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Jackson County officials today report significant progress in the ongoing efforts to recover from a criminal ransomware attack. Cybersecurity experts are methodically rebuilding network systems to ensure a smooth restoration process that avoids setbacks and safeguards critical data. The recovery process has been meticulously planned to prioritize the restoration of essential services.
As part of this effort, the County is tentatively preparing for a soft launch of the reopening of the Assessment, Collection and Recorder of Deeds offices to the public, scheduled for Tuesday, April 16. This phased approach marks a significant step toward resuming normal operations while minimizing disruptions during the transition to full restoration. "We are committed to ensuring a smooth and secure recovery process for our community," said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. "The soft launch of key offices is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our cybersecurity team who have been working around the clock to address the challenges posed by this criminal cyberattack. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents as we work diligently to restore normal operations." While the soft launch signifies a positive step forward, officials acknowledge that there is still work to be done. In the coming days, more details will be announced on the process for residents to receive assistance effectively and quickly during this transitional period. The safety and security of residents' data remain the County’s top priority and every effort is being made to ensure a smooth and secure restoration process. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on further announcements regarding the recovery and re-opening process via the news media, county’s website and social media channels.
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Jackson County has decided to close its Assessment, Collection and Recorder of Deeds offices for the remainder of this week due to a ransomware attack. The county, in conjunction with federal law enforcement authorities and contracted cybersecurity specialists, continues its investigation into the origin of a ransomware attack that disrupted multiple county services early Tuesday morning.
According to a release from the County, measures are actively in place to prevent further compromise to the county’s network, as the incident response team implements a thorough yet cautious approach to restoring systems to full operational capacity within a secure environment. “There is an urgent need to reinstate the county's core functions to minimize inconvenience for residents,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. "We are actively exploring every avenue to ensure our residents are not negatively impacted by the closures.” Jackson County stated the impact does not include taxpayers’ personal and sensitive financial information. Such data is hosted completely outside of the county’s network and is securely managed and stored by our trusted partner, PayIt. In a release, the County stated that due to the sensitivity of this security breach, the County's capacity to disclose information is limited. However, updates will be provided as they become available and deemed appropriate. Jackson County will host a Career Fair on Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
at the Jackson County Parks Ranger Recreation Building, 3310 Rennau Drive, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. The Jackson County Career Fair will feature a range of roles across various departments, including public safety, administration, park operations and courts. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with county government representatives about career paths available within the public sector. The list of open positions, which include full time, part time, and seasonal opportunities, can be found at www.jacksongov.org/jobs. A public hearing regarding the proposed developments in the Crossroads area, including the proposed relocation of the Kansas City Royals ballpark, will be held Monday, March 11th at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City. The session will serve as a forum for residents, property owners, business owners and all interested parties to voice their concerns, insights and thoughts regarding the proposal for a new Jackson County sales tax to fund a new downtown stadium.
What: Public Hearing on Proposed Crossroads Developments Date: Monday, March 11, 2024 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106 Legislative Assembly Area, 2nd Floor The Royals’ announcement of their intention to construct a new stadium complex, complete with team offices, a hotel, residential units and entertainment venues, alongside infrastructure improvements, has ignited a mix of excitement and concern among community members. The potential displacement of businesses and residents in the Crossroads Arts District has prompted calls for careful consideration and open discussion of the project's implications. “As Chairperson, I am honored to facilitate this important public hearing, ensuring that every voice is heard regarding the proposed developments in the Crossroads area,” 5th District Legislator Jeanie Lauer said. “It's imperative that we engage in open dialogue and considerate decision-making to address the concerns and aspirations of our community." "As Vice Chair, I am committed to fostering a transparent and inclusive discussion during the upcoming public hearing,” 3rd District At-Large Legislator Megan Marshall said. “Our community's input is invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the proposed developments in the Crossroads area. Together, we can shape a future that reflects the needs and values of Jackson County." Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Chairperson Lauer and Vice Chair Marshall, stating, "Their dedication to fostering an open dialogue on this matter is commendable. I only wish that we had been made aware sooner of the Royals' plans, which involve displacing people and businesses from the Crossroads. It's crucial that we take these concerns into account as we move forward." The public hearing will offer a platform for transparent discussion, enabling the community to share their views, seek clarifications and understand more fully the proposed developments and their impacts. The input gathered during this meeting will be instrumental in guiding the County's actions concerning the stadium project and the associated sales tax proposal. In-person absentee voting and absentee requests for the April 2, 2024 municipal election began February 20th. All voters can vote in person at the Jackson County Election Board at 110 N Liberty, Independence, MO, stating a reason. Two weeks preceding the election a reason is not required to vote in-person absentee.
Reasons you can vote absentee:
For more information on absentee voting, visit Absentee Voting | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org) Sample ballot for April 2nd municipal election: 04.02.24-Sample-Ballot.pdf (jcebmo.org) Persons wishing to file a declaration of candidacy for the offices of Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff or County Committeeman/Committeewoman, on opening day of filing, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, may do so at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. All filers must use the west entrance located on Oak Street, which will open at 7:00am.
Anyone wishing to file for office will be asked to form a single file line inside the building prior to proceeding through the security checkpoint. An associate from the County Clerk’s Office will distribute numbers to those in line. Filers will then proceed to the second floor and form a line in numerical order outside the glass doors marked LEGISLATIVE OFFICES. The County Clerk’s Office will open at 8:00am to accept declarations. Representatives from each political party will be present to accept filing fees. To expedite this process, each filer should have their current voter I.D. card needed to complete the declaration form. Filers for Prosecuting Attorney and Sheriff should additionally have the Department of Revenue (DOR) Form 5120, Candidate’s Affidavit of Tax Payments (not required for County Committee candidates). Each filer will approach the counter when their number is called, provide their filing fee receipt and complete all required paperwork. If you have any questions regarding this procedure, kindly contact Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of the County Legislature at mspino@jacksongov.org. Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 7 days:
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant 102 Buckner Tarsney Road Warewashing machine not reading proper sanitizer. Repeat. Re-inspection required. Scheduled 2/16/24. Three compartment sink will be utilized for wash, rinse and sanitized until repairs are made. Porky's Blazin BBQ 9512 S Buckner Tarsney Rd Observed sanitizer at three compartment sink too weak. (below 200ppm). Corrected on site. (tablets added) Culver's of Grain Valley 1180 S Buckner Tarsney Rd Observed clean utensils stored in a dirty storage drawer. Corrected on site. (drawer cleaned, utensils rewashed) Warewashing machine was not reading correct sanitizer. Corrected on site. (sanitizer refilled) After months of community debate and speculation, the Kansas City Royals announced plans Tuesday to relocate to the Crossroads district in downtown Kansas City. Jackson County voters will decide in April whether to extend the current 3/8 cent tax that supports Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums for the next 40 years. “We are thrilled to announce our plans to contribute community dynamics, an incredible stadium experience, and long-term growth to The Crossroads – a neighborhood ballpark home for the Royals that will stand strong for the next 50 years here in Jackson County," Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman said. “And we’re excited to build that new home without costing taxpayers a penny more.” In a release following the announcement, Jackson County Executive Frank White welcomed the announcement of a site location. "For months, we've stressed the importance of selecting a site to move forward effectively with negotiations and to provide a clear basis for the proposal before it goes to the voters,” White said. “I am pleased that the Royals have taken this significant step. It is a decision that marks progress in our journey towards a resolution that will shape the future of our county." In the release, White underscored the urgency of engaging in an open, transparent and thoroughly honest discussion about the proposal, especially given its imminent placement on the April ballot. "The time for broad overviews has passed,” White said. “As this issue heads to the ballot, it is crucial for all parties involved to commit to a dialogue that leaves no question unanswered, and no detail obscured. This is a monumental decision for Jackson County, involving an investment of over $2 billion by our taxpayers. They deserve to understand every aspect of what this entails." For more information on the proposed stadium and site plan, visit Kansas City Royals Stadium (kcballparkdistrict.com) The Kansas City Royals released renderings of a proposed stadium to be located in the Crossroads district of downtown Kansas City. Voters will decide in April whether to extend the current 3/8 tax to support the relocation. Photo credit: Kansas City Royals
Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 7 days:
El Tequilazo Cocina Y Cantina LLC 522 S Main Street Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef. Corrected on site. (chicken moved to bottom shelf) Lin's Kitchen 111 SW Eagles Parkway Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef and ready-to-eat foods. Corrected on site. (raw chicken moved) Observed foods in walk in cooler not properly date marked. Corrected on site. (date marked) Observed printed menu paper being used as food contact surfaces for cooked product for storage. Corrected on site. (paper discarded) Observed face lotions and perfumes stored with food. Corrected on site. (toxins removed) On September 18th, 2023, the Jackson County Legislature passed Ordinance #5787 enacting a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers within Jackson County, Missouri, in accordance with the Revised Statutes of Missouri §137.1050 (SB190). The program will be administered by the Collections Department who have been working on an implementation plan for those eligible taxpayers to apply for the tax credit.
With the tax credit going into effect in 2024, there has been a marked increase of calls and emails requesting information on the application process, which does not yet exist. Due to many constituent inquiries to Legislator Abarca's office pertaining to the implementation of SB190 through Ordinance #5787, his office is collecting contact information for those who are awaiting details on eligibility and/or how to apply. Once the Collection Department provides details on how to apply, the contact information gathered through this form will be shared with the Collections Department to ensure constituents who signed up to receive information can immediately obtain timely details. This form is intended to ensure that anyone who reaches out to Legislator Abarca’s office regarding this topic obtains information as promptly as it is made available. The form is available here. Questions can be addressed to ramezcua-hogan@jacksongov.org or (816)881.346 |
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