Month: August 2014

KCK man indicted for running into barrier at ammunition plant

A Kansas City, Kan., man was indicted today for ramming a stolen car into the checkpoint barrier at the Lake City Army Ammunition plant, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Eric Keith Mendoza, 41, of Kansas City, Kan., was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Mendoza on Aug. 7, 2014.

Today’s indictment alleges that Mendoza damaged the barrier when he accelerated through the checkpoint at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant on Aug. 7, 2014. Mendoza is also charged with entering the plant without authorization and with transporting a stolen vehicle across the state line from Kansas to Missouri.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Mendoza was driving a stolen 1997 Cadillac Deville when he arrived at the Lake City installation’s primary entry gate.

His identification was requested, the affidavit says, but Mendoza accelerated at a high rate of speed through the checkpoint onto the installation. According to standard operating procedure, security personnel activated the final denial barrier, which consists of an in-ground steel plate barrier which is activated in an emergency situation. The barrier rises out of the ground in order to stop an oncoming vehicle from gaining access to the installation. In front of the barrier are two speed mitigation “humps” in the roadway to slow approaching vehicles. The barrier is equipped with signage and red lights which illuminate upon activation, allowing vehicles the opportunity to stop before impacting it.

Mendoza’s vehicle struck the barrier, rendering the vehicle inoperable and causing moderate damage to the barrier. Damage to the barrier is estimated up to $20,000.
Mendoza fled the accident scene on foot, the affidavit says, travelling southbound on the installation. The Independence, Mo., Police Department K-9 unit provided assistance and located Mendoza adjacent to an inner fence where he was apprehended without further incident.

Residents coping well with high heat this week

by Mary Rupert

People in Wyandotte County seem to be coping fairly well with the high temperatures and heat advisories this week.

Kansas City, Kan., Assistant Fire Chief Craig Duke, public information officer, said that there were only three heat-related calls so far during this time. The three were treated at the scene and then transported to the hospital for evaluation, he added.

The Fire Department has a plan that will be put into place for firefighters in the event of extreme heat. Duke said personnel are rotated more quickly, and extra apparatus are brought in to relieve the firefighters on the scene.

Also, on days like today, an air-conditioned vehicle is brought to the scene so that firefighters can sit in it to cool off, and drink fluids to replace electrolytes, he said.

A heat advisory continues in effect today, as temperatures are expected to reach a high of 93, with a heat index as high as 99 degrees. There have been several days of high temperatures. Temperatures currently are predicted to decline a few degrees in the next few days.

“We have only had two heat-related cases in the last week,” said Bob Hallinan, spokesman for the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. “Neither were admitted; they were brought in, treated, given plenty of fluids, cooled off and released.”

People may be paying attention to the warnings they hear about the hot weather, he added. “When it gets this hot, people actually do pay attention to the media and stay in,” he said.

Many students started school last week, and athletic practices have already started. Most students are in air-conditioned classes during the hottest part of the day.

“We’re lucky. Our facilities are all air-conditioned with the exception of a couple gyms,” said Jason Dandoy, spokesman for the Turner Public Schools. “One of those we are replacing as part of the Oak Grove Elementary School.”

Dandoy said Turner’s learning environments are not affected. “When kids come back from recesses, we’re making sure they are well hydrated.”

The Turner athletic department has delayed the start of athletic practices on high heat days, and also is giving the students frequent water breaks, he said.

Doug Key, Piper athletic director, said the Piper football coaches are using the Kansas State High School Activities Association guidelines on giving water when they should, and students are not wearing all of their equipment until it is needed.

The time of the practices has not had to be altered, he added. So, far, there have been no heat-related illnesses there. Piper is planning its Purple-White scrimmage on Thursday.

KU students safe after small fire at Sigma Chi house

University of Kansas students at the Sigma Chi fraternity house evacuated safely late Tuesday morning after firefighters responded to smoke at the house, 1439 Tennessee St., Lawrence, Kan.

Following reports of smoke, fire crews were on scene at 11:36 a.m. and declared all clear at 12:30 p.m. The fire appears to have been contained to the third floor in an area that houses a bedroom and bathroom.

University of Kansas students who live at the Sigma Chi fraternity house were able to return to their home Tuesday evening, according to a university spokesman.
Of the house’s 74 residents, only four of the men will have to relocate to other rooms at Sigma Chi.

The chapter house is home to 74 men and is located east of the campus. Sigma Chi has been at the University of Kansas since 1884. It moved into the house at 1439 Tennessee St. in 1922, when the oldest portion of the house was completed.