This Week in Lee’s Summit: Issue No. 1

September 3, 2026 ยท Newsletter

This is the web edition of our weekly newsletter, brought to you by The Lee’s Summit Community Facebook Group. Issue No. 1, Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Hey neighbors! Welcome to the very first issue of The Local Communities newsletter. Every week we round up what’s happening around Lee’s Summit: local news, things to do, and the local businesses that make this town what it is.

Around Town

The biggest local decision of the fall. On September 29 the LSR7 board decides whether to end the voluntary tax rollback: roughly $372 more per year on a $300K home if it goes, or an estimated 175 to 225 school staff cuts if it stays. A budget town hall is Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Stansberry Leadership Center. We wrote a plain-English guide with no side-taking: read the explainer.

Shovels hit dirt. Parks and Rec broke ground Thursday, Sept. 3 on the new Indoor Sports Complex near US-50 and MO-291: a 98,000 square foot fieldhouse with 10 basketball courts, 14 volleyball courts, and 20 pickleball courts. It is the largest capital project in LSPR history. Details

The Joint Operations Center is open. The city cut the ribbon Sept. 1 on the new center at 1001 NW Main St, which brings Fire Administration, the Communications Center, and Emergency Operations under one roof. Part of the 2023 no-tax-increase bond package. About the facility

State of the City. Mayor J. Beto Lopez delivered the 2026 State of the City address at Green Street during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon. Recap

Friday night lights. Lee’s Summit West opened the season with a 27-21 win over Rock Bridge. Good luck to all our LS teams this week!

MO-291 & Chipman. Both were briefly closed Wednesday, Sept. 2 after a shooting that injured two people. The road has reopened and LSPD is investigating; if you saw anything, they would like to hear from you. LSPD updates

Out & About

  • Fri Sep 4 weekend: Fall Open House in Downtown LS. Cozy fall decor, small-business shopping, and autumn flavors. Downtown events
  • Wed & Sat mornings: Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at the Green Street Market building, 209 SE Green St.
  • Thu Sep 10: Fall Sip & Shop at Historic Longview Mansion, 5:30 p.m.
  • Fri Sep 11: Border War watch party! KU vs. MU College Football Watch Party at Green Street, 6 p.m.
  • Sat Sep 12: JAM: A Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars Tribute, 7 p.m. at Green Street.
  • Save the date: Oktoberfest returns to downtown September 25-27. lsoktoberfest.com

Our Groups

Member Spotlights This Week

A new member business is featured every weekday on our Facebook and Instagram. Browse all spotlights.

Welcome to the Directory

Two new local businesses joined The Local Directory this week: Turath Coffee (Levantine coffee and flavors) and Skin Ethos (custom facials and skincare education). Run a local business? Get listed and join them.

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