Say More in Raymore

Send us a textWinter brings fresh trout, fresh snow and—unfortunately—fresh scams. We kick off with seasonal updates for Raymore, from Johnston Lake being stocked with rainbow trout by the Missouri Department of Conservation to our community-named snow plows getting ready to roll. We also point you to our updated What’s Happening map at raymore.com/currentprojects so you can track development and infrastructure work anywhere in the city.Then Police Chief Jim Wilson joins us to unpack the latest fraud trends hitting our area. The big red flags are clear: callers claiming you missed jury duty, threatening a warrant or demanding fines paid via gift cards or Bitcoin. We explain why legitimate agencies will never take money over the phone, how scammers use urgency to pressure you and what to do the moment a message feels off—hang up, verify with the official number and never share personal information. We talk about identity theft risks when victims give out details, what early steps to take to protect your credit and why reporting matters even if you feel embarrassed.We round out with practical holiday safety tips: keep purses on your person, watch your cart, lock your car and hide valuables. Break down packaging so you don’t advertise new electronics at the curb. Stay aware in crowded stores and plan a sober ride if you’re celebrating, with DUI enforcement underway. It’s a simple playbook to keep your money, your data and your family safe while you enjoy everything our city has to offer this season.If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a neighbor and leave a quick review so more Raymore residents can stay informed and safe.Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO

Send us a textWhat does it take to keep a fast-growing city safe, connected and proud of where it’s headed? We sit down with Mayor Kris Turnbow to trace his path from Navy service and a 36-year policing career to four successful mayoral terms in Raymore, Missouri. Mayor Turnbow opens up about the moments that shaped him, from 9/11 activations and Pentagon duty to a year advising in Iraq, where he helped start up forensic labs and push a crime scene preservation checklist that reshaped evidence handling. Those lessons—process, training, accountability—now anchor how he thinks about public safety at home.We talk about proud moments during his tenure, as well as how industrial growth can bring good jobs while respecting community standards, and what it takes to keep young residents from leaving. The mayor points to the Ray-Pec LEAD program and trades partnerships that put students on real job paths—operating heavy equipment, learning the building trades and gaining hands-on experience that translates into careers. It’s part of a broader strategy to match education with local opportunity so families can build their lives here.Looking forward, Mayor Turnbow makes a case for smarter transportation as the next priority. With rising costs and regional job centers, Raymore needs better mobility options for seniors, commuters and families—supported by strong roads, new connections and collaboration with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. We also explore housing: creating a healthy mix of single-family homes, townhomes, condos and well-managed apartments that fit Raymore’s look and feel while giving people a fair shot at living, saving and moving up without leaving the city.Along the way, you’ll hear about the daily work that binds a community together: parks and arts, stream cleanups, Rotary and Optimist projects, and a slate of celebrations ahead—from a patriotic July 4 to Raymore’s sesquicentennial. It’s a candid, hopeful look at how steady leadership, strong institutions and engaged residents can keep a city safe, welcoming and future-ready. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a neighbor and leave a review to help more listeners find us.Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO

Send us a textWhat makes a neighborhood more than just a collection of houses? In this illuminating conversation, Raymore's Development Services team pulls back the curtain on how cities are planned, built and shaped to create communities people love.Development Services Director David Gress and Senior Planner Dave McCumber share their journey from childhood SimCity enthusiasts to professional city planners, revealing how their gaming roots translated into careers designing real-world communities. They explain the department's crucial role as the gateway for all construction in Raymore—from reviewing plans and issuing permits to conducting dozens of inspections throughout the building process.The conversation explores Raymore's recently adopted Comprehensive Plan, a six-year staff-driven project that will guide the city's growth for the next two decades. Unlike many municipalities that outsource planning to consultants, Raymore's approach incorporated community input while keeping the process authentically local. This plan now serves as the foundation for all development decisions, ensuring consistency with the community's vision.Most fascinating is the team's current focus on neighborhood design diversity. Noticing a trend toward cookie-cutter subdivisions where homes differ only in color or minor details, they're drafting code revisions to encourage more varied, engaging streetscapes. Their emphasis isn't just aesthetic—it's about creating spaces that foster community interaction through thoughtful elements like front porches and intentional public spaces.Whether you're a current resident curious about ongoing development, a potential homebuyer wondering about future neighborhoods or simply interested in how cities evolve, this episode offers valuable insights into the careful planning that shapes the places we call home. Have questions about development in Raymore? The team encourages you to reach out directly through the city website or visit City Hall for more information.Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO

Send us a textNathan Musteen, Director of Raymore Parks and Recreation, shares the transformative journey of developing award-winning, universally accessible parks and facilities that have put this Missouri city on the national recreation map. From his nature-filled childhood in the Ozarks to spearheading innovative park designs, Nathan reveals how his "why not us?" philosophy has created recreation spaces that serve all residents while attracting visitors from across the region.• Growing up on a farm in the Ozarks influenced Nathan's passion for outdoor recreation and eventual career path• T.B. Hanna Station transformed the original downtown area with Missouri's first inclusive playground and sprayground• Hawk Ridge Park features the Hawks Nest Inclusive Playground, designed with the philosophy "all ages, all abilities"• The Raymore Activity Center (RAC) and Centerview provide indoor recreation spaces for sports programs and events• Recreation Park remains the "crown jewel" of the parks system, hosting numerous sports programs including the rapidly growing flag football league• The annual Rugged Raymore mud run has become a beloved community event where everybody's smiling• Future plans include a dog park and The Ranch, a 154-acre property that will offer unique recreation opportunitiesJoin us at our upcoming Rugged Raymore mud run, the Friday before school starts! It's our last big summer event before fall programs begin. For more information about all our parks and recreation opportunities, visit raymore.com/parksLearn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO

Send us a textMeet a few of the dedicated team members who keep Raymore running smoothly as Public Works Director Trent Salsbury and Assistant Director Justin Paith share insights into their department's critical functions and upcoming projects.• Engineering and operations teams work together to maintain city infrastructure while balancing reactive and proactive maintenance approaches• Current projects include street preservation, curb replacement and the design of the upcoming Kurzweil Road reconstruction scheduled to begin next spring• Safety remains a primary concern with crews working on streets and requesting drivers slow down around work zones• Winter operations planning begins in summer, with preparation conversations starting in August and the annual snow kickoff meeting in October• Longtime employee Andy Elliston reflects on his 46-year career with Raymore, witnessing the city grow from 3,000 to 25,000 residents while helping shape its infrastructure• The Public Works Department takes pride in serving the community and making tangible improvements daily, with a team able to implement more proactive maintenanceIf you see our Public Works crews working on streets or other infrastructure, please slow down, move over, and help keep them safe so they can return home to their families each day.Learn more about the City of Raymore's Communications Department at www.raymore.com/communications Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Threads @CityofRaymoreMO