Month: June 2016

Hot weather continues this weekend

Afternoon heat index (National Weather Service graphic)
Afternoon heat index (National Weather Service graphic)

Hot conditions will persist, with temperatures ranging through the upper 80s and 90s this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

However, drier air has moved in and will mitigating the dangerous heat indices experienced earlier this week, according to the weather service. There is a chance of thunderstorms Monday into Tuesday

Today, temperatures will reach 91, with an east southeast wind of 9 mph, the weather service said. Tonight’s low will be around 70.

Sunday, expect a high of 92 with sunny skies and a south wind of 5 to 11 mph, according to the weather service. Sunday night, the low will be around 72.

Monday, it will be sunny with a high of 94, and a southwest wind of 7 to 9 mph, the weather service said. Monday night, there will be a low of 71.

Tuesday, the forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 89, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 68, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, the weather service said. Wednesday night, the low will be around 69.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

Saturday events

Democratic breakfast planned Saturday
The Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast will meet this Saturday, June 18, at The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. The speaker will be State Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist., Democratic leader of the Kansas House of Representatives. There will also be a candidate forum featuring the three candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Congressional District. The breakfast buffet will be available at 8:15 a.m. and the program begins at 9:15. All Democrats are invited to attend. The cost for the breakfast is $10, or $6 for students and those on limited incomes. Also, there is a $2 charge for coffee if those attending are not purchasing breakfast. Those attending are not required to purchase breakfast. Reservations for the breakfast are requested by Thursday, June 16, to [email protected], but reservations are not required to attend.

Blood drive scheduled June 18
The Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center, 8601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., is holding a Community Blood Center blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 18, at the multi-purpose center. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.savealifenow.org.

Learn sewing and quilting at the library
Sewing and quilting for beginners or for those who want to learn more will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the West Wyandotte Library, Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, conference room C, 1737 N. 82nd, Kansas City, Kan. The class is for adults, and for those ages 10 and older. There is a limit of 15. Advance registration is requested to the library, 913-596-5800. Those who register get priority.

Learn how marbles are made
A marble-making demonstration is scheduled from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Moon Marble Co. store, 600 E. Front St., Bonner Springs. Demonstrations begin around 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. and end at about 3 p.m., provided a glass artist is available. For more information, see www.moonmarble.com/.

Draw-along program scheduled
A draw-along program for children, tweens and teens is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the West Wyandotte Library, auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd. The progrma is geared to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Rube Goldberg-type machine on display at library program
A science program for children will feature an interactive Rube Goldberg machine setting off a chain of events at a program from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 4051 West Drive. The park entrance is at 91st and Leavenworth Road.

STEAM stories, activities planned
An afternoon of stories, music activities and a little crafts with a science, technology, engineering and math theme are planned from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., in the story time – craft room. The event is for children.

Cabela’s schedules fly-fishing class
Cabela’s, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kan., has scheduled a free fly-fishing class from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18. Interested persons may meet at the Cabela’s Fly Shop and the class will go to the outdoor pond. The class is for beginners and experienced anglers.

Author to speak about book at library program
Kristen Watterson, author, illustrator and professional graphic designer, will speak and talk with people about her books from 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 18 at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Roadkill Nights event scheduled Saturday in KCK
Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., is holding a Roadkill Nights car festival and drag races on Saturday, June 18. At a free car festival, there will be flashlight drag races, with participants racing in their own cars along the custom-built one-eighth mile track on pit road. Drag races are open to the public, first come, first served. A cash purse of $19,000 will be awarded to the quickest Dodge cars, Dodge body and Dodge-powered cars only. No trucks will be allowed. The hours of the event are 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. General admission is free. Participants may register a vehicle for drag racing and the Show ’n’ Shine at Roadkill.com/PR. Pricing is as follows: • Drag Racing: $50 per vehicle, all makes are welcome, spaces are limited and will go fast.
• Show ’n’ Shine: free, spaces are limited and will go fast.

Live at the Legends summer concert to be June 18
Legends Outlets will again offer free outdoor entertainment through its Live at the Legends Summer Concert Series on Saturday evenings in June and July. All concerts will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Legends Outlets’ Civic Courtyard Fountain, in front of AMC Legends 14 Theatre, at 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. On June 18, The Shanks, cover band playing classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and today, is scheduled to perform.

Kansas City Roller Warriors in action
The Kansas City Roller Warriors have scheduled Rink of Fire at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at Memorial Hall, 600 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. Doors open at 5 p.m. and roller derby starts at 6 p.m. For more information see http://www.kcrollerwarriors.com/.

Unemployment figures show slight increase in KCK

Unemployment rates in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., show a slight increase from April to May, according to figures released today by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in Kansas City, Kan., and 5 percent in Wyandotte County for May, according to the Kansas Department of Labor, compared to 4.6 percent for both in April, according to KDOL figures.

It is about a point less than May of 2015, when Wyandotte County’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent and Kansas City, Kan., was 6 percent.

Wyandotte County is listed as having 72,314 employed persons and 3,827 unemployed persons, according to the KDOL.

The state of Kansas reported an employment rate of 3.7 percent for May, seasonally adjusted, as compared to 3.8 percent in April, and 4.2 percent one year ago, according to KDOL.

It is the lowest rate Kansas has seen in more than 15 years, said Lana Gordon, Kansas secretary of labor.

A labor economist said the unemployment trend has continued downward in recent months, however, job growth across the state remains stagnant during the last 12 months.

Wyandotte County is listed as having 72,314 employed persons and 3,827 unemployed persons, according to the KDOL.