Turner Diagonal ramp reopens

Crews were working to cut a damaged girder into pieces around noon Saturday, July 12, in the Turner Diagonal area. It will take several weeks to produce a new bridge girder, according to KDOT. An accident happened Saturday morning on a ramp, involving a semi cab with trailer that tipped, breaking a connection between the cab and trailer. The girder on the truck tipped, hit the ground and snapped in half. The ramp reopened this afternoon. A concrete barrier has been placed in front of the damaged guardrail. (KDOT photo)

Youth compete at new athletic field

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth tossed some warmup passes on the field before the passing competition of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition Saturday, July 12, at Aaron Roberson Athletic Field, 1900 N. 9th, Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

The new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St. was dedicated Saturday, July 12. The project was led by Unified Government Commissioner Tarence Maddox. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Youth competed in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, July 12, at the new Aaron Roberson Athletic Field at 1900 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. (Staff photo)

Sheriff launches safety program with new patrol boat

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department has purchased this boat, which was used in the 2003 recovery effort from the Columbia shuttle disaster. It will be used to patrol Wyandotte County Lake. From left to right are Lt. Kelli Bailiff, Deputy Jeff Payne, Deputy Max Sybrant and Capt. Daniel Soptic. (Staff photo)

A new patrol boat at Wyandotte County Lake will help make boating safer at the lake, according to officials.

Launched on Saturday, July 12, the new patrol boat and safety sticker program is part of an effort to educate the public and emphasize safety in boating, said Lt. Kelli Bailiff, spokesman for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.

The Sheriff’s Department has purchased a federal decommissioned boat that was used in the Columbia Shuttle disaster recovery mission in 2003, she said.

The department started the program as a proactive way to try to reduce the high numbers of boating and water incidents, she said.

After an inspection, a sticker will be placed on boats at Wyandotte County Lake. As the lake is patrolled, officers will be able to see an inspection sticker on the boats.

“It gives them visibility,” said Capt. Daniel Soptic. “It makes it more visible to them what boats have been checked and what haven’t.”

Boats are checked for numerous requirements under Kansas law, such as registration, state numbers, life jackets, fire extinguisher, horn and lights, he said. Most of it is a safety inspection making sure the boats have the needed safety equipment, he added.

Gary Lehnen, who has had a boat at the Wyandotte County Lake for more than 20 years, demonstrated the boat’s horn during an inspection Saturday. Deputy Jeff Payne went over a checklist of safety items during the inspection. (Staff photo)

Deputy Jeff Payne placed a sticker on a boat after inspecting it on Saturday at Wyandotte County Lake. (Staff photo)

Lt. Kelli Bailiff held a sticker that will be placed on boats after they are inspected. (Staff photo)

The new patrol boat was at the end of this ramp at Wyandotte County Lake on Saturday. (Staff photo)