The public is invited to a retirement reception for longtime Independence municipal judge William "Bill" Kelly. The special reception will be held June 25th at the Veterans Room of Memorial Hall, starting at about 4:30.

A native of Independence and a local attorney, Kelly began his service as judge to the city in 1979. He had also served as a Municipal Judge for the communities of Elk City, Cherryvale and Neodesha. In 2015, he joined local attorney Joslyn Kusiak in establishing Kelly and Kusiak Law Office LLC. He retired from private law practice in 2018.

Kusiak is currently served as the new municipal judge, having started that position June 1st.