BPU receives national award for community service

BPU Board President Tom Groneman, second from left, and BPU Chief Communications Officer David Mehlhaff accepted the community service award from American Public Power Association officials recently. (Submitted photo)
BPU Board President Tom Groneman, second from left, and BPU Chief Communications Officer David Mehlhaff accepted the community service award from American Public Power Association officials recently. (Submitted photo)

The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities received an American Public Power Association Community Service Award at the association’s recent annual conference in Phoenix, Ariz.

The award, established in 1990, recognizes “good neighbor” activities that demonstrate the commitment of a utility and its employees to the community.

As a municipally owned not-for-profit utility, BPU is committed to maintaining, investing in, and protecting the local community, its customers, and the environment, a spokesman said. In efforts to be a socially responsible organization, BPU and its employees support and give back to Wyandotte County through community giving, volunteerism, and environmental education and advocacy efforts.

The Community Service Award, including a video highlighting the utility’s community giving efforts, was presented to a BPU delegation at a general session attended by industry leaders from across the nation.

“BPU has demonstrated its dedication through a mix of donations, volunteer work, environmental advocacy, and civic leadership,” stated APPA leadership before the presentation.

“We are pleased to be recognized as one of the nation’s top utilities for supporting, and assisting, the community it serves,” stated Don Gray, general manager for BPU. “Giving back to Wyandotte County and working to protect the environment is a key part of our employee culture and utility operations, and we remain committed to making our community a better place to live, just as we have for the last 100 years.”

The American Public Power Association represents not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities that power homes, businesses and streets in nearly 2,000 towns and cities, serving 48 million Americans. These utilities are focused on a single mission — providing reliable electricity at a reasonable price, while protecting the environment.

– Story from David Mehlhaff, BPU

Chase through KCK ends near Sumner Academy

A rape suspect who led police on a chase through Kansas City, Kan., was taken into custody this morning.

Just after 11:31 a.m., Kansas City, Mo., police officers attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description of a rape suspect at Lexington and Park, in Missouri, according to a Kansas City, Mo., police spokesman.

The vehicle refused to stop at that location, and was pursued through Kansas City, Mo., and into Kansas City, Kan., the spokesman said.

The suspect vehicle drove through the east side of Kansas City, Kan., including I-635 and into the northeast area, not stopping at intersections, and at least once on the wrong side of the road.

At 11:58 a.m., the suspect vehicle stopped and a person was taken into custody without further incident at 8th and Freeman in Kansas City, Kan., according to the spokesman. No injuries were reported.

The man will be held on an investigative hold for rape, the spokesman said.

Church plans women’s conference June 23-26

Grace Tabernacle Family Life Outreach Center, 1928 N. 47th St., will hold a Women’s Conference from Thursday to Sunday of next week.

The conference is titled “Women Bridging the Gap and Adding to the Kingdom.” It will be held at 7 p.m. June 23 and 24 and at 4 p.m. June 26 at Grace Tabernacle.

Pastor Regina Stillman, New Revelations Deliverance Ministries Inc., will speak on June 23; Evangelist Missionary Frazier of River of Life Church of God in Christ will speak June 24, and Lady Sandra Lassiter of Faith Temple Church will speak June 26.

At 7 p.m. Friday, June 24, there will be a special chat with State Supervisor Emeritus Mother Alberta Davis, Mother Legusta Vaughn and Mother Geraldine Jenkins.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, there will be workshops, a continental breakfast and brunch.

For more information, call Co-Pastor Linda Dupree, 913-708-2804.