Free complimentary copy March 4, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 19
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Mayor highlights achievements, looks ahead in State of City Address By Kris Collins More than a hundred public officials, community leaders and residents from Raytown and surrounding communities attended the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Feb. 25 at First Baptist Raytown for Mayor Mike McDonough’s State of the City Address, in which he highlighted 2015 city achievements and conveyed his hope for future successes in new undertakings. “It is my great honor to be standing here in front of you today because of the help of many of you, who believed in me and gave me a chance to be in this position as the mayor of Raytown,” he said. McDonough called Det. Jim Wolsey, of the Raytown Police Department, and Kansas City Police Detective Vernon Huth to the stage to receive proclamations in recognition of their work on the investigation of the death of Harry Stone, a 60-year-old Raytown man who was shot and killed whiling jogging in March 2012. Craig L. Brown, 24, is facing second-degree murder for Stone’s death. Jack-
son County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker highlighted the work of the Raytown Police Department during a press conference in which she announced Brown’s charges. “Det. Wolsey and Det. Huth spent countless hours on the case and in the summer of 2015, detectives Wolsey and Huth received the break in the investigation, which ultimately led to a suspect, who was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case, on Feb. 8, 2016, nearly four years after the crime,” McDonough said. The mayor also recognized the Raytown Fire Protection District for its efforts in fighting the Feb. 7 fire that killed two at the Somerset Village Apartments, and the department’s ensuing investigation with the assistance of state and national fire agencies. “We’re sad that despite everyone’s heroic efforts we lost Cheri Roberts and her grandson Jerimiah, and her grandson Jabin is still in the hospital with critical burns,” McDonough said, asking for a moment of silence. “Thank you. I’m so proud of our community and how they’ve rallied around the Roberts
Photo by Kris Collins Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough, center, presents proclamations, in recognition of excellence in the investigation of the death of Harry Stone, 60, of Raytown, to Raytown Police Department Det. Jim Wolsey, right, and Kansas City Police Department’s Det. Vernon Huth.
and the other families affected by the fire.” McDonough went on to highlight achievements of every department, but put more of an emphasis on the future, citing Oregon, California and Sante Fe Trails playing a big part in transportation, in addition to the Katy Trail and the Rock Island deal. “We have three places on the trails that are on the National Registry of Historic Places,” he said.
“Those are Cave Springs, Raytown Historical Society Museum and the Rice-Tremonti historical house. We are part of the rail corridor also. “This town of ours is a small town atmosphere in a big metropolitan area. We have great people, churches, schools, police, fire, emergency medical services, city services, kids sports. We never give in and never give up. Our town is made up of a collectively diverse people who are proud, hardwork-
ing, helpful, caring, sharing, talented, hopeful, inventive, friendly people who look after one another and help one another. We are Raytowners. I am proud to have grown up here. I am proud of its people and I am looking forward to being here the rest of my life, and watching this city bloom once again into greatness. I am proud to be the mayor of this cit,y and I always proudly proclaim that I am from Raytown.” McDonough later said his greatest accomplishment in office thus far is the collaboration his administration has inspired. “People are learning to work together, and it is a learning process and gelling process,” he said. “It’s most important that that takes place the first year so people can move forward and work together. “Moving the projects forward, the reactivation of the municipal and finance committees, so that staff and board can work together to better understand projects coming up before they come to the board, those are the two main things and I think have been very important.”
Raytown retroactively files TIF financial reports By Kris Collins The city of Raytown has filed financial statements for the Tax Increment Finance district used to fund the Raytown Live redevelopment project along Missouri 350 after it came to light in February that the city had failed to file documents mandated by state law from 2012 through 2015. “It was one of those things that had we known about it would have been filed, but it just fell through the cracks,” said City Administrator Mahesh Sharma. A Tax Increment Finance, or TIF, district is a funding mechanism commonly used to fund large-scale projects. The TIF captures tax revenue and allows a city to pay off bonds used for a redevelopment project over a long period of time. The TIF district in question was formed to redevelop approximately 30 acres of property along Missouri 350 as part of a project called Raytown Live, of which phase one included Wal-Mart. Sharma said the failure to file the documents was an oversight and attributed it, in part, to high turnover of city staff. The city, however, filed the financial reports required by state law from 2008 to 2011. Two different city employees prepared those documents. The Missouri
Department of Revenue, to which reports are to be submitted, sends reminders about financial filings. Sharma said a change in filing requirements also contributed to the missed deadlines. The new filing process is conducted online and requires a personal identification number (PIN). “Whether we received a PIN number from the state or not, at some point they discontinued sending the reminders,” Sharma said. The Missouri Department of Revenue did not return calls by press time, and the Raytown-Brooking Eagle is unable to report at this time how many notifications were sent to the city. The Missouri Department of Revenue’s website states that entities that filed reports in 2014 should have received a PIN number in the mail. During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s evening Board of Aldermen meeting, one resident expressed disappointment in the city’s failure to file the TIF documents and called for action against the responsible party. “I’m directing my concern at staff, not at elected officials,” said John Wiley, who specifically cited the city’s finance director and administrator. “Someone in the staff is responsible for this happening for four years.”
Wiley said the mistake should cost the responsible party his or her job, or warrant a motion of no confidence from the board. “Something significant should happen,” Wiley added. The financial reports filed from 2008-2011 appear to be incomplete and inaccurate. For example, the 2008-2009 and the 2009-2010 reports contain the same exact data. Though the missing documents from 20122015 have been filed, the information doesn’t appear any more reliable. The 2015 reports, like others filed before it, state no money has been spent on public infrastructure for the Raytown Live redevelopment project. Sharma said questions about finance details should be directed to Raytown Finance Director Mark Loughry. Loughry was out of the office and unavailable for comment by press time. Sharma said the city is still trying to establish how the documents were submitted incomplete and with inaccuracies. “Probably the information came from the finance department and then was reviewed by community development,” he said. “But going forward that’s the direction we will take: that all the numbers come from the finance department. That is where we’re going to have the information uploaded every year.”
Loughry prepared the annual TIF reports from 2012-2015. Sharma said the city is also working with its TIF attorney, Chris Williams, of Williams & Campos, P.C., to rectify any mistakes and establish a procedure to prevent the same problem from happening in the future. Sharma said one solution is to put a reminder mechanism in place so that multiple staff members will receive future filing notifications. He said the system will also lessen the chances that high employee turnover will lead to failure to file the reports. Failure to file State statute calls for a ban of no less than five years on the formation of new TIFs should an entity fail to meet all the filing requirements, which includes documents apart from the financial reports. In December 2015, a Boone County judge ordered a five-year ban on the formation of new TIFs in the city of Columbia after it failed to meet reporting requirements 23 to 25 times since 2009, according to court documents. The city failed to file annual financial statements and failed to publish annual TIF statements in a local newspaper. Sharma said he currently has no indication from the state that any such penalty will be handed down to Raytown.
“We believe and we have, as of last week, met the obligation of providing the report, even though it was not annual,” Sharma said. “We have submitted the 2015 report. We just have to see.” Sharma said it is difficult to measure the potential impact of such a penalty for Raytown. He noted there are currently no developers seeking to form a TIF in Raytown, and said TIFs are becoming a less popular financing mechanism, especially during the past eight to 10 years. The city is currently trying to establish — among other things — when a five-year redevelopment project review, required by law, will need to be held in Raytown. He said the city last held one in 2010 or 2011. “I think once this cloud settles down a little bit we will provide the information, what we are doing to ensure things like that will not fall through the cracks, and the city will be in compliance, as we take these things very serious,” Sharma said. “It happens, unfortunately. … We will be providing some explanation, what happened, why it happened, and what we’re doing to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future. “In the publics’ eye, I understand and totally respect it, but as long as we’re making sure there are enough checks and balances we will try to restore the confidence.”
Arcade opens in downtown Raytown By Kris Collins When business owners Tracie and Darrell Hardin opened Pop That Thang in early October, they adopted a kid-friendly philosophy for their popcorn hangout. Derrell Hardin, and two of his business partners, are like-minded with their new business QuarterStop Arcade, located at Raytown Plaza. “We love children, and youth. That’s our heart and our passion,” Darrell Hardin said. “We need a way that can we attract them and give them something positive to do. Once we can give them something positive to do, then that gives us
an opportunity to talk to the youth. Our concern is their vision and their dreams.” Specifically, he said he talks to kids about their plans for the future, what they see themselves doing in the next few years after graduation. “When I get an answer like, ‘I don’t know,’ then I have a problem with that, when you’re in the ninth or tenth grade and not sure what you’re going to do,” he said. “That opens the door for us to talk to them.” QuarterStop, co-owned by Eddie Norton, Jr. and Andrew Davis, is similar to Pop That Thang in that it too can be rented out for parties,
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granting gamers access to the “classic” games (Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Galactica, among others) in the back room. The arcade’s main floor houses everything from whack-em type games, to classic shooters and game show-style video games. The business opened Tuesday. Weekday hours are 4 to 9 p.m., and open until 10 p.m. on weekends. QuarterStop Arcade is offering buy-one-get-one on games this Saturday for its opening. Hardin said he hopes in the future to forge partnerships with youth programs and organizations to offer kids and adult entertainment in Raytown.
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Photo by Kris Collins Business owner Darrell Hardin plays a game at his newly opened arcade, QuaterStop Arcade, located in the Raytown Plaza.
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Sword-wielding man charged in police chase, crash into Raytown church By Kris Collins Felony charges have been brought against a man who took Raytown police on a 40-minute chase this past week that ended with a UHaul truck crashing in the front of First Baptist Raytown on Missouri 350. Phillip D. Perkins, 44, was charged Feb. 25 with two counts of second-degree assault, four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest, and first-degree property damage, all felonies. Police were called at approximately 4:19 a.m. Feb.
E. 350 Highway, where Perkins crashed the truck into the front doors. He reportedly backed the truck up and crashed a second time into the building, doing an estimated $25,000 worth of damage. The four children and their mother were found in the back of the van, according to a statement from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Police surrounded the truck or ordered Perkins out of the vehicle. He initially displayed a knife, but came out without a weapon in his hands. Offices saw bladed weapons on his body and used a stun gun to take him
25 to a gas station in the 6500 block of Raytown Road on a report of a man wielding a sword. The man, later identified as Perkins, reportedly made statements about believing in God and placed the sword at the throats of two people and then fled the scene in a U-Haul truck. During the 40-minute chase, police learned there was a woman and four children, ages 3 to 8, in the truck. Police effectively deployed stop sticks to deflate the truck’s tires and slow it down. Police said Perkins is related to the passengers. The chase ended at First Baptist Raytown, at 10500
into custody. Perkins was found with more than 20 weapons on his person, including knives, a sword and a blowgun. Harper said Perkins was not in possession of drugs or a firearm. He said the motive behind his actions at the gas station or the chase is not immediately clear. “There’s no indication of suicide by police,” he said. “As far as mental health or any other issues, there was a lot of erratic behavior, but we haven’t confirmed anything like that.” No injuries were reported in the incident. He is being held on $100,000 bond.
Photo courtesy Raytown Police Department A man fleeing from police did and estimated $25,000 in damages to the front of First Baptist Raytown after he crashed a moving truck into the front of the building in the early morning hours of Feb. 25.
KC man pleads guilty to armed Craigslist robberies A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court Feb. 23 to his role in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies against victims who were lured through an advertisement posted on Craigslist, according to Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Debvon Buckner, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of participating in the robbery conspiracy, five counts of aiding and abetting the robberies and one count of aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. By pleading guilty, Buckner admits that he participat-
items on Craigslist in order to entice their victims to meet so that conspirators could steal money and electronics.
ed in a conspiracy between May 1 and Sept. 19, 2014, to rob several individuals at gunpoint. Buckner knew that co-conspirators robbed a Hispanic family on June 25, 2014, when the victims responded to a false advertisement for a Samsung television on Craigslist. After that robbery, Buckner agreed to be the primary point of contact with the victims as conspirators continued using Craigslist to lure victims to be robbed. Buckner made initial contact with the victims, while his co-conspirators robbed them at gunpoint. Buckner admitted that he participated in five additional armed robberies in which conspirators posted false advertisements to buy or sell
• June 30, 2014, armed robbery: A victim responded to purchase a cell phone that was advertised on Craigslist. She decided not to purchase the phone and began to walk away, when Buckner’s coconspirators pointed firearms at her and demanded money. After she gave the men $100 they demanded her car keys, cellphone and purse. She pressed the panic button on her car keys and when the alarm sounded, all three of the men ran. • June 30, 2014, armed robbery No. 2: Another victim met Buckner later that night
T
he historic Ivanhoe United Church of Christ, in Raytown, Missouri, is proud to announce its new senior pastor, James Fuller, Jr. This call will set history as Pastor Fuller will become the first African American pastor in the church’s 121 years of serving the communities of Kansas City and Raytown. Pastor Fuller brings a wealth of ministerial experience, having served the greater Kansas City area for over 30 years. For 19 years, he was an associate pastor at Blue Hills Church of the Nazarene. Later he became the associate pastor of Evangelism at St. Marks Union Church. In the past two years, he has served as long term pulpit supply at both Ivanhoe UCC and St. Paul Presbyterian Church. As he served in ministry, James worked in property management and the construction industry. In May, he will receive a Masters of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. The congregation of Ivanhoe UCC voted unanimously to call this man of God to its church. The congregants are overjoyed with Pastor Fuller’s ability to effectively lead ministries of worship, pastoral care, social justice and teaching the Word. Also, his sincere desire that all have personal relationship with Christ. The members of Ivanhoe invite you to meet their new pastor and his wife Cynthia by joining them on any Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. at 6512 Woodson Road. On March 13, the Evangelism Committee is hosting a Friends and Family Day with a light breakfast, following the worship service. All are welcome!
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on the same date. She had been contacted about purchasing an XBOX One that she posted for sale on Craigslist. When she arrived (with three other persons, one of whom was a minor) at Ridge Pointe Apartments, Buckner showed her that he had cash to make the purchase. As soon as she took out the XBOX, he took it and ran. Buckner’s co-conspirators, armed with handguns, approached and pointed the guns at the victims in the vehicle. They demanded all of their money, purses, and XBOX games and controllers. One of the victims asked for her purse back, and one of the conspirators said, “Get back in the car or I’ll shoot you” and racked the slide on his gun. • July 3, 2014, armed robbery: A victim was robbed while trying to buy an XBOX from a Craigslist advertisement. The victim met Buckner at Ridge Pointe Apartments after he had agreed to give him $160 and a Samsung Galaxy watch to buy the XBOX. One co-conspirator was in hiding and armed with a firearm while another co-conspirator waited in the getaway ve-
hicle. When Buckner refused to make the exchange, the victim began walking back to his car. Buckner’s co-conspirator appeared, pointed a firearm at him and demanded money. The two men took the watch and the cash then fled. • July 16, 2014, armed robbery and shooting: Three victims met Buckner at 5500 E. 84thTerrace in Kansas City to look at a Hyundai Sonata that was falsely listed for sale in a Craigslist advertisement. Buckner’s two co-conspirators were hiding, armed with firearms. Buckner accompanied two of the victims as they took a test drive in the vehicle and made a purchase offer. Buckner agreed, but stated he needed to call his wife about the purchase and walked away. As he walked away, the two co-conspirators appeared and each pointed a firearm at the victims and demanded money. The victims tried to return to their car, but Buckner’s conspirators shot the two adult victims multiple times. Conspirators took money and personal property (including a purse that contained $500) from the victims then
shot one of the victims again, striking him an additional time. Conspirators fled from the area in the Hyundai Sonata, which was found shortly afterward behind an abandoned house. One of the victims was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries from multiple gunshot wounds. • July 16, 2014, armed robbery No. 2: Earlier on the same day, on the afternoon of July 16, 2014, another victim had been contacted by Buckner, who said he wanted to purchase an XBOX One that the victim had listed for sale on Craigslist. The victim arranged to meet Buckner at Ridge Pointe Apartments in Kansas City. When he arrived, Buckner approached him and asked to see the XBOX. When the victim handed him the XBOX, Buckner’s two co-conspirators appeared and each pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded the XBOX One, XBOX games, and the accessories. They took those items then fled to their vehicle. Kansas City police detectives located Buckner on July 17, 2014 in the area of East US 40 Highway and Sterling Av-
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Raytown aldermen running for House seat
Two Raytown Aldermen and a Raytown C-II School District Board of Education member are running for the District 28 seat in the Missouri House Representatives as Rep. Tom McDonald is term limited. Filing for the August
Primary remains open until 5 p.m. March 29. Patrick Riehle, former Raytown alderman from 2005 to 2007, expressed his intent to run to the Raytown-Brooking Eagle at the end of 2015, though he has not yet filed with the Missouri Secretary of State.
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Raytown dept. head to stay at city John Benson, city of Raytown director of development and public affairs, will remain with the city of Raytown for the time being. Benson was one of four finalists for the city administrator job in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mike Hartwell, director of human resources for Fergus Falls, said Benson was among 10 initial applicants
to vie for the job. Hartwell said Wednesday the Fergus Falls City Council chose Andrew Bremseth, city administrator of Volga, South Dakota, for the job. Benson did not return requests for comment. Raytown City Administrator Mahesh Sharma, declined to comment, noting it was personnel matter.
Missouri politics
House endorses $50 million in bonds for vet’s homes
The House of Representatives on Feb. 11 voted 153-3 in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment that, if ratified by Missouri voters, would authorize the state to issue $50 million in bonds for the construction of veterans’ homes. If the Senate also approves the measure, House Joint Resolution 54, it automatically would
go on the November ballot. At present, Missouri operates seven state veterans’ homes with a combined total of about 1,300 beds. As many as 2,000 veterans are on waiting lists to get into one of the homes. The total cost of retiring the principal and interest of the bonds is estimated at $71 million over 15 years.
Corrections director defends execution pay practices Missouri Department of Corrections Director George Lombardi told the House Budget Committee on Feb. 1 that it “would end the death penalty” in Missouri if the department complied with federal law by issuing required tax documents to the independent contractors who serve on the state’s execution team, texecuthe Missouri.net reported. Lombardi’s comments came in response to questions from state Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, D-Kansas City, related to a Jan. 28 story by BuzzFeed News reporting that the department has paid nearly $285,000 in cash to members of the state’s ex-
ecution team since Nov. 2013 but failed to issue an IRS Form 1099 to any of them. The Internal Revenue Service requires employers to issue 1099s to contract workers to establish a record that the workers have earned taxable income. While BuzzFeed reported there doesn’t appear to be any exemption in federal law that allows the department to refuse to issue 1099s to contract workers, Lombardi told the budget committee the practice of paying execution team members in cash and not generating tax records dates to the 1980s and is necessary to keep their identities secret.
The House of Representatives voted 117-33 on Feb. 18 to force the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to sell 42,000 acres it recently purchased for a new state park in Oregon County. The department bought the land for $11 million using funds from a settlement over lead mining contamination. Critics of the purchase complain the land was bought without legislative knowledge or approval and argue that the money should have been used for remedia-
tion in the southeast Missouri counties where the contamination occurred and not for a new park deep in the Ozarks near the Arkansas border. Because House Bill 2187 would force the land to be sold at auction, some lawmakers expressed concern that the state might not get back the full price it paid for it. Under the bill, if there was no buyer at auction, ownership of the land would be transferred to the county government at no cost. The bill now advances to the Senate.
The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on Feb. 23 in a lawsuit that claims the Republican-controlled Senate violates the state Sunshine Law by allowing committee chairmen full discretion to prohibit video recordings of hearings. The case was filed last year by Progress Missouri, a liberal advocacy group, after some Republican chairmen barred the organization from recording committee proceedings. The Sunshine Law generally requires governmental bodies to allow citizens or the media to record public meetings. Progress Missouri says the Senate violates the law when it refuses to allow the organization to record com-
mittee hearings. The Missouri Constitution grants the Senate and House of Representatives the power to determine the rules of their own proceedings. Senate rules empower committee chairmen to allow or prohibit recording as they see fit which they argue trumps Sunshine Law. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem agreed and ruled against Progress Missouri last year. House rules specifically say its committees must follow the Sunshine Law’s directives on allowing recordings so there is no dispute in that chamber. The Supreme Court will issue a ruling in the Senate case at a later date in Progress Missouri Inc. v. Missouri Senate.
The Senate on Feb. 23 voted 31-0 in favor of legislation that would prohibit lawmakers from simultaneously serving as paid political consultants and end a practice that critics contend allows powerful lawmakers to trade
legislative favors in exchange for lucrative contracts from their colleagues under the guise of providing campaign advice. Because the Senate made changes, the measure, House Bill 1983, returns to the House.
House votes to force sale of newly acquired park
High Court hears Sunshine Law case against Senate
Senate approves ethics bill, returns to House
By Phillip Hanson President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation At Truman Heartland Community Foundation our volunteers are getting geared up for our Annual Community Grants process. Our Board of Directors has the responsibility to make grants each year from endowed funds established by numerous donors over the years, many through planned/estate gifts. Last year our grants committee made 59 grants to nonprofit organizations serving our Eastern Jackson County Community and this year over $250,000 will be available for these grants. Organizations that would like to apply for funding this year need to submit an initial letter of Interest by Thursday April 7th. More information can be found our website www.thcf. org. Please help us spread the word about this opportunity to local nonprofits. Awarding these grants is a tremendous responsibility since these donors have
entrusted our board to take great care of their gift of a lifetime made through an estate plan. The needs in our community change over time and these individuals had the confidence that our Community Foundation would year after year through a competitive grants process fund the best programs of nonprofits making a difference in our community. Our volunteer Board of Directors and Grants committee take this responsibility to heart and do their best to ensure we are funding the most effective programs. These gifts of a lifetime made through estate plans are vital to the health of our community. I’d like to share with you some information about one type of planned gift that has been used to create a number of our grant making funds. There are many types of trusts utilized for estate planning purposes. Many people will have a Living Trust that owns all of their assets in order to avoid probate and organize their estate planning.
A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a different type of trust for individuals who care about charities but also have the need for income for themselves or other family members. The trust will generate annual income for the beneficiary of the trust and then the remainder after the life of the beneficiary is available for the charity specified. Beneficiaries receiving the income from the trust could be the donor and spouse, children of donor, or any other designated person. A CRT can be a powerful retirement planning tool for a charitably-minded business owner making plans to retire. For example, a portion of a business could be donated to the Community Foundation to create a CRT that would then generate annual income for the donor and spouse for their lifetime, and the remainder after their lifetimes could create a new grant making fund for our community that could be tailored to their particular charitable interests. In addition to receiving the annual income from the CRT
the donor would also avoid capital gains taxes that may have resulted from the sale of the shares of the business and receive a charitable deduction for the portion of the gift determined to be the charitable portion (the calculated remainder that will go to charity). Appreciated real estate is another common asset used for establishing a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). We encourage charitablyminded people to consider planned gifts like a CRT that can be mutually beneficial, and to inform their attorney or financial planning professional about their charitable interests. The remainder of this CRT could create an endowed fund that will continue to make an impact in our community year after year through the great work of your Community Foundations Board of Directors and Grant Committee. We would be pleased at Truman Heartland Community Foundation to speak with you about this and other charitable giving tools.
Jackson County Legislature Feb. 29 review The following items were approved on the consent agenda by the Jackson County Legislature during its regular meeting Feb. 29: • Item 19075, a resolution authorizing the county executive to execute cooperative agreements
with Hope House, New House, and Rose Brooks domestic violence shelters in order to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence during 2016, at an aggregate cost to the county not to exceed $90,000. • Item 19076, a resolution
awarding a four-month contract for the furnishing of comprehensive medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services for the inmates housed at the Jackson County Detention Center and the Regional Correctional Center for use by the department of cor-
rections to Correctional Healthcare Companies of Greenwood Village, Colorado at a cost to the county of $756,232. • Item 19079, a resolution transferring $40,000 within the 2016 anti-drug sales tax fund, and
Review continued on page 8
Public notice of Raytown police pension board of trustees meeting Notice is hereby given that the Raytown Police Pension Board of Trustees will conduct an open meeting on Tuesday, March 8, at 8:00
a.m. in the Raytown Police Department Squad Room. The agenda will include: 1. Investment Review & Market Outlook, - Brian Perott,
FCI 2. Round Table Discussion 3. Adjournment The 2016 Police Pension meeting dates are:
• 8:00 AM, Wednesday, June 1 • 8:00 AM, Wednesday, September 7 • 8:00 AM, Wednesday, December 7
Aldermen approve permit for animal shelter, adopt stormwater/parks tax split By Kris Collins The Raytown Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of a conditional use permit for an animal shelter during its regular meeting March 1, and adopted the recommended split in stormwater and parks 1/8-cent sales tax revenue proposed by a special committee after months of discussion. The board approved the conditional use permit on first reading for the applicant Monopoly Acquisitions, LLC, on behalf of Raytown Animal Hospital and Midwest Animal ResQ to allow the use of animal kennels at a property located at 10312 E. 63rd Street. Monopoly Acquisitions is in the process of purchasing the
property and plans to lease the building to Midwest Animal ResQ for shelter, according to city documents. The applicant said some concerns from nearby residents were put to rest. Midwest Animal ResQ standards and practices and improvements to the building would prevent odor or sound pollution, a representative from Midwest Animal ResQ said. Alderman Steve Meyers moved to suspend the rules in order to vote to adopt the bill in two readings that evening. Aldermen Josh Greene and Bill VanBuskirk voiced concern over approving two readings in one evening because the bill was part of a public hearing. The motion was seconded by Alderman
Mark Moore and failed by vote of 5-5. A 2/3 majority was required. The board also approved the adoption of the split in stormwater/parks 1/8-cent sales tax revenue recommended by the stormwater/ parks sales tax committee formed at the end of 2015 to come up with a split in revenue to please the city and the parks board’s needs. The revenue split was contested by the board of aldermen and the parks board at the end of the previous year’s budget. The committee was formed, and comprised of members of both boards, to find a reasonable solution, which it submitted to the board of aldermen in early February. The split calls for the parks
department to receive a guaranteed $200,000 annually and the remainder of the funds are to be split 75:25, with the larger portion going to the parks department. The tax generates approximately $280,000 annually. The split may be implemented during the 2016-2017 budget. The alderman can still appropriate funds as they see fit during the budget process, should revenue sources change, for example. The bill was approved 7-3. Aldermen Moore, Jim Aziere and Alderwoman Janet Emerson voted against the bill. Mayor Mike McDonough thanked committee chairman Ralph Monaco and the other committee members for their time and service.
Raytown PD completes training On Feb. 4, Raytown detectives received training for and began using SAFETNet, the Secure Automated Fast Event Tracking Network, which is, a way to enhance multi-jurisdictional communication, cooperation, and coordination, when investigating crime. SAFETNet provided a secure method for inves-
tigators from varying law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information. The SAFENet initiative saw participation from 325 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the Midwest. ,SAFETNet, a Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area resource, is offered to law enforcement at no cost.
Additionally, two members of the Raytown Police Department graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command. Capt. Paul Beitling and Capt. Randy Hudspeth were among 25 graduates of the 10-week program, which was designed to prepare command
officers to handle complex issues of police command and management in today’s environment. At the end of the program, the university awarded its Franklin M. Kreml Leadership award to Capt. Randy Hudspeth. The award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership demonstrated by one member of each class.
By Mark Sandy
affect your investment and income strategies in several areas, such as these: • Social Security – You can start collecting Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payments will only be about 75% of what you’d get if you wait until you reach 66 (assuming that 66 is your “full” retirement age). And the payments get larger from there, until they “max out” at 70. So, if you had planned to retire at 62 but instead retired in stages, you could possibly afford to delay taking Social Security until your checks were bigger. You could work and receive Social Security, but if your earnings exceed a certain amount, some of your benefits may be withheld, at least until you reach full retirement age – after which you can earn as much as you want with no withholding of benefits. However, your Social Security could still be taxed based on your income.
• Required minimum distributions – During your working years, you may well have contributed to tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as a traditional IRA and a 401(k) or similar employersponsored plan. But once you turn 70½, you must start taking withdrawals (“required minimum distributions,” or RMDs) from these accounts. You can’t delay taking these payments, which are taxable. But if you did retire in stages and continued to work parttime, past when you expected to completely retire, you may be able to stick with the required minimum withdrawals at least for a while, rather than taking out larger amounts immediately. In this way, you could potentially keep more of your retirement funds growing in your tax-deferred accounts. • Investment mix – If you planned to retire at a certain date, you might have created a specific mix of investments
designed to provide you with sufficient income to last your lifetime. But if you continue to work, you may not have to rely so heavily on your portfolio – that is, your IRA, 401(k) and all investments held outside these retirement accounts – to help you meet your income needs. Consequently, during these extra years of work, you may be able to withdraw less from your portfolio, thus potentially having more assets to provide for your income needs down the road. As you can see, a “phasedin” retirement could help provide you with options in making a variety of financial decisions. So, plan carefully before you exit the workforce – a gradual departure may be a good way to say “goodbye.” This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Should you retire in ‘stages’?
For many people, the concept of retirement can be scary, both emotionally and financially. If you, too, feel somewhat anxious about what awaits you, you might feel more comfortable in knowing that, depending on where you work, you might be able to retire in stages. As its name suggests, retiring in stages typically involves reducing one’s work hours from full-time to parttime, and then, eventually, to complete retirement. If you enjoy the social relationships of work, and you define part of your identity with what you do at your job, this type of gradual transition may be easier for you to accommodate than the abrupt transition from “worker” to “retiree.” As for the financial aspects of such a move, you will want to plan ahead. A “phased-in” retirement can
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According to the Raytown Times, these missing TIF reports “doesn’t appear to be a big deal”, unfortunately the reality is much different. The City of Raytown is not just negligent in filing these annual reports, it failed to hold several public hearings regarding such and failed to bring these items in front of the Raytown Board of Aldermen during the past 5 years as mandated by state law. Recently, the City of Columbia failed to do just that and was sued by Boone County. Just this past year, a judgment was issued and the state decided to remove Columbia’s TIF economic mechanism for attracting new development for 5 years. For Raytown, these unbudgeted “surprises” could result in huge refunds, the potential to negatively affect the city’s credit rating, securing future grants, delivery of services to citizens, unnecessary legal expenses, and more than that, would undermine pub-
Letter continued on page 5
Missouri should not continue a costly plan already halted by the Supreme Court Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court took the unprecedented step of issuing a stay against President Obama’s massive “Clean Power Plan” (CPP.) The Court determined that states should not be compelled to pay the exorbitant costs of the plan until a federal court determines its legality. The ruling produced a huge sigh of relief from the 27 states currently suing to halt a large-scale transformation of their energy grid through one of the most farreaching regulations ever imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Essentially, states no longer need to scramble to achieve a 32% reduction in power sector carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Despite the reprieve, Missouri has chosen to move
forward with the task of rebuilding its entire power generation sector. This means the state will still undertake the construction of new grid infrastructure, including the many new transmission lines and towers needed to carry electricity from planned wind and solar assemblies. Ironically, wind and solar power have yet to prove reliable in terms of scalability for power generation. Such “renewable” sources of energy are intermittent—the sun doesn’t always shine, the wind doesn’t always blow— and require backup power generation from coal or gas plants. And so, even as Missouri—a state that currently derives 83% of its power from coal—begins to shutter its coal-fired power plants, it will need to build new coal
CPP continued on page 8
Friday, March 4, 2016
Robots are going to write – beep, boop, beep
We want to hear from you.
Facts are stubborn things, especially if one is attempting to make an argument without using many. Recently, The Raytown Times editor Randy Battagler and his out of county assistant Bob Phillips wrote reports in their February 24th edition concerning the City of Raytown’s negligence to file annual TIF reports. In these articles, there were many of these stubborn things that were missing and allegations asserted without any merit or journalistic integrity. Recently the Raytown Fire department discovered that the City of Raytown had failed to file annual TIF reports for the 2012 through 2015 years. This discovery came after Chief Matt Mace and Deputy Chief Mike Hunley noticed several discrepancies in TIF reporting by the City of Raytown. Upon such discoveries, it was found that the City failed to disclose and report its annual TIF statements mandated by state statutes.
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Jason Offutt I’m worried about almost everything. Clowns, tornadoes, the entire cast of characters in this year’s presidential race (it’s like a bad reality TV show), but as my loyal readers know, I’m mostly worried about going on a trip and leaving the oven on. No, wait. I’m worried about bears. That’s not it either. Well, yes it is. Bears are terrifying. But not today. Today I’m afraid of robots. There’s good reason for that. Robots are going to take our jobs – all our jobs. According to an article in Business Insider, by 2025 robots are going to make up 30 percent of the American workforce. Thirty percent. We’re worried about people from other countries when we should be worried about Cylons. These robots are expected to take over the transportation industry, the medical profession, engineering, farming, maintenance, production, sales, management (no big loss there) and entertainment. Oh, man, I got shaky hands just writing that word. Entertainment. This is why I’m worried. These robots can write. For the past decade, algorithms (Al Gore rhythms? Does he dance?) have churned out basic news stories that read like a human reporter wrote them. According to The New York Times, Automated Insights (one of the many companies that offer computer-generated news stories) claims in 2014 its software “created one billion stories.” Am I even writing these words? Hell, I don’t know. Comic artist Andy Herd, creator of “Pandyland,” recently unveiled the results
of a test in which he taught a computer how to write an episode of the 1990s sitcom “Friends.” I guess it probably is that easy. I’d always assumed “Friends” had been written by pulling random words out of a bag, quite possibly by marmosets. “I was motivated by childlike fascination at the possibilities of machine learning and how it could be applied to humor,” Herd told The Washington Post. “I think the scripts are actually better than some current TV sitcoms.” Egad, man. This kind of robot revolution could render writers, uh, something bad that begins with the letter “r.” I’ve prepared for this day since 1984 when I first watched “The Terminator.” Most people don’t know this movie about a killer robot from the future is actually a documentary. CNN nearly said so. According to the network, professor Stuart Russell of Berkeley is certain self-driving cars and drones could become killer robots by 2018. Hasta la vista, baby. What does this have to do with robot writers? Nothing. I’m just nervous. I told you that. Herd released to The Washington Post snippets of the script written by his super evil computer bionic cyborg scriptwriter (I’m only assuming most of those adjectives. He probably did it on some kind of MacBook). Here’s one exchange from the computer-generated episode of “Friends:” Phoebe: Wow lady! You’re just gonna come over to him jumpy! (They start to cry.) Chandler: So, Phoebe likes my pants. Monica: Chicken Bob! Chandler (in a muffin) (Runs to the girls to cry): Can I get some presents. Phoebe likes my pants? Chicken Bob? Chandler’s in a muffin? Oh, no. That’s not the gibberish you think it is. The computer actually wrote an airable episode of “Friends.” My fellow writers, we’re all in trouble. Jason Offutt’s latest book, “Across a Corn-Swept Land: An epic beer run through the Upper Midwest,” is available at amazon.com.
The Grand Ole Opry, Part V: Music City, USA
By George Michaud I thought it only appropriate to pay tribute to one of our national treasures who passed away only a few days ago on Feb. 28. I did a two part series on George Kennedy, the sandy haired “Cool Hand Luke” actor was part of my life during my years with my talent agency and you can go find those two weeks articles I wrote at www.RaytownEagle.com. George Kennedy was 91. RIP, my friend. We had some fun times together. More on George Kennedy in my book coming out in early 2018. Music City, USA is just another name that became synonymous with Nashville. Some might refer to it as just Music City. In 1950 WSMAM announcer David Cobb dubbed Nashville as Music City, USA and it has stuck to this day (soon to be enjoying its first century mark). During those decades through to 1997 when Gaylord announced that the theme park that sat there on 65 acres of land between the new Grand Ole Opry House and the Opryland Hotel would be torn down, making room for the new and exciting Opry Mills. Opry
Producer’s continued on page 5
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Mills was designed to be an huge, upscale shopping mall comprised of stores and entertainment, theaters and eateries spread out from The Opry House to The Opryland Hotel. What was once a family oriented amusement park was now to become upscale shopping, and one might say that Nashville now has its own Rodeo Drive. In last week’s column I was telling you about how I had walked into Roy Acuff’s dressing room only to find him resting, and I startled him. We talked about the time I caught him asleep at my house during a party we had for members of The Grand Ole Opry, executives from the hotel and other entertainers. During Lindroth’s first performance at The Grand Ole Opry, Roy Acuff was, of course, the host and at the end of Lindroth’s first song “Shenandoah” the audience was standing and screaming for “more, more.” Well, Roy was so elated at the response that he said, “And, now a word from our sponsor, Ah, a word from our sponsor, ah…” He just couldn’t remember who it was, so they just cut to the ad, which was for Wonder Bread. We all laughed about it at the party at my home. Lee Greenwood was there at the time. As Lee walked into the master bedroom he said what we were laughing at and Roy said told him he couldn’t remember who the sponsor was when Lloyd was finished playing at the Opry. Lee said, “Yeah, I remember that and it was really funny the way you were trying like crazy to remember it.” Joe Edwards from The Associated Press was at the party, and so were Box Car
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Friday, March 4, 2016
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weeklyBLOTTER From Raytown Police Department
Incidents from 2/17/16 to 3/1/16 02/24/2016 00:31:56 28.178 - CITY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT 6300 block RAYTOWN RD
7200 block Cedar Av
FORCIBLE ENTRY/RESIDENCE DAY (F) 8800 block E 84 ST
02/24/2016 09:47:21 570.090 - FORGERY (F) 10300 block 350 Hw
02/24/2016 02:36:50 28.330.b - CITY, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 8800 block E 350 HWY
02/24/2016 10:00:22 28.139.e - CITY, STEALING SHOPLIFT 9000 block E 350 HWY
02/24/2016 08:31:27 Gen Info - Non-Criminal General Information Report
02/24/2016 12:11:01 569.160D - BURGLARY 1ST/
02/24/2016 12:16:08 28.178 - CITY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT 10300 block 350 Hw 02/24/2016 12:43:41 Recov. Prop. - Recovered Property 10600 block E 78 TER
02/24/2016 15:46:17 28.139 - CITY, STEALING/ FRAUD BY DECEIT PROPERTY OR SERVICE 9400 block E 350 HWY 02/24/2016 15:57:16 566.040 - SEXUAL ASSAULT (F) 6600 block OXFORD AVE 02/24/2016 17:24:26 Gen Info - Non-Criminal Gen-
KC man, woman charged with bank robbery A Kansas City couple was charged in federal court Feb. 25 for robbing the U.S. Bank inside the Price Chopper grocery store on 103rd Street in Kansas City on Feb. 20, according to the office of Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Austin D. Bales, 23, and Sherry L. Ridout, 22, both of Kansas City-North, were charged with bank robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City. According to an affidavit
filed in support of the criminal complaint, Ridout approached a bank teller at U.S. Bank, 1030 W. 103rd St., at approximately 3:50 p.m. while talking on her cell phone. She reportedly reached into her left jacket pocket and produced a note, which she placed on the teller counter. Ridout allegedly told the teller to give her all of the money from the top drawer. The note, according to the affidavit, said something along the lines of: “We have the bank surrounded, won’t hesitate to come back there, only clean bills, keep your hands
visible, money is replaceable, Lifes aren’t.” The teller gave Ridout $1,500, the affidavit states. After bank surveillance photos of Ridout were broadcast by local media, the affidavit states, investigators received several phone calls that identified her as the robber and identified Bales as her boyfriend. On Feb. 24, police officers conducted a traffic stop for a van that matched the description of a vehicle identified in connection to the bank robbery. When police officers
stopped the van, it was being driven by Bales’s father with Bales and Ridout in the back seat. Law enforcement officers searched the residence of Bales’s father, where Bales and Ridout were living in the basement, and found a Walmart bag containing apparent shredded U.S. currency and a Sucrets box containing a white substance that field tested positive for amphetamine. The case was investigated by the Kansas City Police Department and the FBI.
Man charged in connection with officer’s shooting An Independence man has been charged with two felonies in connection with the Feb. 24 shooting of an Independence police officer who was responding to a call at a hotel on U.S. 40. Brandon R. Mitchell, 23, is
charged with second-degree assault on law enforcement officer and armed criminal action in the incident. Court records state the officer was shot during a struggle with Mitchell that developed after he ignored
the officer’s commands to stay out of a room at the Deluxe Inn. The officer reportedly tried to gain control of Mitchell’s arms and he was shot in the foot. Mitchell was reportedly on scene because he received
a call from a relative who had been assaulted. Another witness told police Mitchell attempted to go into a room at the Deluxe Inn when police arrived because he is a felon and was in possession of a firearm.
KC man charged in Feb. 24 shooting A 34-year-old Kansas City man is facing felony charges in the alleged Feb. 24 shooting of a man in the 4900 block of East Linwood. Brian E. McKinzey was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal ac-
tion in the alleged shooting. According to court records, the victim identified his shooter as a man known as “B.” When police arrived on scene the victim said the shooter was still inside the home. McKinzey was reportedly observed exit-
ing the residence and police reportedly found him hiding behind an awning. Inside the home, police found shell casings and a mattress that appeared to be stained in blood. McKinzey reportedly had blood on his face, chest and
hands. Court documents state he was unable to explain the blood. During interviews with police, McKinzey denied owning a gun or carrying out the shooting. He’s being held on $100,000 bond. He’s scheduled for a court hearing March 10.
Craigslist continued from page 2
ner boarded a metro bus, police officers took him into custody. He possessed the phone that was used to contact several victims and wore
the Samsung Galaxy watch that had been stolen from the victim of an earlier robbery. Under federal statutes, Buckner is subject to a man-
datory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
pletely without legal merit and quite frankly, sad. On Friday afternoon, February 12th, Jason Greene, board liaison to the Fire Department, received a call from Chief Mace requesting a meeting that was deemed urgent. After that meeting Jason was informed that Mayor McDonough and Alderman Mock were already aware of the situation with the Fire District. Later that weekend, Jason spoke with Mayor McDonough and was informed that Aldermen Bill VanBuskirk and Jim Aziere had also become aware of this situation. However, there were
several Aldermen who were not aware of the situation. Jason suggested that he would arrange small meetings with Chief Mace so that they may receive all the facts. These separate meetings were held on Monday, February 15th, to give an opportunity for Board members to be informed. The Raytown Times incorrectly claimed that these meetings took place on February 6th and 13th. At these meetings, Chief Mace met with Aldermen to outline the serious concerns the Fire Department had. There were no quorums and no discussion of the city’s response was
had, these meetings were informational only, no sunshine law was violated. After the closed session meeting that following day, the city attorney stated he saw no problem with Aldermen receiving information from the Fire District. Aldermen hold a serious fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Raytown and fact finding is a reasonable and necessary response to any allegation such as this. Beyond the City’s failure to comply with state law, it was also reported within the Raytown Times, that “Sources said that aldermen in the
enue in Kansas City and set up surveillance. When Buck-
Letter continued from page 4 lic trust. I find these potential consequences to be of a very serious nature for the future of our community. Beyond these very troublesome issues, it is now alleged by the Raytown Times that some Aldermen were not professional and were in “clear violation of the Missouri Sunshine Law” for meeting with the Fire Department. Mr. Battagler accused these aldermen of making decisions without the majority of the board. These statements are com-
eral Information Report E 53 ST
02/24/2016 21:55:04 Att to Locate - Attempt to locate
02/24/2016 18:48:21 28.139 - CITY, STEALING/ FRAUD BY DECEIT PROPERTY OR SERVICE 10700 block E 65 TER 02/24/2016 21:08:24 28.98 - CITY, ASSAULTS 6900 block HAWTHORNE AVE
Scan to Read or Visit raytowneagle.com/news/ category/blotter/
Man charged in Raytown burglary A Kansas City man is facing charges for a burglary he allegedly committed in Raytown this past week that ended after a standoff with police. Desmond M. Gidden, 23, is charged with second-degree burglary and resisting arrest, both felonies, for the alleged burglary and standoff in the 8800 block of 84th Street on Feb. 24. O f f i c e r s were called at approximately 12:11 p.m. in reference to suspicious people walking around and behind a residence. When officers arrived on scene they found a window of the home was broken and two people were inside, at which point officers began setting up a perimeter around the home. One of the suspects exited the home through a basement window and fled the area. He was not pursued by police, court documents show. Tactical officers and crisis negotiators were called to the scene. Multiple attempts to contact the remaining suspect, identified later as Gidden, inside the home were unsuccessful and tactical officers entered the home in search for him. Police took him into custody at approximately 3:30 p.m. During the incident an officer fell through the ceilFebruary 15th closed meeting grilled City Administrator Mahesh Sharma on the failure to file the reports and also questioned Finance Director Mark Loughry.” Unfortunately, Mr. Battagler’s “source” reported information from a closed session in addition to deciding to not meet with the Fire District to get clear on the seriousness of the situation. This “source” seems to be making accusations with the assistance of The Times. No other Alderman was contacted by The Times in order to clear up these false charges. We, the undersigned
Desmond M. Gidden
ing of the home and into the garage during a search of the attic. The officer sustained minor scratches and did not require medical attention. The suspect that evaded arrest was described as a black male of unknown age, wearing a black stocking cap and dark clothing. The investigation is ongoing. Court documents state Gidden refused to give police the name of the other suspect. According to police documents, Gidden said he and the other man were in the home in search of narcotics. Gidden reportedly told police the men believed there was a large amount of marijuana in the home. Gidden was also found in possession of the home owner’s vehicle keys, police documents state. Gidden posted bond on Tuesday, court records show. He is scheduled for a court hearing next Tuesday. members of your Board of Aldermen take this unfortunate situation very seriously and commit ourselves to abiding by the ordinances of the City of Raytown, the laws of the State of Missouri, and your trust in us as your representatives to see that proper accounting of your tax dollars is done. Jason Greene, Alderman, Ward II Message endorsed by: Karen Black, Ward I; Josh Greene, Ward I; Mark Moore, Ward III; Janet Emerson, Ward III; Steve Meyers, Ward IV; Eric Teeman, Ward V
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Producer’s continued from page 4 Willie, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Keith Whitley and his lovely wife Lorrie Morgan. Others in attendance to this party, which was thrown for Lloyd by Jack Vaughan because it was Lloyd’s fourth year in a row and with 100 percent occupancy at the
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Opryland Hotel, were Jack’s wife Ellie, Willie’s road managers Frank and Jeannie Oakley, Little Jimmy Dickens, Tommy LaSorda, manager of The Los Angeles Dodgers, my good friend from The William Morris Agency, Sy Sussman, Stan Irwin and his wife Margie, Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, LuLu Roman, Ricky Skaggs and his wife
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Sharon, Roy Clark and Porter Wagoner, Steve Wariner and a host of other names mostly known through the TV show Hee Haw and TNN’s Nashville Now along with Ralph Emory. Our driveway was packed full of cars and up and down McGavock Pike and Windemere Circle was full of car. The Harpland Estate made for six acres on
Scan Code To Read Application Details and Apply or Visit RaytownEagle.com/news/ job-listings/ Windemere Circle and our new driveway went right out onto McGavock Pike. People who lived in Nashville knew it well for a number of reasons, mostly because at night Lindroth had two concert grand harps sitting in one of the picture windows all lit up in gold lighting. Fans would drive by to take photos because it was such a beautiful
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and photographic scene. We are already going over our space allowed so I’ll need to end this week’s column. See you all next week. Until then, y’all stay happy now. George Michaud was a talent agent/manager in Burbank, California for nearly four decades with his own talent agency, GMA. Michaud booked hundreds of actresses and ac-
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tors/ musicians, major concerts around the world and has been responsible for launching the careers of many notable names in television, motion pictures and on the Broadway stage. Michaud currently is semi-retired, still has a hand in show biz projects from New York to Las Vegas as consultant to entertainment venues and new talents as well as seasoned professionals.
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www.raytowneagle.com (816) 353-1218.) Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, Dignity Memorial.
Joanne M. Claxton-Curd Joanne M. Claxton-Curd, 83, Raytown, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 26, 2016. Visitation is from 5 to 6:30p.m, followed by Eulogy at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 6th, at McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home, 11924 E. 47th St., KC, MO. Funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 7th, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 9020 E. 51st Terr. K.C., MO. Burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO. After burial, lunch will be served at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Joanne was born on May 9, 1932 in KCMO and was a wife, homemaker, and mother. She is survived by a large, loving family, including her children, Daniel J. Miller, David L. Miller, James C. Miller, Jr. (Kim), Dawn A. Roy (Bill), Kimberly Montoya, and Jeffrey Claxton, 21 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Madelyn A. Weaver, on January 30, 2016. Online condolences may be made at www.mcgilleysheil.com. Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64133. McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Dignity Memorial, Life Well Celebrated. Kelley Robert Cochran Kelley Robert Cochran, 56, passed away on February 24, 2016. Family greeted friends from 12:30pm to 2pm on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, with a memorial service that followed at 2pm, both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. Inurnment took place at Floral Hills East Cemetery. His family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association in his honor. Kelley was born on August 7, 1959, in Kansas City, MO, to Norman and Claudia (Crutchfield) Cochran. He graduated from Raytown South High School in the class of 1977. He went to work for Ford Claycomo Plant as an assembly line worker in the truck department, retiring from there after 22 years. He later worked for Century Concrete Company, Cassidy Trucking Company, and Wicklin Trucking Company. His passions in life were spending time with his family, taking walks, fishing, and watching auto racing. He also enjoyed searching for good deals at Goodwill. Kelley is survived by his two children, Robert Cochran (wife, Ashley) and Amanda Thompson (husband, Danny); mother, Claudia Cochran; sisters, Tamara Bohlman (husband, Bruce) and Tracy Waugh; grandchildren, Tyler Cochran, Austin Cochran, and Sophia Cochran, Danny Thompson III, Ryley Thompson, and Dalton Thompson. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Cochran, and grandparents, Claude and Ella Crutchfield and Jack and Lela Cochran. Online condolences at: www.speakschapel. com (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816- 373-3600) Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816-373-3600. Roy Dale Edwards Roy Dale Edwards, 55, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Memorial service was 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in Mountain Valley Funeral Home Chapel. Roy was born Aug. 30, 1960, in Raytown, Mo., to Loran and Ada Moree Edwards. Roy was active in the VFW and Masonic Lodge. He retired as a combat veteran after 24 years in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Russell Edwards. Survivors: Wife, Lisa Edwards; sons, Evan Edwards and wife, Katy Turner, and Talon Edwards and wife, Megan; grandson, Odin Edwards; and granddaughter, Raelynn Edwards. Mildred Jean Meyer Gardner Mildred Jean Meyer Gardner, 85, a longtime Raytown resident, joined her Lord and Savior on February 28, 2016, surrounded by family. Visitation was from 6-8 pm Wednesday, March 3, at the Park Lawn South Chapel, Hillcrest Road at 83rd Street, Kansas City. A service celebrating Millie’s life will be held at 10:30 am Friday, March 4, at the Park
Obituaries
Lawn South Chapel. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to City Union Mission. Millie was born July 21, 1930, in Independence, MO, the eldest of seven children of Eugene and Emma (Phelps) Meyer. Along with her parents, Millie was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Watson B. Gardner, in 1986; brother, Fred Meyer; sister, Dora Harmon; and son-inlaw, Kent Bender. She was a 60- plus year member of Evangel Assembly of God. Her love for the Lord and children was reflected in her over 30 years of teaching in the church’s Children’s Department. Survivors include her children, Sharon Bender, John Gardner, Harold Gardner and Charles Gardner; siblings, Georgia Webb, Charles Meyer, JoAnn Exposito and Paul Meyer (Sandy); sister-in-law, Annabelle Meyer; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Arrangements: Park Lawn South Chapel (816) 523-1234. Christopher J. Harris Christopher J. Harris, 45 of Raytown, MO died Feb 20, 2016. Graveside services Friday, Mar. 4, 2016, 12:30 PM at Leavenworth National Cemetery, LVNKS. Arr Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Eileen C. Holloway Eileen C. Holloway of Raytown, MO passed away at her son’s home in Texas on February 20, 2016. Visitation was Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9-10 am, followed by funeral services at 10am at Floral Hills Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Omega Hospice. Eileen was born July 21, 1929 in Emporia, KS to Fred L. and Della Tiffany. She attended North East and then Central High School, graduating from Central High School in 1946. She was employed by BMA in Kansas City for 10 years. She left BMA in 1956 so that she could devote all her love and energy to her family. She was a dedicated, loving wife and mother to her husband and two children. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca Lynn Holloway and husband of 58 years, Charles J Holloway, who passed away in January, 2012. She is survived by her son, Brian C. Holloway of San Antonio, TX and wife Lina; two granddaughters, Katherine Holloway and Lauren Velasquez and husband, Paul; and her Great Grandson, Paul Brian Velasquez; her brother, Carl Tiffany and his daughter Carol Dunn and husband Mark and family. She is also leaving behind many beloved nieces, nephews and neighborhood “kids” who loved her and kept in contact with her throughout her life. She was wise, young at heart and a beloved inspiration to her family and friends and will be greatly missed. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.floralhillsfuneralhome. com Arr.: Newcomer’s Floral Hills, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO 64133 (816) 353-1218. Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, Dignity Memorial. Dorothy L. Hussey Dorothy L. Hussey, 94, passed away February 23, 2016 in Rockwell, Iowa. Visitation will be from 1-2 PM Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Floral Hills Funeral Home with funeral services at 2PM. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Dorothy was born in the Kansas City area and together with her husband Joe was a lifelong area resident. She was a 71 year member and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church of Raytown, a member of the Eastern Star and the Triple L Club. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister and three brothers. Survivors include her sons and their wives, Dan and Rosie Hussey and Norman and Sue Hussey; a daughter, Janet Vandendaele; six grandchildren, Amanda Martin, Annette Barsness, Abigail Lee, Ryan Hussey, Jason Hussey and Stacie Martin; thirteen great- grandchildren; a sister and two brothers. (Arr. Floral Hills Funeral Home,
Catherine Donnici McCalla Catherine Donnici McCalla, 85, passed away peacefully February 24, 2016 with her children by her side. Catherine, or Kay as her family called her, was born in Kansas City, MO September 1, 1930, the eldest child of Alfonso and Finell Donnici. Catherine grew up in the city’s north end. She graduated from St. Aloysius high school. She worked as a secretary at First National Bank. She met her husband Dr. John McCalla who she married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in 1959. Catherine loved her family, traveling, quilting and sewing, and singing in her church choir. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She was a member of Redemptorist Catholic Church. She volunteered many hours at Our Lady of Mercy Home and Visiting Nurses Association. Catherine was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Dr. John McCalla. Catherine is survived by her four children, Charles McCalla of Boston, MA, Alan McCalla and wife Mary Margaret of Kansas City, MO, Kathleen Bartelli and husband Phil of Raytown, MO and Susan McCalla of Kansas City, MO; 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; brother, Anthony Donnici and wife Paula; sisters Josephine Distefano and husband John, and Annette Belfonte and many nieces and nephews. Catherine was a resident of Kingswood Senior Living Community for the past year and a half. The family would like to thank the staff for all of their kindness and loving care. Visitation was from 4-6 pm Thur., March 3 at the McGilley Midtown Chapel, 20 W. Linwood Blvd. KCMO. The rosary was prayed at 5:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial was 9:30 am Fri., March 4 at Redemptorist Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 3333 Broadway, KCMO. Private burial will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Catholic Medical Missions Board, www. ccmb.org. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com. Arrangements: McGilley Midtown 816-753-6200.
Albert G. Saad Albert G. Saad, 74, Kansas City, MO passed away February 23, 2016. Albert was born March 17, 1941 in Egypt. He immigrated to the United States in 1970 and worked as a Chemist at Marion Labs until he retired in 1991. Albert was a member of the First Baptist Church of Raytown. Mr. Saad is survived by his close friends Angel and Lily Casillan. Visitation was 9-10AM, with funeral at 10AM, Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd.; burial in Green Lawn Cemetery. Arr: Park Lawn Funeral Home - 816-523-1234. Jack C. Uhlig Jack C. Uhlig, 89, born Sept. 2, 1926 in KCMO. Jack joined his beautiful bride, Mary Caroline, in peaceful eternity on Feb. 29th, 2016. Jack was the son of Albert George Uhlig and Pearl Weber Uhlig. Visitation was 9:30am Mass 10:30am Mar 3, St. Regis Catholic Church, Raytown. Jack was loved and appreciated by all those around him and will be greatly missed. He is survived by three children Clifford, Kirk (Kathy) and Kris (Russ) who surrounded him with enduring love. He was adored by his grandchildren Shani (Chris), Chad (Mary), Kevin (Jenn) and Kyle (Sarah). His pride and joy were his great-grandchildren Chase, Delaney, Carlie, Madison, Brady, Royce, and Little Jack. Jack was born and raised in Kansas City and graduated from Paseo High School. After high school Jack joined the Navy and proudly served his Country in WWII as a Radarman Third Class USNR-R. Jack had several employers over the years but the one that was near and dear to his heart was the ten years he spent at St. Mary’s Hospital in building maintenance. Jack was a deeply religious man and was a member of St Regis Catholic Church. He was also a lifetime member and past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, Council 4962. One of his favorite activities at Knights of Columbus was calling Bingo, where he would inevitably call “that little booger #1”. Jack married Mary in 1947 and built a beautiful home for his family in Raytown on Spring Valley Road. Jack and Mary enjoyed family time at their Lake of the
Ozarks Home that Jack built. The many family memories that were made at the Lake are forever in our hearts! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on Jack’s behalf to the Knights of Columbus Council 4962, 5101 Blue Ridge Cutoff, KCMO, 64133, or the KC Hospice, 12000 Wornall Rd, KCMO, 64145. Gramps - Today you are finally finding your name in the paper! We love you and will miss you! Go give Gram a big hug and Dagwood a doggy treat! Online condolences at www.speakschapel.com Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E 39th St, Independence, MO 64051, 816373-3600. George Phillips Williams George Phillips Williams MD, 86, died on February 28, 2016, at Foxwood Springs in Raymore, MO. George was born on June 2, 1929, in Kansas City, MO, and was the oldest son of Leslie N. and Velma S. Williams. He grew up in Hickman Mills and Raytown and graduated from Ruskin High School in 1947. While a student at the University of MissouriColumbia, George met Loretta Hayes on a blind date. They married in 1953. After finishing a bachelor’s degree in 1951 and the medical program at MU, he then completed an MD degree at the University of Iowa in 1956 with a specialty in family practice. George and Loretta returned to Kansas City so that George could undertake a residency at Kansas City General Hospital. He liked to recall driving out to Hickman Mills as a resident to assist victims of the Ruskin Heights tornado in 1957. From 1957 to 1960 George served in the U.S. Army at the rank of captain. For most of that time he was a flight surgeon in the Third Armored Division in Frankfurt, Germany. His army service allowed him to combine his love of flying with his love of practicing medicine. After leaving the army George and Loretta returned to Hickman Mills where he opened a private practice of family medicine, which he maintained from 1961 to 1993 and which allowed him to touch thousands of lives in South Kansas City. He was a pioneer in the treatment of allergies in Kansas City. After closing his practice in Hickman Mills
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George moved to Groesbeck, TX, where he began several years of locum tenens practice. After Texas he undertook other temporary assignments, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His last medical service was with the army at Ft. Leonard Wood. George believed in the power of education and served on the board of education for Consolidated School District Number 1 for nine years in the 1960s and 1970s. Combining his love of football and medicine, he volunteered as team doctor for the Ruskin and Hickman Mills high school football teams for many years. He was president of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians in 1984. A proud member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, he cherished his name White Owl. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Grandview Lodge. Loretta and George enjoyed 62 years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother Don Williams. He is survived by Loretta and their five children: Beth Slinkard of Central Islip, NY; Tom Williams (Shelly) of Osage Beach, MO; Carol Adams of Overland Park, KS; Laura Sienkiewicz (Paul) of Kansas City, MO; and Jim Williams of Fulton, MO. He is also survived by his brother Leslie W. Williams of Dexter, MO, and eight grandchildren: Kathryn Slinkard, Rachel Borden (Adam), Nathan Slinkard, George T. Williams IV, Piper Williams, Lauren Adams, Christine Martinez, and Travis Martinez. George was baptized in 1940 at Hickman Mills Community Christian Church and was thereafter a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, at Longview Chapel Christian Church, 850 SW Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO. The family also received friends at Birmingham Martin Funeral Home in Vienna, MO, on Thursday, March 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service at Kenner Church of God, Dixon, MO, on Friday, March 4, at 11 a.m. Burial in the adjacent Kenner Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Fellowship of John at Foxwood Springs, to Longview Chapel Christian Church, or to the Kenner Church of God.
Deborah Lynn Morgan Deborah Lynn Morgan 56 Raytown passed Feb 22, 2016. Visitation was 9-11am service was 11am Feb 27, Metropolitan Baptist Temple, 853 Washington Blvd KCK. Burial Highland Park Cem. (Thatcher’s Funeral Home, Inc.) Marian Pallett Marian Pallett passed away February 26, 2016, at age 86 at home in Raytown, Mo. Services were at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence. Visitation began at 1 p.m. before the service at the chapel. The family requests contributions to Kansas City Hospice, 1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy., Kansas City, MO 64114. She is survived by son, David Pollard, daughter-in-law, Deborah Pollard, grandchildren, Tara Pollard and Christopher Pollard, sisters, Berniece Graybill and Gladys Northington, and many friends and family. Marian was born Marian Hugill August 24, 1929, to Arthur and Elizabeth Hugill of Independence, the fifth of their seven children. Marian’s son David was born January 21, 1949. She married Bill Pallett on July 18,1965, and they enjoyed 50 remarkable years together, taking several international trips as well as turning their home and hobbies into an art. Marian retired at the early age of 52 in 1982 with 30 years of service at Southwestern Bell to have time with her parents and help with their care. She stayed very busy, belonging to the Pioneers of America and the Truman Town Questers. They loved collecting antiques and their home was featured in issues of Country Living and other decorating magazines. Marian lost Bill on April 14, 2015. She said that “No one nowhere had any more fun and laughs than us!” Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Sold at a higher price 8. Instill fear 13. Can be domesticated 14. Oohed and ___ 15. Make too simple 19. Plutonium 20. Necessary for breathing 21. Make happy 22. Mythological bird 23. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 24. Put on __ 25. Type of dough 26. Blushed 30. Celestial object 31. Point __ National Seashore 32. Purplish red 33. Towards the mouth or oral region 34 Portuguese musical genre 35. Steals 38. Acts insincerely 39. City in Belarus 40. Anticipates 43. Paris airport 44. Deal with
45. No (Scottish) 47. Opens lock 48. Central parts 49. Sheep disease 50. Indicates position 51. Doing many things at once 55. Khoikhoin peoples 57. Informal alliance between countries 58. Long poems 59. The state of being poorly illuminated CLUES DOWN 1. Portico 2. Delicacy 3. Punish with an arbitrary penalty 4. Household god (Roman) 5. Public television station 6. __ Lilly, drug company 7. Degraded 8. Free from danger 9. Low bank or reef of coral 10. Exclamation of surprise 11. Lies down in rest 12. Give an education to 16. Provides 17. Fat from a pig
18. Belonging to a thing 22. Branches of a bone 25. Having a cheerless aspect or disposition 27. Edema (archaic) 28. Bo __, ‘10’ 29. Unfledged or nestling hawk 30. Surrenders 32. Type of dessert 34. Planted with trees 35. Washington town 36. Listen in 37. Inwardly 38. Chinese province 40. Garrison 41. Converts thermal energy to mechanical work 42. Holy people 44. Lowest point between two peaks 46. Boundaries 48. Utter obscenities 51. ___ and cheese 52. Member of the cuckoo family 53. Type of microscope 54. ___ and Barbie 56. Michigan
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Entertainment Guide ‘Mad Max’ cleans up at 88th Academy Awards
By Livingston Brees The eyes and ears of the world were focused on Hollywood last Sunday night as the 88th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Chris Rock, took place at the Dolby Theatre. Before we get to the evening’s big winners, I want to talk about Rock’s take on the Oscar boycott by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Spike Lee and a few others. First off, I love Chris Rock. He is, hands down, the best stand-up comedian working in the world today. Even though I thought the majority of his opening monologue was funny, it went on a bit too long. Plus, the fact that every other bit seemed to include another
reference to the boycotts, wore it out really quickly. Overall, a good job by Rock, just expected a bit more. The Internet and the rest of the free world can rest easy now as Leonardo DiCaprio finally has his Oscar. Taking home the statuette for his role in “The Revenant,” DiCaprio finally won after being nominated five times before. “The Revenant” picked up two more wins as director Alejandro G. Inarritu joined legendary directors John Ford and Joseph L. Mankiewicz as the only directors to win back-to-back awards for Best Director. Inarritu was the first to do in 65 years. In the other win, “The Revenant” cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki became the first person to receive
three straight Oscar wins in the Best Cinematography category. The Best Picture winner, the little-seen “Spotlight,” won only one other award for Best Original Screenplay. The only other Best Picture winner to win only one other award was “The Greatest Show on Earth” in 1952. Of all the Best Picture nominees, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” my favorite film of the bunch, won the most awards (six). The George Miller masterpiece won for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. In a really cool happening, legendary composer Ennio Morricon won his first Oscar,
for his score on Quentin Tarantino’s “The H8ful Eight.” The 87-year-old won after six nominations and an honorary Oscar. Still can’t believe he didn’t win for “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” The biggest upset of the night came when Mark Rylance took home the Best Supporting Actor Award over Golden Globe winner and sentimental favorite Sylvester Stallone for his performance as Rocky Balboa in “Creed.” As great as Rylance was in the uneven “Bridge of Spies,” Stallone was the glue that held “Creed,” a far better film, together. He also managed to bring something new to a character he’s been playing off and on for the past 40 years. Congrats to Rylance, but
Sly deserved it. Jeez, I feel like Kayne talking to Taylor Swift. Anyway, here’s a list of most of the rest of the winners: Best Picture - “Spotlight” Best Actor - Leonardo Dicaprio, “The Revenant” Best Actress - Brie Larson, “Room” Best Supporting Actor - Mark Rylance, “Bridge of Spies” Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander, “The Danish Girl” Directing - Alejandro G. Iñárritu - “The Revenant” Animated Film Feature - “Inside Out” Costume Design - “Mad Max: Fury Road” Documentary Feature “Amy” Documentary Short - “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”
Makeup and Hairstyling “Mad Max: Fury Road” Original Song -”Writing’s on the Wall” - Sam Smith, “Spectre” Animated Short - “Bear Story” Sound Editing - “Mad Max: Fury Road” Film Editing - “Mad Max: Fury Road” Foreign Language Film “Son of Saul” (Hungary) Original Score - “The H8ful Eight,” Ennio Morricon Production Design - “Mad Max: Fury Road” Visual Effects - “Ex Machina” Adapted Screenplay - “The Big Short” Original Screenplay - “Spotlight” Best Cinematography -“Mad Max: Fury Road”
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Raytown Community Calendar EVENTS Free Tax Help for Seniors Feb. 3 – Apr. 13, every Wed., 10 am-2 pm MCPL-Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Rd. AARP Tax-Aide representatives will be at the Library to assist seniors with moderate to low incomes with tax questions and tax return preparation. No farm returns or rental properties, please. The tax preparation season is February 1 - April 15. Please contact branch for further information at 816353-2052. Free Tax Assistance Feb. 6 – Apr. 13, every Sat., 9 am-2 pm MCC-Longview, 500 SW Longview Rd., Business Building, Rooms 202 and 204, Lee’s Summit MCC, in partnership with Next Step KC, is hosting counselors from Voluntary Income Tax Assistance or VITA for those who qualify for free aid. Tax services (federal and state electronic e-filing) for individuals with household income of less than $53,000 are available on three MCC campuses: MCC-Maple Woods, MCC-Longview and MCC-Penn Valley. Annual Lenten Shrimp Boil Feb. 12 – Mar. 18, 5-7pm St. Regis Church Parish Hall, 8941 James A Reed Rd. All our invited. Choose from jumbo boiled shrimp; battered fish filet or cheese pizza and sides new potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, a roll and lemonade, tea, coffee or water to drink. Desserts and soda are also available for purchase. Shrimp or fish dinners $10;
pizza $5 and Family Meal Deal of $40 maximum. Live music every week. Take a night off from cooking and have fun socializing. Kansas City Area Bluegrass Music Club Mar. 4, 6– 10 pm Blue Ridge United Methodist Church, 5055 Blue Ridge Blvd. The Kansas City Area Bluegrass Music Club performs a free live stage show of acoustic music and bluegrass jamming. The hat is passed to cover rent. Food concessions provided by the church. Membership to the club gets you information about monthly performances, drawings, raffles and bluegrass events in the area. KCABMC was formed for the support, entertainment and preservation of Bluegrass, Country, and Gospel music. Finding Your Irish Ancestors Mar. 5, 9 am - 4 pm Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, Independence, Mo Midwest Genealogy and KC Irish Irish center present this seminar led by British Isles research expert Paul Milner. Registration is available until Feb. 26 online at Eventbrite. com or by calling 816-2527228. The $60 registration fee includes the full seminar and a lunch buffet. Raytown Night at the Mavericks Mar. 11, 7– 9 pm Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Independence, Mo Ticket offer not available at Box Office. Ticket sales END MARCH 4! Missouri Mav-
ericks vs Tulsa Oilers. Don’t miss the fun and excitement. Join your community for a great evening. For more information, call 816-353-8500 or stop by to buy your tickets TODAY at the Raytown Chamber, 5909 Raytown Trafficway. CPR & First Aid Class Mar. 12, 9:30 am Raytown EMS, 10020 E. 66th Terr. Survive & Thrive is hosting a Family & Friends CPR/First Aid class. The cost is $10. Scholarships are available. Childcare for two to 12-yearolds provided through Survive & Thrive’s Parents’ Morning Out 9 am to noon. Parents can register by calling 816-726-7133. KC Zoomobile: Africa Mar. 5, 11am- 12pm MCPL Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Rd. Join David Martinez of the Kansas City Zoo for an African adventure. We will share African folklore and culture as well as show you an animal or two. Come with us to learn something new about Africa! Register online or call (816) 353-2052. Chess Free Play Mar. 12, 1-3 pm (2nd Sat. monthly) MCPL-Raytown Branch, 6131 Raytown Rd. Play chess, learn the basics, brush up on your chess skills, challenge other players at Free Chess Play at the Library in collaboration with the Raytown High School Chess Team coaches. Chess boards and chess pieces will be provided. All ages - from elementary to high school
students, and adults are welcome to play. (All ages) Registration is required. Register online or call (816) 353-2052. Un-Professionals Trivia Night Mar. 15, 6 pm – 8 pm Extreme Grand Prix, 6731 Blue Ridge Blvd. Doors open at 5:15. Teams need to be checked in before 6 pm. Extreme to offer drink & food specials.Individuals welcome! 1st Place – Cash prize, 2nd & 3rd Place – Prizes to be determined. $5.00 per person up to a 5 member team (at least 2 to be called a team) Must pre-register and pay in advance. Contact staff@raytownchamber.com. ORGANIZATION MEETINGS Candlelight Quilters of Raytown Monthly: Third Thursday at 7:00-9:00 pm Show-Me Quilting, 6221 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown Plaza Open to all quilters. Call 816353-9366 for more information KIWANIS Club of Raytown Three Trails http://moark4.com/raytown/ For meeting dates and location, call 816-737-9955 Marguerite McNair DAR Chapter http://www.mssdar.org/mmcnair Monthly:Second Monday at 6:30 pm (Sept.–June) Raytown Al-Anon Family Group Weekly: Mondays at 7:00 pm
Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd. (west side door, lower leve) Have you been affected by someone else’s drinking? We can help you find solutions that lead to serenity. Raytown Amateur Radio Club http://k0gq.com Monthly: Fourth Thursday at 7:30 pm Community of Christ, 6231 Manning Avenue Raytown Artists Association Monthly: Third Thursday at 6:00 pm St. Paul’s Church of the Nazarene Gymnasium, 8500 E 80th Terr. All artists (over 18) welcome. Raytown Arts Council http://raytownarts.org Raytown Community Symphonic Band rehearsals: All musicians welcome! Weekly: Thursday from 6:45 pm-8:15 pm St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 9349 E 65th St. Contact: RaytownCmmunityBand@gmail.com Raytown Chamber of Commerce http://raytownchamber.com/ 5909 Raytown Trafficway (816) 353-8500 Raytown Democratic Association Monthly: Third Thursday at 7:00pm Come early (at 6:00 pm) to dine and make new friends! Las Chili’s, 6210 Raytown Trfwy
10:00 am (Feb.-Nov.) Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd. Visitors welcome Raytown Historical Society http://raytownhistoricalsociety.org Monthly: First Monday at 10:00 am Raytown Historical Museum, 9705 E. 63rd Street. Raytown New Day AL-Non Weekly: Wednesdays at 10:00 am Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church, 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd. Enter at the back door. Everyone welcome! (816) 353-5446 RAYTOWN TOPS - Chapter #0255 Weekly: Tuesdays at 9:00 am-10:45 am Loma Vista Baptist Church, 8622 Blue Ridge Blvd. All are welcome to TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly. For more information, call Betty at 816-356-6788 or Faye at 816-358-4350 Raytown Women of Today Monthly: Third Monday at 7:00 pm http://raytownwot.wix.com/ raytownwomenoftoday Club Room at Raytown HyVee, 9400 E. 350 Hwy. Add your own event by registering for Events Calendar access at www.RaytownEagle. com or email Events@ RaytownEagle.com
Raytown Garden Club Monthly: First Tuesdays at
Home for dinner | executive chef: mom
Chicken and waffles
By Jacqui Duran There is comfort food, and then there is comfy food. I like comfy food. You want fun treats and meals that you can serve your family that really show you put some effort into dinner, and that you want it to be just as fun as they do. Having fun with my kids and being able to see my family get excited and talk about dinner. That is my happy place. I also really love comfy food that is a short cut, and kind of out-of-the-box. It raises my mom cool factor, or at
Chicken and waffles least that’s what I tell myself. I wanted to try and have fun with a recipe that would normally be seen differently. I wanted to put a spin on something. In other words, I was feeling frisky. While shopping at the grocery store and going down the frozen food aisle I spied a box of Eggo waffles in mini-size. Did my mind instantly go to Sunday morning breakfast? No. It went to mini chicken
and waffles. Doesn’t your mind do that? Oh. It’s just me, huh? Either way, inspiration hit and I instantly knew I was going to make chicken to fit my mini waffles. I grabbed a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and finished up the rest of my shopping. When it was time to prepare, I grabbed two eggs and mixed them in a bowl with a little bit of milk. Next, I reached for the Italian flavored bread crumbs, paprika, salt, pepper and parsley flakes. I mixed that all together, then went to work on my chicken. I prepared the chicken by trimming any excess fat and then dicing into one-inch pieces. I set up my assembly line and began dipping my chicken bites into the egg wash mix and then coating in my bread crumb spiced mixture. Then, I readied the pot. I used my large Dutch oven
and filled with about one inch of vegetable oil and let it get nice and hot. Once it reached the proper temperature, I simply added in my chicken bites and let it cook about two minutes on each side and then set out to drain. As I pulled them out I sprinkled them with some fresh sea salt and let sit. Next, I reached for the waffles and popped them in the toaster. Once they were a nice, light brown I removed and began to assemble. Two waffles sandwiched each chicken bite. I used a toothpick to hold them in place and together to serve. We used some butter-flavored syrup with our chicken and waffles. It was perfection! Not only did the Little Miss think this was the most exciting dinner ever, but it didn’t take me more than 30 minutes to put it all together. Does it even get any easier than this? If it does, I haven’t
found it yet! This meal was fun and still had the mom touch on it, as I knew I was feeding my family perfect chicken nuggets. No mystery meat here! This is a great go-to fun dinner idea, and also perfect for a quick and fun appetizer for your next get together. Enjoy this
one in your kitchen tool kit! Jacqui Duran lives in Raytown, Missouri with her husband and three children. Jacqui shares her passion for food and cooking on Facebook at www.facebook. com/homefordinner.mom and on her blog at http://executivechefmom.blogspot.com. Follow her on Instagram @jduran1313.
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Friday, March 4, 2016
Raytown Sports Cardinals The Raytown South Cardinals clinched a tie for the conference championship by defeating the Grandview Bulldogs by a score of 72-66 Feb. 24 to an invite-only crowd. The
game was previously postponed because of some concern from police of a possible danger at the game. It was rescheduled and opened only to immediate family members of the players.
Blue Jays The Raytown High School Bluejays fell to the Liberty North High School Eagles 50-45 on Feb. 26. The Bluejays finished second in conference to Liberty North. A Bluejays
victory would have resulted in a tie for the conference championship. Raytown High finished the regular season with a record of 20 wins and 5 loses.
FROM THE STANDS
Are we all cross-eyed, or just me?
Photo by R.C. Jones Bluejays junior Isaiah Burton drives past Michael Hughes for a basket.
CPP continued from page 4 or gas systems to backstop these projected wind and solar plants. The question is why Missouri would bear this cost when it is currently under no legal obligation to do so. The stay by the Supreme Court means that all compliance deadlines are now suspended, and the stay will remain in effect until the Court has a chance to review the case
Movie continued from page 7 Because neither “The Witch” nor “Eddie the Eagle” came to my hometown multiplex, I decided to skip out on watching something new and went to see “Star Wars The Force Awakens” for the seventh time. It’s still the best thing playing, with “Deadpool” coming in second. Speaking of “Deadpool,” the R-rated superhero flick from Fox topped the box office yet again last weekend with a third straight frame grossing more than $30 million. It is a phenomenon to say the least, and there’s already talk the upcoming Hugh Jackman “Wolverine” movie will not only follow the awesome “Old Man Logan” storyline, but reach for
anti-drug and anti-violent crime related activities to provide a local match to federal, state, local, and/or private grant funds at an aggregate cost to the county not to exceed $1,064,000. • Item 19082, a resolution authorizing the county executive to execute cooperative agreements with certain municipalities within Jackson County for the purpose of funding their 2016 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programs at an aggregate cost to the county not to exceed $1,079,129. • Item 19084, a resolution following action by the D.C. Circuit. In fact, the earliest decision from the Court on the merits of the case would likely come in mid to late 2017. But the stay is only part of the reasoning here. More importantly, the rule could be struck down on judicial review. The Supreme Court’s issuance of the stay can only be read as reflecting a high level of dissatisfaction with the EPA’s legal basis for the rule. Apart from the costs, Missouri should consider that the R rating, as well. The upcoming “Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice” will also have an R-rated cut released on BluRay. I have no problem with an influx of R-rated superhero/ comic book movies, but only if the source material calls for it. There is no need for an R-rated “Fantastic Four” or “Captain America” when we have “Spawn,” “Preacher,” “Jonah Hex” and even more “Deadpool” yet to come. Speaking of what’s to come, this weekend will see no less than three flicks I’m keen on seeing with Disney’s animated flick “Zootopia,” the Gerard Butler-Morgan Freeman sequel “London Has Fallen,” and the Tina Fey-Margot Robbie comedy “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.” I’ll
awarding a 12-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of body armor for use by the sheriff’s office to KDH Defense Systems of Eden, North Carolina. The estimated use cost is $30,000. The following items were inCLUES ACROSS troduced and assigned to com1. Sold at a higher price mittees: Instill fear •8.Item 4827, an ordinance trans13. Can be domesticated ferring $53,000 within the 2016 14. Oohed and ___and appropark enterprise fund 15. Make too simple priating $270,984 from the un19. Plutonium designated fund balance of the 20. Necessary foracceptance breathingof 2016 grant fund in 21. Make happy Federal Lands Access Program 22. Mythological bird the of the Clean Power 23. goals A baglike structure in a Plan questionable pracplantare orof animal ticality. It __ would yield only 24. Put on a25. trivial Typereduction of dough in carbon dioxide that could soon be 26. Blushed overwhelmed by emissions 30. Celestial object from China, India and other 31. Point __ National developing nations. That Seashore may be viewed 32. Purplish redas cost-effective for Washington, butornot 33. Towards the mouth for Missouri. oral region clean coal that cur34 The Portuguese musical rently powers much of genre Missouri—and much of 35. Steals America— has proven to be 38. Acts insincerely durable, affordable, 39. City in Belarus and re-
grant awarded by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, and authorizing the county executive to execute a program agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the expenditure of grant funds. It 45. Noassigned (Scottish) was to the land use 47. Opens committee.lock 48. Central parts • Item 4829, an ordinance trans49. Sheep disease ferring $210,270within the 2016 50. Indicates general fundposition and appropriating 51. Doing many at once $294,455 from thethings undesignated 55. Khoikhoin peoples fund balance of the 2016 grant 57. Informal alliance fund in acceptance ofbetween the STOP countries Violence Against Women Act 58. Long poems liable. Renewable energy, 59. The state of being poorly in contrast, has proven to illuminated be expensive and low-yield. Missouri would be wise to CLUES DOWN 1.follow Porticothe example of those that are rejecting the 2.states Delicacy as awith costly 3.CPP Punish an overreach arbitrary of federal authority—and one penalty little practical or envi4.with Household god (Roman) benefit.station 5.ronmental Public television 6. __ Lilly, drug company M. Jarrett 7.Terry Degraded Attorney with Husch Blackwell 8. Free from danger and aor former commis9.LLP, Low bank reef of coral sioner of the Missouri Public 10. Exclamation of surprise Service Commission 11. Lies down in rest
40. Anticipates GiveI an education to “Batsee at least one — possibly 12. what thought. Same Provides 43.three Paris— airport all this weekend, so 16. Time,” same “Bat Channel.” tune in next week to find out 17. Fat from a pig 44. Deal with
Prosecution of Sexual Assault Grant awarded by the Missouri Department of Public Safety for a program focused on prevention and prosecution of sexual assaults. • Item 4830, an ordinance authorizing the participation by 18. Belonging Jackson Countytoina thing the “Show 22. Branches of aTax bone Me Green Sales Holiday” 25.exempt Having a cheerless to from the countywide aspect sales taxor alldisposition sales of certain ener27.star Edema (archaic) gy certified new appliances 28. Bo __, ‘10’ from April 19 through April 25 29. Unfledged nestlingwas each year. The or ordinance hawk by a roll call vote. adopted 30. Surrenders • Item 19090, a resolution trans32. Type of dessert 34. Planted with trees 35. Washington town 36. Listen in 37. Inwardly 38. Chinese province 40. Garrison 41. Converts thermal energy to mechanical work 42. Holy people 44. Lowest point between two peaks 46. Boundaries 48. Utter obscenities 51. ___ and cheese 52. Member of the cuckoo family 53. Type of microscope 54. ___ and Barbie 56. Michigan
ferring $16,366 within the 2016 recorder’s technology fund and awarding contracts for the maintenance of computer hardware and software for use by various county departments to certain vendors at an aggregate cost to the county not to exceed $651,501. • Item 19091, a resolution transferring $52,882 within the 2016 anti-drug sales tax fund to cover funding for the sheriff’s office’s 2016 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote.
Solution continued from page 6
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authorizing the county executive to execute agreements with certain outside agencies funded by the county’s anti-drug sales tax fund for the 2016 fiscal year that are engaged in anti-violent crime activities and purposes at an aggregate cost to the county not to exceed $290,000. • Item 19080, a resolution transferring $60,000 within the 2016 anti-drug sales tax fund and authorizing the county executive to execute agreements with certain outside agencies that engage in
Photo by R.C. Jones Bluejays junior guard Isaiah Burton goes up and over Truman defenders for an easy two during the teams’ matchup in the district semi-finals.
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will play for the district championship this Friday against the Tigers of Lee’s Summit at Truman High School.
Harvard Ave
Richard Campbell, of Raytown South High School, soars over a Grandview defender.
The Raytown High School Bluejays defeated the Truman Patriots 52 to 40 in the district semi-finals. Raytown High
I got hit in the eye with a beer bottle back in the summer of 2004. Standing outside an establishment I won’t name, I was completely caught off guard amidst a situation I was directly involved in. I was blindsided, then blind. This incident was an eye opener for me (no pun intended, but don’t ignore it). I was staring right at the entire situation. I could see everything around me. I watched as one person approached the two of us standing out on the patio. I heard the conversation transition from a discussion into an argument. All my senses were focused on the situation. But still something happened that I didn’t see coming. BANG. Spring Training is bringing us, for the first time since the spring of 1986, the first glimpses of a World Series Champion Kansas City Royals title defense run. I never thought I’d see it quite like this. This Royals team is remarkably intact. Does anyone really miss the feeling of Ben Zobrist right now? Or are we waiting to see the result of the only real position player battle between incumbent Omar Infante and
‘pen, out goes Holland to injury (with reports astir there may be a reunion on the horizon) and back home returns Joakim Soria. It’s a push if they are both healthy at this point in their careers, but the bullpen is better because Soria is healthy and motivated, I’m sure. And even if there is all around regression from the bullpen, they would have to try to throw meat in order to be less than respectable. The full squad had their first official work out in Surprise, Arizona on Feb. 23, opened versus the Rangers on March 2 and things largely look the same. And therein lies the source of the excitement. The obvious buzz exists with defending the crown, but hope isn’t springing eternal around here anymore. This town has tasted victory, but the band is still together, and has been mostly since 2014. I’m not the expert here, but being cross-eyed gives you blurred, double vision. Could the wheels fall off as the league settles into its third time through the lineup? Or am I seeing the hazy premonition of two Commissioner’s Trophies? Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap! Sterling Brown is a loving husband and father of 3. Living in Raytown and working as a Behavior Interventionist and Girl’s Basketball Coach at Raytown South High School, he is a life long resident of the KC Metro. A few of his passions are doing play-by-play sports commentary, playing with Star Wars Legos with the kids, eating Rotel dip while drinking a Stella Artois, and camping & fishing. #Ballislife #KeepChoppingWood #allthelegosarereallyforme
Harvard Ave
Photos by R.C. Jones Raytown South High School’s Hezekiah Goodwin goes up for two against a Grandview defender in the teams’ matchup in conference champion contention this past week.
By Sterling L. Brown
World Series Game 5 hero Christian Colon (my money is on Colon and if anyone wants to bet a dozen donuts from Doughboys, I’ll seal the deal with the first reader that emails me)? Jarrod Dyson may have to platoon in right, as he bats against righties, but I’m pretty OK with the guy who hit five triples in his first seven games (Paulo Orlando) taking on the lefties. Despite Dyson’s oblique injury setback incurred during the Spring Training opener versus the Rangers this past Wednesday, our defense is solid with either man. I am honestly sold on having Dyson play center while he is on the field and have Lorenzo Cain play right. If Paulo is playing, have him in right. Cain seems like the kind of player who wouldn’t care about the mindless difference MVP or All-Star votes make between a center-fielder or a right-fielder. Cain is elite, and the entire defense (and offense for that matter) is better without Alex Rios. Plus, Dyson’s injury opens up at-bats in the spring, and gives a sneak peek at the potential in-season, fifth outfielder, Brett Eibner. Remember going into 2015 with questions about the starting rotation? Yordano Ventura, the 2015 opening day starter, was licking his wounds in the passenger car of the next train smoking to Omaha before injury afforded him the opportunity to redeem himself. “Steady” Eddie Volquez may or may not have sizzle because he doesn’t excite or intimidate you. He just goes right along doing what he has been doing: battling and being mostly successful. As far as the
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