Month: March 2014

Snow possible Sunday, according to weather service

Winter returns to the area on Saturday night and Sunday, accompanied by high winds and possible light snow. (National Weather Service graphic)

A few showers and thunderstorms may bring rain and snow to Wyandotte County today, according to the National Weather Service.

It will be half as warm Sunday as it was Saturday.

A strong cold front will push southward through the area tonight with strong winds developing behind the front, the weather service said.

Winds could gust as high as 45 mph before the front.

Temperatures also will drop quickly, allowing a transition from rain to snow to occur from north to south tonight.

There will likely be a period of sleet as well during the transition.

Most areas will see less than an inch of snow from this storm.

At 6 p.m., storm clouds were in the Topeka, Manhattan, Leavenworth and Emporia, Kan., areas.

Before 5 a.m. Sunday, rain showers are likely.

The weather service forecast shows a slight chance of thunderstorms at 9 p.m. Saturday, showers likely at midnight, then rain likely at 3 a.m.

After 5 a.m., rain and sleet are likely. The weather service forecast shows snow likely at 6 a.m. Sunday, chance of snow at 9 a.m., slight chance of wintry mix at noon, slight chance of rain and snow from 2 to 3 p.m.,  and mostly cloudy skies at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The high Sunday will be near 36.

Residents enjoy beautiful weather at opening day of fishing

Isabeal Castillo, right, who was fishing in the children’s pond area with the assistance of her dad, Ricardo Avila, of Kansas City, Kan., said the fish were biting. She was waiting for her first catch on Saturday, March 15, at Wyandotte County Lake. (Staff photo)

by Mary Rupert  

Wyandotte County Lake Park was crowded with residents enjoying 73-degree weather on opening day of the fishing season March 15.

The fish weren’t biting for everyone, but the sunny skies and mild weather were enough for many to get out and enjoy a day in the park fishing, walking, biking, boating and picnicking.

Opening day had been postponed twice because of ice still on the lake, and on Saturday, it looked like the ice had melted.

Isabeal Castillo was fishing in the children’s pond area with the assistance of her dad, Ricardo Avila, of Kansas City, Kan. She and her family like to go fishing regularly at the lake.

Isabeal said the fish were biting, but she hadn’t caught anything yet.

Lindsey Silvers and Shari Silvers were out walking their dog and enjoying the weather at the Wyandotte County Lake Park Saturday. (Staff photo)

Lindsey Silvers and Shari Silvers were out walking their dog and enjoying the weather at the park Saturday.

Matthew Richards was enjoying skipping rocks at the lake, with his father, Shawn, on March 15 at opening day of Wyandotte County Lake. (Staff photo)

Matthew Richards was enjoying skipping rocks at the lake, with his father, Shawn.

Tong Thao, left, and Keng Vang of Kansas City, Kan., were taking a break from fishing on Saturday, March 15, at Wyandotte County Lake Park. (Staff photo)

Tong Thao and Keng Vang of Kansas City, Kan., had been fishing and said they had no catches yet on Saturday afternoon.

Thomas Barlow, Shawnee, Kan, a graduate of Washington High School, reported catching two trout on opening day, March 15, at Wyandotte County Lake. (Staff photo)

Thomas Barlow, Shawnee, Kan, has gone to opening day at the lake since the days he was a high school student at Washington High School.

He reported catching two trout. He used “Power Bait,” a commercial bait that has a cheese-based product. Worms were working for some other anglers located just northwest of the lake’s administration building, he reported.

Apartment fire starts when smoking materials discarded in trash bag

A fire truck approached the intersection of Rainbow Boulevard and West 36th Street on Saturday morning on its way to an emergency.

An apartment fire at 4146 Booth at 9:47 a.m. March 15 was caused by careless disposal of smoking materials, according to the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department.
Crews arrived within 3 minutes of the call to find smoke and fire showing from the top floor of a six–plex apartment building, the spokesman said.
The fire was found on the third floor. It had started on a deck and then extended into the apartment and attic area, the spokesman said.
It was brought under control in 15 minutes.
All occupants had self-evacuated, according to the spokesman.
The fire investigator has determined the fire was accidental, as the resident had discarded smoking materials into a trash bag on the deck, the spokesman said.
The damage was confined to the exterior of the apartment and attic area. The estimated dollar loss to the structure and contents was $50,500, according to the Fire Department. Four apartments suffered water damage.
The Red Cross was called to assist five occupants but all had alternate accommodations, the spokesman said.
There were no injuries.