The Fourth of July holiday is only two weeks away, and the city of Blue Springs wants to ensure everyone is being a “good neighbor.”

The city in cooperation with the Blue Springs Police Department has started its “Be a Good Neighbor” Fireworks Education Campaign for the 2013 fireworks season.

Independence police have arrested two people in connection with the theft of the Pioneer Woman, the six-foot bronze statue that had stood at the National Frontier Trails Museum for 23 years.

However, it appears that the statue has been destroyed.

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The Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in overtime Tuesday night, forcing a Game 7. The Heat outscored the Spurs 30-20 in the fourth quarter to tie the game at the end of regulation, and in overtime, they finished up 8--5. LeBron James led the way for the Heat with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

A Blue Springs man accused of selling counterfeit shoes and clothing at a store in northeast Kansas has pleaded guilty in federal court.

“Mascot Mania” is part of the kickoff of the Relay for Life this Friday night at Centerpoint Medical Center.

Mack, the mascot of the Missouri Mavericks, is among the 15 or so mascots expected to be there. Others are from places such as IHOP and ChuckECheese.

The missing Pioneer Woman statue reflects the history of Independence in a couple of ways.

The statue – missing since the weekend and evidently stolen – is a testament to spirit of the women who headed west with their families on the major trails out of Independence.