Month: March 2016

Homicide victim in 1600 block of Minnesota Avenue identified

The victim of a fatal shooting on March 4 in the 1600 block of Minnesota Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., has been identified.

A Kansas City, Kan., police spokesman said the victim was Deandre A. Scott, 23, a resident of Kansas City, Kan.

Scott was found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds outside of a business at 12:53 p.m. March 4 in the 1600 block of Minnesota Avenue, police said.

The incident is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department’s Major Case Unit, which is encouraging anyone with information to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Sporting KC wins season opener over Seattle

Defender Nuno Andre Coelho scored in his Major League Soccer debut on Sunday as Sporting Kansas City opened the 2016 MLS season with a 1-0 road victory over Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.

A 30-yard strike from the Portuguese center back in the 73rd minute gave Sporting Kansas City its first win in Seattle since 2009 and extended the club’s unbeaten streak against Sounders FC to four matches.

Goalkeeper Tim Melia was forced to make just two saves on Sunday, but both were of the spectacular variety as Sporting Kansas City emerged with three points on an MLS opening day in which all 20 teams kicked off their seasons.

Melia was first tested in the 15th minute when Seattle was awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal. Clint Dempsey’s curling strike was destined for the top corner, but the 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year dove at full extension to touch the ball over the woodwork. Sounders FC nearly went ahead on the ensuing free kick, but Chad Marshall’s header rattled the crossbar.

The visitors carved out their first chance in the 21st minute. Dom Dwyer had space in the central channel and played a through ball to Connor Hallisey, whose low drive from the left side of the box was saved by Stefan Frei.

The complexion of the match changed significantly in the 41st minute when Seattle fullback Oniel Fisher received a straight red card from referee Alan Kelly after a two-footed challenge on Hallisey. The Sounders were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the game, and Sporting Kansas City used the advantage to control possession and territory for much of the second half.

Despite Fisher’s ejection, Seattle created the first scoring chance after halftime. Melia produced his second superb stop in the 53rd minute, parrying a stinging shot from Andreas Ivanschitz onto the crossbar to keep the hosts off the scoresheet.

Seeking its first win in Seattle since April 2009, Sporting Kansas City turned its numerical advantage into a flurry of chances. A pair of opportunities fell to Roger Espinoza – making his first appearance for the club since August – in the space of a minute just after the hour mark. Graham Zusi, himself making his 150th MLS start, lofted a ball to the far left post where Dwyer cushioned a header into the path of Espinoza. The shot inside the box was blocked amidst heavy traffic, but the Honduran was at it again shortly thereafter, firing wide of Frei’s lefthand post.

Sporting Kansas City broke through in the 73rd minute, courtesy of Coelho’s right boot. The 6-foot-4 defender received a pass from Jordi Quintilla and sent a long-range blast into the far left corner of the net, skipping below the outstretched Frei to give his new club a 1-0 advantage at rain-soaked CenturyLink Field. The scoreline would hold to the final whistle as Manager Peter Vermes’ men kept Seattle at bay.

Sunday’s result gave Sporting Kansas City its 13th season-opening win, more than any other MLS club.

Sporting Kansas City will return to MLS action on Saturday for the club’s 2016 home opener against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Children’s Mercy Park (the former Sporting Park) in Kansas City, Kan. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT and a limited number of tickets are available viaTicketmaster.com.

– Story from Sporting KC

Rain, storms in forecast for this week

Rain and storms are in the forecast this week for Wyandotte County and the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain will be heavier this week south of I-70, the weather service said.

Today, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m., according to the weather service. The high will be near 72. It will be breezy, with a south wind of 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 31 percent.

Tonight, the chance of rain is 40 percent, the weather service said. The low will be around 59. The south wind will be 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday, expect a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon, according to the weather service. The high will be near 69. A south wind will be 8 to 14 mph, gusting to 20 mph.

Tuesday night, the low will be 51, the weather service said. There is a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. A south southeast wind of 5 to 7 mph will become light and variable.

Wednesday, there will be a 40 percent chance of precipitation, according to the weather service. The high will be near 61. The wind will be to the north at 6 to 11 mph.

Wednesday night, the chance of showers is 30 percent, the weather service said. The low will be around 44.

Thursday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 63, according to the weather service. No rain is in Thursday’s forecast.

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

Friday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 63, according to the weather service.

Rain returns to the forecast on Friday night, when there is a 50 percent chance of precipitation, the weather service said. The low will be around 47.