Press Releases

As the United States marks its 250th birthday this year, Independence Day celebrations carry added significance for communities across the nation. Take time to reflect on the country’s history and the shared values that unite Americans and celebrate responsibly. Prioritize safety. If you plan to use fireworks, follow local regulations and safety guidelines. All firework-related incidents are preventable. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries linked to fireworks misuse and malfunction. About 1,300 of those injuries involved sparklers. The 15-to-24 age group accounted for the largest share of injuries, with burns to the hands, fingers, and head most common. Many of the most severe incidents involved devices that tipped over, malfunctioned, or were used too close to...

• The City of Lee’s Summit and Mayor J. Beto Lopez are proud to name Laura Maxwell as the 2026 Citizen of the Year.
• Named the 2026 Citizen of the Year for her exceptional volunteer leadership, professional achievements, and long-standing commitment to the Lee’s Summit community.

• A statement from Mayor Beto Lopez regarding the incidents that occurred last weekend at Downtown Days.

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO — Runners and walkers are invited to light up the night at the annual Night Flight 5K on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Legacy Park Amphitheater, located at 901 NE Bluestem Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. The race will begin at 9:00 p.m. Hosted in partnership by Lee’s Summit Medical Center and Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation, the Night Flight 5K benefits the Legacy for LS Parks Foundation, which supports parks projects throughout Lee’s Summit. Participants of all ages are encouraged to join the nighttime race experience through Legacy Park. Registration is $35 for participants ages 14 and older and $30 for those ages 13 and under. Packet Pick-Up and Registration Packet pick-up will take place at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, located at 2100 SE Blue Parkway, on Thursday, May 28, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Participants may also...

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO — Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation (LSPR) has announced the implementation of an Athletic Staff and Volunteer Abuse Prevention Matrix, a structured policy designed to clearly define, address, and prevent abusive behavior toward referees, athletic staff, and volunteers across all sports programs. This program was created in collaboration with Sporting Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit Football Association, Lee’s Summit Girls’ Softball Association, and the Lee’s Summit Baseball Association. The matrix establishes a tiered system of consequences for both non-physical and physical misconduct, ensuring consistent enforcement and accountability. It is part of LSPR’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for participants, staff, and spectators. “Officials, staff, and...