Today (Monday): sunny, high near 100°F, heat index as high as 103°F, south-southwest wind 9–13 mph gusting to 23 mph. Tonight: mostly clear, low around 78°F, heat index as high as 100°F. A dangerous stretch of heat to start the Labor Day holiday week.
Tuesday: sunny, high near 99°F, heat index as high as 100°F (low ~79°, heat index 97°). Wednesday: sunny, high near 98°F. Thursday: sunny, high near 97°F, with muggy lows in the upper 70s to 80°F each night. Hydrate, take breaks in the A/C, and check on neighbors — especially with the outdoor festivals ahead this week.
First District voters decide Tuesday, Sept. 1 whether to recall Councilman John Perkins over his March vote (passed 5–2) approving tax incentives for the Nebius AI data center. KCTV calls it likely the first recall of its kind in the U.S. over a data-center vote, and UMKC political scientist Debra Leiter says it's being watched nationally as the first of roughly 25 data-center-centered recall efforts across the country. The special election, set by the council in July, is the only question on the ballot.
Phillips Edison Group, seeking to buy the abandoned 120,000-sq.-ft. former JCPenney at 17610 E. Bolger Road (Bolger Square), won rezoning and special-signage approval from the Planning Commission to convert the ~10-acre site into a Dillons grocery — with a drive-through pharmacy, online pickup area, c-store and seven fueling stations. The Council is expected to vote on final site plans in the coming weeks; if approved, construction could begin. Dillons, a Kroger subsidiary, would be its fifth Kansas City-area location.
While the Nebius AI factory remains under construction, Patmos — the Kansas City-based "alternative to Big Tech" hosting firm — is under contract to convert a warehouse at 2500 South Little Blue Parkway into a 17.5–70 MW data hall. The company is pitching it as a mixed-use "technology campus" that retrofits an existing building (the site already houses Community Services League and Fort Connect), keeps grid-power preference, and is "deliberately different" from the large data centers residents have pushed back on. It expects to break ground by Nov. 15 if it buys IPL power, or April 2027 if it generates on-site.
Richard Kemple is serving as interim director of Independence Power & Light, following the Aug. 7 departure of Director Joe Hegendeffer (named by City Manager Troy Anderson in early August). Separately, the city's nationwide search for a permanent police chief — applications closed Aug. 17, salary $150,000–$180,000, run through recruiter Strategic Government Resources — continues, with Interim Chief Doug Brinkley leading the department and a public open house planned for finalists.
— City of Independence, Aug 6 · City of Independence, Jul 20 · Kansas City Star
The Independence School District's published board-meeting dates run through August 28 (the most recent meeting); no agenda has been posted yet for the upcoming meeting, so there's nothing concrete to preview. Check the ISD board meetings page for the next posted agenda.
Caleb J. Eyde, 21, an Independence School District elementary substitute teacher, faces one count of possession and four counts of distribution of child pornography, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court (Western District of Missouri). Investigators say cyber-tips about Discord activity led to him; he'd worked for the district since April 2025. Charges are accusations, not evidence of guilt.
The Independence School District dismissed its part of a lawsuit against Jackson County over the county's property-tax credit plan, agreeing with county leadership while still anticipating a financial hit; the Fort Osage district remains in the suit. Ongoing thread from late July.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Caterer - Retail by Drink) at 313 Pacific, filed 08/25/2026, from licensee J Creek, LLC (Limited Liability Company) — the most recent local liquor filing.
New filing: BINGHAM WAGGONER ESTATE (Picnic - Retail by Drink) at 313 Pacific, filed 08/20/2026, from licensee Bingham Waggoner Historical Society (Corporation).
New filings: SMOKE 4 LESS & CONVENIENCE STORE (Original Package Liquor / Original Package Tasting / Sunday Original Package) at 1701 S Noland Rd, filed 08/19/2026 — three filings from licensee Light Liquor LLC (Limited Liability Company).
First District voters decide Tuesday whether to recall Councilman John Perkins over his vote approving tax incentives for the Nebius AI data center. The Jackson County Election Board certified the ballot after a Jackson County circuit judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the vote (Judge Cory L. Atkins, Aug. 12); the council had set the special election on July 6. If Perkins is recalled, replacing him could mean a primary and general election costing taxpayers up to roughly $500,000. Two other "yes" votes — Jared Fears and Bridget McCandless — already lost their April bids amid the backlash. Jackson County Election Board is holding in-person absentee at 215 N. Liberty St. for the Sept. 1 election.
— KCTV5, Aug 26 · Kansas City Star · Kansas City Star, Jun 17 · JCEB
The City Council voted to put a bond on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot for maintenance of city-owned historic sites, with The Examiner reporting the measure targets locations including the 1827 Log Courthouse, Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Historic Fire Station 1 and Vaile Mansion. Forward-looking item summarizing the published action.
The City of Independence is marking International Overdose Awareness Day with free Narcan and overdose information at three spots today: Walmart-Bolger Road (9:30–11:30 a.m.), the North Branch Library (1–2:30 p.m.) and Walmart-S. Noland Rd (3–4:30 p.m.). Mayor Rory Rowland says the tool is a way families can "save a family member's life."
The city's Heritage Commission meets Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Independence Municipal Commons (20201 E. Jackson Dr.); the agenda posts at least 24 hours in advance.
Independence's annual Hummingbird Festival is back at George Owens Nature Park (1601 S. Speck Rd.): presentations and activities as ruby-throated hummingbirds prepare to migrate. Hours: Thurs. & Fri. Sept. 3–4, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. Sept. 5, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free, thanks to the Parks Improvement Sales Tax.
The Labor Day weekend festival on Independence Square (Fri. Sept. 4–Mon. Sept. 7) enforces a 6 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors (under 18 must be with a parent/guardian), after the City Council passed it unanimously in response to this summer's unrest at Lee's Summit's Downtown Days. Officer patrols will "escort them outside" or call a parent; the Chamber provides overnight security.
A bi-weekly program for homeschool students ages 6–18 (PE-style games, rotating activities). Sept. 10 is a special excursion with a nature hike at George Owens Nature Park. $4/child, $15 for a family of four or more.
| Mon 31 | Sunny, high 100°, heat index ~103° · Heat Advisory · Free Narcan: Walmart-Bolger 9:30–11:30, N. Library 1–2:30, Walmart-Noland 3–4:30 |
| Tue 9/1 | Sunny, high 99°, heat index ~100° · Recall election — 1st District Councilman John Perkins · Heritage Commission 6 p.m., Municipal Commons |
| Wed 9/2 | Sunny, high 98° · Heat Advisory expires 7 p.m. |
| Thu 9/3 | Hummingbird Festival Day 1, George Owens Nature Park, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sunny, high 97° |
| Sep 4–7 | SantaCaliGon Days festival on Independence Square (6 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors) · Hummingbird Festival continues Sept. 4–5 |
| Thu 9/10 | Homeschool Recreation, George Owens Nature Park, 2 p.m. |