Finding news seemed like the easiest part of this job for the first few months.Couldn’t seem to avoid high-profile criminal cases, high-speed chases and adventuresome meetings for months. I always worried a bit about that process when I first started.
I knew how to navigate down time in the sports world, but this job always presented unique challenges for me.
Now, I’m encountering a bit of those concerns. Just goes to show that you never stop learning in the news business, and unusual scenarios are often more normal than normal.
So here we are in early fall with plenty of sports to keep us occupied while the news world seems to have grinded to a halt.
Platte City is cancelling subcommittee meetings with less on the agenda now that the budget has been finalized for the upcoming fiscal year. Last week’s Platte County Commission meeting contained nary a mention of tax reform, instead giving way to updates on various programs. Even the weekly check of court records turned up very little of interest, not even much in the way of entertainingly dumb criminals.
Thank goodness for good visuals and athletic accomplishments this week.
There’s always the Dearborn Board of Aldermen to keep me entertained. There’s more on that starting on Page A1 today, including a contentious portion that included accusations of city officials not upholding city code. The Platte County Board of Education’s plans to ask citizens for approval on a new tax with a sunset clause will surely prompt discussion at least once a month during the upcoming school year.
Plus, I’m learning the value of homecoming activities and opportunities missed this fall because I didn’t take much stock in the celebration as a sports-centric editor at my last job.
But those types of events are finite and not a standby. Lessons are being learned about how to navigate the slow news cycles around here.
For now, here’s a few tidbits on items that have been lost in the shuffle or need some added attention.
The Platte County Parks and Recreation Department held an open house last month to discuss the future of a historic cabin located at Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve in southern Platte County. Parks director Brian Nowotny was pleased with the public turnout and feedback received as the department considers what methods will be used to preserve what is viewed as an important relic of the past, estimated to be more than 150 years old.
Platte County’s 175th Anniversary celebration has been such a cool list of ongoing events. It’s headed toward a conclusion on Sunday, Oct. 26. There’s more below from my colleague Bill Graham, but I’d take advantage of the opportunity to review all that’s happened during the past year.
The fall has brought a slew of awesome events, including Applefest, Irish Fest, Parktoberfest — all of the fests really. I will miss these opportunities when winter hits.
I mentioned sports earlier, and it’s important to note that three softball teams in the area won districts and start the state playoffs this week: North Platte, Platte County and Park Hill South. And North Platte needed extra innings to fend off West Platte for the
Class 2 District 14 crown. That’s a lot of good softball in this county.
Don’t forget the sports already starting their state finals. Park Hill’s Paulak sisters competed in the Class 2 Missouri State Golf Championships last week, and Park Hill South senior Adele Royle seeks her first top-six Class 2 Missouri State Tennis Championships medal in the singles bracket this week.
Ross Martin is publisher of The Citizen. He may be reached via email at editor@plattecountycitizen.com. Follow him on Twitter @Citizen_Ross.