Shawnee Mission Director of Safety and Security says gun control won’t stop terrorism. John Douglass, the former Overland Park Police Chief and current Director of Safety and Security for the Shawnee Mission School District, told KCTV on Sunday that he didn’t believe tougher gun control laws would be effective in stopping terrorism. [Local expert-fight against terrorism shouldn’t include gun control debate — KCTV]

SM North, Miege basketball named teams to watch. The Kansas City Star’s boys basketball preview named both SM North and Bishop Miege as among five teams to watch on the Kansas side. SM North was at the top of the list, noting the play of Marcus and Michael Weathers who return as seniors this year. The team opened the season with a 71-47 win over Blue Valley Southwest. SM East senior Jay Guastello was listed at the top of five players to watch this season.

Lancer football players receive postseason recognition. Five SM East football players were among those honored on this year’s 6A All State teams. Senior tackle Jeff Heath made the 1st Team squad while Sky Tate, Stephen Gill, Wyatt Edmisten and Simon Bradley made the Honorable Mention list.

Rose column says Johnson County could be TIF winner. Writing for The Kansas City Star, Johnson County columnist Steve Rose says the battle over a Tax Increment Financing project in downtown KCMO could benefit Johnson County. If TIF development is discouraged in the city, Rose contends, then developers shoudl look across the state line where county chair Ed Eilert says renovation of old property or redevelopment of failing retail or office centers is a legitimate use of TIF. [Steve Rose: Johnson County could be the winner of Kansas City’s TIF wars – The Kansas City Star]

Westwood to have final leaf pick up Thursday. Westwood residents can take advantage of the city’s final leaf pick up of the year this Thursday, Dec. 10. Residents who wish to have their leaves sucked up by Roeland Park’s trucks are asked to pile their leaves in the streets one foot away from the curb. The exception is along Mission Road, 47th Street, Rainbow Blvd, and State Line Road, where the trucks will not be making a final pass.

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