Around our towns

The Raytown Police Department announced last week that it has begun a Youth Court, where some juvenile offenders can be judged by their peers instead of being referred to the Jackson County Family Court.

Those eligible for youth court are first-time misdemeanor offenders. By processing the cases there, with positive peer pressure in play, the city can help the family court concentrate on more serious offenders.

The youth court will mirror the judicial system — with a judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, court clerk and bailiff.

Juvenile volunteers, who recently graduated from the training program, will fill those roles.

Construction could start as soon as May or June on a Love’s Travel Stop in Harrisonville. The business could open by year’s end.

Love’s, which has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, has 312 U.S. stores that provide fuel, food and supplies for drivers. The company estimates it will add at least 30 locations this year.

The Harrisonville store would be at Commercial Street and Brookhart Drive, near Interstate 49.

The city’s Board of Aldermen approved the preliminary plat agreement last week, but challenges remain: the addition of 2,700 feet of water mains, 1,600 feet of sewer mains, and moving electricity utilities. Moreover, the intersection of Commercial and Brookhart needs to be moved south to increase its distance from the I-49 interchange.

“If they’re too close, you’re going to bottleneck traffic,” said the community development director Rick DeLuca.

Brian Watson started work Monday as director of finance for Independence. He replaces James Harlow, who is retiring.

Watson came to Independence from Lawrence, where he was the city’s assistant finance director for financial operations. He previously worked for Overland Park.

This story was originally published February 11, 2014 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Around our towns."