Finance + Legal Services

Wills, Probate and Trusts

Wills, Probate and Trusts: Which is Right for You?IntroductionOne of the most important decisions in estate planning is choosing between a probate-based estate plan and a trust-based plan. This choice will significantly impact how quickly your loved ones can access your assets, how much it will cost, and how private the process will be.Yet, many people make this decision without fully understanding the implications. Some choose probate simply because they're not familiar with trusts. Others go...

Food + Beverage

Hometown Scoops

Checking out local ice cream flavors Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer No matter the season, there is always a good reason to enjoy some ice cream. From an after school snack to a celebration, or just craving a sweet treat, ice cream has a way of bringing people together. I visited three ice cream shops serving up sweet treats and unique flavors.   Main Street Sweets What started as a lighthearted joke between friends quickly turned into a cherished neighborhood destination. When...

Food + Beverage

The Ultimate Taco Tuesday Tour

An adventure through KCK’s top taquerias Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer Kansas City is known for a lot of things. At the top of the list is usually barbecue, along with jazz, hundreds of historic fountains, sports teams, and a few other traditions that make KC unique and feel like home.  But after recently hopping on the Kansas City Kansas Taco Trail Bus Tour, I think tacos deserve a spot in that conversation.   With more than 60 locally owned taquerias, restaurants and food...

Food + Beverage

Your Local Drink Stop

New drink spots keeping Blue Springs and Grain Valley refreshed Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer Everyone has their signature go-to drink. Maybe your ideal morning starts with a caffeine kick, or perhaps your post workout routine calls for a nutrient packed smoothie. Maybe you prefer unwinding over a steeped herbal tea, or catching up with friends over a fresh cocktail. No matter what you're craving, our communities are filled with unique, locally owned spots ready to craft something...

Life + Culture

Standing for Hope

Real stories. Real survivors. A community standing together. Article by Katarina Brewer | Photography by Provided This month, as you drive home, head out for dinner or take a walk around town, you might notice purple silhouettes standing throughout Blue Springs. These wooden silhouettes are not just a seasonal display, they are a community-wide effort to bring domestic violence out of the shadows for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Blue Springs Police Department and Hope House...

Life + Culture

Fall in Kansas City

The ultimate family bucket list: at home & around town Article by Katarina Brewer | Photography by Provided There’s something about fall in Kansas City. With the changing leaves and cooler temperatures, this time of year brings endless opportunities to get out and explore. To share a few ideas for making the most of fall, we teamed up with local creator and mom, Faith Prindle. From backyard crafts to local orchards, pumpkin patches and trails, here are Faith’s top picks for family fun this...

Food + Beverage

Cozy Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Fall in a bowl—all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna with the ease of a slow cooker Article and Photography by Katarina Brewer Cool fall weather is here, which means it’s soup season. Coming home on a chilly evening and enjoying a warm bowl of soup hits the spot. This Crockpot Lasagna Soup recipe is one of our favorite go-tos, especially when we're wanting Italian but don't have the time to put together lasagna. This recipe has all the rich and delicious layers of a traditional...

Finance + Legal Services

Understanding Missouri's Probate Process

Understanding Missouri's Probate Process: A Guide to Independent and Supervised AdministrationThe word "probate" often conjures anxiety among those facing the death of a loved one. Yet understanding how Missouri's probate system works can help families navigate this process more smoothly—or better yet, avoid it altogether through strategic planning. In this article, the experienced probate attorneys at Starke Law Offices, LLC in Blue Springs, Missouri explain the fundamentals of Missouri...

Finance + Legal Services

Understanding the Basics of Estate Planning

Understanding the Basics of Estate Planning: Why Every Adult Needs a PlanIntroductionEstate planning is one of those topics people often put off thinking about. It can feel complicated, morbid, or irrelevant—especially if you're young or don't consider yourself wealthy. But the truth is simple: if you own anything of value and care about what happens to it and to your loved ones, you need an estate plan. It's not just for the rich, and it's not just about death—it's about protecting your family...

Life + Culture

The Years that Shaped Blue Springs

How a small town grew into a community people recognize and call home Article by Katarina Brewer | Photography by Blue Springs Historical Society Today, Main Street in Blue Springs is a place where people gather. It’s home to local shops, community events and businesses owners who give downtown its character. But long before parades, restaurants and well-known coffee shops, this stretch of town was where Blue Springs began to take shape. Reflecting on his move to Blue Springs almost 50 years...