Independence Heritage Festival to feature food, entertainment, skateboarding

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Hill Park, 23rd and Maywood Ave., this Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., for the 2016 Independence Heritage Festival.

This year's event features a skateboard competition as well as entertainment, food and vendors.

LINC temporarily closes food pantry to reorganize

The Local Investment Commission (LINC) has a food pantry at Northern Boulevard United Methodist Church in Independence, MO. known as Project Suppertime.

LINC and the church have mutually agreed to temporarily close the food pantry to reorganize inventory and train new volunteers.

Those wishing to support Project Suppertime can make contributions directly to either the Local Investment Commission, 3100 Broadway, Suite 1100, Kansas City, MO. or to Northern Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1800 S Northern Blvd, Independence, MO 64052.

For additional information, contact Brent Schondelmeyer, LINC Deputy Director, (816) 410-8350 or bschonde@kclinc.org.

Independence celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. with keynote speaker Frank White

Newly appointed Jackson County Executive and Royals Hall of Fame member Frank White will deliver the keynote address at the annual City of Independence Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, January 18.

LINC In Photos 2015

We are happy to share this year's LINC in Photos — a visual representation of LINC's impact and presence in the community. LINC in Photos 2015 is dedicated to LINC Chairman Emeritus Landon Rowland, who passed away on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015.

Families and communities celebrate the holidays with LINC Caring Communities

Families and residents around Kansas City came together to celebrate the holidays and to support their community.

One Sight Vision Van helping students in need

Over 250 students are getting a much clearer view of the world around them, thanks to One Sight, a worldwide organization providing access to quality vision care.

Van Horn students receive free books from First Book during Teen Read Week

Van Horn High School students visited their school library during Teen Read Week where each student received a new book. The books were provided through a local First Book distribution.

Western Independence families work together to become more financially fit

LINC has partnered with Junior Achievement of Middle America and Arvest Bank to provide financial literacy to caring communities at Van Horn, Nowlin, Fairmount, Mallinson, and Sugar Creek. The free classes teach the entire family how to budget, save, understand credit, and more.

Night Out Against Crime: Independence residents and law enforcement celebrate community

Independence, Missouri residents came together with local law enforcement Tuesday, October 6 to celebrate their community during Night Out Against Crime. McCoy filled with residents, families, police officers, non-profit representatives, and more during the community block party.

Annual Night Out Against Crime to connect Independence October 6

Night Out Against Crime to connect local police departments with residents in Independence Tuesday, October 6. This national celebration encourages residents and local law enforcement to work together to protect their local communities. Independence residents can come out for free food and family fun!

Missouri Tax Amnesty Program begins now through November 30

Businesses and individuals with delinquent taxes before Dec. 31, 2014 are eligible to pay now through November 31 without interest or penalties with the Missouri Tax Amensty Program.

Upcoming Independence Homebuyer Education Class

Interested in buying a dream home? Upcoming Independence Homebuyers Education Class two-part seminar will help attendees to determine financial options, managing their money, and more while navigating the process of buying a home. Join us Saturday September 19.

Results: LINC Chess End of Year Tournament in Hickman Mills

Over 200 students competed in five rounds of chess during the LINC Chess End of Year Tournament at Hickman Mills Freshman Center Saturday, May 9. Congratulations to all participants!

Volunteers, local organizations to benefit local schools during Project Shine

Project Shine will once again be held this summer to clean and revitalize five schools in the Independence School District. Volunteers and supply donations are need to support cleaning and maintence efforts during Project Shine, which prepares schools for the upcoming academic year.

LINC prepares 35,000 books for students

Watch our video about the process of preparing 35,000 books for delivery to students this summer. Community volunteers and several organizations have helped to make this year's distribution a success.

LINC produces video for NWCDC annual gala

LINC has produced a video featuring the goals that the Northwest Communities Development Corporation has accomplished the past year. The NWCDC is a long-time partner of LINC and has roots that go back to the first LINC Caring Communities site at Van Horn High School.

Results: LINC Chess Girls Tournament at Border Star Montessori in K.C.P.S.

One hundred and one students fought the snow with their families to play at the LINC Chess Girls Tournament at Border Star Montessori on Saturday, February 28. Photos will be available online at facebook.com/LINCchess.

Parents and students build relationships with Teen FAST

A second class of the Teen FAST program at Van Horn High School in Independence has graduated. Since 1999, LINC has used the FAST program as part of its Caring Communities initiative.

LINC partnership connects students with the arts

Students from Van Horn High School in the Independence School District recently attended Motown The Musical.This school year over 600 LINC students from three school districts (Kansas City, Hickman Mills, and Independence) have attended shows at the Coterie and Music Hall.

Upcoming 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration provides scholarship opportunity

Two essay contests will be held in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. in conjunction with the January 19 celebration. The scholarship essay contest is open to Independence high school seniors with an additional essay contest available to Independence 8th graders.