Month: April 2014

Kansas City, Kan., police reports

April 1
Burglary, criminal damage, 2300 block of North 5th, door, $100 value.
Burglary, criminal damage, 1800 block of Glendale, three handguns, lockbox, key, $551 value.
Burglary, 1900 block of North 29th, German shepherd, Rottweiler, $400 value.
Aggravated burglary, criminal damage, 500 block of North 80th Terrace, window, $25 value.
Burglary, 1400 block of South 55th, coins, $5 value.

March 31
Burglary, criminal damage, 3000 block of North 12th. two hasps, copper piping, electrical wiring, $615 value.
Burglary, criminal damage, 400 block of Freeman, video game systems, moped, $700 value.

Dunn plans KCK location

The J.E. Dunn construction firm plans an expansion into Wyandotte County.

A company official presented a plan for a 22-acre site with a $9 million investment for an equipment rental facility at 240 S. 65th.  The project was discussed at the Monday night Unified Government Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting.

Kurt Peterson, an attorney with the Polsinelli law firm representing Dunn, said it was a significant expansion from Dunn’s Missouri operations into Kansas.  The site would eventually employ 65 persons, he said.

According to UG information, an 80,000-square-foot facility is planned, and it will consolidate three Dunn logistic divisions on the site.

The rental facility would lease equipment to Dunn’s affiliates and to third parties, Peterson said. Besides the $9 million investment, there also would be about $45 million invested in equipment, he said.

George Brajkovic, UG director of economic development, said the 22-acre site is currently vacant. The property currently pays the local government about $1,600 in taxes. He said the first year of revenues to the UG if the development goes in could be about $90,000 to $100,000. It will be a payment in lieu of taxes.

He said the project is applying for industrial revenue bonds, not backed by the UG, and it will qualify for a 65 percent abatement.

The site is very challenging, a long narrow piece of property with drainage issues, according to Peterson.

The development is expected to be considered by the UG Commission on May 15, and a public hearing will be held, Brajkovic said.

Third-graders to participate in Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day

Third-grade students in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools are gearing up to participate in the 24th annual Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day.

The Governor’s Council on Fitness and Safe Kids Kansas are sponsoring this statewide event to reinforce the fun and health benefits of noncompetitive physical activities and injury prevention. Nearly 19,000 students will participate this year at more than 30 sites across the state, with the majority of events being held on May 1 and May 2.
On Thursday, May 1, Washington High School will be the host of 1,000 third-graders and high school students at the stadium at 7340 Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kan.

On Friday, May 2, Harmon High School will be the host of more than 1,000 third-grade students and high school students at 25th and Lawrence Avenue at Harmon Stadium. Events on both dates will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Statewide, all children participating in Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day will receive health and safety enrichment packets, including jump ropes, to encourage physical activity.  Activities at these sites will provide opportunities to participate in fun and educational activities to promote physical activity and promote safety.

Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day is an opportunity to impress upon youth the importance of being safe and physically active. A 2008 report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than one-third of children and adolescents were either overweight or obese and physical inactivity was a major contributor to this problem. According to the CDC report, 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease in a population based sample of 5 to 17 year olds.
Kansas City, Kansas Kids Fitness Day is sponsored by UMB bank.  This is the second year for this partnership and the benefits are amazing.  Kansas City, Kan., fire stations will be on hand to help with the fire safety station.