Archive: 2022 Media Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2022

Jackson County Executive congratulates KCPS on receiving full accreditation status

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) has received full accreditation:

“Today, I am thrilled to congratulate Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, School Board members and the entire KCPS community on this well-deserved achievement. Over the past several years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Dr. Bedell as he endeavored to break down barriers and systems that hindered a high-quality education for our inner city kids. Under his leadership, with the support of the School Board, teachers, staff, parents and the community, significant progress has been made to increase student achievement, evidenced by today’s announcement of the district receiving full accreditation. As a proud graduate of KCPS, I am excited for the new opportunities this status will ignite as we work to build a better, more equitable Jackson County. Go Tigers!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13, 2022

Jackson County Executive recommends public health order requiring universal masking for K-12 schools

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. – in consultation with Jackson County Health Department Acting Director Ray Dlugolecki, MPH and Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Schulte – is recommending a public health order requiring universal mask-wearing at K-12 Jackson County public schools. A majority support of the Jackson County Legislature will be required to enact the order, which would take effect on Tuesday, January 18 at the earliest, or upon adoption by the Legislature and signature of the County Executive.

The proposed public health order aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Jackson County Health Department. County Executive White is making the recommendation in response to the significant surge in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations due, in part, to the highly-contagious Omicron and Delta variants and stagnant vaccination rates in Eastern Jackson County.

“We know how valuable in-person learning is for students, but maintaining that practice is becoming increasingly difficult as schools struggle to have enough teachers in the classroom and more children are getting sick at an alarming rate,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “Masking wearing has proven to be an effective way to mitigate the spread of the virus and will help keep students, teachers, staff and visitors safe in school buildings. Our vigilant masking efforts, combined with vaccinations for everyone ages 5 and older, will be key to reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools.”

County officials continue to meet regularly with Jackson County school district superintendents to discuss the status of COVID-19 and a collective response and provided their input leading up to the County Executive’s recommendation for K-12 universal masking. High levels of COVID-related hospital admissions and associated staffing shortages are putting a significant strain on hospitals, limiting the number of available ICU and non-ICU beds that are forcing facilities to enter periods of diversion. At a briefing this week, Children’s Mercy reported a record number 34 kids hospitalized with COVID infections since the pandemic began and stressed the importance of wearing a mask.

“I think it does certainly help,” said Children’s Mercy Chief Emergency Management Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Watts. “We know as pediatricians that a vital piece to pediatric well-being is for the kids to stay in school.”

The latest data from the Jackson County Health Department shows:

• The 7-day case rate per 100,000 has reached an all-time pandemic high. The week of January 2, there were 1,101 total new cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. This case rate is more than 10 times higher than the CDC’s classification of high transmission.

• The percent positive for school-aged children remains extremely high. While the overall percent positivity is 35.5% for the week of January 2, the percent positivity for ages 10-19 are above 40%.
• The 7-day average of daily new cases increased nearly 450% in the Kansas City region from 898 new cases per day on December 6, 2021, to 4,885 new cases per day on January 4, 2022.

• Vaccination coverage remains low in younger populations. With the exception of the newly authorized 5-11 age group, 25-34 year old’s have the lowest vaccination completion percentage at approximately 49%. This age group continuously has among the highest case rates as well, currently holding the highest COVID-19 case rate for December 2021.

If approved by a majority of the Legislature, the public health order would remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on February 3, 2022.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2022

Jackson County Executive joins Hamilton County Ohio Commission President for friendly football wager

Kansas City’s Youth Ambassadors to benefit from Chiefs win against the Bengals; Media availability today at 1 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. is joining in on the excitement of the Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals by making a friendly wager with Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summmerow Dumas. County Executive White joined the Hamilton County Commission meeting yesterday via Zoom to announce the wager.

Both elected leaders have chosen youth organizations in their respective communities to benefit from the friendly wager. County Executive White has selected Kansas City’s Youth Ambassadors, which will receive a celebratory meal from black-owned restaurant Richie’s Chicken in Cincinnati for a Chiefs win. In the unlikely event that doesn’t happen, Hamilton County Commission President Dumas has selected the kids at Cincinnati’s Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) to enjoy KC’s original Gates BBQ. A high-impact social justice nonprofit, YAP provides community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, congregate placements and neighborhood violence in Cincinnati.

“After that thrilling overtime win last weekend, the energy and excitement are high for Chiefs Kingdom going into the game against the Bengals,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “They may have edged us for the win earlier this season, but Sunday is what really counts. I look forward to celebrating another AFC Championship victory while also bringing some attention to some amazing young people in our communities.”

Youth Ambassadors is an educational employment program designed to empower underserved teens with important life skills, soft job skills, creative expression and adult mentors. This comprehensive programming encourages positive personal growth, equipping youth with the power to have a voice and be active participants in their communities.

Jackson County is proud to have Youth Ambassadors as a community partner in the Our Healthy KC Eastside (OHKCE) initiative, which is working to address inequities on the city’s eastside by increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines and other preventative health services. Youth Ambassador’s role in fighting misinformation around the vaccine and encouraging vaccination has helped the OHKCE program increase vaccination rates in some of Kansas City’s predominantly Black neighborhoods by 50 percent compared with the citywide average, by putting clinics in convenient locations and giving out $50 for first vaccination shots.

Media are invited to attend a photo opportunity with Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., OHKCE Program Director Dr. Jannette Berkley-Patton and Youth Ambassadors Executive Director Monique Johnston TODAY, January 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the 12^th and Brooklyn Gates BBQ.

In addition to supporting youth, County Executive White and Commission President Dumas also showed off the jersey the losing elected official has to wear. You can watch the exchange at the Hamilton County Commission meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l51rT14onII.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2022

County buildings and facilities to open at 10 a.m. due to winter storm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Due to the forecasted winter storm, Jackson County will have a delayed start tomorrow, February 17, with all county buildings and facilities opening for business at 10:00 a.m.

County departments will have limited staff to provide in-person assistance to residents tomorrow, February 17. As a result, residents who need to conduct business with the County are encouraged to use online services at www.jacksongov.org.

The County continues to monitor this winter weather event and will provide any additional updates on its website and social media platforms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2022

Changes align with recent guidance by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In light of recently updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Jackson County will implement new COVID-19 mitigation policies inside its buildings and facilities. Starting Monday, March 7, mask wearing will not be required among staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Weekly COVID-19 testing will remain in place for unvaccinated staff as well as temperature checks upon entering the county buildings and facilities.

These policy changes align with guidelines issued by the CDC, which is now using COVID-19 Community Levels to help communities decide what mitigation strategies to implement based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new cases in an area. Today, the CDC categorizes Jackson County in the medium community level, under which mask-wearing is optional.

“Since the pandemic began nearly two years ago, I have said I will trust and follow the science, as well as the CDC recommendations to determine how we move forward. It is in that spirit we implement this new approach to help keep our community safe,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “Over the past several weeks we have made significant progress in reducing virus spread and stress on our hospital systems. The downward trend is encouraging, but I urge everyone to continue doing their part to protect each other by getting tested, vaccinated and boosted, and to remain respectful of those who still choose to wear a mask in public spaces.”

Throughout the pandemic the County has used a data-driven approach to make informed decisions relating to COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Data as of March 1 from the Jackson County Health Department, shows the following:

• The 7-day average of daily new cases is 20.57 for the week of February 20. That’s down from 322.86 the week of January 23.
• The percent positive is 5.09% for the week of February 20, down from 27.22% the week of January 23.
• There are 101 daily average hospitalizations, a 12.9% decrease from the previous week.

Jackson County continues to encourage individuals in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, to wear masks in public spaces to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. Additionally, anyone who feels ill should stay home.

The County’s COVID-19 mitigation policies are subject to change each week based on its community level as determined by the CDC. Staff and visitors will be notified of any changes on Friday, in advance of new requirements to take effect the following Monday. A copy of the County’s community-level based mitigation policies is attached.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2022

Jackson County announces delayed start for Thursday

County buildings and facilities to open at 10 a.m. due to winter storm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Due to the forecasted winter storm, Jackson County will have a delayed start tomorrow – Thursday, March 10 – with all county buildings and facilities opening for business at 10:00 a.m.

County departments will have limited staff to provide in-person assistance to residents during this time. As a result, residents who need to conduct business with the County are encouraged to use online services at www.jacksongov.org.

The County continues to monitor this winter weather event and will provide any additional updates on its website and social media platforms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. is announcing today that Jackson County will receive approximately $13 million as part of a historic, nationwide opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson and major opioid distributors. The county filed a civil lawsuit in 2018 against the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies for their deliberate and deceptive marketing strategies of opioid painkillers, resulting in high overdose and fatality rates throughout Jackson County.

The case was managed by a team of attorneys from the firms of Williams Dirks Dameron LLC, Simmons Hanley Conroy LLC, Hardwick Law Firm LLC and Boulware Law LLC, under the direction of the Jackson County Counselor’s Office.

“While the settlement funds will provide us with the opportunity to make real improvements in Jackson County, it is important to remember that these dollars will never come close to repairing the harm done by opioid addiction in our communities,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “No amount of money will turn back time and fix all the lives that have been irrevocably damaged, all the families that have been broken, nor will it bring back any of the loved ones lost due to a crisis born from the greed of pharmaceutical companies. I am committed to making sure that these dollars are used to repair as much of the damage as we can, while also ensuring that we reduce the pain that continues to happen in Jackson County because of opioid addiction.”

County Executive White has requested that the Jackson County Health Department begin planning for the use of the funds, which under the settlement agreement, will be used to assist with prevention and treatment programs related to the opioid crisis. Possible plans include coordinating with the CORE4 jurisdictions as the County looks for opportunities to maximize opioid education and support to the community.

“We acknowledge that this settlement will not atone for the immense suffering, loss, and interpersonal harm experienced by many as a result of systemic failures and greed,” said Interim Jackson County Health Director Ray Dlugolecki. “The Health Department will work collaboratively with partners and those harmed by this crisis to identify an equitable and strategic investment of these dollars to help save lives, reduce harm, and build capacity for controlling this public health crisis.”

Settlement funds will be paid over a term of 18 years, with initial payments occurring as early as April 2022. Jackson County’s $13 million allocation is part of a nationwide settlement valued at approximately $26 billion.

Jackson County Executive statement on Arrowhead Stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement amid reports on Arrowhead Stadium:

“Jackson County has been the proud home of Arrowhead Stadium since 1972. And to this day, Arrowhead Stadium continues to be the best and loudest football stadium in world, providing the greatest fan experience in the NFL thanks in large part to the significant investments made by Jackson County residents. The Chiefs and the Royals are under contract until at least 2031. The County looks forward to working with all involved to ensure both teams remain in Jackson County for decades to come.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today, the Jackson County Legislature approved the purchase of a building that will serve as the new location for county administrative offices. A negotiated purchase price of $9,000,000 will acquire the building located at 1300 Washington in the downtown business district.

“The Legislature and my Administration have worked together to dramatically improve Jackson County’s financial position since I took office. By working together, we have been able to dramatically increase our operating reserves, reduce our debt by approximately $100 million and achieve the highest credit-rating in the County’s history,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “I am proud to say that because of our hard work we can responsibly purchase this building without increasing anyone’s taxes, charging higher fees or taking on any additional debt. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to provide the work environment our associates need and deserve, while also improving the customer service experience for our residents. This building accomplishes those goals and will allow us to tackle the long overdue needs of our historic downtown courthouse. It’s an exciting day for the future of Jackson County.”

Built in 1997, the building is a Class A modern office space encompassing three floors across 82,664 square feet, which provides adequate space for all county departments to function effectively and efficiently. A facility condition and space needs assessment determined an estimated cost of $255 million to address significant deficiencies at the courthouse, including but not limited to, replacing the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, as well as altering the building’s interior use for improved customer service and adequate ADA accessibility. Completing this work requires the relocation of county staff to create the flex space that is needed to do improvements.

Additionally, a recent audit by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) of Jackson County’s Assessment Department concluded that the department’s current location in the downtown courthouse was originally designed for storage, not office space. “As a result, the retrofit into offices, meeting areas, and storage spaces does not yield sufficient office space for a current assessment program,” the audit stated. This negatively impacts the department’s ability to recruit and retain staff, as well as provide taxpayer assistance.

“Today, I proudly supported the County Executive because it’s the right thing to do,” said Jackson County Legislator Crystal Williams, 2nd District At-Large. “This new building is an opportunity for us to do good by our Associates, many of whom have dedicated decades of service to the County in less than favorable conditions. And to me, that is unacceptable. Providing our Associates a first-class, modern space with easier parking and ADA accessibility will only improve the level of customer service we deliver to constituents. It's a win-win and I commend my fellow colleagues who stood with me by voting in favor of this essential investment.”

Additional information on the building at 1300 Washington and the County’s latest credit rating report from Moody’s Investors Service are attached.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2022

Missouri Town celebrates Spring with annual Children’s Day & Sheep Shearing event

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Spring has sprung and it is time for FUN! Jackson County Parks + Rec invites you to enjoy a day of outdoor entertainment for the entire family at its annual Children’s Day & Sheep Shearing event on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Children will delight in the time-honored games and crafts typical of the mid-1800s including stilts, egg races, tin punching, log sawing and more. The entire family will enjoy listening to period music, touring the heirloom plant gardens and meeting our heritage breed livestock, including our team of oxen – Studebaker and Weber!

Alongside our Children’s Day festivities, Missouri Town will also feature its resident flock of sheep receiving their spring haircuts. Living history interpreters dressed in historical clothing will demonstrate the complete process of wool production from sheep to shawl.

What: Children’s Day & Sheep Shearing

When: Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: Missouri Town 8010 East Park Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

Cost: Adults – $8.00
Children (5-13) & Seniors (62+) – $4.00
Under 5 – Free

On-site : Jenna Peterson Riley

Media Contact:   (816) 524-8770 jpetersonriley@jacksongov.org

Visit Missouri Town, an open-air living history museum spread across 30 acres, and learn about life in the 19th century. Modern concessions will be available to purchase. Event admission is $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 5-13 and free for seniors 62 and older and children under 5.

Missouri Town is located at 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO in Jackson County’s Fleming Park, near Lake Jacomo. For more information call (816) 229-8980 or visit Missouri Town’s website.

###

About Missouri Town
Missouri Town is a historic site and living history museum, owned and operated by Jackson County Parks + Rec, with over 25 authentically furnished structures dating from 1820 to 1860 on 30 picturesque acres. Professional interpreters, dressed in 1850s attire, bring history to life for all who visit.