A Fresh Start

Zach Godsy speaks candidly about his past. He used drugs, stole cars and committed other thefts. And he went to prison.

“I paid the price,” says Godsy. “Prison was almost a blessing. It got me away from drugs. Having bills to pay was my excuse for stealing...

Jackson County Names Advisory Panel to Review Applications for Children’s Services Fund Board

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. praised voters for “putting children first” Nov. 8 when they approved creating a special fund to support social service agencies that help youths in need. White has now taken the first step in implementing the new...

Pink Ribbon Road Show 'Driving Breast Cancer To The Curb'

Jackson County, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), City of Kansas City and the American Cancer Society kicked off the Pink Ribbon Road Show with a solidarity walk at Ilus W. Davis Park in Kansas City on Oct. 17, with more than 75 participa...

Frank White, Jr. Golf Tournament Raises $17,000 For Local Charities

Two local children’s charities were the beneficiaries of a beautiful day on the golf course. Twenty-four teams joined County Executive Frank White in the inaugural Frank White, Jr., Invitational Golf Tournament September 30 at Fred Arbanas Golf ...

Lee's Summit Road Project Update

Finishing ahead of schedule and within budget, Jackson County’s portion of the Lee’s Summit Road Improvement Project is nearing the final stage of completion. 

The project is a 6-mile, collaborative effort to improve Lee’s Summit Road from Colbern...

The Skeleton In The Closet Identified

There wasn’t another living soul to chat with — to help whittle away the hours on a quiet night working the 7-to-7 graveyard shift at the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office.  “Being bored,” ME Investigator Adam Wilcoxen decided to check the...

Dr. Peterson Completes First Year As Chief ME

She wanted to be a doctor. As a little girl, growing up in the Flint Hills of Kansas, Diane Peterson displayed an early fascination with anatomy and was soon imagining herself becoming a physician.

Then she got older. And she just couldn’t see herself bein...

Program Introduces City Kids To The County's Parks

Frank White, Jr. plans on arranging at least one more trip this year — just in time for the holidays — that will bring kids from the city to the parks in eastern Jackson County. "These kids are just going to be a little older," the County Execut...

Red Friday

T'is the season to wear red, gold and white! The Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City is decked out in the Chiefs' colors as the county — home of the Chiefs Kingdom — eagerly anticipates the kickoff to the 2016 NFL season.

County Participates In New Madrid Quake Exercise

About every 200 years, dating back to 980 A.D., it happens — a powerful earthquake strikes along the New Madrid fault. The last major quakes in that region, the bootheel of southeast Missouri, happened in 1811 and 1812. A decade before Missouri became a s...

'Outstanding Kansas Citian'

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. called receiving the Outstanding Kansas Citian Award from The Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City "humbling." The Kansas City Mayor Sly James and the City Council honored White this afternoo...

Dutch Newman Honored

She was born Hila Bucher Aug. 18, 1920. She died “Dutch” Newman July 27, 2016. In the intervening 95 years and 343 days that were her remarkable life, Newman didn’t just see history get made — she helped make it. 

With the same adventurous spirit ...

Naturalization Ceremony At Historic Courthouse

Nineteen immigrants — from 19 different countries — gathered together at the Truman Courthouse in Independence Thursday afternoon. 

]They sat before the judge's bench inside the famous Brady Courtroom, a fittingly hist...

Corrections Academy Graduates 4th Class Of 2016

Trace Abraham winces. He vividly describes the military training he has endured as an Army National Guardsman in terms of how loud — and profane — the trainers could be. 

“In the military you’re always getti...

Amos Otis Day In Jackson County

What stadium PA announcer did not enjoy introducing Amos Otis? A name that rhythmic, almost lyrical, demands to be embellished — pronounced with extra relish, perhaps an exaggerated hissss, especially when adding the famous “Famous” moniker.

“Now ...

The Skeleton In The Closet

“I’ll tell you all about my skeleton in the closet.” 

Now that she has your full attention, Diane Peterson will pause for effect. What well-guarded secret is she about to divulge? 

Actually, Dr. Peterson isn&a...

Royals White House Celebration

It’s an American sports tradition: Win the championship… Meet the President… 

The Kansas City Royals have now done it twice, and Frank White, Jr. has been there for both of the Royals’ official presidentia...

Jackson County & KCATA Introduce More City Kids To The County’s Parks

The air is thick. The sun does more than merely shine down from high above. It bears down relentlessly — hot and heavy. 

“On a day like this,” observes Gina Genetta, “our kids would normally be stuck inside....

Jackson County's 4th of July Celebration

View a photo album from Jackson County's fantastic 4th of July Celebration. >>> Gallery 2016

Historic Promotion In Jackson County Corrections

Nilda Serrano smiled proudly as she received the double gold bars insignia for her uniform. Then Rex Tarwater, Deputy Director for Jackson County Corrections, promptly told her she’d soon have to give the captain bars back. 

“S...

County & KCATA Provides Kids From Kansas City A Day At The Beach

Kids laugh. They play in the sand. They splash in the water. Sounds like just another typical summer’s day at Longview Lake Beach, right? 

Except many of these children have never before experienced the simple fun available to them throu...

Ivanhoe Gateway At 39th Phases I & II Completed

Calling it a "great addition to our community," Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. joined other local officials and dignitaries in cutting the ribbon commemorating completion of Phases I & II of the Ivanhoe Gateway at 39th project.&am...

Historic Oregon Trail Marker Unveiled On Independence Square

When his wagon train formed outside the Jackson County Courthouse, James A. Pritchard anxiously anticipated the great adventure that lay before him as he prepared to head out onto the Oregon Trail. Like thousands of other settlers before him, he was "...

Rock Island Corridor Acquired

This is just the beginning. 

Jackson County's acquisition of the Rock Island Corridor was a transaction seven years in the making. But after he and Union Pacific (UP) officials signed a contract during a special ceremony today transferrin...

Special Olympics Honors Parks + Rec

Jackson County’s commitment to the Special Olympics dates back decades. The county’s Parks + Rec Department hosts the annual Polar Plunge Special Olympics fundraiser at Longview Lake each winter, and its recreational therapists have co...

Legislature Approves Bonds For Rock Island Corridor

Trains last rode the rails through the Rock Island Corridor in 1981. 

The 17.7-mile line that runs through eastern Jackson County has been dormant ever since. 

But that is about to change. 

During their meeting Monday, Jackson Coun...

Missouri House Honors Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr.

“Whereas, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives proudly pause to recognize an outstanding Missouri citizen who has long distinguished himself as a leader of his community…” 

So begins Missouri House Resolution No. 1736. State repres...

KC Star Profiles Chief Medical Examiner

BY ROBERT A. CRONKLETON bcronkleton@kcstar.com 

As a young girl growing up in the Flint Hills of Kansas, Diane Peterson always was around when her father cleaned game he had killed. 

“What does this do?” her father, a w...

Governor Announces Funding For Warning Sirens In Independence & Blue Springs

JEFFERSON CITY – With spring severe weather season approaching and possible flooding in the immediate forecast across much of Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon today called on Missourians to renew their efforts to prepare for potential deadly flooding, t...

2016 State of the County

Frank White, Jr. emphasizes the need to be "laser focused on the people" in his 2016 State of the County Address. 

He said, "I want to improve the quality of life for people in Jackson County—in every part of the county&am...

Now That's Cool

The Kansas City Royals' new billboard has certainly made a big splash! Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. couldn't resist the chance to take a virtual victory "shower" beneath it. 

Posted on Southwest Traffic Boul...

Frank White Jr. Appointed County Executive

Frank White Jr. has a new position. 

During its Jan. 11 meeting, the Jackson County Legislature selected him to serve as County Executive through the remainder of 2016. 

Upon resigning as Executive on Jan. 5, Mike Sanders named former Coun...

Crystal Williams Elected Legislative Chairwoman

Several women have served on the Jackson County Legislature since it was first formed in 1973, but none has every been chosen by her peers to serve as the Legislative Chair -- until now. 

During their first meeting of the new year, the county&...