Part two of the year in review looks back at events from July through December. A new soccer complex is headed to Platte County. Missouri Governor Mike Parson visited Park University in July and U.S. Senator Roy Blunt came to Parkville in October. Compass Elementary in the Platte County School District named two interim principals after fallout from Dr. Chad Searcy was placed on paid leave and ultimately resigned after a social media post. Other highlights featured a Platte City youth going on stage with Miranda Lambert and the Platte County soccer and football teams reaching the state championship games.
JULY
July 3 — The Riverside Board of Aldermen discussed the zoning implications of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city; Kansas City Chamber of Commerce representatives talked to the Park Hill community alliance about the statewide possibilities of the Tobacco 21 initiative; Camden Point prepared for its annual Freedom Festival; Parkville aldermen discussed re-opening talks with BNSF Railroad about establishing a downtown quiet zone.
July 10 — Police investigated a shooting at the Department of Motor Vehicle office near Parkville; A new $42 million soccer complex was announced at Highway 152 at Platte Purchase Drive; Platte City aldermen approved an increase to water and sewer rates; Northland Christian School opened a new campus in Platte City.
July 17 - Smithville resident Samantha Jones was sentenced after her daughter died due to her drunk driving; A former Parkville officer resigned after he was charged with domestic assault involving a firearm; Weston Orchard and Vineyard opens in Weston; A sexual assault was reported over a weekend in the Platte County High School parking lot.
July 24 — The Evans Midland Empire Carnival set up for the Platte County Fair; B&B Theatres announced its plans to build a luxury entertainment center at Highway 152 and Platte Purchase Road; Kidney shunt surgery was a success for Katie the English bulldog; The second class of Riverside’s Junior Police Academy graduated.
July 31 — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson visited Park University to support the Global Warrior Center; Michael Hull was charged after a shooting incident in Weston in which his father was injured; Ross Steele of Platte City was arrested for promotion, possession of child pornography; Five teenagers were injured in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 29 near Riverside; Weston business owners outlined their problems with the Weston Chamber of Commerce at a board of aldermen meeting.
AUGUST
Aug. 7 — More than 100 people took part in The Farmer’s House Wine Walk fund raising event; Weston’s Snow Creek ski resort was sold to Vail Resorts of Broomfield, Colo.; Pre-applications were turned in to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for medical marijuana operations — including several potential operations in Platte County.
Aug. 14 — Two new principals — Dr. Kim Archer and Derek Colburn — were named at Compass Elementary School; the Platte County commissioners heard an update on upcoming bridge reconstruction projects in the unincorporated areas; Fighting a terminal illness, Charley Jameson of Dearborn took part in a truck pull at the Platte County Steam Engine Show.
Aug. 21 — North Platte senior Caine Huffman got the photo op of a lifetime running into Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the Platte City QuikTrip; Weston committee considers the possibility of creating a Ben Holladay festival; Platte County employees were able to carry handguns at work with the approval of a new ordinance; Two men were detained and released after bringing guns into the Boardwalk Walmart; Clean-up from the Missouri River flood continued in the downtown area in preparation for Parkville Days.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 4 — County employee Bob Schmidt voiced his concerns about the county’s updated firearms policy, stating he felt unsafe in the administration center; Ryan Baker of Liberty was charged with assaulting a K9 officer after leading police on a high-speed chase across Platte County; Former Compass Elementary School principal Dr. Chad Searcey received a $275,000 severance package from the Platte County School District; Jason and Kit Lacy took over Jowler Creek Winery from the Gerke family.
Sept. 11 — Kansas City councilman Dan Fowler revisited the Englewood Apartments, where one building was condemned due to life-threatening conditions; Matthew Tapp was named the new executive director of the Platte County Economic Development Council, taking over for the retiring Alicia Stephens; The Platte City Community-Wide Garage Sale was held.
Sept. 18 — The Platte County Pirates snapped an eight-game losing streak against Kearney; Former auditor Sandra Thomas was selected to chair a tax advisory committee; More than 1,000 people turned out for the 48th annual Edgerton Pioneer Days Festival; McCormick Distillery, Chiefs partner for a 360 Vodka variety.
Sept. 25 — The Platte County R-3 School District tech department was honored for its response to a malware attack, possibly from Russia; Wells Bank cuts the ribbon at its new Platte City location; Platte City kicked off its municipal service satisfaction survey; The Parkville board of aldermen opted not to destroy some old records after hearing complaints from a political action committee.
OCTOBER
Oct. 2 — The discovery of a World War II-era mortar shell in Platte City prompted a brief evacuation; The Washington D.C. impeachment investigation overshadowed Sen. Roy Blunt’s visit to Park University; Platte County golfers win fourth straight league title; Edgerton business owner Douglas Auxier was charged with attempted enticement of a minor; Downtown Weston prepared for the 31st annual Applefest.
Oct. 9 — Park Hill honored late player Jill Bailey Heckman during its annual Pink Out game; Olesya King was charged with statutory rape; North Platte beat rival West Platte for first victory of the season; U.S. Rep. Sam Graves toured the Northland Career Center in Platte City; Woodland Trace residents voiced concerns about conditions at the Platte City apartment complex.
Oct. 16 — Brad Wallace resigned from the Platte City Board of Aldermen, with Jim Everett tapped to fill the seat; Northwest Missouri State University football players visited Platte City to support player Parker Sampson and his family; Platte County attorney Andrea Martinez filed a civil suit against the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent she says assaulted her; The Riverside Chamber of Commerce prepared for its Carved Experience Halloween event; The Pirates continued their winning streak against Park Hill.
Oct. 23 — The North Platte Historical Society hosted an event about the Interurban Railroad; Park Hill secures first softball district title since 2001; Platte City mayor Frank Offutt delivered his state of the city address, outlining upcoming capitol improvement projects; Ryan Crowley was named new Platte City parks and recreation director; County resident Janet Stark spoke to commissioners about her concerns regarding an LGBTQ program held in Lee’s Summit.
Oct. 30 — Kansas City teenager Achebe Arome was charged with robbery in Platte County after a series of heists across the Northland; The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office and Circuit Court established a treatment court for veterans; Platte County gets its first snowfall of the season just in time for Halloween; Enrollment is up again at the Platte County R-3 School District.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 6 — Platte City eight-year-old Remi Davenport was brought on stage with Miranda Lambert in Wichita, Kan.; West Platte student Gage Fogt died while walking along Highway 45 near Weston; Parkville aldermen approved a downtown blight study, paving the way for possible economic development incentives; A TIF agreement was approved by county commissioners for the Northland Sports Complex.
Nov. 13 — The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office announced it plans to seek the death penalty in the case of Aushena Warren, who is accused of murdering her son; Prosecutor Eric Zahnd and sheriff Mark Owen spoke to the sales tax advisory committee about the needs of their office; A racist document was shared online at Barry School, prompting concerns, complaints; Platte County graduate Scott Buis was featured in an NFL Network ad, reading a letter from Patrick Mahomes.
Nov. 20 — Ferrelview chief of police Daniel Clayton was awaiting discipline from the Department of Public Safety after he was found in violation of professional standards; Platte County deeded 80 acres of parkland to the City of Kansas City off Platte Purchase Drive; Ryan Price was charged with two felonies after holding off police for 12 hours near Parkville; A pedestrian was hit on Interstate 29 near Barry Road; Pirates football secured district title against Lincoln Prep.
Nov. 27 — Zona Rosa hosted its annual Northern Lights ceremony; Pirates finish in second place in soccer finals; Pirates football beat Grain Valley to seek first state title berth in 18 years; The tax advisory committee discussed funding needs for county offices; Three patrons spoke to the Platte County Board of Education about bigotry and bullying in the district.
DECEMBER
Dec. 6 — Pirates football wins a nailbiter semifinal game and prepares to head to Mizzou to play Webb City for the state title; The Parkville Board of Aldermen legalized the use of electric bicycles on trails in city parks; Iron Horse BBQ opens in Platte City; Unnamed Platte Woods employees file whistleblower corruption complaint against mayor, chief of police.
Dec. 11 — A noose made out of string was located in a boys bathroom at Platte County High School; Platte County football winds up with second place trophy after the program’s long-awaited return trip to state; The Platte County Sheriff’s Office and Platte City Police Department held its annual Shop with a Cop program; The Riverside Police and Fire Departments held their Shop with a Cop program that weekend as well; Eric McDonnell – Platte County graduate – was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Dec. 18 — Six vehicles were stolen from the Platte City Dodge dealership after unknown thieves forced entry into a garage door; Missouri state auditor Nicole Galloway released a followup report on Ferrelview’s state audit, announcing while some progress had been made, problems remain; Weatherby Lake resident Michael Carter was charged with promoting child pornography; Parkville police hosted their Shop with a Cop program; Platte County deputies were working on a string of thefts in rural Platte County, around Interurban Road.
Dec. 25 — The Fulk Farms Christmas tree farm has provided generations of family fun in rural Platte County; The Parkville Board of Aldermen approved the city’s 2020 budget and the downtown redevelopment plan; Park Hill graduate Jeff Montgomery was named to Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Elite 11.