Month: August 2016

Opara lands MLS team of the week honors

Ike Opara
Ike Opara

Sporting KC entered Sunday’s match against the Portland Timbers with an impressive regular season shutout streak against the reigning MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers. Ike Opara had no plans for that streak to end.

Sporting Kansas City’s strapping center back delivered a resolute performance at rainy Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, anchoring the backline in a 1-0 victory that saw the Timbers extend their scoreless skid in the regular season series to 482 minutes.

Opara, who helped limit an explosive Portland side to a single shot on goal, landed MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honors on Monday as his team won its fifth straight home game and moved five points ahead of Portland in the ultra-competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Opara added four clearances, four interceptions, completed 88 percent of his passes and further endeared himself to the Children’s Mercy Park faithful, limiting the effect of Timbers attacking trio Fanendo Adi, Lucas Melano and Diego Valeri.

– Story from Sporting KC

Kansas attorney general comments on primary election results

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued a statement Wednesday on the primary election results:

“Even before the November general election, it is clear voters will send many new faces to Topeka next year. It also is clear there will be several new local prosecutors serving as county attorneys and district attorneys throughout the state as well as new sheriffs.

“I thank all who ran yesterday for their willingness to serve and to offer themselves as candidates. I congratulate those who advanced past the primary and look forward to working with the winners of the general election to solve real problems confronting our state. At the attorney general’s office, we will stay focused on providing leadership and support for public safety throughout the state and responsibly enforcing the public policies enacted by the people’s elected representatives in the Legislature.”

Schedule changed for work on Platte Purchase bridge over Missouri River

The schedule has changed for bridge work on the Platte Purchase Bridge over the Missouri River, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The change was made because of the potential for inclement weather, a spokesman said.

Crews will close the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 69 Platte Purchase Bridge over the Missouri River from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, to perform concrete pouring work, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Motorists will need to find an alternate route, according to the spokesman. All work is weather dependent.

Originally work was scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday.

This is part of replacing the current U.S. 69 Highway Bridge over the Missouri River. 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.

This project is shared by the Kansas Department of Transportation and MoDOT. Follow MoDOT on twitter at twitter.com/MoDOT_KC, #us69moriverbridge for more information.

The Missouri Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey warning signs and use caution when driving through work zones.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, visit the website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.