Month: February 2016

KCK public schools to hold community forum March 2

The public is invited to learn more about the initiatives and goals of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools at the upcoming Community Forum.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Harmon High School, 2400 Steele Road, Kansas City, Kan.

Superintendent Cynthia Lane, Board of Education members and district staff will be on hand to guide the conversation, answer questions and seek information from community members.

This is the third in a series of community forums planned by the district to engage families in the educational process, a spokesman said.

Registration open for Blue Devil 5K and kids trot

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

A Kansas City Kansas Community College tradition returns this spring with the 2016 Blue Devil 5K and Kids Trot.

The Blue Devil 5K, which is in its 12th year, is at 8 a.m. May 7. The course winds through the KCKCC campus on the roads, walking paths and sidewalks.

The Kids Trot follows at 9 a.m. and is geared toward children 11-years and younger. Childcare volunteers will provide activities for the children from 7:30 to 9 a.m., so parents can participate in the run/walk. Registration for the 5K is $20 per person through March 31.

The Kids Trot is $5. Registration includes a T-shirt, finisher’s medal, goodie bag and an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast following the event. Children in the Kids Trot will receive a participation ribbon. About 200 people participated in the 5K and Kids Trot in 2015.

“The goal of the Blue Devil 5k & Kids Trot is to get the Kansas City, Kan., community more active. Having the event each year helps students and staff at KCKCC, as well as, the community to stay more active and see the benefits of a regular exercise program,” said Joe Mundt, wellness specialist at KCKCC.

“Along the way, the money raised is put back into our community by making improvements to the campus walking trail, which is used by many community members,” he said. “The event also helps to promote out KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center, which is open to the community for use.”

Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers. In addition, the winner of each age group will receive an award and a prize. Children in the Kids Trot will run in heats based on age groups. Distances will range from 25 meters to one-quarter of a mile. No strollers are allowed.

“People do the Blue Devil 5k for the pancakes at the end of the race! In reality, people should participate because this is a really fun event for the whole family, plus you get a finishers medal, prizes and pancakes at the end,” Mundt said. “We are also the only 5k in the Kansas City area that offers activities with professional staff for kids while their parents complete the 5k. Parents get to walk/run the Blue Devil 5k, while the kids get to do the Kids Trot. The Blue Devil 5k is a great way to take your exercise plan to the next level.”

For more information about the Blue Devil 5K Run/Walk and Kids Trot, visit www.kckcc.edu/campus-life/health-rec/WFC/blue-devil-fun-run-walk. Information is also available by calling the KCKCC Wellness & Fitness Center at 913-288-7610. An entry form must be filled out for each registrant.

Early bird registration can be completed at https://mysportkc.org/Register/?event=35963. Enter discount code EARLYBIRD before March 1 to save $5. Registration can also be completed in person at the KCKCC Wellness Center. Volunteers are also needed. For information on how to volunteer for the Blue Devil 5K Run/Walk and Kids Trot, call 913-288-7370.

Kelly Rogge is the public information specialist for Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Four vehicles involved in crash on K-7

Four vehicles were involved in an injury crash in which a sport utility vehicle overturned at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at K-7 and Parallel Parkway in Wyandotte County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report, a Hyundai passenger car and a Chevrolet pickup truck were stopped at a red light in the left turn lane on southbound K-7.

A Ford sport utility vehicle was southbound on K-7, made a lane change and struck the Hyundai, the trooper’s report stated.

The Hyundai then was pushed into the pickup truck, according to the report.

The Ford SUV continued through the intersection, went into the center median and struck a one-way sign pole, the trooper’s report stated.

Then the Ford SUV went into the northbound lanes of K-7 and struck a Toyota SUV that was southbound, the report stated. The Ford SUV next went into the east ditch and overturned, the trooper’s report said.

The driver of the Ford SUV, a 48-year-old man from Kansas City, Kan., was not injured, according to the trooper’s report.

The driver of the Hyundai car, a 38-year-old man from Leavenworth, Kan., was injured and taken to a hospital, the report stated.

A passenger in the Hyundai, a 29-year-old woman from Leavenworth, Kan., also was injured and taken to a hospital, according to the report.

The driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck, a 61-year-old man from Tonganoxie, Kan., was not injured, the report stated.

A passenger in the pickup truck, a 47-year-old woman from Tonganoxie, Kan., was injured and taken to a hospital, according to the report.

The driver of the Toyota SUV, a 28-year-old woman from Kansas City, Mo., was not injured, the report stated.

A 27-year-old male passenger from Kansas City, Mo., in the Toyota also was not injured, according to the report.