At about 12:24 A.M., Saturday morning (June 15, 2019) Raytown Police Officers were called to the area of Sarah Colman-Livengood Park, 5901 Lane, regarding a house that had been shot. The house was adjacent to the park. Moments later, police received a call that a woman had been shot at the park itself.
Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a young woman who had suffered a gunshot wound. There were other people present at the park, who were rendering first aid. They were not injured. Two individuals were seen running away after the shooting and were not located. The woman’s identity has not been released at this time. No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.
It was discovered that at least three houses adjacent to the park, and the park office building that was located on the park grounds, had been struck by bullets. No occupants were injured.
Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS (8477.)
Raytown Garden Club Annual PLANT & BAKE SALE Saturday, April 27, 2019
Cave Springs Interpretative Center, 8701 East Gregory Boulevard, Raytown, MO 64133
Our sale features a wide variety of locally grown annuals, perennials, and vegetables, as well as yummy home-baked goodies! Our plants are known for being healthy and hardy! We will have bulbs, bare-root plants, 4- and 6-paks, and potted 3″ to 8″ plants, as well as trees and shrubs. All plants will be clearly marked with plant name, annual or perennial, shade or sun growing conditions, and price. Our knowledgeable members will be on hand to answer any questions and offer advice, and since these plants are grown here, you know they will thrive in our local growing conditions! Come early for best selection! We will be under the Pavilion at Cave Springs Park Interpretive Center; Rain or shine!
A recent article in Missouri Lawyers Weekly reports that the City of Raytown has been ordered to pay $42,550 for a violation on Missouri’s Sunshine Law. The suit was brought by the daughter of a woman who died in a car crash at 67th Street and Ralston Ave.
The City Clerk refused to release documents and cited a city policy closing records in cases involving potential legal action. The denial was issued 5 days after the request.
On an editorial note, it would be interesting to know who was responsible for the creation of that policy.
Who: Kenneth Cornwell Jr, white male, blue eyes, 6’, 240 lbs Last contact with family: on 1/15/19
Mr. Cornwell was last seen by family on Tuesday, January 15th in the 8900 block of E 67th St, Raytown. They have been unable to make contact with him since.
He was last seen driving a green 2000 Kia Spectre, MO/SR0G3L. The vehicle has a dog paw sticker on the back window and a blue ribbon on the antenna.
We have no reason to believe that Mr. Cornwell is in immediate danger or that foul play is involved. Police only need to speak with Mr. Cornwell to verify his safety
If you have any information about Kenneth’s whereabouts, please call 816-737-6020.
After 43 years of service with the Raytown Police Department, Raytown Chief of Police James B. Lynch announced that he will retire on February 14, 2019. Chief Lynch is grateful for the unwavering support of the residents and businesses of Raytown. “I would like to thank the Raytown community for their continued support through the years, of not just me, but the men and women of the Raytown Police Department,” Chief Lynch said. “I have lived in Raytown for decades and have raised my children here. I am grateful to be part of the Raytown community and to the people of Raytown, I say thank you for allowing me to serve you.”
Though leaving a law enforcement career can be difficult, especially after so many years, Chief Lynch is grateful. “Law enforcement is one of the most rewarding careers,” Chief Lynch said, “and I am glad to have been able to be a part of it. I am thankful for the personal and professional relationships that were made along the way. I am honored to have served with the finest men and women in law enforcement and wish them well in upholding that professional service.”
Chief Lynch started his career with the Raytown, Missouri Police Department in 1975 as a Patrol Officer. Chief Lynch was selected for the Traffic Unit in 1978. In 1983 he was promoted to the rank of Detective, where he was assigned a variety of cases and served as a member of the Metro Squad, investigating major cases in the Kansas City Metro area. During that time period, Chief Lynch completed his Bachelors’ Degree at Avila University, earning a degree in Criminal Justice. Chief Lynch, in 1988, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and 1991, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant. While in that assignment, he was the Lead Officer in several Metro Squad homicide investigations, supervising Detectives from several agencies.
In August 1996, he left full-time employment with the Police Department, going to work for General Accident Insurance Company as a Special Investigator. During his employment with General Accident Insurance, from August 1996 until April 2001, Chief Lynch maintained his relationship with the Raytown Police Department, as a Reserve Sergeant. Chief Jim Lynch was elected to his current position in April 2001. He has served as Chief of Police since then.
By April of 2002, Chief Lynch accomplished one of his goals, by having the members of the Police Department trained through the Community Oriented Policing Institute, in community policing practices. He also collaborated with the Department of Justice, the Kansas City Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., members of the Raytown Human Relations Committee, and Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, to build a lasting relationship between Raytown’s diverse community and the Police Department.
Chief Lynch has been involved in many community groups in the Metro Kansas City Area, including Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, (R.E.A.P.), Hope House, Shepherd’s Center and the Kansas City Crime Commission.
Chief Lynch has been honored with receiving many awards throughout his career. Among these, are the Raytown Police Department’s, Award for Officer of the Year, the 2009 Diversity Advocate in Law Enforcement from the Olathe Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., and the 2011 Clarence Kelley Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Administration.
On April 2nd of 2019 there will be an election for Raytown, Raytown School District, Raytown Fire District and Jackson County water District #2. Filing for these elected positions closed on Jan. 15th.
City of Raytown 10000 E 59th St, Raytown
Alderman Ward I – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Joe Creamer Josh Bennett Greg Walters Quentin J. Brown
Alderman Ward II – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Jim Aziere Loretha Hayden
Alderman Ward III – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Janet Emerson Jeremy Utterback Otis Taylor III
Alderman Ward IV – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Bob Cochran Mary Jane Van Buskirk
Alderman Ward V – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Derek Ward
City Collector – 2 year term expiring April 2021 Kathie Schutte
Mayor – 4 year term expiring April 2023 Michael McDonough Tony Jacob
Raytown C2 School District 6608 Raytown Rd., Raytown
Two positions are open
Bobbie Saulsberry (incubant) LaShonda Orkes Rick Thode
Raytown Fire District 6020 Raytown Trafficway, Raytown
Barb Schlapia
Jackson County Water District #2 6945 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown
Sub district 3 Fred Hartwell Sub district 5 Jimmie McClanahan
This ballot is huge and I will attempt to shed light on what the elements are.
Constitutional Amendments 2, 3 and Proposition C all legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. What is not obvious is that amendment 3 sets up a monopoly for those that got it on the ballot. If you are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, I strongly suggest a YES on 2 and a no on 3. There is nothing wrong with Proposition C, but I feel that Amendment 2 is better.
Constitutional Amendment 4, is simple and self explanatory.
Proposition B raises the minimum wage a small amount each year until it eventually gets to $12 an hour. Nothing tricky and I personally support it.
Proposition D would raise the motor fuel tax to pay for roads and bridges. It would also help fund the Highway Patrol. I strongly support this proposition. Missouri has had the same fixed amount of fuel tax since 1992. Gasoline may have tripled, paving cost may have tripled, but funding has stayed constant for over 25 years. We need to fix our roads and bridges.
The last 7 items on the ballot are all about changing the Jackson County Charter. They all are extensive and the ballot fails to reflect all the changes they entail. I will try to post the complete text of the 7 changes in my next post. These changes have united an unusual mixture of partisan, not partisan, business, and community groups in OPPOSITION to the changes. It is very seldom that I have seen the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Democratic Committee unite on political questions. These 7 items will decrease the power of the County Executive and increase the power of the County Legislators. It will give the Legislators about a 100% pay and pensions increase. The increase is hidden by basing it on a judges salary instead of a named amount. Question 7 bars any federal. state. or municipal elected official from running for county office. So the legislature wants to ensure that any State Legislator that is term limited out of office cannot run for the county legislature.
This is an attempt to increase power and pay by hiding it in with elements on the front of each proposal that may be more popular. A more honest approach would be to not group elements together, let each stand on its own merit and state openly how much of a pay and pension increase the legislators want.
Please vote NO on Jackson County Questions 1 through 7.
Raytown Police Respond To Shots Fired And Find Three Men Dead
At about 8:21 P.M. Sunday (September 30, 2018) Raytown Officers responded to the 11000 Block of E. 74th Terrace in response to the sound of shots fired. While en-route, Officers were informed that the reporting party believed they saw what appeared to be bodies lying on the ground in front of a residence.
Upon their arrival, Officers located three deceased men, appearing to have sustained gunshot wounds. At that time the Raytown Police Department Investigations Bureau was notified and responded to the scene.
An active investigation is currently underway. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS (8477.)
The 11000 Block of E 74th Terrace runs from Harvard for 1 block to the East and dead ends. The is a photo of the block looking towards Harvard Drive.
Every Tuesday is Taco Night at Ricon Tarasco. That means tacos are only $1.25 each. Your choices are chicken, Steak (carne Asada), Shredded Pork slow cooked and marinated Cochinito Pibil), and Al Pastor (also marinated, but in different spices and not slow cooked).
Tacos Al Pastor has been my favorite for years, until I tried Cochinita Pibil, now it is a toss-up. The pastor is a little spicier, but the Cochinita is more tender and has a hint of orange to it. Cochinita comes from the Yucatan region of Mexico and is marinated in sour orange juice and achiote.
I use to have to drive to SouthWest Blvd. or Independence Ave. to get Mexican food this authentic. It is a little milder than I am use to but they can offer you a large variety of salsa if you feel the need to punch it up a notch or two.
The restaurant is located on the South West corner of Raytown Road and 350 Highway. Just South of the grocery store. They offer carry out and the phone number is 886-5444.
Arimeta DuPree is running for the Democratic nomination for the Jackson County Legislature in the 2nd District. Raytown’s portion of that district is from Raytown Road West, with slight exceptions. I know Arimeta and have endorsed her. I admire her intellect, passion for justice, and ability to work well with people from all walks of life. Below is a video of her presentation to the Raytown Democratic Association at their July meeting. She received the organizations endorsement. I added a picture of her sign to cover my bad camera work in the last minute of the presentation.
MISSOURI STATE REPRESENTATIVE – 28th DISTRICT Jerome Barnes
Jerome Barnes is a proven leader who has given our community decades of service as a coach, athletic director, and school board member.
JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE Frank White Jr
Frank White is our best hope to make changes in problem areas. His political opponents have had decades to correct problems like the county jail and now seem to blame these problems on Frank White. I am not certain of the outcome, but I like the odds better than trusting the political factions that have overseen the situation for over 20 years.
JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR – DISTRICT 1 AT LARGE Jalen Anderson
Jalen is young, smart, honest and hard-working. We need more good people like him to get into politics.
JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR – DISTRICT 2 AT LARGE Crystal Williams
Energetic, smart, and ok sometimes a little abrasive, but she does the right thing when it come down to the issues and the interests of everyone, rather than the interests of a few.
JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATOR – DISTRICT 2 Arimeta DuPree
Arimeta is a personal friend who has the rare habit of thinking deeply before she speaks. I trust her character and her intellect. She will be a breath of fresh air to the county legislature.
JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF Darryl Forte
While a court has tossed this back to the party committees to select. I still urge you to vote for Darrell Forte. What one court decides, a bigger court sometimes overturns. Of all the candidates, Forte is the only one with the skills and inclination to clean up the mess in the sheriff’s department.
You may have noticed that I have not made recommendations for those readers who will ask for a Republican ballot this coming Tuesday. The reason is that I do not know enough about the candidates to make an informed recommendation.
Rincon Tarasco is the newest addition to Mexican dinning in Raytown and is an excellent addition. The food is not Tex-Mex, it hails from the Michoacan region. Two of my favorite dishes are on the menu, tacos al pastor and chicken mole. The tacos al pastor I ordered were excellent. Next visit I will try the chicken mole. The chips served as an appetizer we homemade from flour, not corn and were fresh and warm.The mild dipping sauce was mild and very nice, but as there was not a hint of tomato in it, I call it a sauce and not salsa. Be warned that the hot salsa choice is red and at the top range of my palate’s heat comfort, and I eat jalapenos like candy.
While delicious, the tacos al pastor and the mixed fajitas my wife ordered were very mild and may need to be enhanced for those who prefer a few beads of sweat on the forehead to feel satisfied. Bottom line is this new addition is worth a try if you want to go beyond hamburger tacos.
The election is closing in on us, and I for one am thankful. I am aware all elections have their own smear component to them and one must be though if they are going to put themselves in the public eye. That being said the conduct of the two factions has been wholly different. A couple months ago the attacks started. The ProTax movement has repeatedly launched false accusations on community member who didn’t want to be bankrupted by wasteful spending.
They started by attacking local small business owners calling them degenerate parents, then they moved to accusations of criminal conduct including selling drugs. When they failed at their boycott attempt of these businesses they started in on residents, trying to advance that one was a wife-beater. And finally when they still weren’t gaining traction they went on a rampage against elected officials that refused to endorse either side but chose neutrality.
The attacks on State leaders who in the past have offered help, and small business owners who provide jobs and sales tax revenue is unconscionable. Meanwhile the groups supporting reasonable spending have attacked no one, sticking only to the facts at hand. There are no attacks on the Board members who put us in this position, or on those who have chosen to remain neutral. I believe trusting such leaders (who have already squandered) is a bad idea. Please, join me on August 7th voting NO to tripling property tax and bankrupting citizens.
John A Jacob “Tony”
Note from RaytownOnline. The only editing made to this submission was to break the text up into 3 paragraphs and to add Mr. Jacob’s name at the end. The submission was verified before publication to insure the validity of the source.
On July 19th at the monthly Raytown Democratic Association (RDA) meeting, Raytown’s Mayor spoke out in support of the three tax increases for Raytown on the August primary ballot. The RDA has already voted to not support the requested increases in property, gasoline, and internet purchase taxes. Below is the Mayor’s speech uncut.
Reports indicate a person was shot near the intersection and a suspect is in custody. More on this as it develops.
Police arrived at the scene at 4pm on July 17th to find a 19-year-old male with a serious gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a local hospital. No information on his condition at this time. A male acquaintance of the victim was taken into custody at the scene.
On Tuesday June 19th the Raytown Board of Aldermen attempted to change the laws governing the use of fireworks in Raytown. The reason I use the word attempted is that they actually failed to vote on the ordinance. The actual voting was on an amendment to the ordinance. The video clearly shows that the actual ordinance was not voted on.
The proposed changes would allow for shooting off fireworks for 4 days instead of 1, allow the use of Roman Candles, and strike the section requiring adult supervision of minors under the age of 16. It also allows for the shooting of fireworks on New Years Eve.
There was also an interesting discussion between Alderman Black and Chief Lynch concerning the Police Dept. requesting to be paid by Parks and Rec. to patrol the park for people setting off fireworks (which is illegal in Raytown). Chief Lynch cited force reduction due to budget cuts as a reason more attention cannot be given to patrolling Parks. Alderman Black attempted to bring up that this was the same policy that existed before the budget cuts, but did not get far on this point.
Raytown Online has no immediate knowledge about past actions concerning the parks on the 4th of July, but does know that the Raytown Police Dept. has ask for overtime payment from the parks to patrol Super Splash and the Summer Music and Arts festival in the past.
There are more details on this subject on the Raytown Report, click HERE The video below is the complete portion sourced from the city’s website.
On Monday June 4th at approximately 8:28 AM police were sent to the Conoco gas station at 8100 Westridge for a Fraud. When officers arrived, it was reported that a credit card skimmer device had been located inside one of the gas pumps.
Four hours later, police received a call to Raytown Petroleum gas station at 5304 Raytown Road where another credit card skimmer device had been located inside a gas pump. Both skimmers were removed.
It is unclear if the two incidents are connected. It is unknown how long the devices have been inside the pumps. It is unknown if any information captured by the devices were accessed before they were discovered. Both devices were inside the pumps, so they were not visible to customers. There is no suspect information at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
Raytown Police are contacting all Raytown gas stations to advise them of the discovery of the skimmers, so that they may inspect their pumps. The Missouri Department of Agriculture, who regularly inspects gas pumps in the State of Missouri, was also advised of the discoveries. Raytown Police ask anyone that may have used their credit card at either gas station to monitor their transactions and accounts for any unusual activity.
Consumers may protect themselves from skimmers by:
Checking for external skimmers- External skimmers fit over the outside of the card reader and steal the credit card information as the card is being slid into the slot. They may look slightly different than the other card readers (color, texture, etc.). Often they will feel loose when you try to wiggle them and may even come off in your hand.
Checking for evidence of tampering (to install an internal skimmer)- Look for broken or missing tamper tape on access panels. Look for evidence of forced entry into an access panel, which could include pry marks, scratches, or broken locks.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
Raytown resident and businessman David Jumgerman has been charged with the muder of Thomas Pockert. The presumed motive was that Mr. Pickert won a multi million dollar judgement against Mr. Jungerman in a case involving Mr. Jungerman shooting unarmed trespassers on his property. Mr. Jungerman has twice made major news in the past. The first time was for suing the City of Raytown, claiming that the Police lost his Rolex watch, when he was arrested for pointing a weapon at children on his property. The second was for putting a large billboard on the side of a truck calling Democrats parasites. It was later revealed the Mr. Jungerman was the biggest recipient of Federal farm aid in the area. You can learn more on this by clicking HERE. Some of the supportive links in this archived article no longer work.
The following videos are courtesy of KCTV 5 news, and we thank them for providing the code to embed these videos in this article.
On Friday April 6th 2018 the city manager of Raytown (Tom Cole) turned in his resignation. Mr. Cole indicated he had a desire to pursue other paths in life before it was too late. He will be missed.
The following is a list of some of the city employees that have quit since 2015.
