City Manager Troy Anderson named Richard Kemple interim director of Independence Power & Light, effective Aug. 8, following the departure of director Joe Hegendeffer, who left Aug. 7 for a new professional opportunity. The city says the interim appointment ensures continuity of IPL operations and reliable service.
The city's nationwide recruitment for the next Chief of Police remains open; applications are accepted through Monday, Aug. 17.
Independence council has approved a 180-day moratorium on new data center and battery energy storage system (BESS) applications. It applies only to new projects and does not cover the already-approved Nebius data center or a Patmos application in the Little Blue Valley. Sponsor and District 2 Councilman Brice Stewart said the pause lets the city review zoning and code rules; opponents called it "a good start" but a "quarter measure."
Mayor Rory Rowland says the personal-conduct resolution the City Council approved last week is about ensuring elected officials are "not above reproach" as they go about city business.
The Independence School District Board of Education held its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11 (agenda for that meeting is the most recent on file). No agenda has been published yet for the next meeting.
Fall sports practice is underway, with The Examiner previewing the Van Horn girls volleyball team. The Examiner also reported Fort Osage's Class of '26 graduated 328 students.
New filing: BLEU HOUSE BISTRO (Retail by Drink) at 15800 US 24, filed 08/06/2026 — the most recent local liquor filing, from licensee Bleu House Bistro, Inc.
The Police Involved Incident Team (PITT) is investigating a shooting involving Independence Police. Officers were called just after 10 p.m. Monday to a domestic disturbance with an armed person in the 1100 block of S. McCoy St.; shots were exchanged, and the suspect suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a hospital, and is in custody. No officers were hurt.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol canceled an Amber Alert issued Monday afternoon for a white 2026 Ford Expedition out of Independence. A 9-month-old child was located safe and a 37-year-old man taken into custody after a traffic stop on I-70 near Buckner Tarsney Road; the case is under the Lee's Summit Police Department's investigation.
— KCTV5, Aug 10 · FOX4KC
Independence police want the public's help locating Dustin D. Phegley, 42, wanted on an active Independence warrant.
The Sept. 1 special election stems from District 1 Councilman John Perkins' vote approving incentives for the Nebius AI data center — a 20-year, 90% tax abatement plus $150 million in bonds. Letters regarding the recall are due 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.
— Examiner, Aug 7 · KCTV5, Jul 8 · Spectrum News, Jun 23 · Ballotpedia
Missouri voters passed Amendment 2 (electing Jackson County's assessor) and rejected Amendment 5 — KCTV reports 83% voted against the income-tax-replacement proposal. Eastern Jackson County election officials also addressed Aug. 4 ballot shortages.
— KCUR, Aug 4 · KCTV5
Fraud-prevention open house Wednesday at the Palmer Center; the Wednesday Farmers Market returns to Uptown Market.
The Examiner notes Missouri "puts its best on display" as the State Fair opens this week, running for 11 days through Aug. 22.
City-run Homeschool Recreation and Chess Club sessions are listed on the events calendar.
| Wed 12 | ⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning (through Fri 8 p.m.) · Scamboree (Palmer Center) · Wednesday Farmers Market at Uptown Market · high 99°, heat index to 109° |
| Thu 13 | Homeschool Recreation · mostly sunny, high 100°, heat index to 109° |
| Fri 14 | Extreme Heat Warning ends 8 p.m. · mostly sunny, high 100° |
| Sat 15 | Sunny, high near 99° |
| Later | Police-chief applications close Mon, Aug 17 · Recall-election letters due Thu, Aug 20, 5 p.m. · Sept. 1 recall election |