Mikesic files for judge

(Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on the Wyandotte Daily News website on Sept. 2, 2013.)

Courtney Mikesic, a lifelong Wyandotte County resident, and Democrat, has filed for the District Court judge position currently held by Judge David Boal, who will not be seeking re-election.

Mikesic said that while it may seem early to begin campaigning for the August 2014 election she realizes that it will take a lot of hard work and organization to run in a county-wide election.

Mikesic said it would be a honor and privilege to serve as a District Court judge and follow in the footsteps of her father, retired District Court Judge David Mikesic, who served for over 30 years.

“I saw the impact that my dad had as an elected official and I’d like to make that same impact in the community,” she said.

Courtney Mikesic received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, graduating magna cum laude while playing Division I NCAA volleyball on an athletic scholarship. Mikesic earned her Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law at Washburn University where she was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.

Mikesic, 34, is licensed to practice law in both Kansas and Missouri, and admitted to practice in both Kansas and Missouri U.S. district courts.

She is currently an associate with the Kramer and Frank, P.C. law firm, where she has worked five years, and does extensive court practice in civil and business litigation in both Kansas and Missouri. She was a former associate with Holbrook and Osborn, P.A. law firm, where she practiced in areas of civil and corporate litigation specializing in insurance and medical malpractice defense litigation.

One of her first jobs in her law career was as an intern with the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office, where she handled misdemeanor cases.

Mikesic has been a member of the Kansas and Missouri Bar Associations, Wyandotte and Johnson County Bar Associations, American Health Care Lawyers Association, and the Kansas City Society of Hospital Attorneys.

Courtney Mikesic concentrates her practice in general litigation, business litigation and creditor’s rights. Her practice is concentrated in the state and federal courts of Kansas and Missouri.

A Wyandotte County native, Mikesic graduated from Christ the King School, Bishop Ward High School and Kansas City Kansas Community College before going to Long Island University on a volleyball athletic scholarship. She also played volleyball at KCKCC for two years on an athletic scholarship.

“The schools here in Wyandotte County have really given me a great upbringing, helped me in academics, provided an education and helped me succeed,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important for me as a lifelong resident of Wyandotte County to be able to give back something to the community that’s given me so much.”

Mikesic volunteers in many local civic organizations and is a board member of the Leavenworth Road Association of Wyandotte County. Courtney Mikesic is married to Jeff Stoppel.

KCK driver swerves to avoid deer on turnpike

A Kansas City, Kan., driver swerved to miss a deer and crashed on the Kansas Turnpike June 14.

According to a Kansas Turnpike Authority trooper’s report, the 66-year-old man from Kansas City, Kan., was traveling north on the turnpike near Andover, Kan., in a Ford van at 6:45 a.m. June 14 when he swerved, lost control and went into a ditch.

He was taken to a hospital.

Juneteenth celebrated with parade, festival

A Juneteenth celebration with booths, a festival and parade was held Saturday, June 14, at Big 11 Lake in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

In mid-June a celebration occurs in Wyandotte County and throughout the United States. The name of the event is Juneteenth.

At Juneteenth, African-American freedom in America is celebrated. The festival here reaches out to include self-development, respect for all cultures, knowledge and appreciation for African-American history and culture. Youths are honored at the festival.

The festival kicked off at 18th and Quindaro and ended at Big 11 Lake where the festivities begin.

The festival included a car show and music, plus numerous booths, and candidates such as Paul Davis, Democratic candidate for the office of Kansas governor. Local candidates also came out to meet the public.

Paul Davis, left, Democratic candidate for Kansas governor, talked to firefighters at the Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 14, at Big 11 Lake in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

A car show was part of the featured attractions at the Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 14, at Big 11 Lake in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)