Platte City’s Main Street Association hosted the first Spooky Night on Main Street on Saturday. Pictured was Alexander Fisher, 3, dressed as Bob the Builder for the event. Activities included a pet costume contest and a performance of several short skits by Platte County High School drama and forensics students on the Platte County Courthouse steps. Children then went on a walking tour of several businesses to get candy and visit shops.
A Platte County murder suspect who at the time of his alleged offense was an instructor for the Kansas City School District intents to rely on a defense of mental disease. Attorneys for Webber Douglas Gilmer, age 54, filed court papers indicating they will seek an insanity defense. Gilmer is accused of shooting to death Brian S. Harrell, 28, the husband of a woman who had rented an apartment from Gilmer. Gilmer and the woman, Brandi Harrell, apparently had been in a dispute over rent payment.
Christmas on the River in Parkville has featured a special lighting ceremony for the last 15 years; now those same lights are causing a stir with some officials in Parkville. Recently, Parkville’s Main Street Association agreed to take over the maintenance and costs of repairing and operating the lights on buildings in downtown Parkville. Now the city has requested that the lights be inspected by an electrician to ensure they are up to code.