Area experiencing heavy rains

Wyandotte County experienced heavy rains this morning, with lightning.

Rains were heavy to the west side of Wyandotte County.

Storms should slowly diminish sometime before 10 a.m. today, the National Weather Service said.

This afternoon is expected to be cloudy but mostly dry with the exception of a slight chance for some isolated showers and storms south of Highway 50, south of Wyandotte County.

Storms may return late tonight through Friday night, the weather service said.

No widespread severe weather is expected at this time, but heavy rainfall is possible, according to the weather service.

The highest chance for widespread heavy rain will occur Thursday into Friday, the weather service said.

Recent rainfall has lowered flash flood guidance in most areas, according to the weather service. Additional rainfall today could lead to future flooding.

Today’s high will be near 72, with an east northeast wind of 5 to 8 mph, the weather service said. There is a 50 percent chance of rain.

Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and storms after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 65, with an east wind of 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m., according to the weather service. The high will be around 80 with an east wind of 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday night, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 67, the weather service said. There is a south southeast wind of around 7 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday, expect a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, the weather service said. The high will be near 79 with a south wind of 7 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to the weather service. The low will be around 64.

Saturday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain and storms, with a high near 79, the weather service said.

Saturday night’s forecast is partly cloudy with a low of 69, the weather service said.

Sunday, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 80, according to the weather service.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new Frank Rushton School in KCK

Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education Vice President Brenda Jones, assisted by members of the Frank Rushton Elementary School Student Council, cut the ribbon at the dedication of new school building on Sept. 13.  Board members Richard Kaminski and Irene Caudillo looked on. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education Vice President Brenda Jones, assisted by members of the Frank Rushton Elementary School Student Council, cut the ribbon at the dedication of new school building on Sept. 13. Board members Richard Kaminski and Irene Caudillo looked on. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Superintendent Cynthia Lane of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, posed with the Frank Rushton Elementary School Student Council before the dedication of the new school building at 2605 W. 43rd Ave. on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Superintendent Cynthia Lane of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, posed with the Frank Rushton Elementary School Student Council before the dedication of the new school building at 2605 W. 43rd Ave. on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Visitors entered Frank Rushton Elementary School prior to the dedication of the new school building on Sept. 13.  (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Visitors entered Frank Rushton Elementary School prior to the dedication of the new school building on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Brad Oliver, president of Catalyst Construction Group, presented a ceremonial check representing construction cost savings, to Kelli Mather, chief operating officer of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools.  The dedication ceremony of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building took place on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Brad Oliver, president of Catalyst Construction Group, presented a ceremonial check representing construction cost savings, to Kelli Mather, chief operating officer of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools. The dedication ceremony of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building took place on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Mary Welsh, principal of Frank Rushton Elementary School, addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new school building on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Mary Welsh, principal of Frank Rushton Elementary School, addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new school building on Sept. 13. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

State Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-31st Dist., addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13.  Rep. Ruiz discussed the importance of education funding at the state level. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
State Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-31st Dist., addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13. Rep. Ruiz discussed the importance of education funding at the state level. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist., addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13 as school principal Mary Welsh looked on.  Sen. Pettey discussed changes in the Legislature and opportunities for new action on education funding. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist., addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13 as school principal Mary Welsh looked on. Sen. Pettey discussed changes in the Legislature and opportunities for new action on education funding. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Jay R. Jennings II, great nephew of Frank Rushton, addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13.  Jennings talked about the legacy of Frank Rushton in the Kansas City, Kan., School District, and the opportunities for success that are available to students. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
Jay R. Jennings II, great-nephew of Frank Rushton, addressed the crowd at the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13. Jennings talked about the legacy of Frank Rushton in the Kansas City, Kan., School District, and the opportunities for success that are available to students. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist., and State Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-31st Dist., attended the reception following the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13 in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Brian Turrel)
State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist., and State Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-31st Dist., attended the reception following the dedication of the new Frank Rushton Elementary School building on Sept. 13 in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Brian Turrel)

Accounting technician accused of embezzling tribal funds

A former accounting technician for the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas was indicted Tuesday on a federal charge of embezzling tribal funds, according to acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Heath A. Hopkins, 45, Horton, Kan., was charged with one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The indictment alleged that while working for the Kickapoo Tribe Housing Authority, Hopkins wrote unauthorized checks to himself on the tribe’s checking account.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. The FBI investigated and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.