May 2015 – Page 64 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Today’s stories

Man dies of gunshot wounds in KCK https://wyandotteonline.com/man-dies-of-gunshot-wounds-in-kck/

Sporting Park to be host of U.S. Under-23 MNT in CONCAF Olympic Qualifying Championship https://wyandotteonline.com/sporting-park-to-be-host-of-u-s-under-23-mnt-in-concacaf-olympic-qualifying-championship/

UG Commission makes quick work of development project votes https://wyandotteonline.com/ug-commission-makes-quick-work-of-development-project-votes/

KCKCC athletes of year also excelled in classroom https://wyandotteonline.com/kckcc-athletes-of-year-also-excelled-in-classroom/

Man indicted in connection with carjacking https://wyandotteonline.com/man-indicted-in-connection-with-carjacking/

Man indicted on meth charge https://wyandotteonline.com/man-indicted-on-meth-charge/

Charges filed in drug trafficking case https://wyandotteonline.com/charges-filed-in-drug-trafficking-case/

KCKCC wraps up successful debate-forensics season https://wyandotteonline.com/kckcc-wraps-up-successful-debate-forensics-season/

KCKCC Childcare Center celebrates graduation and Cinco de Mayo https://wyandotteonline.com/kckcc-childcare-center-celebrates-graduation-and-cinco-de-mayo/

Three injured in accident at 18th and Quindaro https://wyandotteonline.com/three-injured-in-accident-at-18th-and-quindaro/

Student from KCK to perform at K-State graduation https://wyandotteonline.com/student-from-kck-to-perform-at-k-state-graduation/

Rain in today’s forecast, more storms move in late Friday https://wyandotteonline.com/rain-in-todays-forecast-more-storms-move-in-late-friday/

Church opens prayer room, retreat center https://wyandotteonline.com/church-opens-prayer-room-retreat-center/

Recipe: Beef up your diet with 10 big nutrients https://wyandotteonline.com/recipe-beef-up-your-diet-with-10-big-nutrients/

UG Commission makes quick work of development project votes

The Unified Government Commission tonight moved forward development projects totaling about $60 million in eight minutes, averaging about $7.5 million a minute.

The commission voted on the three development items together, passing them unanimously 10-0, and also approved some Land Bank items unanimously.

There was no discussion on the developments tonight. There had been previous discussion of the projects in earlier UG regular meetings and standing committee meetings.

The Dairy Farmers of America project was requesting a resolution of intent to issue IRBs, according to agenda information. It is a $30 million capital investment that includes a 100,000-square-foot or more office building, 300-plus jobs with an average salary of $90,000, and a 20-year commitment to the site, which includes 12 acres. On Feb. 26, the UG Commission authorized the county administrator to make a development agreement with DFA.

The agenda stated that at a future date, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of IRBs will be required, along with a public hearing to consider the payment in lieu of taxes, tax abatement.

The resolution of intent to issue up to $18 million in industrial revenue bonds for the NPIF2 Kansas Avenue project at 5100 Kansas Avenue was approved April 30, according to agenda documents. On tonight’s agenda was an ordinance authorizing the IRBs.

The developer is ready to start construction on the Kansas Avenue commercial redevelopment project, according to UG agenda information.

Premier Automotive near The Legends area has submitted an IRB application for $12 million to finance the construction of three new auto dealerships in The Legends Auto Plaza area, according to agenda information. The UG Commission was asked for its approval.

In February, the UG Commission adopted a master resolution of intent to issue IRBs for this area, the amended Vacation Village District. The resolution gave the developer, SVVI LLC, the right to assign a portion of the benefits under the resolution to another entity with the approval of the UG, according to agenda information.

There will be no property tax abatement with this auto plaza project, the agenda information stated.

KCKCC athletes of year also excelled in classroom

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Two athletes who excelled in the field and the classroom – Blair Russell and Tanner Foerschler – have been named the Athletes of the Year at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

A first team volleyball All-American, Russell graduated with honors after the 2014 fall semester with a 3.77 grade point average while Foerschler was named the recipient of this year’s Mike Haen Baseball Hustle Award while earning President’s and Provost Honor Roll recognition with a grade point average of 3.62.

The first Lady Blue Devil to be named to the NJCAA All-America first team, Russell was also named the Most Valuable Player in the Jayhawk Conference. A first team All-Jayhawk and All-District selection, she ranked eighth in the NJCAA in kills per set (3.94) and seventh in the total number of kills (516).

Equally important, Russell led KCKCC to the NJCAA national tournament where the Blue Devils won three of four matches. Unfortunately, the lone loss came in the opening round to Glendale, Ariz., the eventual national champion. Bouncing back with three straight wins, the Blue Devils won the consolation bracket for a ninth place finish and overall record of 32-10.

“A vital and key leader to our success, Blair is the epitome of what you look for in a student athlete,” said KCKCC coach Mary Bruno. “A unanimous choice of her teammates as team captain, she was the hardest working athlete in the gym, a team player and an excellent student.”

A two-time NJCAA Academic All-American, Russell compiled a 4.0 grade point average her final semester. She has since transferred to Missouri Western State University.

In addition to being named the Mike Haen Hustle Award recipient, Tanner Foerschler is a nominee for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for the Jayhawk East Conference. During this past season, Tanner handled 578 chances at first base without an error which ranked him as a national leader at his position for most putouts compared to the least number of errors.

“Tanner came in to our program a skinny kid who with a lot of hard work and determination made himself into a terrific player,” said KCKCC Coach Steve Burleson. A two-year starter from Harrisonville, Mo., Foerschler hit .376 with 53 runs batted in. “A dream to coach, he took everything we gave him and added an incredible amount of work ethic to become the player he is.”

Foerschler has signed a letter of intent to attend William Jewell College in Liberty where “He’s going to make a fine addition to the Jewell program,” Burleson said.

In addition to his academic honors and 3.62 GPA, Foerschler participated in raising more than $100,000 the past two years.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.