Month: April 2014

Freed after 19 years on death row, former inmate to address topic of death penalty

Curtis McCarty, on death row for 19 years in Oklahoma for a crime he did not commit, will be the guest speaker April 8 at Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in Donnelly’s Community Event Center.

McCarty spent more than 21 years in prison – including 19 years on death row – before being exonerated in 2007.

McCarty was re-convicted twice and re-sentenced to death three times. It took more than 16 years for McCarty to secure proper DNA testing, and another three years to win a new trial with this evidence.

Since being exonerated, McCarty has been advocating for repeal of the death penalty all over the world. hand the flaws in the death penalty system, and the possibility of a state making the biggest mistake of all: executing an innocent person.

His appearance April 8 is sponsored by Donnelly College and the Archdiocese of Kansas.

The event is free and open to the public.

KCKCC streak ends at 14; Blue Devils play host to Independence Saturday

by Alan Hoskins  

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s winning streak finally came to an end Thursday but not before the Blue Devils had extended it to 14 in a row with an opening 6-5 10-inning win at Independence.

The Pirates, however, rebounded for a 9-2 win in the 7-inning nightcap to set up a pivotal doubleheader at KCKCC Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Blue Devils (11-11) trail Independence (13-9) by two games in the race for fifth in the Jayhawk Conference.

“It would be fun to win 15 in a row but you have to play well to do it,” said KCKCC coach Steve Burleson. “Fortunately, our first game mistakes didn’t extend into extra innings but we played poorly in the second game. If you don’t defend, don’t make pitches and don’t swing the bats in key situations, it’s tough to win and we didn’t.”

Sam Baxter’s third hit of the game, a two-out single in the top of the 10th, lifted the Blue Devils to the 6-5 opening win.

Daniel LaMunyon’s double following a leadoff hit batsman set up the winning run.

The Blue Devils took a 3-0 lead in the second inning and extended it to 5-1 in the fifth. A double by Christian Arnold, single by Eric Hinostroza and Tyler Raymond’s sacrifice fly scored one run and Tanner Foerschler doubled in two more in the second.

A single by Baxter, double by Garrett McKinzie, Arnold’s sacrifice fly and Hinostroza’s second hit added the two runs in the fifth.

A faulty KCKCC defense let Indy tie the game in the fifth. With the bases loaded, two throwing errors enabled Indy to score all four runs.

Indy’s first run also came after a leadoff error, Geoff Birkemeier worked the first 6.1 innings, allowing six innings and no earned runs before Hunter Phillips got the win, allowing three hits and striking out five in 3.1 innings.

The Blue Devils couldn’t overcome a rash of errors in the nightcap as the Pirates took advantage of three miscues to score four of their nine runs in the third and fourth innings.

Ethan Beckett swung the big bat for Indy, rapping out three extra base hits including a two-run home run in a 4-run third and a two-run triple in a 5-run fifth.

Christian Arnold’s belted his team-leading sixth home run of the season in the sixth while Mitch Glessner drove in the other run in the second with one of his three singles.

LaMunyon also had two hits and Luke Norton a double against Indy’s Corey Bayles, who struck out five in an 8-hit effort.

Faith news

To send in items for the Faith News, email information to Mary Rupert, editor, at  [email protected].

The Christ the King Catholic Church CYO will hold a fish fry from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, through April 11, at the church hall, 3024 N. 53rd St.

Edwardsville United Methodist Church, 302 N. 4th St., Edwardsville, Kan., will hold its Second Saturday Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12. It will feature spaghetti. salads, desserts and drinks. Suggested donations are $8 for adults and $3 for children.

Grandview Christian Church, 8550 Parallel Parkway, is collecting canned goods for Help 3:17, a local food pantry.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, will hold a men’s prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 5, in the dining room.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Parkway Baptist Church classrooms, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.esavealifenow.org.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., is planning an Easter Egg hunt for toddlers through fifth graders at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the church park. Those attending should bring their own baskets. The event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan., will be the site of a presentation and book signing by Teresa Tomeo. at 7 p.m. April 4. Tomeo recently has written the book, “God’s Bucket List.” She is the host of a Catholic talk show, “Catholic Connection,” and a columnist for the publication, “Our Sunday Visitor,” as well as host of the EWTN series, “The Catholic View for Women.”

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., continues to observe Lent. The Stations of the Cross will be at 6 p.m. Friday, April 4. A light supper will follow in the parish hall. A discussion group entitled “Lent for everyone” will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 6, in the parish library. A service in English will follow at 10 a.m. with a service in Spanish at 1:30 p.m.

The University of Saint Mary will present a student-led contemporary Live Stations of the Cross during Holy Week at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, on the Front Circle of USM’s Main Campus in Leavenworth, 4100 S. 4th Street. All are invited to attend. The service will feature prayer and song, as well as Stations designed by USM art students.