Work originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13, has been changed, according to information from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Crews will close the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 69 bridge over the Missouri River from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, through 2 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. This is a changed schedule from a previous announcement.
Motorists will need to find an alternate route to access Platte and Wyandotte counties, a spokesman said. This closure could affect industrial workers on both sides of the state line. All work is weather-dependent.
This is part of replacing the current U.S. 69 Bridge over the Missouri River., the spokesman said. A new structure will be constructed in its place and will include multiple lanes and bike/pedestrian access. It will be open to traffic in December 2016.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is asking motorists to be alert, obey warning signs and use caution when driving through work zones.
For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website atwww.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.
Members of YouthBuild are turning tragedy into action following the death of one of their own, De’Andre Goodson. (Photo from United Way of Wyandotte County)
YouthBuild trainees in 2015, including De’Andre Goodson. (Photo from United Way of Wyandotte County) by Rynn Day, United Way
One of the trainees participating in the YouthBuild KCK program was 5 years old when he saw his first murder in Juniper Gardens, the area where the YouthBuild KCK facility is located.
After years of seeing such senseless violence, YouthBuild trainees show a range of emotions– apathy, defeat, depression, anger.
That was until their friend and fellow trainee, De’Andre Goodson was fatally shot on Dec. 16, 2015.
Immediately, feelings of sadness, worry and mourning took hold. Those feelings remain, more than a month later, but the trainees have turned that despair into a new purpose – the Goodson Leadership Fund.
After Goodson’s death, the YouthBuild trainees had a two-hour discussion that took on a tone of such seriousness, the YouthBuild staff simply listened and added support when necessary.
On that day, the trainees decided that they were community leaders. That the responsibility to end senseless violence in the community was largely their own.
“We own this community,” one trainee said. “The violence needs to stop.”
With all other trainees in agreement, the big question hanging in the air was “What can we do?” Because many of the young women and men suffer from the challenges of not completing their high school education in the traditional school setting, the discussion shifted to education, primarily the education of those younger than they are (ages 10-13).
“If we could work with these kids before they start making bad decisions like we did, I believe it’ll make all the difference in the world,” one trainee expressed. Another trainee quickly added, “They’ll listen to us faster than they will listen to you (referring to the staff members present).”
Thus, after encouragement from the YouthBuild KCK staff, theGoodson Leadership Fund was created.
The trainees determined the fund would initially assist with the immediate needs of De’Andre’s family, to help pay for a proper burial for their friend. With contributions to the fund from 12 selfless individuals, the Goodson Leadership Fund was able to cover all the costs of the funeral.
Now it’s time to take the trainees’ vision to the next level.
The trainees decided the best way to honor De’Andre Goodson was to establish an after school tutoring program, completely run by the trainees of YouthBuild KCK, to serve the young residents of Juniper Gardens and the surrounding community. The trainees sought and received logistical and other technical assistance in setting up their program from the YouthBuild KCK staff.
Conceptually, the tutoring program would meet once or twice per week, and young participants would receive supplemental support from trainees in basic content areas as reading, writing, and math. In addition, the trainees will serve as mentors and coaches for the young participants. YouthBuild KCK staffers will volunteer their time to supervise the program.
If these trainees’ commitment to this project is sign of what is to come, it will mean both security and safety for this community, as well as the preservation of De’Andre Goodson’s memory.
To offer assistance to the tutoring program or to contribute to the Goodson Leadership Fund, visit https://community.unitedway-wyco.org/. Trainees, with guidance and oversight from YouthBuild staff, will determine how to spend money from the fund to support the program.
Rynn Day is director of marketing and communications with the United Way of Wyandotte County.
The Kansas House of Representatives passed a budget on Thursday by a narrow vote of 68 to 56. All members of the Democratic caucus voted no.
House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist., blasted Republican legislators who voted for the budget.
“This budget does nothing to move Kansas forward,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Gov. Sam Brownback and his legislative allies have mismanaged Kansas schools, economy, and budget for too long, and it has become quite evident that most Republicans would rather throw the future of Kansas away, than admit their mistakes and change course.”
With the state of Kansas facing a nearly $200 million shortfall in revenue, the Brownback budget relies on additional sweeps, transfers, and payment delays to balance. This includes raids on transportation dollars, money from the Children Initiatives Fund, and KPERs retirement account.
“If a budget is a statement of priorities, it is abundantly clear neither public infrastructure, nor our children, nor seniors are a priority for this Republican legislature,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Instead, they have rubber-stamped the Brownback agenda again, squandering what was once a bright future for the state of Kansas.”
On Wednesday during debate on the floor, Democrats tried to improve the budget by carrying a number of amendments intended to move the state of Kansas forward. Amendments included protecting KDOT and KPERS funds from sweeps, expanding KanCare, providing pay increases for correctional officers, increasing funding for Osawatomie and Larned State Hospitals, and ensuring Parents as Teachers remained available to all Kansans.
“Fixing our state requires the Legislature to establish better priorities, set a new agenda and move in a different direction,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Democrats are willing to do that, and we hope Republicans will join us in passing common sense policies that prioritize public education, grow our economy through innovation, ensures the public’s safety and increases transparency.”
Every seat in the Kansas Legislature is up for reelection in November of 2016. Democrats encourage Kansans to make their voices heard, call for change, and vote in November.
“Despite Gov. Brownback’s dismal approval rating of only 18 percent, House Republicans continue to follow him in lock step,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Instead of changing course, the governor’s hand-picked legislators are continuing to follow him right off the cliff. The real victims will be Kansas schools, children, and families.”
