Another year is in the can — to coin a journalistic term — with 2014 waiting patiently. All in all, 2013 was a good year. But, like most years it had its fair share of bad and weird.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. The second part of the year brought the 175th Platte County Fair, the start of a new school year and a County Commission tax ceiling fiasco that left many observers shaking their heads. Last week, we published part one of the year in review, with headlines from January to June. Following are headlines which appeared in The Citizen from January through July, 2013.
July 3: Patrons speak for, against West Platte Super; West Platte Board conflict sidetracks hiring of exit interview firm; Jury trial set for father, son accused of sex crimes; PC R-3 bands bring home Orlando gold. 10: Platte City motel robbed at knife-point; Judge sends texting teen to jail; Weston Aldermen look at bond issue on November ballot; Park Hill 2013-14 budget tops $150 million. 17: Parkville city officials say County’s altered Platte Landing plan does not deliver promised amenities; Two seats to be filled on Sixth Circuit bench, Judges Lee Hull and Abe Shafer to retire; Platte City adds layers to development cake; Platte City girl takes second at international piano competition. 24: KCP&L takes action to condemn land for power line easements; County responds to Parkville’s Platte Landing complaints; R-3 Board hears citizens group findings; Three finalists named for 6th Circuit Judge post. 31: Local schools support House Bill 253 veto; Current Weston taxes should pay for bond issue; PCPD’s expanded National Night Out is Aug. 6; North Platte student takes 3rd at FBLA conference. August 7: Large crowd expected to oppose Chapel Ridge development at Platte County Planning and Zoning meeting; Weston man claims $1 million Powerball ticket; Lemasters sentenced to 180 years in prison; Former Queens from far and wide flocked to 150th Fair. 14: Sheriff’s deputy fires shots after pursuit leads to Farley; Parkville officials clash over mayoral term issue; Dearborn declines water tower proposal; Former Army recruiter guilty of raping 15-year-old. 21: Weston to send $2.3 million bond issue to voters; Platte City budget includes $2.3 million for land purchase, sewer plant; KCI single-terminal foes turn out for Graves-led forum; Betty Soper earns award from Missouri genealogical association. 28: Platte City restaurant owner Jeremy Ray charged in child porn case asks community to wait for his day in court before passing judgment; Platte City man charged with child abuse; R-3 levy increases to offset assessed valuation decrease; Harley-Davidson celebrates anniversary with open house. September 4: Platte County audit of YMCA mostly good; Former Platte County R-3 administrators happy with their principal posts at West Platte; Pirates football cruise in opener, but stern test awaits at St. Joseph Central. 11: County Planning & Zoning says no to Chapel Ridge; Dearborn area woman charged with murder, attempted kidnapping; Parkville mayor says he will not seek re-election next April; West Platte football notches first win for new coach, turns attention to KCI rival East Buchanan. 18: Body of St. Joseph woman was stuffed in box, dumped near Weston; Northland shootings labeled murder, suicide; Citizens drill County officials about Platte Landing Park; Park Hill junior quarterback holds his own against Lee’s Summit standout. 25: Authorities say St. Joseph man helped woman overdose, then dumped her body near Weston; Parkville decides November ballot issue too expensive after all; Repeat sex offender Jason D. Wright headed for life in prison; Park Hill South volley ball still dominant. October 2: Government shutdown felt locally; Parkville adds name to list of cities wooing RNC; Weston Applefest set for 25th year; North Platte softball team’s offense looks unstoppable so far. 9: Charges filed against two teens after death of Park Hill student; Dealing drugs near school means 10-year jail term; County Commission OKs changes to community centers project; Pirates football team faces playoff atmosphere. 16: Dearborn wants to legalize open carry of firearms; Platte City to pay $940,000 for land; Cyber Crimes unit tracks down another sexual predator; Blue Jays football looks to rebound against Plattsburg. 23: Enrollment study shows R-3 is full; Parkville consultant says City, downtown need to be on same page; Church murder trial finally set to begin; Platte County volleyball team surging as tough district tourney approaches. 30: Tax levy ceiling cut to one cent after Clerk’s Office submits incorrect forms to State; Platte City police officers assaulted; Alleged drunk driver causes fatal accident; Platte County, Park Hill South, North Platte, West Platte volleyball teams in districts. November 6: Semi truck crashes into several cars, injures five people; West Platte School District’s insurance broker selection questioned; Parkville Train Depot’s future uncertain; Park Hill South’s volleyball team spikes its way to state. 13: Chapel Ridge denied again; Dearborn Aldermen OK open carry; KC Chiefs star arrested in Riverside; Park Hill South volleyball finishes second in Class 4. 20: PCHS football player charged with assault; County Auditor’s budget includes employee raises; Judge Fincham named to replace Hull; West Platte’s football season comes to end at 5-8 in game reflective of entire season. 27: A reworked tax increase proposal, new school, status of Rising Star all on R-3’s plate; Park Hill mulling 32-cent tax levy increase; West Platte BOE wants to refine master plan boundaries; Winter sports get under way with big games. December 4: County Commission approves controversial Chapel Ridge subdivision; West Platte Board of Education votes 4-3 not to extend Dr. Jerrod Wheeler’s contract past next school year; Platte City thrift store vandalized; Parkville Aldermen cut Hwy. 9 trail project from 2014 budget. 11: Dearborn ready to try tax increase proposal again; County Planning and Zoning board member quits; Central Platte increases firefighters’ stipend; Weston considering trash service switch. 18: County ready to celebrate 175 years; Church murder trial moved to Feb. 24; Parkville Aldermen not ready to OK downtown master plan; Lady Trojans basketball make last shot in OT thriller. 25: R-3 Board of Education undecided about tax levy increase issue; West Platte Board wants to review drug-testing policy; Platte County boys basketball team break out in 2013 finale.