News

The Greater Kansas City Boys & Girls Clubs on Tuesday, February 6, held its 2024 Youth of the Year Celebration, presented by Molle Auto Group at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center. Following inspirational speeches from the seven Youth of the Year Unit finalists, Jayden H. from the Thornberry Unit was named the 2024 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Youth of the Year, and Dalayne J. from the Nowlin Middle School site was the Junior Youth of the Year. These remarkable Club youth exemplify the values of leadership, service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles, embodying the transformative impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs.

Five- Year- Old Was Severely Injured in Crash Caused by Britt Reid Driving While Drunk Missouri Governor Mike Parson last week announced in a press release, that he was commuting the sentence of Britt Reid who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison for driving under the influence and severely injuring 5-year-old Ariel Young on February 21, 2021 when he crashed his truck into two vehicles on the side of an exit ramp along I 435 near the Chiefs’ practice facility. Six people were injured, including Ariel, who sustained a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for 11 days.

Appeals Court Declines to Hear Eric DeValkenaere’s Appeal Kansas City, Mo.-- The Missouri Court of Appeals has declined to hear an appeal from former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere’s motion for a rehearing of his case that involved the 2019 fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb. DeValkenaere (shown above) is currently serving a six-year prison sentence. In a one-page ruling Tuesday, the state’s appellate court has also denied DeValkenaere’s request to transfer the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. The same court also upheld his conviction last month. The next attempt might be a request to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to pardon him, according to some reports. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker applauded Tuesday’s court decision.

February 28, 2024--Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement after today’s announcement by the Kansas City Chiefs: “Today, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture as the Kansas City Chiefs unveil their renovation plans for our countyowned Arrowhead Stadium. While the proposed improvements promise to enhance the stadium's charm with state-ofthe- art facilities, VIP perks and exclusive amenities, we must critically assess the consequences of these plans on our community and public finances.