BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor James Mackey
515 S. Elm St.
(816) 632-7337 | (816) 284-2830
Follow us on Facebook | Buses available for pickups
Sunday School ............................................10:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................11:00 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon Service ............................2:00 p.m.
Wed. Evening Service & Kids Club..............7:00 p.m.
CAMERON CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Pastor Vicki Copp
206 Lovers Lane | (816) 632-7812
www.cameronnazarene.org
Sunday School ..............................................9:45 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship ...........................10:45 a.m.
In Person & Facebook Live
CAMERON RESTORATION BRANCH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
Elder Brian Marshall
1008 W. 3rd | (816) 724-0522
Opening Worship ..........................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday School ..............................................9:40 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer Service ............................7:00 p.m.
CAMERON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor Kobey Puls
201 N. Pine | (816) 632-3461
Music Leader - Ann Clark
Youth Leader - Morgan Scott
Children’s Leader - Dawn Gabauer
Nursery Coordinator - Linda Morris
www.cameronumc.org
Check out our Facebook page for Online Worship
Sunday Service............................................10:00 a.m.
Kid’s Sunday School .....................................9:00 a.m.
Age 4-5th Grade
Sunday Youth Group .....................................6:30 p.m.
Grades 6-12
Wednesday Kidz Connection ........................6:00 p.m.
Age 4-5th Grade - During School Year
COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
Pastoral Team: Nancy Fulmer, Denise Youtsey and Blair Shock 902 W. 4th (816) 632-3303 | (816) 312-0377
Sunday School ..............................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:30 a.m.
In Person & Zoom Meeting
* Call the church to be added to the list
Pastor Tim Harrell 919 N. Harris St. | PO Box 401 (816) 632-2427 www.crossroadscameron.org
Adult Sunday School ....................................9:30 a.m.
Children’s Church .......................................10:30 a.m.
Sunday Service............................................10:30 a.m.
Youth Ministry ............................................11:00 a.m.
Wednesday Service .......................................6:30 p.m.
Children’s Classes .........................................6:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s starting in May
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Terry Beasley 202 E. Ford | (816) 632-7251
Music Pastor - Steve Howell
Youth Pastor - Aaron Laskey
Children’s Pastor - Bryan Allen www.cameronfbc.org
Sunday School - All Ages .............................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship ..........................................10:45 a.m.
Tues. Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study ..........6:00 a.m.
Wednesday Mid-Week Manna ....................10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Awana Clubs ..............................6:30 p.m.
Thursday Impact Youth .................................6:30 p.m.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Russ Hamilton 318 N. Pine | (816) 632-3605 www.cameronmofcc.com
cameronfcc@yahoo.com | Follow us on Facebook
Adult Sunday School ....................................9:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:00 a.m.
Monday Evening Bible Study .......................6:00 p.m.
MABEL WORSHIP CENTER
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Pastor Tim Ashby
5 miles North of Hwy. 36 on Hwy. 69, 1/4 mile West at sign | (816) 632-2673
Follow us on Facebook
Sunday School ..............................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service ...............................6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Family Night
Adult Bible Study .......................................7:00 p.m.
PASSION CHURCH
Pastors Lonnie and Colleen Hardy 1119 Bryan Rd. | (816) 632-2527
www.passionchurchmo.com
Follow us on Facebook
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:00 a.m.
Thursday Evening Service ............................7:00 p.m.
PRINCE OF PEACE
LUTHERAN CHURCH LCMS & NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL
Reverend Mark Goucher 209 Little Brick St. | (816) 632-7904
www.cameronlutheran.360unite.com
Follow us on Facebook
Sunday School ..............................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Divine Service ................................10:45 a.m.
REACH CHURCH
Pastors Brian and Rennie Gitthens 202 Lovers Lane | (816) 808-7462
Sunday School ..............................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship ...........................10:30 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study ..................6:30 p.m.
RIVER OF LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor, Father Son Duo, Otis Nixdorf & Dave Nixdorf 811 S. Walnut | (816) 632-2246
www.riveroflifebaptist.com
Sunday School ..............................................9:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service .............................10:15 a.m.
ST. MUNCHIN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Father Thomas Ludwig 301 N. Cedar | (816) 632-2768
www.munchin.net
stmunchinparish@gmail.com
Saturday Mass ...............................................5:00 p.m.
Sunday Mass .................................................9:00 a.m.
School of Religion Sunday after Mass
Sunday St. Aloysius Mass ...........................11:00 a.m.
Weekday Mass: Mon., Wed. & Thurs. ..........8:00 a.m. Tues. & Fri..........................7:00 a.m.
TURNING POINT CHURCH
Pastor Terry Sims N 69 Hwy at EE Junction (816) 507-7062 | (816) 507-0030
Follow us on Facebook
Cafe Connect Breakfast ................................9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Service.............................10:30 a.m.
Follow live on Facebook
Tuesday Night Live .......................................7:00 p.m.
Bible Study or Live Focused Prayer
Wednesday Celebrate Recovery....................7:30 p.m.
Throngs of area motorists continue converging on the recently opened Love’s Travel Plaza and Country Store following its official opening last May.
The 12,000 square feet facility, located at BB Highway near the I-35 exit, had just a few of its 77 parking spaces filled as residents flocked to Cameron’s newest gas station and eatery.
The gas station was not the only attraction to the facility, as visitors got their beef-andcheddar fix with the opening of the adjoining
Arby’s restaurant. Along with the amenities for area travelers, Love’s also offers lifestyle enhancements for commercial and long-haul motorists including 120 semi-truck parking spaces, six RV parking spaces with available hook-ups, a maintenance station for light mechanical work - opening May 23, 10 showers, a laundromat and dog park.
Cameron residents can now purchase recreational marijuana after officials with Bloom Medicinals, Cameron’s only marijuana dispensary, began recreational sales early February.
Following an emergency order by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, marijuana dispensaries across the Show-Me State began selling recreational marijuana.
“It’s been wild. It’s been welcoming. It’s been a great experience so far getting to see the whole community get to come in ... It’s been a warm opening so far,” Bloom Medicinals Assistant
Shown here is Bloom Medicinals, Cameron’s only marijuana dispensary, which opened in January.
General Manager Carolann Feeney said.
In January, the Cameron City Council finalized placing Cameron’s iteration of the tax initiative on the April ballot, which the Missouri Municipal League originally forecasted would annually generate $150,000
in revenue. Cameron City Attorney Padraic Corcoran said last month $100,000 was a more accurate estimate.
“To generate $150,000, [Bloom Medicinals] would need to generate $5 million in retail sales,” Corcoran said.
By Jimmy Potts Editor editor@mycameronnews.comThe Scooter’s Coffee drive-thru continues bustling with motorists after opening last fall.
With a model of high quality drinks, and efficiant service, Scooter’s Owner John Kozel said setting up shop in Cameron was one of his first priorities.
“Cameron was a huge priority to get to ... This was our third store. It was really important to be here. Cameron is exactly a Scooter’s town. We do really well in towns like this,” Kozel said.
As we do each year, I would like to update the community on what Council Members have been working on this last year, projects that are on-going now and what we are striving for in the future. I would like to begin by expressing what a pleasure it is to serve on the Council for these last three years and this last year as Mayor. At our goal setting session, the Council established a Vision Statement for the City of Cameron as follows, “Cameron is a thriving hometown destination community with opportunity for all to be enriched.” On that note, I would like to begin with the goals that were also established by the City Council at that time.
On June 15, 2022, the City Council conducted a strategic visioning retreat. As a result, the City approved Resolution 2022-32 adopting the following goals for 2022, which the staff has been aggressively pursuing.
1. Economic Development and Community Investment
2. Infrastructure
3. Communication, Community Engagement
first section of the pipe was laid into the ground at 10:00 a.m. on November 30, 2022. The current plan is to have this 25-mile pipeline completed from St. Joseph to Cameron by the Fall of 2024. This pipeline will ensure that the City never again suffers from drought conditions and water restrictions.
The Great Northwest Wholesale Water Commission follows in line with these goals. The Commission was first established in 2009 and formally began work on the pipeline in 2015. The
There are three trails around our existing reservoirs that are currently being cleared and constructed. The equestrian trail borders the largest lake, Grindstone, and is currently in the process of being completed. The second trail is the primitive trail around Eagle Lake and while it has been marked out and travelled some, the City is still working to improve this trail. The third trail is the ADA accessible trail around Sunrise Lake. It has been paved and made accessible for about fourfifths of the way around the lake. A small portion on the Eastern side of the lake is being completed this Spring. This leaves only 577 ft to complete the trail to the McElwain Road parking lot. The City will continue to work on this as time and money permit.
Through the generous passing of the half cent Parks Improvement and Operations sales tax, the
City has been able to rebuild the Aquatic Center which opened for the Summer of 2022. The City was also able to use this tax to construct the Cameron Community Park at Old Sommerville. The Community Park is under construction during the Spring of 2023 and is planned to be open for the Summer season. The new park contains three lighted ballfields, two practice level ballfields, and two lighted soccer fields. The next construction phase is the Family Amenity Area, which includes two shelter houses and a year-round restroom. The park is located on the Southwest corner of Hwy 36 and I-35, but the entrance will be off of Walnut Street at Northland Drive. This will have priority for reconstruction in the Fall of 2023. Scheduling for use of the facilities at the community park will be available at the City.
The City is currently investing 4.4 million dollars to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to conform to increasing state and federal regulations. This project is underway and will consist of replacing headworks and adding a UV disinfection system and is scheduled to be completed Summer of 2023. Upgrading the wastewater treatment plant will allow us to comply with future discharge permits.
The City has improved two buildings this year. The first was replacing the roof on the Public Works
building, this roof had begun to leak severely, threatening the safety of the building, vehicles, and employees. This project cost $70,000 which the City took out of reserves. The second building was the Public Safety building (police and fire) which is being repaired with money from the Law Enforcement and Public Safety tax of one fourth cent which the public passed in 2019 and the Municipal Fire tax of one fourth cent approved in 2016. These two projects illustrate both the need for continued capital improvement money to maintain buildings and the City’s commitment to maintain this infrastructure.
The City website provides a great resource for information, advertising the City’s amenities and services to visitors and future residents. As one of my top goals, the City staff worked to update the website, making it more useful and more competitive with other cities around the Nation. For example, we developed a webpage for the new Cameron Business Park. This can be accessed through the City of Cameron’s website, and on the Community Development tab. Also, we continue to provide periodic updates on important issues through this webpage and social media (e.g. Facebook).
As travelers along I-35 will note, development is progressing. With the addition of Loves Travel Stop, increased interest in the Cameron Regional
Business Park, and the Community Improvement District at the intersection with US 36 business traffic along I-35 is increasing. To help alleviate this increased traffic, the City will soon begin paving Griffin Road and working with other government and private entities to improve Hwy BB and its overpass across I-35. The City will complete the pavement of Griffin Road by June 1st of this year and will work diligently on Hwy BB to make those improvements as time and money permit. These are major gateways to Cameron and are receiving the City’s first attention.
One thing that we would like to do to upgrade the gateways to the City is to construct “Welcome to Cameron” signs on Interstate I-35 both North and South of the major intersections. They might read: “Welcome To Cameron”, “Cameron Can,” or “Visit Our Parks, Lakes and Historical Downtown”.
In conclusion, I want to thank the public for its support of these City efforts and very much appreciate the opportunity to serve as the City’s Mayor. I look forward to continued improvements and to help achieve the City’s vision of being “a thriving hometown destination community with opportunity for all to be enriched”. Cameron can!
Cameron is a thriving hometown destination community with opportunities for all to be enriched.
• Economic Development and Community Investment
• Infrastructure
• Communication, Community Engagement and Partnerships
• At its Goal Setting Session, the City Council identified three goals which staff is aggressively pursuing
• Historic Preservation Society is fundraising for Third Street building revitalization
• Great Northwest Wholesale Water Commission set its first section of pipe in the ground on November 30, 2022
• The Transportation Tax is being used to pave Griffin Road
• The City continues to work on trails around the reservoirs
• The Parks opened the new aquatic center and plans to open the community park in the Summer of 2023
• The City has applied for grants to revitalize downtown, the community center, sidewalk connectivity and improvements to the library
An effort more than a decade in the making came to an end following last summer’s grand opening of the $4.7 million Cameron Aquatic Center.
After a ribbon cutting by the Cameron Park Board, residents dove into the pool for the first time since the Cameron Municipal Pool closed in September of 2020, and remained closed for the next 18 months as construction on the Cameron Aquatic Center got underway.
“I’m very excited and ready to go
swimming. I won’t say we’re completely past [construction] yet. We’re working through the last of cosmetic projects right now, but it’s been a long time coming. Last year, there was no pool. The year before, there were the COVID rules. Everybody is ready for the new pool to open and get going this summer. It’s an exciting time for Cameron right now,” Cameron Park Board President Matt Arndt said.
Additional work on the facility will continue throughout the summer, which includes: repaving the parking lot, installing swimsuit dryers, relocating the dumpster from the parking lot to the pump house, painting the pump house and roofing the newly renovated pool house will continue throughout the season. The new facility replaces the Cameron Municipal Pool, which originally opened in 1982. In 2020, Cameron voters approved a 25-year, $16 million, 1/4cent sales tax, paving the way for the new pool and Cameron Community Park at Old Somerville (see page 16), which Cameron Parks Supervisor Garr expects to open next spring.
Cameron Community Park at Old Somerville will open this Spring, and potentially play host to various regional youth baseball and softball events.
The cloverleafs baseball/softball complex will feature three playable fields, two soccer
fields, two practice fields and a variety of other amenities. In 2020, Cameron voters approved a 1.2-cent sales tax funding construction of the $6.5 million complex, as well as the $4.7 million Cameron Aquatic Center that opened last Summer.
Cameron R-1 School District officials announced they hope to soon secure plans to host the upcoming Class 3 District 4 Baseball Tournament.
By Jimmy Potts Editor editor@mycameronnews.com
Thanks to a donation by former Cameron resident Paul Fiddick, The Cameron Train Museum and Historical Society unveiled multiple bronze historical markers highlighting the Cameron’s unique history.
“The story is historical markers, where you can stand in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln, William Tecumseh Sherman, Michael Douglas, Harry Truman or whoever and know that history happened here,” Fiddick said.
Welcome to the Cameron R-I School District! The Board of Education, administration, and staff of the Cameron R-I School District are eager to welcome you and become educational partners as we fulfill our vision: “A School of Excellence”.
The Cameron R-I School District is made up of four school buildings: Parkview Elementary (grades PK-2), Cameron Intermediate School (grades 3-5), Cameron Veterans Middle School (grades 6-8) and Cameron High School (grades 9-12).
We have high expectations for our students. The District continues to create an academic environment where every student can achieve beyond their potential. The Cameron R-I School District strives to do more than merely offer a quality education; the District “ensures” an excellent education.
All four of our school buildings are Professional Learning Communities (PLC) where student learning is the focus. The staff of the Cameron R-I School District has worked very hard to modify their grading, teaching, and communication with each other to assist all students in the learning process.
Our school district is so thankful for the community and the support they offer us. Voters approved a bond issue in April of 2014 to construct a new middle school. In December of 2015 we opened the doors to our new school, Cameron Veterans Middle School. In June of 2020 voters approved a bond issue that built a state of the art vocational center, new high school science classrooms and a new performing arts center at the High School. In addition, we added a new FACs room, mezzanine/ weight room area and new offices. We are very excited about the opportunities that our new facilities will provide our students and staff to ensure we are offering our students the best opportunities for future success.
The district greatly appreciates the support of our community and wants to thank all of its patrons, as well as new residents and visitors. I encourage you to visit our schools and get involved in both the school district and the community!
Sincerely,
Dr. Matt Robinson Superintendent of Schools Cameron R-I School District
Cameron’s education system offers highly trained professionals and the latest technology in teaching the leaders of tomorrow.
There are four educational facilities located in Cameron. Parkview Elementary School houses students from Pre-K through second grade. Cameron Intermediate School holds grades three through five. Cameron Veterans Middle School is home to grades six through eight. Cameron High School houses grades nine through twelve.
The district continues to improve technology resources with the installation of wireless networks and components in all buildings. Students in three of our four buildings have their own laptop. This has completely changed the way we can approach teaching in our classrooms and at home.
The district has completed the process of becoming a Professional Learning Community (PLC). All schools in our school district have attained exemplary Professional Learning Community status and have been recognized at the state level. The benefits to this program are great. Students have seen the direct benefit of having staff look at student performance data and make decisions based on what is best for each individual student.
The Cameron R-I School District is undergoing many physical changes in the shape of new buildings and facilities with more in store. The primary focus will always be on student learning and preparing students for the ever changing demands in the future as we strive for excellence.
By Jimmy Potts Editor editor@mycameronnews.com
After more than a year of delays due to the supply shortages, the new Cameron High School Performing Arts Center will open this Spring.
Cameron R-1 School Board
Superintendent Matt Robinson announced contractors remain on track for a March opening, which will coincide with the Midland Empire Conference Arts Festival. Funding for the CHS Performing Arts Center comes from the $10 million B.E.S.T. Bond approved by voters in June of 2020. Along with the new theater, the bond also funded construction of a new FFA facility, wrestling room, mezzanine above the gymnasium, a new administrative office at the high school, as well as new science and home economics classrooms.
ABOVE: Shown here is the exterior of the new CHS Performing Arts Center.
BELOW: Construction of the interior of the new CHS Performing Arts Center stays on track for a March opening.
By Jimmy Potts Editor editor@mycameronnews.com
The inaugural Old School of Cameron Hot Air Affair Balloon Festival drew more than 4,000 visitors to the Cameron Municipal Airport as part of the two-day event.
The event, which featured more than 19 hot air balloon teams, began generating excitement with a preview event that launched from the Cameron Veterans Memorial Golf Course.
“It was amazing. It was a great family time. That was one thing I said several times ‘Things fell into place.’ We had several situations, and we handled them instead of letting them handle us. There was nothing major,” said Denise Maddex, who began developing the concept of a Cameron balloon festival after conceiving it in a dream.
Old School of Cameron Historical Preservation Society Board Member B.J. Reed said the event would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the Cameron Police Department, the Cameron Fire Department, the Cameron Ambulance District and dozens of volunteers including the Zion Preparatory Academy ROTC.
“Thank you to the city staff for taking a
chance on us, and letting us try something we’ve never done before. And allowing the use of the municipal airport space. We are thankful we could host the event there and [Cameron Municipal Airport Manager Eric Evans] would work with us. Secondly, the event would not have come to fruition without volunteers. We had close to 75 of them working all weekend long - from checking people on the shuttle bus, doing a checkpoint on the highway, running the American Insurance Family Car Show with close to 30 car, truck and motorcycle entries, running our [merchandise] booth, running our kids bounce house and laser tag area, serving as ground crew for the balloon pilots and working sanitation,” Reed said.
The funds raised from the balloon festival will go to bringing the Old School of Cameron up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and restoring two buildings on Third Street the city condemned in 2021 due their questionable structural integrity. Although unable to give an estimate on the funds raised, with much of them still being tallied as revenues from the EventBrite website and vendors still rolling in late Tuesday afternoon, Maddex said the event raised more than $10,000.
“The Old School of Cameron hopes to make this an annual event that will keep the love in the air for many years to come. Thank you for letting us do the thing (sic),” Reed said.
Focus: Supporting organizations including the Cameron Hospital; YMCA; Clinco and the World Wide Eradication of Polio. Also involved in Awarding Student Scholarships. For more info on the club, Contact Everett Ice at 816-632-7111.
Musical Excellence Since 1866!
Concerts will start in June and are held at . . .
McCorkle Park
NEW LIFE SHOPPE HOURS
THURS.: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
2nd & 4th SAT.: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
FOOD PANTRY HOURS
By Appointment Only
302 N. Walnut | PO Box 422 | Cameron, MO 64429
*All proceeds from the New Life Shoppe go back to the Food Pantry. 816-632-FOOD (3663)
Meetings held at Noon on Mondays clubs organizations
Our therapeutic programs increases core muscle strength, improves balance and coordination, builds communication skills and spatial awareness while creating happy smiles. Keep the sunshine going by visiting us on facebook: facebook.com/ dreamcatchersmissouri and on the web at dreamcatchersmissouri.org
Keep the Sun shining on people with developmental disabilities.
Changing Lives on Horseback PO Box 461 | Cameron, MO 64429
Ken Swindler | 816-215-6968 • Pam Swindler | 816-558-1545
Mission Statement: Elks are Community. As Elks, we invest in ours and surrounding communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug free, meet the needs of our Veterans, those living in our local VA home and those who do not, and improve.
As Elks We: Support Patriotism | Educate our Youth | Encourage giving within our Communities | Care for our service men and women.
“Elks Make great Things Happen!”
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
9018 NE Hwy 69 | P.O. Box 132 | Cameron, MO 64429 816-632-7987 | cameronelks2615@outlook.com
For the Cameron Rotary Club, 2023 will be a year-long celebration as the group honors their centennial anniversary.
With a mission of community service, the Cameron Rotary Club began in 1923 and continues through modern day.
Recently, the Cameron Rotary Club played a significant role in installing a water well in Kenya. In 2020, the Club spearheaded a project constructing an ADA compliant fishing dock for nearby residents of the Cameron Missouri Veterans Home. The dock, considered by then Cameron Public Works Director
Drew Bontrager as the jewel of the Cameron Reservoir served as the focal point of a plan linking the trailloop.
Along with their community service projects, the group often hosts
area government in business leaders for their weekly Cameron Rotary Club Luncheon in order to learn the most effective methods of impacting their community. As part of their year-long celebration, the club will
feature articles in the Cameron Citizen-Observer highlighting their 100 years of community service and their impact on the lives of Cameron residents.
312 N. Chestnut St. (816) 632-2311
www.cameronlibrary.org
Offering materials to inspire creativity Provide resources to encourage discovery Promote community connections
Open: 10:00-6:30 Monday-Friday 10:00-2:00 Saturday
Summer Hours: 10:00-8:00 Thursdays in June & July @cameronpublic @cameronpubliclibrary @library_jen
“Connecting Members & Communities”
Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Monthly
Goal: To Provide Leadership Training Through Community Service. Activities: Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Cameron, Camp Quality Dinner, 37 years of hosting Annual Jaycees Golf Tournament Benefit, Multiple Senior Scholarships, Ever evolving involvement for community betterment.
For Further Info on the Club - Tracy Hutton, President 816-632-9740
