Always keeping a finger on the pulse of the people of Platte County.
There’s a lot going on in the local political world, as you know, but the leading topic that has been on the minds and mouths of the local citizenry in the past week has been the 80 percent sewer rate increase proposed by the Timber Creek Sewer Company, which serves customers in portions of Platte County and also a portion of Clay.
The 80 percent lift in sewer rates would mean an increase of nearly $30 per month to Timber Creek customers in Platte County.
There has been a lot of discernment and conversation about the proposed increase among Landmark readers in the past week, since our front page story last week broke the details.
A public hearing to get feedback from the public on the proposal is set for Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Platte Purchase Middle School, 9400 N. Platte Purchase Drive, Kansas City. The hearing begins at 6 p.m.
More information available here: plattecountylandmark.com/2026/02/04/timber-creek-seeking-to-hike-sewer-rates-by-80-percent/
I was in Parkville on Sunday (Al’s Bar and Grill for wings, if you must know) and noticed the price of gas in the heart of Parkville is currently about 10 cents cheaper than it is in Platte City.
The effect of a QT abusing the wallets of travelers on a very busy interstate cannot be overstated, apparently.
You probably wouldn’t have guessed you’d be reading about pickles in this week’s Landmark but here we are.
If you enjoy pickle spears you absolutely must try the Grillo’s brand. Best I’ve ever had. Flavorful.
You might not be able to find them at your favorite grocery store but you will find them at Walmart. Grab a jar. Thank me later.
Here’s how good they are. Not a big breakfast guy but the other morning I was getting ready to leave the house for work and felt hungry. Needed something quick and easy. Opened the fridge. The Grillo’s pickle jar was staring me in the face. Grabbed it, quickly ate about four spears and was set till lunch. It’s the new breakfast of champions.
Here’s another pickle recommendation. You ever order a fried pickles appetizer or side when you’re out to dinner? We’ve found the best spot for that. 54th Street restaurant at Zona Rosa. The fried pickles will arrive at your table with a unique look but don’t be scared. Attack those bad boys with vigor and dip them in the ranch dressing. You’ll want to thank me later.
And by the way, it’s not called 54th Street restaurant anymore. Nowadays they call themselves Five Four Restaurant and Drafthouse. Don’t ask why. Just enjoy the fried pickles.
Let’s talk redactions. It’s a word that’s been in the news a lot lately with the “release” of a portion of the Epstein files.
Not related to the Epstein files in any way, of course, but our friends at the Missouri Press Association inform me that the Missouri Supreme Court issued an order on Dec. 16 changing the way redactions will work for court records starting in July 2026.
Our Missouri Press Association attorney, Dan Curry, says the new rules have some improvements that could benefit reporters struggling with redacted records, or records that have been closed altogether. The new rule instructs that “no other information should be redacted other than what is prescribed by court rules, orders to seal or statutes.” Any additional redactions would require showing of “good cause.” Missouri Press Association believes this should prevent instances of lawyers over-redacting documents, for example blacked out pages, whether from an abundance of caution or a desire to keep facts from the news.
In addition, the same rule changes from being open-ended to being specific. The new rule describes eight categories of information that are confidential and must be redacted. “This improved definition should again help reduce the incident of over-redaction by attorneys worried about running afoul of an open-ended redaction requirement.”
The changes should improve the media’s experience with court records and redactions. The Missouri statute addressing redactions now carries a notation reminder that the provision addressing redaction of victim and witness names was declared unconstitutional. “This should also help end old habits of over-redaction,” says the Missouri Press Association attorney.
It’s a lot of legal speak that may not grab your attention, but just know this is a good thing for media outlets like this newspaper to bring you relevant news involving court cases. And for that reason it is important to you.
Normally by this time of year I’ve tossed some recommendations your way on the NCAA Basketball Championship. I don’t feel like I yet have a good grasp on a lot of teams this season, so we’re on a slow roll with the process.
I do have one to share so far. On Sunday I put $25 on Florida to win the title at 16-1 odds, payout $425. Turns out I should have waited a day or two, because I see on DraftKings today you can get them at 19-1. If you’re feeling the desire to jump in and trust my instincts, go ahead and throw some pizza money–or ice cream money if that’s your preference–on Florida at 19-1. Reminder that for three years in a row we’ve had a futures ticket on the correct eventual champion, so the track record is pretty solid if I have to say so myself, and I think I do.
We’ll finalize a few more later. Teams such as Illinois, Connecticut and Houston are under heavy consideration here at Between the Lines headquarters. This year instead of sticking to the championship we may give you a couple of Final Four futures, as well, to try to help your “play money” account.
Remember to bet with your head, not over it.
(Find Foley shopping for the hard-to-find Grillo’s brand pickles. Email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
