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🌱 Will Independence schools lose funding under Jackson County’s tax refund deal?
Independence, Missouri Patch AM: a 5 min readGreetings Independence! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Independence schools lose funding under Jackson County’s tax refund deal?
- Will Independence’s $9M Sterling Avenue overhaul actually move forward?
- Three men charged in deadly shooting at an Independence event space
Also on today's calendar: Independence Roots Music Festival and 4 more events.
Today's riddle: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny and very humid, with a high of 93 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 99, low: 78.
- Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 99 and low of 74 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Jackson County could return $250 million to property owners under tax assessment settlement (kcur.org) — Jackson County’s proposed settlement over illegal 2023–24 property tax hikes could return about $250 million to homeowners through tax credits and refunds, including many in Independence. But the Independence and Fort Osage school districts warn that repaying the money may force them to cut or reclaim already-budgeted spending, so residents should watch both the court review and school funding impacts closely. 
2. Independence residents question need for $9M Truman Connected Phase 2 project on Sterling Avenue (kshb.com) — Independence residents along Sterling Avenue are pushing back on a nearly $9 million Truman Connected Phase 2 plan that would add a roundabout, bike lanes, and wider sidewalks through their neighborhood. Many argue flooding, sidewalks, and other basic infrastructure should come first, while the city weighs paying roughly half the cost. The City Council delayed the design contract and is expected to revisit it at its Aug. 3 meeting.
3. Prosecutor Johnson announces 1st Degree Murder charges against three men (thekansascityglobe.com) — Jackson County prosecutors have charged three Kansas City men with first-degree murder and related offenses in connection with a deadly May shooting at an Independence event space. Independence police say the victim was shot multiple times in a parking lot after a car pulled up and gunfire erupted. The suspects are each held on $500,000 cash-only bond and remain presumed innocent.
4. Dunham assumes command of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (einpresswire.com) — A new commander has taken over at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, a major local employer and key supplier of small-caliber munitions to the military. Lt. Col. Yoon “Yoonie” Dunham assumed command July 23, bringing an extensive academic and Army background. Leaders praised her experience and emphasized the plant’s long-standing mission and importance to the region.
5. Alford applauds House passage of Stop Insider Trading Act (themissouritimes.com) — An Independence native now editing The Missouri Times highlights Rep. Mark Alford’s push to ban members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks while in office. The House-passed Stop Insider Trading Act would tighten ethics rules, boost transparency, and now heads to the Senate for further debate on congressional financial reform.
📸 Around Independence
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Independence
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
America 250-A Picnic with Mr. & Mrs. Vaile →
Vaile Mansion, 1500 N Liberty St, Independence
1:00 pm
Sunday July 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Sunday Worship Services
Independence Chamber-Commerce 17902 North Whitney Road, Independence, MO 64058
9:45 am -
God at Center Committee of Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity
Independence Chamber-Commerce 505 N Dodgion Avenue Independence, MO 64050
8:15 am -
Sunday Worship Services
Independence Chamber-Commerce 17902 North Whitney Road, Independence, MO 64058
9:45 am -
Independence Roots Music Festival →
Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Bingham-Waggoner Home, 313 W Pacific Ave, Independence
12:00 pm -
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus: Fun Factory →
Independence Center, 18801 East 39th St S, Independence
7:30 pm -
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus →
Independence Center, 18801 East 39th St S, Independence
7:30 pm
Sunday July 26
Thursday July 30
Sunday August 2
Saturday August 8
Friday August 21
📣 Independence Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Yoga in the Park
Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Rotary Park - 600 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs MO 64014
9:00 am -
Ice Cream Social
Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Vesper Hall - 400 NW Vesper Street Blue Springs MO 64014
1:00 pm -
X-Mas in July
Blue Springs Parks and Recreation CRCRC - Outdoor Waterpark - 425 NE Mock Avenue Blue Springs MO 64
6:15 pm -
Enchanted Getaway →
Pinot's Palette, 483 NE Coronado Dr, Blue Springs
7:00 pm -
Sunday Worship Services
Independence Chamber-Commerce 17902 North Whitney Road, Independence, MO 64058
9:45 am
Saturday July 25
Sunday July 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- They say tropical lilies will not produce blooms after the season.
I always leave my tropical lilies in the pond during winter with a floating pond heater next to them. And my pond is well established. Check out this… (Nextdoor Ott-Chrisman) - Has anyone else had an ice cream truck manually type their card number, expiration date, and CVV into a phone to process payment?
I've usually used Apple Pay, so this caught me off guard. I didn't receive a receipt either. I locked my card just to be safe, but I'm curious if… (Nextdoor McCoy & Truman)
- Hy-Vee posted a job opening for Dairy Clerk (18+) in Independence. Apply here.
- Graceland University posted a job opening for Executive Director for Housing and Student Engagement/Associate Dean of Students in Independence. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Independence here.
Ok Independence! 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: Open-toad (Thank you Harold W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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