Hey Lee’s Summit! Here’s what’s happening this week!

Welcome back to the Lee’s Summit Lowdown! I’m so glad you’re here.

If your steering wheel is currently shaking like crazy, you aren’t alone. With our recent wild temperature swings, we’ve officially entered Pothole Season.

The Lowdown on the “Road Craters”:

• Spot it? Report it: Use the LS Connect app for city streets or call 816-969-1800. For state highways (like 291 or 50), let MoDOT know.

• The Reimbursement Hack: If a pothole wrecks your rims, you’ll likely have to pay for the repair upfront, but you can file for reimbursement. Both the City and MoDOT have formal claim processes. Pro-tip: Snap photos of the pothole and your car damage immediately to back up your claim.

🛍️ Summit Fair’s New Era Summit Fair is officially under local management! KC-based Block & Company has taken over, which usually means more community-focused events and a better mix of shops. Keep an eye out for Sephora and Lovesac (Yes, the giant bean bags!) opening their doors early this year. Read the full scoop here.

🏗️ The “City Within a City” The transformation at I-470 and Colbern is moving at lightning speed. Phase one of Discovery Park is already leasing luxury units at Alura Apartments and finishing two major hotels to house the massive crowds expected for the 2026 World Cup. Track the progress here.

🦢 A Bittersweet Goodbye Sadly, the rumors are true: Blue Heron in Downtown LS is closing its doors. They’ve been a staple of our local retail scene for years. This Saturday’s Shovel the Sidewalk Sale is a great chance to snag a final treasure and give them a warm send-off. Check their announcement here.

⚖️ Meet This Edition’s Sponsor: Right Side Law

We’ve all seen the posts: “Does anyone know a good lawyer for a will?” or “Who do I talk to about a traffic ticket?” Navigating the legal world is stressful, but the team at Right Side Law wants to change that for Lee’s Summit.

While they are local experts in Personal Injury, they’ve committed to being a resource for all our readers. Think of them as your “Legal Front Door.” If you need help and don’t know where to turn, they will personally guide you to a qualified local specialist in their network.

Why we love them: They’re neighbors helping neighbors. No more guessing; just expert local advice. Connect with Right Side Law here or give them a follow on Facebook.

The Weekly Trivia Challenge

Which famous Wild West outlaw was known to frequent the Lee’s Summit area and had deep historical ties to the local Younger family? (Answer at the bottom!)

⏪ The LS Loop

What happened while you were living your life last week.

The Group Project Meeting 🏛️ Last week’s City Council meeting felt like a group project where everyone actually did their homework. Here is the TLDR version of our city’s future:

• Pickleball & Treehouses: The Longview pickleball complex (12 courts!) opens this February. Plus, we’re getting a “treetop village” park near Unity Village and a massive indoor Fieldhouse coming in 2027.

• The “Just Right” City: The Visitors Bureau is launching a new campaign starring a modern-day Goldilocks. Apparently, she’s decided Lee’s Summit is “just right” – expect to see her on billboards soon!

• Moving Hazel Grove: The district is officially moving the elementary school from its 1940s building to a shiny new site near Colbern Road.

• Paragon Star: A new developer, Grayson Capital, has stepped in to take over “The Preserve” apartment project at the soccer complex.

Watch the full “Group Project” in action: Full Meeting Video Here.

The LSR-7 School Board met Thursday night to kick off 2026. Here’s what you need to know:

• Panic Button Badges 🛡️: The Board approved a $3.2M contract for a “Safe System.” Every teacher/staff member will get a badge with a panic button for instant emergency alerts or medical crises.

• School Size “Rumble Strips” 📉: A new plan was proposed to manage school capacity. The goal? Ensure every elementary school has at least 200 students so resources (like nurses and specialists) stay equitable across the city.

• Privacy Upgrades 🚻: $75k was approved for LSHS restroom modifications, extending stall walls from floor to ceiling to increase privacy and security.

• Titans on Top 🏈: Huge congrats to LS West Women’s Flag Football for their back-to-back State Championship!

The Bottom Line: Security and long-term planning were the themes of the night. No immediate boundary changes, but the “rumble strips” are now in place to monitor growth. Watch the video here.

🍴 Local Eats & Treats

• The MVP: Poppy’s Ice Cream 🍦☕ Think ice cream is just for July? The locals know better. January is actually the best time to visit Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House downtown.

  Why go now? 1. The seasonal scoops: They are currently featuring winter-warmer flavors like Toasted Marshmallow and Burnt Sugar that pair perfectly with a cold Missouri afternoon. 2. The Affogato: Ask for a scoop of their premium vanilla drowned in a shot of hot espresso. It’s the ultimate hot-meets-cold winter dessert. 3. No Lines: You can actually get a table! Avoid the summer sidewalk crowds and enjoy a quiet moment in one of LS’s most iconic spots. You can follow them on Facebook here.

🎸 Live & Local

Where to find the best tunes this week.

• Jan 20: Karaoke | The Pink Elephant @ 9:00 PM

• Jan 20: LS Jazz Orchestra | 1909 Club @ 6:00 PM. More info.

• Jan 21: Nick Schnebelen (Blues) | 1909 Club @ 7:00 PM. More info.

• Jan 22: Live Music Thursdays | Iron Horse Bar & Grill @ 7:30 PM. More info.

• Jan 22: Karaoke Night | Jazzy B’s @ 6:00 PM

• Jan 23: Karaoke Night | Craft Putt @ 7:00 PM. More info.

• Jan 23: Black Diamond | The Pink Elephant @ 8:00PM More info.

• Jan 24: The MGDs | 1909 Club @ 7:00 PM. More info.

📝 The Weekly Lineup

Put these on your radar so you don’t miss out.

• Sun, Jan 18 (Today!)

  • Bingo & Benefit | Craft Putt @ 12:00 PM. More info.

  Mon, Jan 19

  • 90s R&B & Hip-Hop Music Bingo | Craft Putt @ 7:00 PM. More info.

  Tue, Jan 20

  • Tippi Toes Dance & Teen D&D | Colbern Rd Library. More info.

  • Jazzy B’s Bunco Night | Jazzy B’s @ 6:00PM More info here. 

  • Music Bingo | Brick’s Pub & Grub @ 7:00 PM

  Wed, Jan 21

  • Introduction to Knitting & Kids Create Art | LS Branch Libraries. More info.

  • Big 5 Trivia | Llywelyn’s Pub @ 7:00 PM

  Thu, Jan 22

  • Star Wars Trivia Night | Craft Putt @ 7:00 PM. More info.

  • KC Trivia Geeks | Brick’s Pub & Grub @ 7:00 PM

  Fri, Jan 23

  • Nerf Night | Harris Park Community Center @ 6:00 PM. More Info.

  Sat, Jan 24

  • Shovel the Sidewalk Sale | Downtown LS @ 10:00 AM. More info.

  • Skate With Sam the Squatch | Summit Ice @ 6:00 PM. More info.

🛍️ Shop LS Spotlight

Keeping it local, one shop at a time.

This Week’s pick: All A’Bloom Flowers & Gifts

• Located in the heart of downtown, All A’Bloom is a staple of our local retail scene. They are participating in the Shovel the Sidewalk Sale this Saturday – stop by for great deals and beautiful winter arrangements! Visit their site here.

✍️ Help Me Shape the Lowdown

The Great Taco Debate: Settled! 🌮 Last week’s poll was a landslide: La Chicatana (the food truck on 291) is the king of LS tacos! Honorable mentions go to Xaboo Mephaa and the hidden gem at Long-Bell Pizza.

Your Voice, Your Lowdown! 🎤 I want to highlight the people you care about. Use our new Community Nomination Form to tell me which local business or neighbor I should feature next!

Hot Take: Is Lee’s Summit really “Just Right”? ✨ The city is about to spend big on a campaign telling the world we are the “Goldilocks” of cities – not too big, not too small. But if you had to pick one thing that makes LS just right (or one thing that makes it too much), what would it be? Hit reply and give me the honest lowdown!

Trivia Answer: Jesse James. 🤠

Thanks for being part of the Lowdown crew!

— Jen

 Editor, Lee’s Summit Lowdown

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