Ivan Foley

Last Monday, the Platte County Sheriff's Department received an anonymous tip that a convicted felon and suspect in a recent rape case was hiding at a home near the North Platte Middle School in Edgerton. Platte County officers, with assistance from the Edgerton police began a surveillance of the home around 7 a.m. According to a next door witness, Paul Traw, at around 11:30 a.m. eight officers armed with rifles surrounded the home. Meanwhile, one block away, some students were on the school playground for recess. One of them was Traw's son, Wayne. The officers entered the home but the suspect was nowhere to be seen.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Fox of Parkville will be honored with a reception in observance of their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, June 7 at the home of Harry and Wanda Boggs, Route 27 and NW 45 Hwy. and Fox Road, Parkville. Hosting the reception are Wanda Boggs, Jan Fox, Donna Fox and Jackie Dean. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are longtime residents of Platte County and are self-employed farmers. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. The couple requests no gifts, please.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office has conducted an investigation into the suspicious financial matters, allegedly involving an amount of about $13,000. Detectives have forward the case to the prosecutor for review and a decision on charges.

Long ago, a lifelong newsman trained me to always write to a sixth grade level for the benefit of all readers. It's a rule I've always adhered to, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.

Platte City's annual Memorial Day service at the local cemetery was held Monday, with Nathanial Stevenson, a U.S. Army Command instructor, as the featured speaker. Local Boy Scouts and members of the VFW Post 4055 also took part. Mayor Frank Offutt read the names of local veterans who have died within the past year.

A Platte County grand jury handed down two indictments against three individuals last week for the sale and distribution of narcotics, according to Platte County Prosecutor Todd Graves. Raymond Brightwell, 36, Camden Point, was indicted on two counts of sale of a controlled substance (cocaine). Since January of 1996, members of the Platte County Drug Task Force have engaged in undercover activity concerning Brightwell. On Jan. 23 and Jan. 25, undercover officers of the task force allegedly purchased cocaine from Brightwell.

Brown admits some hosts are having to reduce their pricing for the World Cup guests who opt for short term rentals over hotels.

Most short-term rental options are not getting the hyped up, over the top financial promises that were being made more than a year ago in advance of the World Cup, which will be in KC June 16 through July 11. A lot of property owners chose to opt in to the short-term rental market, and most are going to be disappointed with their World Cup return on investment.

Some Platte City residents joined the George family in a day-long celebration Saturday with the grand opening of Jeff's True Value Hardware, formerly Eggen's True Value. Jeff George paused to accept a proclamation from Mayor Frank Offutt recognizing the grand opening of the store, located at 2300 Kentucky Avenue, Platte City. Jeff has been managing the store for several years before purchasing it from Keith Eggen. Jeff's mother, Joy George, reflected that “it is a very special day for Jeff, as he has always been interested in serving the residents of Platte City.”

The Platte City Swimming Pool is off to a good start, even though the really hot weather hasn't arrived yet. Swimming classes will start June 15 at the pool, a midnight swim is set for June 12 and July 4. Staff members are Scott Nash, Mark Hickman, Bob Higgins, Ted Lusk, manager Jackie Coots, Sally Lusk, Natalie Parrett and Kelley Coots.