Month: November 2014

New I-70 to K-7 ramp to open Friday morning

The I-70 to K-7 ramp in Bonner Springs will open Friday morning, according to KDOT. (KDOT photo)
The I-70 to K-7 ramp in Bonner Springs will open Friday morning, according to KDOT. (KDOT photo)

A new eastbound I-70 to K-7 ramp will open to unrestricted traffic by 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Bonner Springs, according to KDOT.

Crews were finishing traffic control work on Thursday afternoon and evening, and will fully open the ramp to traffic after rush-hour on Friday morning, a spokesman said.

This ramp work is part of the K-7 and I-70 interchange project Phase 1 construction.

For updated daily traffic information for this project and the Kansas City metro area, visit www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.

The K-7 and I-70 Interchange Project construction handout for Phases 1 and 2A-2B, including phasing schedule and traffic impacts, is available online at: http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/kcMetro/pdf/K-7%20and%20I-70%20Phase%202B%20Project%20Handout.pdf.

The Kansas Department of Transportation asked all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and slow down when approaching and driving through the project work zone.
– Story from KDOT

T-Bones acquire top reliever in trade

The Kansas City T-Bones have acquired relief pitcher Jonathan Kountis from Washington of the Frontier League in exchange for pitchers Andy Noga and Hamilton Bennett, and a player to be determined later.

Kountis, 26, is a 6-foot-3 and 215-pound right hander from Akron, Ohio. Last season with Washington, Kountis was selected as the Frontier League’s Relief Pitcher of the Year after going 1-4 with 32 saves and a 2.51 ERA in 41 appearances.

He had 50 strikeouts with 10 walks in 43 innings. The New York Mets selected Kountis in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft out of Embry-Riddle University.

During five professional seasons in the Mets and Toronto minor-league systems, plus four teams in the independent Frontier League and American Association, including 2012 at Lake Erie with current T-Bones manager John Massarelli, Kountis is 9-14 with 53 saves and a 4.09 ERA in 123 games. He has struck out 211 and walked 89 in 195 2/3 innings.

“Jonathan brings a power arm to the back end of the bullpen,” Massarelli said. “Royals fans know how important that can be.”

In 2014 with Kansas City, Noga went 2-6 with a 4.67 ERA in 23 appearances (17 starts). Bennett, whom the T-Bones signed midway through the 2014 season, had no decisions with a 10.06 ERA in 19 2/3 innings.
– Story from T-Bones

KCK student to appear in play

Olivia Hatchel, Kansas City, Kan., is appearing a production of “Alice in Wonderland” at the Xavier Theatre, University of Saint Mary campus, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan.

The classic is the annual Christmas season theater production and will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, in Xavier Theatre.

It also will be presented to schoolchildren in group and school matinees.

For ticket information, call 913-758-6152.