Your Tuesday briefing for everything happening in Leawood

Leawood, Kansas | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 7 min read

Hello neighbors, this is James.

Happy Presidents' Day week. We've got a lot of ground to cover this morning -- the city council is weighing a speed limit cut on Lee Boulevard, Brown Suga just opened its doors at Park Place, Sporting KC kicks off the season Saturday, and Hamilton is back at Music Hall. Oh, and enjoy those mid-60s while they last -- snow's in the forecast for Friday.

The Leawood market stays tight with about 1.7 months of inventory and average sale prices up over 10% in Johnson County. Here are three listings that caught our eye:

13008 Fontana St -- $595,000
4 bed | 4 bath | 3,820 sq ft
A stately two-story in the Woodlands with a chef's kitchen, hardwood floors, and Blue Valley North schools -- all under $600K.
View on Redfin

4309 W 126th Ter -- $750,000
4 bed | 3.5 bath | 3,257 sq ft
Patrician Woods perfection with a concrete tile roof carrying a transferable 100-year warranty, plus a full unfinished basement ready for your vision.
View on Redfin

2608 W 118th St -- $2,895,000
4 bed | 5.5 bath | 6,682 sq ft
Coming soon in Hallbrook: a grand stone-and-stucco estate on half an acre with four fireplaces, a three-car garage, wet bar, and exercise room. Goes live Feb 21.
View on Redfin

Brown Suga Opens at Park Place
Olathe-based gourmet cookie bakery Brown Suga held its grand opening at Park Place (11529 Ash St.) on Feb 7. The new Leawood shop is the bakery's second retail location, offering cookies, ice cream, coffee drinks, brownies, and peanut clusters. If you haven't tried the cookies yet, consider this your sign.
Source: Johnson County Post

Shooting at Leawood Senior Living Facility
An argument between two coworkers at The Healthcare Resort of Leawood (5401 W 143rd St.) turned violent early on Feb. 10 when one employee fired multiple shots at the other, who returned fire. Nobody was injured and no residents were involved. The suspect, Darrick Dekovan Miller, 32, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and is being held on $750,000 bond.
Source: Johnson County Post

State of the City: Tickets Now Available
Mayor Marc Elkins will deliver Leawood's 2026 State of the City Address on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Ironhorse Golf Club. Expect updates on public safety, infrastructure, the "Leawood Rooted & Reaching" Comprehensive Plan, and FIFA World Cup preparations. Tickets include lunch and exclusive Leawood merchandise.
Source: City of Leawood, Get Tickets

69Express Toll Lanes Open This Saturday
The first express toll lanes in Kansas open Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. on US-69 between 103rd and 151st streets. Tolls start at $0.35 for K-TAG users and top out at $1.50 for non-K-TAG drivers. Existing general-purpose lanes stay free.
Source: Johnson County Post

Council Considers Lee Boulevard Speed Limit Reduction
At Monday's Governing Body meeting (Feb. 16), Public Works presented a traffic safety review for Lee Boulevard between 83rd and 103rd streets. Staff recommended reducing the current 35 mph limit to 30 mph through most of the corridor. Data showed 3,664 daily vehicles and five pedestrian crashes in the last six years, including the death of a 10-year-old boy in October 2025. Officials noted that "driver speeds are more influenced by roadway design and comfort level than just the posted speed limit." Council provided guidance for staff to move forward.

Coming Up: The next Governing Body meeting is Monday, March 2 at 7:30 PM.
Source: KSHB 41

Offseason Watch: The biggest questions of the offseason are taking shape. Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing his torn ACL from the Dec. 14 Chargers game and is targeting a return by Week 1 in September. Eric Bieniemy is back as offensive coordinator, and Travis Kelce -- whose contract expires March 11 -- is expected to announce his retirement or return plans by early March. Reports suggest Kelce is leaning toward coming back, energized by the Bieniemy hire.
Draft: The Chiefs hold the No. 9 overall pick (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh). Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love is the most-mocked prospect to KC.
Quick Take: This is the most consequential Chiefs offseason in a decade -- Mahomes' knee, Kelce's decision, and 29 pending free agents will define whether this is a retool or a rebuild.

Spring Training: Full squad reported to Surprise, AZ on Sunday. The staff is built around Seth Lugo, and Carter Jensen is the catching prospect to watch in camp. Jorge Alfaro hasn't reported yet due to visa issues.
Stadium News: The new outfield dimensions at Kauffman are taking shape -- power alleys move from 389 to 379 feet, and the wall drops from 10 to 8.5 feet. About 230 new seats are being added. Meanwhile, the new ballpark search continues after the Aspiria site in Overland Park fell through.
Quick Take: Real optimism in Surprise this spring, but that stadium question looms large.
Source: MLB.com

Preseason Results: SKC closed out the Coachella Valley Invitational with back-to-back wins -- 2-1 over NYCFC and 2-0 over Austin FC -- after a rough opening loss to Minnesota. New signing Calvin Harris and forward Dejan Joveljic look sharp.
This Week: Regular season opener at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, Feb. 21 -- the earliest opener in club history. Home opener vs. Columbus Crew on Feb. 28.
Quick Take: Two clean performances to close preseason is exactly the momentum SKC needs heading into Saturday.
Source: Sporting KC

Preseason: Drew San Diego Wave 1-1 at the CVI on Saturday. New head coach Chris Armas' squad showed second-half resilience, equalizing in the 83rd minute off a corner. Key additions include Croix Bethune (seven-figure acquisition) and GK Marisa Jordan.
Season Opener: Saturday, March 14 at CPKC Stadium vs. Utah Royals.
Source: KC Soccer Journal

Prairie Village: GolfTRK Moving HQ to Macy's Redevelopment
Indoor golf training center GolfTRK is opening its third Johnson County location at the $26 million Macy's redevelopment at the Shops of Prairie Village. The 6,700-square-foot space will feature six premium bays, indoor short game space, and a full kitchen -- and will double as the company's national headquarters. GolfTRK joins Big Grove Brewery and Brookside Barkery & Bath as confirmed tenants, with an expected opening in late May or early June.
Source: Johnson County Post

Overland Park: Chamber Launches Small Business Micro-Grants
The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce has launched a micro-grant program offering $500 to $3,000 to small businesses for staff development, paid internships, and business improvements. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 25 employees, at least one year in operation, and be in good standing with the State of Kansas. Applications are open through March 15.
Source: Johnson County Post

Kansas City: Amazon Drone Delivery Goes Live
Amazon activated Prime Air drone delivery in the KC metro on Feb. 9, making us the seventh U.S. market for the program. Operating from a fulfillment center in KCK, the service delivers packages under 5 pounds within a 7.5-mile radius during daylight hours. Prime members pay $4.99 per delivery; non-Prime customers pay $9.99.
Source: Axios Kansas City

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute -- Tuesday, Feb 17
Uptown Theater | 7:30 PM | Tickets from ~$40
All the hits with authentic costumes and choreography. Twenty-five years of touring have polished this tribute to a high shine.
Tickets

The Westerlies -- Friday, Feb 20
Polsky Theatre, JCCC | 7:30 PM | From $25
NPR's Fresh Air called them "skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers." Jazz, roots, and chamber music blended into something rare -- right in our backyard.
Tickets

KC Brew Fest -- Saturday, Feb 21
Union Station | 1-4 PM or 5-8 PM | $50 GA, $65 Early | 21+
Over 50 breweries, 125+ beers, live music, and KC's best food trucks. Beer included with admission.
Info

Hamilton -- Wed Feb 18 - Sun Feb 22
Music Hall KC | Various times | From ~$161
The Tony-winning hip-hop musical returns to KC. Multiple showings all week. If your family hasn't seen it live, this is the week.
Tickets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert -- Thu Feb 19 - Sun Feb 22
Kauffman Center | Thu-Sat 7 PM, Sun 2 PM | From ~$39
Watch the full film on a giant screen while the Kansas City Symphony performs John Williams' score live.
Tickets

Lunar New Year Celebration -- Sunday, Feb 22
Lenexa Public Market | 10 AM - 1 PM | FREE
Ring in the Year of the Fire Horse with cultural dance performances, kids' art activities, lucky red envelopes, and special dishes from market merchants.
Details

MTC Kids Jam: Mr. Stinky Feet -- Saturday, Feb 21
Polsky Theatre, JCCC | 11 AM | FREE (reservations required; sold out -- standby line at 10:30 AM)
Award-winning kid-rocker Jim Cosgrove and the Hi-Tops bring high-energy tunes. Art activities in the lobby start at 10 AM.
Info

Penguin March at the KC Zoo -- Sat & Sun, Feb 22-23
Kansas City Zoo | 11 AM | Included with admission
Watch the penguins waddle around Helzberg Plaza. Short, sweet, and guaranteed smiles.
Info

Blue Valley Debate Teams Capture State Championships
Our Blue Valley debate programs dominated at the 2026 KSHSAA State Championships. Blue Valley North won the 6A 2-Speaker Debate title for the third consecutive year, cementing the Mustangs as the premier debate program in Kansas. Blue Valley Southwest won the 5A 4-Speaker Championship for the second straight year. Between the three-peat and the repeat, Blue Valley debate is on a remarkable run.
Source: Johnson County Post

BV West's Heather Hall Named Kansas Master Teacher
Heather Hall, a science teacher at Blue Valley West, has been named one of seven 2026 Kansas Master Teachers by Emporia State University -- one of the state's most prestigious educator honors. Hall has been with Blue Valley since 2010 and describes her approach as "building learners, not just teaching science." She'll be honored April 1 at Emporia State.
Source: Johnson County Post

Thanks for reading Leawood Weekly. We'll be back in your inbox next Tuesday with more town news, weekend events, and stories from across Johnson County.

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Stay warm this weekend, Leawood.

-- James