🌱 Patch AM: How Overland Park ended up No. 2 for July scam reports

Cheers Overland Park! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Overland Park ended up No. 2 for July scam reports
• Why is a Michael Jackson statue hiding in Overland Park's arboretum?
• Where Blue Valley North lands in Kansas' latest high school rankings

Also on today's calendar: After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 86 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Humid with clouds and sun, temps: high: 89, low: 71.
• Saturday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 89 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Overland Park ranks No. 2 in Kansas for scam reports in July (jocotoday.com) — Overland Park logged 19 scam reports in July, the second‑highest total among 79 Kansas cities tracked by the Better Business Bureau, with residents losing at least $1,825.95. Counterfeit product scams were the biggest problem, including one resident's nearly $800 loss, and officials urge locals to use BBB Scam Tracker to research offers and report suspicious activity.
   

• A viral internet video has brought new attention to an unexpected sculpture in Johnson County (kansascitymag.com) — If you visit the Overland Park Arboretum, you'll now find its viral curiosity: a life-size bronze Michael Jackson sculpture tucked among the gardens in the International Sculpture Garden. City staff explain how this U.S.–China cultural exchange brought high-value artworks, including this unexpected piece, turning the arboretum into one of Overland Park's quirkiest photo stops.
   

• This suburban high school is best in Wichita metro, U.S. News and World Report says (kansas.com) — Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park ranks just ahead of Andover High School in U.S. News' statewide list, underscoring Johnson County's strong academic showing. The story mainly highlights Andover schools' top performance in the Wichita metro, but it also situates Overland Park's flagship high school among Kansas' best.
   

📸 Around Overland Park

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Overland Park

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday August 21
• School Picture Day!
  Blue Valley Northwest High School Aux Gym
  7:35 am
Saturday August 22
• After Teaching Through 61 U.S. Colleges, Mr. EWS Returns with Affordable Online Fashion Class →
  , Overland Park
  9:00 am
Wednesday August 26
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Basehor-Linwood (Junior Varsit
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Main Gym
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Basehor-Linwood (Varsity)
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Main Gym
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Basehor-Linwood (Level C)
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Auxiliary Gym
  5:00 pm
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Olathe North (Varsity)
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Main Gym
  6:00 pm
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Olathe North (Junior Varsity)
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Main Gym
  6:00 pm
• Volleyball: Blue Valley Northwest vs Olathe North (Level C)
  Blue Valley Northwest High Basehor-Linwood High School Auxiliary Gym
  6:00 pm

📣 Overland Park Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• 50 Plus Aging & Cardiovascular System Brunch & Learn
  Johnson County Parks and Recreation Meadowbrook Park > Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse - 9101 Nall Avenue
  10:30 am
• 50 Plus Summer Shuffle Hand & Foot Tournament →
  Johnson County Parks and Recreation New Century Fieldhouse - 551 New Century Parkway New Century KS 6
  1:00 pm
• Moonlight Market
  City of Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive
  4:00 pm
• 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm (2 lanes) - Short Course →
  Shawnee Mission School District Aquatics Center SMSD Aquatic Center - 17251 W. 87th St. Parkway Lenexa KS
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• And for today, a Spicebush Swallowtail stopped over for some lantana.
  And thanks to the person that let me know I had miss identified it. (Nextdoor Prairie View)
• Hi guys I'm looking for puppy friends!
  I have a 6 month old great pyrenees and German shepherd mix spayed female who would love some dog and new human friends! She's social but takes a few… (Nextdoor Country Oaks)

• Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Specialist in Overland Park. Apply here.
• Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager in Overland Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Overland Park here.

🗞 Nearby News

Leawood

• LEGO opens new store at Leawood's Town Center Crossing (johnsoncountypost.com)
• The Smile Line Studio voted Best Dentist in Kansas City (thepitchkc.com)
• 7 Top Spots for Milkshakes in Kansas City (inkansascity.com)

Olathe

• Olathe non-profits with the highest total revenue in 2024 (jocotoday.com)

Ok Overland Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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