Dry, cool weather in today’s forecast

Dry, cool weather, with an increased chance of fire hazard will be possible again today, according to the National Weather Service.

Today’s high will be near 78 and there will be sunny skies. A light west wind will become northwest, 5 to 9 mph in the morning, the weather service said.

Relative humidity values will drop into the 20 to 30 percent range, according to the weather service. Winds may increase in the afternoon.

Tonight, the weather service predicted mostly clear skies with a low of 50. Winds will become northwest 5 to 8 mph in the evening.

Wednesday’s high will be near 74 with sunny skies, according to the weather service. Wednesday night, expect a low of 52.

Thursday’s forecast is sunny and a high near 79. A light and variable wind will become north 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon, according to the weather service.

Thursday night’s low will be around 44, the weather service said.

Turn your old fridge into cash and reduce energy costs with BPU’s rebate program

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities offers a rebate program that encourages residential customers to replace their older, less efficient refrigerators with an Energy Star-qualified appliance that uses less electricity.

Customers wanting to participate in the program must properly dispose of their old refrigerator before receiving a $250 rebate check.

Refrigerators operate 24 hours a day, using more electricity annually than any other appliance in the home. If made before 2001, investing in a newer model can save energy immediately and cut customer’s utility costs significantly over time. BPU’s new rebate program is intended to reduce energy consumption and further protect the environment.

To receive a BPU Refrigerator Replacement Rebate, customers should do the following:

1. Remove and replace older refrigerators with a new Energy-Star-qualified refrigerator from a retailer. Make sure the appliance has the Energy-Star label when making the purchase.

2. Request and submit the BPU Rebate Application by calling 913-573-9997.

• Include a copy of dated sales receipt /invoice showing manufacturer, model number, and purchase price of the new appliance.

• Include copy of the signed document of disposal of previously-owned refrigerator.

3. Once completed, customers will receive a mailed check from BPU within six to eight weeks.

This Refrigerator Replacement Rebate program is for BPU residential customers living in the BPU service area, and applies to residential or commercial refrigerators with new Energy Star certifications.

Customer must have an active electric account that is in good-standing.

The rebate is valid for purchases made between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2015, with purchase receipt, removal document, and application postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2015.

One rebate per household/address per customer, and the $250 rebate amount may not exceed the purchase price of the refrigerator.
– From David Mehlhaff, BPU chief communications officer

Accident on K-32 reported after chase

A 2010 Chevy car was being pursued by law enforcement at 12:27 p.m. Oct. 12 on K-32 at 55th in Kansas City, Kan., when an accident occurred.

The Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report stated when a 2004 Nissan truck stopped at a stoplight, the Chevy car ran into the back of it.

The driver of the Chevy, a 26-year-old Kansas City, Kan., man, fled on foot and was taken into custody, according to the trooper’s report. The driver had a possible injury, according to the report.

A passenger in the Chevy, a 20-year-old Kansas City, Kan., woman, had a possible injury and was taken to the hospital, the report said.

The driver of the Nissan truck, a 63-year-old Kansas City, Kan., man, had a possible injury and was taken to the hospital, according to the report.