Fish Dying in Crisp Lake

Independence neighborhood seeks answers for dead fish in lake

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The fish are dying in a small neighborhood lake in Independence and residents want to know why. Jim Williams stocked Crisp Lake with fish earlier this year and enjoyed watching children and families have fun fishing. The lake is in the Hudson Park Neighborhood Association near Mount Washington Cemetery.

Local COVID-19 Outbreaks

Also: A worker at Erin's Pub tested positive for COVID-19. That employee last worked on the evening of July 23.

30 COVID-19 cases tied to Independence church, more than 300 exposed

JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- The Jackson County Health Department is monitoring two different coronavirus outbreaks, the largest of which is tied to a church. Currently, 30 people have tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed at Old Paths Baptist Church between July 19 and July 24.

Graduation Ceremonies for the Class of 2020

Review: The Bondztide - Private Isle

Coming in hot from the Midwest coast, The Bondztide is an up-and-coming surf rock project created by local musician Andrew Gibson. I messaged with him online to talk about this project:
What was your inspiration to form a surf rock band?

   "I have always liked surf rock, something I love about it is that it’s almost all only instrumental. I like instrumentals because the music does all the talking and you get almost any feeling from it.

What are some bands you draw the inspirations for your sound from?

   "Definitely The Beach Boys, for a while I would listen to their song 'Get Around' everyday when I would wake up. Some other artist I’ve drawn a lot of inspirations from is The Ventures, Dick Dale and a modern surf rock band The Surfrajettes."

What was the process of making the album?

   "Before the day of recording I only had one guitar riff. I sat down, laid down every drum track and then wrote the bass, rhythm guitar and lead guitar parts for each song. The whole album was written and recorded within 24 hours. It had to be that way, because I didn’t have a full band I could jam with to put songs together. Normally when I write music it’s only on guitar and then pieced together with a band along with whatever lyrics I’ve written. This time though I had it all in my head and I could only hear it, never trying to sit down and make something of it. But I knew when the time was right to record the album I’d just do it. So that’s what I did."

Amazing. What are your plans for The Bondztide's future?

   "There will definitely be at least one more album after this one, hopefully in 2021. Also as soon as possible a live show would be very cool. I have some friends that would join me on various instruments for a live set."

Do you surf?

   "I have but living in the Midwest makes it tough to do as often as I’d like."

   Overall, after listening to The Bondztide's debut album, "Private Isle"  I give it five stars. Seven tracks of surf rock goodness that wash into the veins by way of ripping fast, foamy clean guitars, and producing a vibe of unparalleled bodaciousness. Turn it up, and hang ten.

Review: Sapling - New Release from Remorsefully Numb

   3 minutes and 55 seconds of raw power -- the chilling highs and brooding lows of the distorted guitar couple immaculately with the steady constant of a low end and beat that make my hair stand with every replay.

   On top of it all the signature, jagged delivery of cutting lyrics from the singer describe a person sick and dying from inside as they find the roots of darkness grow, and keep one suffocating, rooted and dug, in picture perfect place.

   Overall, a five-star banger and an outstanding example of the undying rock scene in the Kansas City area, and of the up-and-coming Midwest Emo genre. Would definitely recommend turning this up and ripping the knob off.

Remorsefully Numb is A. J. Gibson, Jake Ayers, Chaz Florido, and Warren Beal. Formed in Sugar Creek in 2016.  Visit their website at remorsefullynumb.com

Fairmount Flooding May Soon be a Thing of the Past

Sugar Creek set to fix flooding culvert

Sugar Creek Mayor Mike Larson decided the city has waited long enough for the troublesome culvert off U.S. 24 to be fixed.The culvert collapsed in 2012, causing a sinkhole that ultimately led to flooding issues in the area around the U.S. 24 and Northern Boulevard. One business on the Independence side of U.S.

Homeless Camp Under I-435 Bridge Cleaned Out

Clean Up at 24 and I-435 Overpass

Missouri Department of Transportation crews along with Kansas City Missouri Police officers and Social Workers responded to the I-435 and 24 highway interchange Friday morning to clean up the mountains of trash generated by transients camping under the bridge.

FIRE IN FAIRMOUNT!

Independence Fire Department battling a blaze around noon on the first day of January, 2020. Photos courtesy of Sarah Weatherly.