 4 crown. 27: Two major winter storms in five days brings plenty of bad, a little bit of good; West Platte BOE defends separation incentive program; Bluejays basketball takes down Mid-Buchanan for fourth time, advance to sectionals looking for redemption. March 6: Park Hill considering audit of safety plans; Convicted felon Bradley Ise guilty in road rage attacks; R-3 identifies possible 2013-14 budget cuts, personnel/salary cuts not included in budget reduction process; West Platte boys basketball two wins away from undefeated state championship. 13: Park Hill hires firm for safety audit; ‘Skinhead’ Albert Strutton makes quick return to prison; Weston reduces sewer rates, some water rates; Bluejays fall in state title game, maintain same mentality. 20: Platte City aldermen face challengers; Discrimination lawsuit filed against Riverside, Mayor Kathy Rose; West Platte candidates address trust issues during forum; Park Hill baseball snags first win in only second day on the diamond. 27: Weston mayor, aldermen draw opposition at polls; Platte County officials say need remains for roads tax, opponents say tax should be revamped or cut; Three men vying for two North Platte positions; Platte County pitcher Luke Temperelli yet to allow a run in two starts. April 3: Voters OK 10 more years of Platte County three-eights-cent sales tax; Carter holds Weston mayor’s post; Platte City upgrades curbside recycling program; Platte County girls soccer team starts season with three straight shutouts. 10: Platte County man allegedly tried to solicit undercover agent posing as 14-year-old girl; Platte City water, sewer rates likely to increase; As roads tax is renewed, Parkville highway projects green-lighted; West Platte baseball coaches Ryan Ramey and Zane Tanner use off-field connection, similarities to succeed at leading West Platte in two different sports. 17: 18-year-old Harrison Brown accused of beating, confining minor; West Platte hires elementary principal, football coach; Structural damage, radon issue forcing PCPD to relocate; Platte County senior Aaron Hessemyer set on getting back to state, golfing in college. 24: Confessed killer Clifford D. Miller admitted he murdered Edgerton sisters while high on meth, sentenced to life, no parole; Platte City identifies destination for PCPD relocation; 13 pounds of cocaine seized in Interstate 29 traffic stop; Former Drexel head coach tabbed to take over Bluejays football program, strength training. May 1: Platte County R-3 Citizens Advisory group looks at R-3 finances; Park Hill student tackling obesity issue; Platte City sends out taxing district refunds; Freshman, sophomore have chance to lead North Platte girls track team into unchartered territory. 8: Parkville chooses city administrator Lauren Palmer; Platte City Civic Center future up in the air; First and Second Creek watershed project promises development spark in Platte County; Pirates tennis team cruises to second round of districts. 15: Heads-up police work by PCPD, Sheriff’s Department leads to high-speed pursuit, standoff with armed escaped convicts; North, West Platte grads take a walk; Park Hill to conduct salary, benefits review; Park Hill South boy’s golf team takes fifth at state. 22: Platte City officials ready to take first steps toward development project east of Interstate 29; Court mulling kids’ statements in Daryl Lemasters sex crimes case; R-3 OKs lunch hike, insurance decrease; Park Hill South’s Cody Kildow aims for a state discus title. 29: West Platte Superintendent, Board of Education criticized for changes, teacher exodus; Road rage results in 20 years in jail; Blessing needed to clear massive fallen tree; West Platte baseball team, 21-1 on the season, follows in basketball team’s footsteps with a shot at a state championship. June 5: Stolen $13,000 diamond ring recovered; County answers community centers expansion project questions; Lemasters jury trial set to begin June 10; West Platte’s Logan Moose had a senior year for the record books, both athletically and academically. 12: Revamped R-3 tax increase proposal in 2014 likely; Dearborn resident says City codes officer trespassed; Former Platte City business owner Daryl Lemasters, accused of sexually abusing two girls waives right to remain silent, testifies; Area football players to play in all-star game. 19: Lemasters guilty, alleged new victim comes forward; Subcommittee split on cost of new Platte City Web site; Super Bowl party shooter gets 15 years in prison. 26: Platte City ready to spur development east of Interstate 29; West Platte studies football field options; Rapist Zachary Townsend retracts plea, admits guilt; R-3 tentative budget comes in at $37.5 million.
NEXT WEEK: PART 2 — HEADLINES FROM JULY THROUGH DECEMBER