Luminary Hour: Final Radio Broadcast of the Month this Monday Night

Tune in to 90.3 KGSP on your FM dial to hear news radio as it was meant to be this Monday night at 6 pm CST!

You are there as headlines of the day from Parkville and around the world broadcast via radio waves to a receiver in your very own home or automobile! Then, enjoy the lively commentary provided by Luminary publisher Mark Vasto, Park University's Steve Youngblood and this week's panel guest, former Parkville mayor Bill Quitmeier.

Sponsored by Farnsuckle's Toothpaste and Park University for your listening pleasure!

Vol. 8, Episode 16 Now in Racks!

In this week's saucy episode:

Appeals Court Protects KCI Gravesites from Development
Local Marine Killed in Car Crash
Park Hill School Board Elections Announced
Publisher Files Appeal in First Amendment Case

Also:
Classic Nancy Jack: "The Thanksgiving Day Possum"
Bill Quitmeier on What's new in Parkville
Steve Youngblood on the Missouri American Water rate hike
Bill Grigsby's NCAA Roundball Preview

...and so much more!

Local Luminaries: Carpenters Selected as Honorary Harvest Ball Chairs

The Luminary Staff
The Honorary Chairs for the 2009 Harvest Ball, November21 at the Muehlebach Towers, are Michelle and David Carpenter who have supported many civic endeavors.  In recognition of their service to the community the Carpenters received the 2008 Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Mid America Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Michelle is a past president of the Harvest Ball Society, a board member of the Family Conservancy and was the first person to receive the Heart of Hospice Award as the outstanding hospice volunteer of the year in the State of Missouri in 2001. Among her many  other honors is the 2008 Humanitarian Award from World Outreach Foundation, an organization that organizes and finances missions to provide medical assistance to underserved communities around the world.  She is a 20-year brain tumor survivor.

Missouri American Seeks Yet Another Water Rate Hike

The Luminary Staff

One year after receiving another rate hike, Missouri American Water is back at it again: the multi-national behemoth is asking for nearly a 28 percent increase in local water rates.

Flu Vaccine Available at Parkville

The Platte County Health Department is now offering H1N1 vaccination clinics for the following priority groups, as identified by the CDC:

People who live with or care for children under 6 months of age;  Children ages 6 months to 4 years; Children ages 5-18 WITH chronic medical conditions (you must present an order from your Physician); Health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact; and Pregnant women (you must present an order from your Physician).

H1N1 vaccine is not available for the following children: Children under 6 months of age; Healthy children ages 5-18 with no chronic medical conditions.

As soon as more vaccine becomes available the priority groups will be expanded. These clinics are for Platte County Residents only. A property tax receipt or a utility bill in your name proves residency.

Auditor Warns of Looming Budget Crisis

By Mark Vasto


In little more than two sentences, Platte County Auditor Siobhann (pronounced shiv-ON) Williams managed to utter the two phrases no sitting commissioner wants to hear: “are you sitting down?” and “raise taxes.”

Volume 8, Episode 15 Now in Racks

In this week's dramatic issue of the Luminary:

Public Official wins Order of Protection against Luminary Publisher
Sheriff Mum on Law Enforcement Tax Idea
Weatherby Lake Reopens after E Coli Scare
Dusenbery Named to National Committee

All this, Bill Grigsby, Crossword and Soduku too...only in your Parkville Luminary!

Vol. 8, Episode 14 Now in Racks (and moving fast)

In this week's episode:

Top Stories: County Auditor warns of Fiscal Crisis
                    Parkville Receives $612k Stormwater Grant
                    Downtown Parkville Passed Over for Revitilization Grant

Columnists:  Steve Youngblood on Veruca Salt
                     Bill Grigsby is back in Circulation

Athletics:    Park Soccer Season Wrap-up

Crossword, Suduko and much more...in racks now!

From the Publisher: Welcome to the Good Times

It’s not about hot dogs.

Yes, we know it sounds kind of funny to an outsider or a casual reader, fighting over a hot dog stand in a quaint little downtown like Parkville. Oh, if only the world’s problems could just be Parkville’s problems.

No Hot Dogs For Christmas

The most infamous hot dog stand in Parkville history.

By Mark Vasto

Just when you thought you were out, they pull you back in. The chronicle of the Denney family’s attempt to start a hot dog vendor cart business in downtown Parkville dominated the news during the late summer months and, like some hot dogs are wont to do, the story keeps coming up.

Bill Grigsby: You Can't Lateral a Horse

The first time I heard a sports broadcaster, I knew that was what I really wanted to do in life. It was just that kind of moment.

National Land Donation May Speed Highway Construction

 In a deal expected to speed the widening of Hwy. 45 through Parkville, the National has donated nine parcels of land to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) worth more than $2.1 million dollars.

For the Record: The American Legion

By Clarence E. Hill
When then-Governor Ronald Reagan introduced returning POW John McCain at a speaking engagement in 1974, the future president asked, “Where do we find such men?”

Feature: Parkville Recycles Glass Thanks to Partnership

By Mark Vasto
When you’re in the package store business like Tom Stacey is, you tend to notice just how much glass the average Parkvillian consumes. That’s why Stacey, the proprietor of Gomer’s North was immediately interested in the idea of glass recycling at Parkville Commons when approached by Boulevard Beer president and founder John McDonald.

Steve Youngblood: Time to Discuss the Drinking Age

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
--Albert Einstein

With apologies to Einstein, I believe we can apply his famous quote to all sorts of areas of public policy. For example, if our policies regarding young people and drinking are ineffective, but we do nothing to change them, are we collectively insane?

Local Luminary: Ginny McCoy Recieves Award

Virginia (Ginny) B. McCoy, a Marietta College Trustee from 1996-2006, was given honorary alumna status during this year's Alumni Association Award Ceremony, which was part of the college’s Homecoming 2009 Weekend.

McCoy serves as a volunteer for numerous organizations raising money for charities in the greater Kansas City area.

In 2002 she received the Pinnacle Award, which celebrates philanthropy in the Northland. It is presented each year by the Northland Community Foundation to recognize and honor individuals, groups and businesses that best exemplify civic pride and leadership. She has won countless other awards.

Feature: The Million Dollar Man

By Mark Vasto
For most people, winning a million bucks in the lottery would be a life changing experience.

Some would travel the world, maybe buy a new house or car (or fend off distant relatives looking for a handout). Not so for Parkville's newest millionaire, Tim Sawyers.

Volume 8, Episode 13 Now in Racks

Top Stories:  Water Rate Hike Request

                      Hot Dog Vendor Denied
                      Tractor Thief Pulled Down

Editorial:       The American Legion

Columnists:   Mark Vasto's Latest Rant
                      Steven Youngblood on the UN
                      Dr. Lewis Roht on Health Care
                      Bill Grigsby on KC Baseball

Local Luminaries:   The Carpenters

Athletics:     World Series Wrap-up

All this plus the police report, crossword, suduko, and much, much more.

Shedding Light Online

Officially relaunched Friday, November 6, 2009.

This new website allows us to do a lot of the multimedia things larger information providers do (i.e. breaking news, audio, video, etc.) while tying into our other social networking sites, back end processes and payment systems.