Excelsior Springs Weekly News Headlines

Here are some news headlines that you may have missed over the past two weeks, collected and collated from a variety of news sources, all pertaining to Excelsior Springs.

City/Government

Excelsior Springs Municipal Election Results – Excelsior Citizen
Excelsior Springs Municipal Election Results … With a voter turnout at approximately 14%, citizens headed to the polls on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 for …

Council Recap: Changing of the Guard, Community Development Report & More – Excelsior Citizen
The Excelsior Springs City Council met on April 3, 2023, to discuss a variety of topics and make decisions that will impact the community.

Excelsior Springs State of the City 2023 – YouTube – Excelsior Citizen
Mayor Sharon Powell delivers her State of the City Address at the Clay County Economic Development annual luncheon on March 30, 2023.

Excelsior Springs Community Center Update – Excelsior Citizen
Excelsior Springs Community Center Special Projects Coordinator Jesse Hall sent an update on the progress taking place on the outside expansion…

Excelsior Springs Hospital Invites Community to Family Care Series – Excelsior Citizen
The Excelsior Springs Hospital is inviting the community to join them for an exciting and interactive evening focused on local health…

Nurse-Family Partnership Program improves maternal and child health outcomes – Excelsior Citizen
At the April 6, 2023 meeting for the SAFE Committee (Substance Abuse Free Environments), Hilary Lindstrom, Nurse Supervisor for Nurse-Family Partnership,

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to Feature Guest Speaker Tim Doyle – Excelsior Citizen
The Excelsior Springs Christian Ministerial Alliance, in partnership with the city’s mayor, is gearing up for its annual Mayor’s Prayer…

Mid-Continent Public Library Unveils April and May 2023 Programs – Excelsior Citizen
Mid-Continent Public Library is thrilled to announce its lineup of programs at the Excelsior Springs Branch for April and May 2023.

Cultural Heritage Workshop to be held in Excelsior Springs – Excelsior Citizen
Cultural heritage tourism is a growing trend across the globe, with travelers seeking out authentic cultural experiences that offer insight into…

School

Elks Lodge Grants Early Childhood for Third Year in a Row – Excelsior Citizen
For now the third year in a row, the Excelsior Springs Elks Lodge has gifted the Excelsior Springs School District’s Early Childhood Center with …

ESMS Student Council Empowers Students to Make a Positive Impact – Excelsior Citizen
Excelsior Springs Middle School has been making great strides in improving student morale and school spirit, thanks in large part…

Parade of Playhouses includes Liberty students’ work – Courier-Tribune
Northland schools participating in KC MADE are Liberty High School and the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center. A panel of industry professionals …

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame announces Kansas City Enshrinement – Nodaway News
… Vic Bonuchi, Excelsior Springs High School football coach; Charlie Burri, Missouri Western State University coach and athletic director; …

Business

A Recipe for Success: Elms Hires New Executive Chef – Excelsior Citizen
The Elms Hotel and Spa, which is a part of the Destination by Hyatt portfolio, has appointed Christian Arriaga as…

Local Retailers Collaborate in Free Training to Keep Youth Safe and Healthy – Excelsior Citizen
Responsible retailers in the community are joining forces to prevent substance use among youth by attending a free training aimed at..

Public Safety

Excelsior Springs Police, Fire, EMS, and Sheriff’s Reports for April 7, 2023 – Excelsior Citizen
Police blotter, Fire Calls, and EMS Runs for Excelsior Springs, Missouri, as well as Clay County Sheriff, Ray County Sheriff, and…

Excelsior Springs Police, Fire, EMS, and Sheriffs’ Reports for March 31, 2023 – Excelsior Citizen
Police blotter, Fire Calls, and EMS Runs for Excelsior Springs, Missouri, as well as Clay County Sheriff, Ray County Sheriff, and Missouri State …

Fire Department Secures $80k in Grants for New Gear – Excelsior Citizen
The Excelsior Springs Fire Department has announced it will be receiving two American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants worth $40,000…

2 Firefighters Injured in Excelsior Springs fire released back to work – News Courier-Tribune
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS — Two Excelsior Springs firefighters injured while fighting a house fire in unincorporated Clay County earlier this week have …

Troopers Made Several Arrests in the Area Counties – KCHI Radio
At 6:24 am in Daviess County, Troopers arrested 42-year-old Terrance S Jackson of Excelsior Springs for alleged DWI – prior offender, no insurance …

Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 6 arrests over the weekend of March 24, 2023 – KTTN-FM 92.3 and KGOZ
An Excelsior Springs resident was arrested Sunday morning in Daviess County. 42-year old Terrance Jackson was accused of misdemeanor driving while …

Excelsior Springs schools bumped up security after inmate escaped – KMBC
Following inmate escaping Ray County Jail, Excelsior Springs School … the Excelsior Springs School District increased security and limited ..

Deputies search for man who escaped from Ray County Jail – KSHB
Richmond R-XVI and Excelsior Springs school districts closed school Tuesday in response to news of the escaped inmate.

Independence woman has been missing since 2020 – KMBC
Along with Independence, she has been seen in Raytown and Excelsior Springs. She has red, silver or dark hair. The photo provided is from 2019.

Independence police looking for 26-year-old woman last seen in November 2020 – FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV
Police said Pinell has had red, silver or dark hair in the past. She has been known to be in the Raytown and Excelsior Springs area as well, according …

Independence police looking for woman last seen in 2020, just reported missing – KCTV
She has been known to be in Raytown and Excelsior Springs, police say. The image police shared is from 2019. If you know where she might be, …

Family reports Independence woman missing for 2 years; police seek public’s help – Yahoo News
Police said the 26-year-old woman has been known to frequent Raytown and Excelsior Springs. A report was made to Independence police on Tuesday.

Multiple departments respond to large brush fire near Excelsior Springs – KCTV
Law enforcement stated what started as a controlled burn in the 12800 block of McCleary Road near Excelsior Springs turned into a brush fire.

Excelsior Springs man in custody following pursuit, standoff – NewsBreak
RAY COUNTY, Mo. – A pursuit this morning in Ray County leads to the capture of an Excelsior Springs man. Ray County Sheriff alleges Travis Good…

‘We have listened’: KC police chief relaunches missing persons unit amid criticism – The Kansas City Star
Those concerns gained urgency last year, when a Black woman from Kansas City escaped captivity at a man’s home in Excelsior Springs not long after …

Petition in Independence to re-examine pit bull ban in the city – KMBC
Excelsior Springs repeals pit bull ban. “Pit bulls are no more likely to be dangerous than other breeds of dogs,” said Cody Atkinson, …

Pit bulls are still banned in towns around Kansas City. These dog lovers are fighting for a repeal – KCUR
Independence, Kearney and Leawood are the last remaining cities in the Kansas City metro that still ban residents from owning pit bulls.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for April 22, 2023 – KTTN-FM 92.3 and KGOZ
Missouri locations include the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office of Unionville, Excelsior Springs Police Department, Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office …

Missouri voters approve additional sales tax on recreational marijuana – KCTV
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Thousands of voters gave their approval of an additional sales tax on non-medicinal marijuana Tuesday evening.

Excelsior Springs Woman Jailed on Drug Charges – NewsBreak
An Excelsior Springs woman was arrested Wednesday just before noon on a series of drug related…

Political

Diversity initiatives within Missouri agencies run into GOP attack on ‘woke’ government – Missouri Independent
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, advanced a bill out of committee last week that would prohibit public universities from soliciting diversity, …

MO House to debate state budget this week – News Talk KZRG
State Representative Doug Richey, a Republican from Excelsior Springs, calls the proposal a “seismic increase” that he cannot support.

Missouri lawmakers move to strip public library funding in retaliation over book ban lawsuit – The Brunkswick News
Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican, commended Smith for the cut earlier this week, saying it sent a message that lawmakers were unhappy …

Here’s what you need to know: Friday, March 24 – Mid-Missouri News – KOMU
Another amendment the committee discussed was proposed by Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs). He suggested removing nearly $19 million from …

Missouri House votes to ban diversity spending in government – The Kansas City Star
Republican Rep. Doug Richey, of Excelsior Springs, pushed to add the prohibitions on diversity spending to every bill in the extensive budget package, ..

Diversity initiatives within Missouri agencies run into attack on ‘woke’ government – Fulton Sun
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, speaks during House debate on April 12, 2021. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications photo).

Amid massive surplus, culture wars issues dominate debate on Missouri budget – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“I think it’s dangerous to a free society,” said Richey, of Excelsior Springs. “I think it’s crippling our society.”.

Missouri House defeats effort to boost pay for home health aides for people with disabilities – Missouri Independent
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, no agency or higher education institution would be allowed to spend state funds on “staffing, vendors, …

Missouri House votes to ban diversity spending in government – Waco Tribune-Herald
Doug Richey, of Excelsior Springs, pushed to add the prohibitions on diversity spending to every bill in the extensive budget package, …

Push to spend $900M to help Missourians with developmental disabilities voted down – Delta Dunklin Democrat
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, said he didn’t like that the amendment would increase the Department of Mental Health budget by an unacceptable …

Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state budget that defunds libraries – KCUR
Doug Richey, R- Excelsior Springs. “When you look at the language in front of us, we’re just simply saying you can’t promote treating one group of …

Missouri governor mum on GOP push to limit diversity spending by state – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, who is a Baptist minister. He claims his proposal will combat “critical race theory” and “neo-Marxist thought.”.

Missouri House amends budget to bar spending on diversity programs – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“I think it’s dangerous to a free society,” said Richey, of Excelsior Springs. “I think it’s crippling our society.” Democrats said the so-called …

UM System prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion statements in hiring employees – Columbia Daily Tribune
One, filed by Excelsior Springs Republican Rep. Doug Richey, would ban public higher education institutions from requiring diversity statements.

Missouri House adds diversity rule, defunds libraries in budget sent to Senate – The Center Square
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, and a member of the budget committee, successfully passed an amendment on each budget bill.

MO House debates child care, schools & diversity amid budget cuts – Springfield News-Leader
The amendment, added to every budget bill by Republican Rep. Doug Richey of Excelsior Springs, also includes a ban on initiatives that promote “the …

Diversity debate dominates House action on Missouri state budget – Missouri Independent
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, as floor amendments during initial debate Tuesday, the sweeping language became the focus of hours of debate …

Republican ban on diversity and equity in Missouri’s budget will be removed, lawmakers say – Springfield News-Leader
Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican. “Western civilization is just that important.”

Democrats decry racism as Republicans ram budget through Missouri House – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Republican Rep. Doug Richey, a Baptist minister from Excelsior Springs, defended his initiative, which could affect how the state does business with …

Missouri House passes $45.6 billion budget with big changes expected in Senate – KMSU
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, that bars any state funding to go toward “staffing, vendors, consultants, or programs associated with diversity, …

GOP-controlled Missouri House delays vote on Gov. Parson’s $859M plan to expand I-70 – Yahoo News
Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican who also serves on the committee, told The Star that the funding was moved to the other budget …

Missouri Senate leader pledges ‘common sense’ diversity language for budget – The Center Square
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, posted on social media on Thursday. “We don’t need what DEI actually is… Division, Estrangement, Intolerance.”.

Missouri House bans diversity funding; Senate likely to undo – The Joplin Globe
Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, has led the push to prohibit diversity spending. He and other Republicans argued that modern concepts of …

Missouri Republicans use state budget to block diversity initiatives, cut library funding – AOL
Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican who successfully added the amendments to every budget bill, including the budgets for colleges and …

Editorial: What’s past is past? Not if voters refuse to let politicians get away with it. – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Doug Richey of Excelsior Springs is trying to rally fellow Republicans around budget rules to restrict spending on any initiatives that promote …

Editorial: Legislature’s priorities are to prevent diversity, punish libraries, and shortchange teachers – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Creating and approving the state budget is among the most fundamental duties that Missouri legislators must carry out.

Legislature’s priorities are to prevent diversity, punish libraries and shortchange teachers – Columbia Missourian
House Republicans in budget negotiations last week turned back constructive ideas to focus instead on culture-war issues.

Press Release: Clay County Auditor Victor Hurlbert launches bid for Missouri Senate – The Missouri Times
… St. John secures local firefighter endorsement in Excelsior Springs race · Press Release: St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner must resign.

Drebes: House budget rift could strengthen Senate – St. Louis Business Journal – The Business Journals
Doug Richey from Excelsior Springs added amendments across the budget forbidding state dollars to be used in DEI programs.

MO Republicans’ sweeping plan to ban diversity programs send agencies into upheaval – AOL
Our attorneys have told me that it likely would have impact on some of the programs that we’ve been running for many years,” said Robert Knodell, …

Sports

Giving up the Ghost: Excelsior Springs Scream Calls It Quits – Excelsior Citizen
The Excelsior Springs Scream, a semi-professional basketball team based here in Excelsior Springs, has called it quits (for now).

Reed, Dimmitt, Stacye scoop up wins in Lucas Oil Speedway Spring Season Opener – USRA Racing
(2) 07 Daniel Harris, Excelsior Springs, Mo. DNS –) 6W Matt Wacht, Shawnee, Kan. “B” Feature #1: 1. (2) 414 Ryan Thomas, Fair Grove, Mo.

Excelsior Springs defeated St. Pius X (Kansas City) – MSHSAA
2022-2023 Class 2 District 8 Boys Soccer Tournament Matchup: Excelsior Springs defeated St. Pius X (Kansas City)

Excelsior Springs defeated Carrollton – MSHSAA
2022-2023 Class 1 District 14 Girls Tennis Tournament Matchup: Excelsior Springs defeated Carrollton.

Girls soccer: Smith’s hat trick powers Fort Osage to easy win – The Examiner
Smith scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Indians routed visiting Excelsior Springs 8-0 in a non-conference matchup Tuesday.

High school sports scores – The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Springdale Har-Ber 18, Excelsior Springs, Mo. 4. Parkers Chapel 5, Junction City 4. Walnut Ridge 15, Hoxie 0. Softball. Atkins 6, Mena 0.

MSHSAA Excelsior Springs High School Girls Golf History – MSHSAA
Detailed History * Detailed History is limited to years since the 2008-2009 school year. Year, Record, Winning…

Tigers drop two straight in varsity girls soccer – NewsBreak
Excelsior Springs was seeking to return to the win column in varsity…

Featured

8 Excelsior Springs Area Easter Events – Excelsior Citizen
Join the Excelsior Springs Baptist Church, 1500 Rosalea St, for their annual Spring-a-Palooza on April 8th from 11:00am-1:00pm at the church.

Free Parenting Classes Offered by The Nurtured Path – Excelsior Citizen
Clay County families have the opportunity to participate in a free program that aims to help parents navigate difficult situations while…

A Brief History of the Excelsior Springs Post Office – Excelsior Citizen
The history of Excelsior Springs dates back to the early spring of 1881 when the first post office was established…

Chappel Receives State Caregiver Award – Excelsior Citizen
Jen Chappel, a caseworker at The Good Samaritan Center, is a well-known and beloved member of the Excelsior Springs community.

Plant a Native Tree to Celebrate Arbor Day – Excelsior Citizen
Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites people to celebrate the value of…

Obituaries

The following are obituaries of those who have connections to Excelsior Springs. Click here for all Excelsior Springs obituaries.

Richard Vincent Grabill – Bethany Republican-Clipper
On December 16, 1952, he married Sarah Jane in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and to this union five children were born, Rick, Larry, Forrest “Bubby” …

Betty Swindell (1928-2023) – Legacy Remembers
Betty Ann Swindell, 94 years of Excelsior Springs, passed away on Thursday March 9, 2023. She was born on Thursday October 25, 1928, in Claycomo, …

Christopher Michael “Big Swaff” Swafford – KMZU
He was united in marriage to Sherri Smith of Excelsior Springs on April 20, 2022; she survives of the home. Additional survivors include: his …

Ronald Lee Tarepin, Sr. – KTTN-FM 92.3 and KGOZ
Ron was born on January 4, 1954, the son of Waitie and Edith (McDaniel) Tarepin in Excelsior Springs, MO, where he grew up and attended school.

Gerald Lee Miller – Courier-Tribune
Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Crescent Lake Christian Center, 1250 St. Louis Ave., Excelsior Springs, MO 64024. Jerry was born September 7, 1962, in …

Peggy Ann Shull – Legacy.com
Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, …

Robert Rogers – Legacy Remembers
Robert Clifton Rogers, 69, of Excelsior Springs, Mo passed away on April 3, 2023 at VA Hospital. He was born October 4, 1953, Grayson, …

Jane Azure – Legacy Remembers
A funeral will be held starting at 5:30pm also at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs. Jane Marie Made her Entrance into this world & was ..