Month: July 2014

Laws govern discharge of fireworks, guns in KCK

Kansas City, Kan., police and fire authorities are reminding the community that there are laws and ordinances governing the discharge of fireworks in the city and also governing the discharge of firearms.

Starting July 1, it became legal for persons to openly carry firearms within Kansas. However, this does not mean persons are allowed to discharge a firearm within the city limits, as defined in section 22-177 of the city ordinances, a KCK spokesman said.

More information about the laws governing fireworks from a Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman:

Citizens are reminded that the discharge of Class “C” fireworks is only allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. of each day from July 2 through July 4, in accordance with City Ordinance 15-93. A list of Class “C” fireworks that are approved for discharge, and any limitations, can be found in Section 15-90 of the Kansas City, Kan., City Ordinances.

Prohibited fireworks, unless otherwise provided for in the City Ordinances, include Bottle Rockets, Sky Rockets, Missile-type Rockets, and Unmanned aerial luminary, as defined in section 15-91 of the City Ordinances.

In order to shoot a public display you must comply with the requirements of City Ordinance 15-94, which includes application for permit requirements, insurance policy requirements and requirements for conduct of the display.

To shoot Commercial Class “B” fireworks, you must hold a valid Display Operator’s License issued by the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. Requirements for obtaining this license can be obtained from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Storage, sales and handling of fireworks is regulated by City Ordinance 15-92. Persons involved in sales of fireworks are reminded that sales of Class “C” fireworks are permitted only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. for each day from June 29 through July 4 without exception. A copy of City Ordinance 15-91 and 15-93, which governs the discharge of fireworks, in both English and Spanish, is required to be distributed with each sale.

Violation of fireworks ordinances is punishable by fines of no more than $2,000 or by imprisonment in the city jail for a period not exceeding 90 days.

KCK man indicted on charge of robbing Lawrence credit union

A man from Kansas City, Kan., has been indicted on federal charges of robbing a credit union in Lawrence, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Antonio P. Gaitan, 35, who is currently in federal custody, is charged with one count of bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on April 5, 2014, he robbed Truity Credit Union, 3400 W. 6th St. in Lawrence, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI and the Lawrence Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Warner is prosecuting.

In another, separate case, Nolberto Medina-Campos, 36, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 18, 2014, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley is prosecuting.

BPU’s water program receives national award for outstanding performance

At the awards presentation were, left to right, John Donahue, AWWA president; Jim Epp, manager of water operations; D.J. Johnson, director of water processing; Robert Milan Sr., BPU board vice president; and Peter Grevatt, director of the USEPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. (Submitted photo)

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities has received the “Five Year Directors Award of Recognition” from the Partnership for Safe Water for maintaining and exceeding required federal drinking water standards, and for consistently having one of the top water systems in the nation.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Don Gray, general manager. “BPU’s goal is to deliver reliable, quality water to our customers and the community, and this achievement recognizes our team’s efforts and our continued commitment to protecting public health.”

The BPU was presented the five-year award after successfully completing a comprehensive evaluation of its treatment plant operations and performance, identifying performance limiting factors, and the development of action plans to achieve optimization.

It was one of the first utilities in the metropolitan area and state of Kansas to be recognized with a Partnership for Safe Water Award, receiving its first award from this group in 2009. It is the only utility in the area to receive the “Five Year Directors Award of Recognition” milestone for five consecutive years of performance.

The Partnership for Safe Water is a national initiative developed by the EPA and other water organizations to guide water suppliers toward improving water quality by optimizing system operations. It has more than 250 members that collectively serve more than 100 million people.
– Story and photo from BPU