Circus clown entertains library patrons

A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)
A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Recently, the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library at 625 Minnesota Ave. brought a clown in from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus to entertain local children.

The clown’s name is Bill Murray. Murray was born in New Jersey, and then from there he went to school at the Philadelphia Art Institute.

After that he decided to do something that he always wanted do as a child. That was to be a clown with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

He has been with the circus since 2009 and has traveled with the 140th show and the 142nd shows. Currently he is an ambassador; he goes out to local communities and his appearances get people excited about the show that is coming.

“Built to Amaze” is the theme of the eight-performance run by Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey at Sprint Center, Sept. 10 – 14.

Currently Murray lives in Los Angeles and plans to be with the circus for many years to come.

“This is the best job I ever had,” Murray said.

One local resident by the name of Virginia Boling who is 6 years of age and lives in the area of 18th and Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., met Billy. Virginia is a first-grader.

“I really have a lot of fun,” Virginia said.

There were more than 35 children who participated in this event sponsored by Legoland and the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library. Everyone there seemed to have lots of fun and they learned a lot from Bill.

A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)
A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)

A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)
A clown from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library downtown location on Wednesday. (Photo by William Crum)

Wyandotte County under flood advisory

Wyandotte County is under an urban and small stream flood advisory that started at 9:23 p.m. Aug. 6 and continues until 12:30 a.m. Aug. 7, according to the National Weather Service.

Other nearby counties, including Leavenworth and Atchison counties, also are under this flood advisory.

Doppler radar estimated between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell during the previous three hours, with more heavy rain expected during the next few hours. An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain will be possible during the next couple of hours.

Runoff from this excessive rainfall will cause minor flooding, especially along small streams and near low water crossings, the weather service said. Bonner Springs, Edwardsville and Kansas City, Kan., are expected to have some areas that experience minor flooding.

BPU hears presentation on energy audit

by William Crum

The energy audit was the topic of a presentation by Patrice Townsend at tonight’s Board of Public Utilities work session.

At tonight’s work session Patrice Townsend gave a presentation they talked about the energy audit to the board.

Townsend also gave a presentation on the energy audit to the public at the regular BPU meeting following the work session.

Lori Austin gave a report regarding the second quarter financial report to the board.