Council meets in study session tonight, with the Heritage Commission and Planning Commission both on the calendar for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
— City of Independence events · Heritage Commission · Planning Commission
City Manager Troy Anderson named Richard (Rich) Kemple, formerly deputy director of Municipal Services, interim director of Independence Power & Light, effective Aug. 8, after Joe Hegendeffer left for the private sector.
The city opened its nationwide recruitment for the next Chief of Police; applications are accepted through Monday, Aug. 17. The department has operated without a permanent chief since Adam Dustman resigned in August 2025.
The Examiner reports the council hasn't signed off on the next phase of the Sterling project.
A data center firm aiming for an Independence location says it's taking a "different approach" than the contested Nebius project.
The recall stems from Perkins' vote approving incentives for the Nebius AI data center — a 20-year, 90% tax abatement plus $150 million in bonds. The Council unanimously approved the emergency ordinance to hold the special election; if a majority of voters back the recall, Perkins would be removed from office. Letters on the recall are due 5 p.m. Thu, Aug 20.
Missouri voters passed Amendment 2, requiring Jackson County to elect its assessor. Eastern Jackson County election officials are addressing ballot shortages reported at some polling places on Aug. 4.
— KCUR, Aug 4 · The Examiner, Aug 6 (paywalled — summarized from headline)
The Independence School District board meets Tuesday, Aug. 11. The meeting agenda PDF was not available at collection time, so we can't preview agenda items this edition — check the board's board meeting page for the agenda.
The Examiner's Aug. 10 education roundup covers area students and schools. Fall sports practice also starts this week, with The Examiner previewing Van Horn girls volleyball.
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.
Independence police want the public's help locating Dustin D. Phegley, 42, wanted on an active Independence warrant on statutory rape and sodomy charges dating to 2022.
Fraud-prevention open house Wednesday at the Palmer Center; the Wednesday Farmers Market returns to Uptown Market. The Examiner's community calendar for Monday–Wednesday is live.
— City events · Farmers Market · Examiner community calendar
The Examiner spotlights the Gospel Tract Society, which has been a fixture in Independence for decades.
| Mon 10 | 🏛️ City Council Study Session, 6 p.m. |
| Tue 11 | 🏫 ISD Board meeting, 6 p.m. · Heritage Commission 6 p.m. · Planning Commission 6 p.m. |
| Wed 12 | Scamboree (Palmer Center) · Wednesday Farmers Market at Uptown Market |
| Thu 13 | Homeschool Recreation |
| Fri 14 | — (recall-election letters due Thu, Aug 20, 5 p.m.) |