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Articles by Valerie Verkamp
Jo-Ann shutting its doors
The Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts Store at 2201 NW Barry Road in Kansas City’s Northland is closing. The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than 12 months on Jan. 15. The company could not find a buyer to keep its stores open, so its approximate 800 stores will close. The stores are expected to be closed in about nine weeks. The fabric and craft retailer carries an assortment of knitting material, iron-on patches, fabric, jewelry, and artificial flowers.
Forever no more
A surprise announcement of resignation was made to the Platte City Board of Aldermen by Alderman Don Soper. The announcement came at the board’s regular meeting. The resignation takes effect immediately. He recently purchased a home at Basswood but maintains... North Platte R-1 High School held its basketball courtwarming Friday night, which was highlighted by the crowning of a king, queen, prince and princess.
Chamber director leaving
TRICIA FRIDDELL MOVING ON TO PLATTE SENIOR SERVICES Tricia Friddell, executive director of the Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced she is resigning from her post and will assume the role of executive director for Platte Senior Services, Inc. Her last day on the job in Platte City will be March 6. She has served in the post a little more than two years. “The decision to leave the chamber was not an easy one, it’s definitely bittersweet. I absolutely love this job,” Friddell said.
Charged with terrorist threat at Argosy Casino
ALLEGEDLY PULLED FIRE ALARM, SPRAYED EXTINGUISHER A 30-year-old man allegedly sprayed extinguishing agents from a portable fire extinguisher into the face of a hotel guest staying on the second floor of the Argosy Casino Hotel. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, police were called to 777 NW Argosy Casino Parkway to assist with an incident involving a white male who was refusing to leave the property.
Eight deputies needed to place man in restraints
SUSPECT CHARGED WITH ASSAULT A detainee is being accused of damaging his jail cell and fighting with detention officers while being held by local law enforcement. The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office charged Byron J. Williams, 27, of Kansas City, with a class D felony of damage to jail property, a class A misdemeanor of assault in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor of resisting an arrest, and a class D misdemeanor of driving while license was suspended.
Drug overdose deaths have risen rapidly
IN PLATTE COUNTY, TWICE WHAT THEY WERE JUST THREE YEARS AGO Similar to communities across America, drug overdose deaths are significantly impacting Platte County. Tom Petrizzo, chief executive officer of Beacon Mental Health (formerly Tri-County Mental Health), said drug overdose deaths in Platte County more than doubled in 2023 compared to three years prior in 2020. The number of drug overdose deaths in the county recently peaked at 268 over a 12-month period.
How to link six Northland trails?
PUBLIC INPUT BEING SOUGHT Despite the frigid weather, a decent-sized crowd turned out Wednesday, Jan. 17 for the first public meeting for developing the Missouri River North Trail. The Missouri River North Trail project is a coordinated effort between Kansas City, North Kansas City, Riverside, and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to explore the possibility of providing a final link connecting the existing trail system in Platte, Clay, and Jackson counties.
Former health department building sold
Valerie decided she wanted to be a newspaper reporter when she was 28 years old and she successfully convinced the editor of the Platte County Landmark to give it 30 days. Now with The Landmark for over a decade, she has written countless stories on local government, education, lawsuits, community news, crime, and the prison system. Valerie hails from Park University with a BA in Elementary Education and a post-baccalaureate degree in paralegal studies from Penn Valley Community College.
Bird enthusiasts enjoy, learn at Eagle Days
Over the weekend, thousands of bird enthusiasts gathered on the west side of Smithville Lake for Eagle Days. The celebration marks the 28th year of the winter birding event at Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse located at 18212 Golf Course Drive in Smithville. The two-day event is hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Clay County Parks and Recreation Department.
Homeless man charged with local carjacking
SUSPECT LEADS TROOPER ON HIGH SPEED CHASE A 63-year-old man allegedly hijacked a vehicle at QuikTrip in Platte City and led police on a high-speed pursuit. At about 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, police responded to a 9-1-1 call involving a carjacking at QuikTrip located at 1850 Branch Street (Hwy. 92) in Platte City. The victim told authorities an older white male with a gray beard entered his red Chevrolet Silverado and shoved him away when he tried to intervene.
Casey's store hit by armed robber
CASH AND LOTTERY TICKETS STOLEN A 37-year-old man is accused of robbing a Parkville convenience store at gunpoint. The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office charged Adidas Dawayne Madlock of Kansas City, Kan. with felony robbery in the first degree. At 8:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, police responded to a reported armed robbery at Casey’s located at 6316 NW 9 Highway in Parkville.
Riverside gives go-ahead for Live Nation amphitheater
DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED BY CITY Live Nation Entertainment’s plan to build a new amphitheater in Riverside is on track to becoming a reality. On Tuesday night, city officials granted a rezoning request on 170 acres west of NW Horizons Parkway just east of the Quindaro Bend Levee, and approved a preliminary and final development plan, solidifying Live Nation Entertainment’s plan to build a new 15,000 seat amphitheater. Live Nation is one of the biggest live entertainment providers in the world.
Large concert venue proposed
RIVERSIDE COULD BE HOME TO 15,000 SEAT AMPHITHEATER For decades, Northlanders have traveled far and wide to attend concerts and musicals, but that may soon change. Riverside city officials and a private company known as Live Nation have been exploring the concept of building an outdoor entertainment venue on 125 acres, located near Interstate 635 and Horizons Parkway.
Residential development planned south of Barry Road
KIMPTON FALLS PROPOSED NEAR BARRY AND GREEN HILLS While driving along Northwest Barry Road between Northwest Green Hills Road and North Allenton Drive, construction crews operating heavy machinery have people wondering what new infrastructure is in store for this area. The 46.43-acre composition of soil and flora, located south of the well-traveled Barry Road, is the planned future home of a major residential development, known as Kimpton Falls.
Several new businesses call Zona Rosa home
This year, Zona Rosa has gained a multitude of new tenants, drawing people in for a renewed customer experience. “Zona Rosa in the Northland is becoming a spot to support small businesses with the recent addition of 17 businesses including locally-owned retailers as well as national staples and restaurants. Ten of the new additions are women-owned businesses,” said Kathryn Snellen, owner and strategist of KC Studio.
In the holiday spirit
Platte County’s public safety committee, the group that has been coming up with a recommendation to present to the county commission about how to handle jail population, hosted a public event Monday night that was very lightly attended by the... A decision by the Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the preliminary plat for the Lake at Tomahawke Ridge was upheld by the Platte County Commission with a vote of 2-1. The commission heard an appeal by the...
Park Hill enrollment is down
DOWNWARD TREND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE Although the population in Platte County is growing, the largest public school district in the county continues to have a slight decline in student enrollment in this post-pandemic era, while smaller districts are experiencing an increase in student enrollment. This fall, the enrollment of kindergarten through 12th grade students at Park Hill School District slipped to 11,573 in the 2023-2024 school year, according to current enrollment data.
Development plan fizzles
NEAR MENARDS AT GREEN HILLS A city-approved plan to construct a sprawling mixed-use development on about 80 acres of land at the southeast corner of North Green Hills Road and NW Tiffany Springs Road has expired and can no longer be developed. Sherae Honeycutt, press secretary for the city manager’s office for Kansas City, told The Landmark someone would need to file a whole new plan with a rezoning request in order to develop the large swath of land.
Major mixed use project coming to Tiffany Springs
WHERE SAM’S CLUB WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED Longhorn Opportunity Fund, LP received the Kansas City Plan Commission’s approval for a mix of commercial and residential developments on 31 acres located at the southwest corner of NW Old Tiffany Springs Road and North Ambassador Drive in Platte County. The topography of the slightly sloped land has changed over time and once featured a stream.
Grant money to assist new aquatics facility
CITY OF RIVERSIDE PROJECT PLANNED City officials say they are pleased that the City of Riverside received notification of the success of their federal grant request that will help fund major improvements to the city’s outdoor swimming facility. The awarded grant affirms success in their planning and efforts to enhance the 3,750-square-foot swimming pool and its more prosaic amenities: bathhouses. On Monday, Oct. 30.
More hotels going up rapidly in Platte County
OFFICIALS SAY NEW AIRPORT IS DRIVING FACTOR Passengers who take to the skies will soon have more hotels to choose from in Kansas City. Developers are rapidly building hotels along the I-29 corridor and several new hotels with a variety of room accommodations are now being considered. There are currently 46 hotels in Platte County, totaling 4,604 guest rooms.
Learning academy, nature observatory in the works
PLANNED NEAR 72ND AND NW WAUKOMIS DRIVE Plans for a Blue Oak Learning Academy and Nature Conservancy were recently unveiled at a Kansas City Plan Commission meeting. Dr. Patrick and Melanie Handley requested approval of a development plan for a mix of residential, office, and conference facilities on approximately 24 acres located at the northeast corner of NW 72nd Street and NW Waukomis Drive.
New skatepark being designed at Riverside
CONSTRUCTION OF 10,000 SQ. FT. SKATEPARK COULD BEGIN IN SPRING First-generation skateboard rider Tony Hawk once said that “skateboarding is an art form, a lifestyle, and a sport.” Most skaters today agree that skateboarding is more than riding rails and flipping boards, it’s an exhilarating action that spills into various aspects of the active participant’s life. Skaters have developed their own argot and dress code.
'Plogging' is a way to clean trails, neighborhoods
GROUP CLEAN-UP DAYS SCHEDULED What’s improperly tossed out and left littered can end up in bodies of water, polluting aquatic ecosystems and harming wildlife. To help keep local rivers, streams, and lakes clean the Mid-America Regional Council’s Water Quality Public Education Committee is encouraging Missourians to consider plogging.
Parkville Women's Clinic planning for a new facility
PROPOSED AT 72ND STREET AND NW ROANRIDGE The Parkville Women’s Clinic received the go-ahead from the Kansas City Plan Commission to construct a new medical office within the Linden Office Park, located at the southeast corner of 72nd Street and Northwest Roanridge, Kansas City in Platte County. Sonya Rice, executive director of the Parkville Women’s Clinic, said the site will serve as the new home for the Parkville Women’s Clinic.
Jack Stack Barbecue considering Platte County
SITE PROPOSED SOUTHEAST OF BARRY ROAD AND I-29 Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue has submitted its final development plans to the Kansas City Plan Commission, plans that propose constructing an all-new restaurant at the entrance of the Edgewood Farms Development in Platte County. The location is southeast of the intersection of Barry Road and I-29.
Char Bar coming to Parkville
BARBECUE AND PICKLEBALL Anyone who’s ever visited the Char Bar in Westport to taste their smoked meats, play a round of lawn games, or sip a wood-smoked-infused cocktail quickly notices originality and flavor. Now, a new Char Bar Smoked Meats & Amusements is heading to the Creekside development near Interstate 435 and Hwy. 45 in Parkville. Char Bar serves up smoked meats with a variety of sauces, salads, and beverages paired with tastes of the Midwest.
Ten years in making, aquarium opens at KC Zoo
IT’S A YEAR-ROUND ATTRACTION Beyond the Elephant Expedition and Helzberg Penguin Plaza, the most transformative and large-scale exhibit in the Kansas City Zoo’s 114-year history has officially opened to the public. The new 650,000-gallon Sobela Ocean Aquarium features a marine ecosystem teeming with life in a variety of zones, from warm coastlines and warm shallows to cold coastlines and open oceans.
Additions coming for both high schools at Park Hill
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER With Park Hill seeking the Kansas City Plan Commission’s approval of a special use permit, the school district is on its way to building new additions to the existing Park Hill and Park High South high schools. The project at Park Hill High School consists of the construction of two additions to the existing high school building, adding 40,500 square feet of floor space.
Planning for Panda
Panda Express has submitted design plans to the City of Kansas City. The Chinese fast-food restaurant chain is seeking the necessary permits to construct a new casual fast-food restaurant. Once approved, construction will begin on a 2,600-square-foot Panda Express restaurant at 6380 N. Cosby Avenue, Kansas City in southern Platte County. The site is located on 1.14 acres at the Village at Burlington Creek between Community America and Smoothie King.
New McDonald's going in at Green Hills & Barry Road
The construction of a new McDonald’s is currently underway at a busy intersection in the Northland. Construction workers have been busy laying the foundation on a 4,436-square-foot restaurant with drive-through at the southeast corner of N. Green Hills Road and NW Barry Road. Trees on the 1.575-acre lot were cut and removed a couple of years ago in order to make room for future development.
Another hotel chain coming to KCI Corridor
ATWELL SUITES PLANS TO OPEN IN 2024 Following the construction and recent opening of the New Terminal at KCI Airport, a new hotel chain is coming to the KCI Corridor. Last month, Wheatbelt, Inc., a local stockholder-owned distributor, broke ground on a brand new Atwell Suites Hotel at 11732 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City in Platte County. It is directly east of I-29 and south of Cookingham Drive.
Mexican restaurant coming soon
Valerie decided she wanted to be a newspaper reporter when she was 28 years old and she successfully convinced the editor of the Platte County Landmark to give it 30 days. Now with The Landmark for over a decade, she has written countless stories on local government, education, lawsuits, community news, crime, and the prison system. Valerie hails from Park University with a BA in Elementary Education and a post-baccalaureate degree in paralegal studies from Penn Valley Community College.
Hotel, car wash planned on N. Chatham
NEAR I-29 AND 64TH STREET Driving down N. Chatham Avenue this week, backhoe loaders, motor graders, and excavators may catch your eye. Crews have been moving dirt and flattening surfaces in preparation for several planned construction projects. The 5.86-acre composition of soil and flora is located at the northeast corner of Chatham Avenue and NW Prairie View Road.
Parkville man drowns at Smithville
SECOND DROWNING AT SMITHVILLE LAKE THIS MONTH The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Smithville Fire District responded to the Little Platte Swim Beach at Smithville Lake following a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible drowning. According to the highway patrol, around 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, 32-year-old Bektemir Yusupov of Parkville was swimming near Little Platte Park when he went under and did not resurface.
Death at gas station
The Kansas City Missouri Police Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to a 9-1-1 call on Sunday, April 23 at the Phillips 66 Gas Station located at 5910 NW Prairie View Road, just north of Houston Lake in southern Platte County. Upon their arrival just after 2:15 p.m., officers approached a van, where they observed an adult male who was not breathing. Medical authorities pronounced the man dead and police remained at the scene for several hours investigating the death. Sgt.
Are you up for Immersive Yoga?
Lighthouse Immersive, creators and producers of the digital Immersive Van Gogh exhibition, now offers weekly Saturday or Sunday yoga classes under The Starry Night. Lighthouse Immersive has partnered with a local certified yoga instructor, Dr. Auburn E. Ellis, to bring this one-of-a-kind indoor yoga experience to the all-encompassing Immersive Van Gogh gallery located at the Lighthouse Artpace at Zona Rosa. Six sessions are tailored to all fitness levels and all ages are welcome to attend.
FALL MEANS FESTIVALS
SEVERAL SEASONAL EVENTS SET LOCALLY This month, highly anticipated fall festivals are stirring up enchantment and people’s senses. Take your pick of haunted trails and autumn’s best treats featured at various fall events in the area. Or enjoy family-friendly favorites such as pumpkin trails, yard games, and live music. Some of the options include: Fall Fest Get a jump on the fall fun by attending Fall Fest at Zona Rosa’s North Park, just south of Dillard’s. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.
Time to develop a fire escape plan
Fire Prevention Week is a good reminder On July 14, 2021, flames and smoke engulfed a Platte County home in the 7200 block of N. Avalon Street, Kansas City. Firefighters responding to the 9-1-1 call observed a child on the floor with a red torch lighter. Ultimately, three children died in the morning blaze and another child was treated at the hospital.
Culinary-based library open in Platte County
The new culinary-inspired Green Hills Library Center is now open to the public and will soon be offering culinary literacy programs. The branch is located at 8581 N. Green Hills Rd. in Kansas City, just a mile and a half east of the former Boardwalk Branch. This library features a soon-to-open coffee shop, demonstration kitchen, drive-up window, even two full-size kitchens for use by any start-up food-based businesses, and a community programming room with seating for 240 people.
Centers, housing, road project are topics on KC ballot
A QUESTION PERTAINS TO TIFFANY SPRINGS PARKWAY Soon the voters of Platte County who reside within the city limits of Kansas City will have an opportunity to vote on several public issues directly, including two bond measures that supporters say would play a big role in helping fund upgrades at community centers, renovations at the Kansas City Convention Center, and stimulate affordable housing. All voters in Kansas City will decide these issues at a Tuesday, Nov. 8 election.
Bus driver shortage puts Park Hill in bind
MORE RIDERS, MANY FEWER DRIVERS As the bus driver labor shortage reaches a critical level, Park Hill school officials are working with First Student, the district’s longtime provider of student transportation services, to consider introducing extreme solutions to remedy the situation.
Immersive Nutcracker set for holiday season at Zona
DIGITAL ART IMAGES ‘THAT BRING WONDER’ An Immersive Nutcracker Exhibit at Zona Rosa is expected to stir up magic like no other cinematic experience this upcoming holiday season. The new immersive art experience, Immersive Nutcracker, A Winter Miracle, will be located on the second floor of The Grove at Zona Rosa beginning Nov. 19. It’s in the same location where the upcoming Immersive King Tut: Boy, King, Hero, will be featured starting Sept. 16.
Settlement of $6 million reached in water case
AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS GETTING $2,000 EACH A $6 million settlement agreement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against Missouri-American Water Company (MAWC) that alleges excessive calcium scaling in the water provided by MAWC caused property damage to its customers’ appliances and plumbing in many Platte County homes.
Survey: Farmers Market should remain where it is
Design options on new facility to be studied The recent effort to engage the community to address the future of the Parkville Farmers Market has been very successful and has steered progress moving forward, according to Chris Cline, a senior principal at Confluence.
Park Hill lists factors in inclusion plan
The perceived shortcomings of the Park Hill School District have led to the creation of new “drivers” that, in the eyes of many, better encompass the district’s aspirations and expectations of building a more inclusive environment. Many factors influenced the district’s move to start a conversation about diversity, but one of the most influential factors occurred last year when school officials determined that a racist petition had been spread around, drawing substantial criticism.
Zipline will go in at city's splash park
New attraction planned this fall When it comes to outdoor attractions, one of the most adrenaline-charged amenities on the playground is the kid-inspired zipline. The local favorite playground equipment allows young riders to launch from a platform and soar swiftly through the air until they are rapidly bounced backward.
Immersive King Tut
100 Years after discovery of the tomb To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery by Howard Carter of King Tut’s ancient tomb and countless artifacts, an Immersive King Tut Exhibit will take the spotlight at Zona Rosa in Platte County starting on Sept. 16. The new immersive art experience, Immersive King Tut: Boy. King. Hero., will be located on the second floor of The Grove, where the digital art images of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic masterpieces were recently featured.
Law officers 'more of a public servant than anything'
Teens learn through junior police academy For the students of the Riverside Junior Police Academy, the role of a law enforcement officer is more than a crook catcher or “enforcer” of laws that society relies on to maintain public order. These 10 young cadets more fully understand that police work involves wide-ranging responsibilities, from investigating violent crimes and deterring unlawful acts to policing parks and providing basic services.
What lies ahead for the Parkville Farmers Market? On Wednesday, July 13, the city hosted a joint work session with aldermen and the community’s land and recreation board (CLARB) to discuss the future of the Parkville Farmers Market and the replacement pro
Officials getting input, discussing options For decades, the Parkville Farmers Market has been the perfect outdoor gathering space for farmers to sell their seasonal farm-fresh vegetables and hand-crafted goods directly to customers. Anecdotal evidence suggests the iconic wooden structure in the parking lot near English Landing Park in downtown Parkville was built by the Amish. But on April 28, the noteworthy wooden structure was damaged when a box truck hit the east end of the building.
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