Month: November 2016

KCKCC choirs to perform at Kauffman Center

by Kelly Rogge KCKCC

The Kansas City Kansas Community College Chamber and Community Choirs will be joining other area choirs next week for a performance at the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are $15. KCKCC will be performing with choirs from William Jewell College, Missouri Western State University and the University of Central Missouri.

The 250-person mass choir will perform the massive Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” Oratorio. The composition is written for four solo vocalists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass-baritone), a large choir and full orchestra. The soloists, which are all professional musicians, for the musical event are – Stella Roden, Alice Anne Light, David Adams and Ron Witzke. All of the musicians in the performance are from the Kansas City area.

“Elijah” tells the story of the prophet Elijah as told in portions of the Bible’s Old Testament. The festival concert is produced by Dr. Anthony Maglione, choral director at William Jewell College and will be directed by world-renowned conductor Donald Neuen.

“The KCKCC Choral program is developing a solid reputation, both at the regional and national level,” said John Stafford, director of choral activities at KCKCC. “In the early stages of developing this performance, our program was asked to be a part of it, and we’re the only community college to be a part of this festival.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 816-994-7222 or visit the Kauffman Center’s website at www.kauffmancenter.org.

Drug trafficker sentenced to life plus 30 years

A Kansas City, Kan., man has been sentenced to life plus 30 years in federal prison for coordinating drug shipments for a trafficking organization that distributed more than $39 million worth of methamphetamine and marijuana in the metro area, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Vicencio Olea-Monarez, 38, Kansas City, Kan., was convicted in a jury trial on 21 counts including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the FBI began an investigation in July 2012 into a drug trafficking ring operating in Kansas City, Kan. Olea-Monarez was responsible for coordinating shipments of methamphetamine into Kansas City, Kan. He also trafficked in cocaine and marijuana.

Counting Olea-Monarez, six of 10 defendants in the case have been sentenced so far.

Beall commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel for their work on the case.

Police, firefighters receive awards for bravery

Eighteen police officers and firefighters received awards for their bravery at Thursday night’s Unified Government Commission meeting.

At this ceremony, several firefighters were included in the police awards for the first time.

“Heroes don’t run from danger, they run toward it, and that’s exactly what you did,” said Major Curtis Nicholson, who presented the awards.

Four police officers received an award for valor for responding to the Hollywood Casino to assist on May 9 when Detective Brad Lancaster was shot and killed by a suspect outside the casino. The suspect was captured in Missouri. Two of the officers receiving awards were from the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and two were from the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Four police officers received awards for valor for assisting with the July 19 case in which Capt. Robert David Melton was killed by a suspect. A suspect was taken into custody by the officers.

Nine Kansas City, Kan., firefighters were presented with awards for valor for coming to the assistance of Detective Lancaster, putting their own lives in danger.

Capt. Melton’s family accepted the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department award of valor on behalf of Capt. Melton.

The Melton family also accepted the medal of honor from the American Police Hall of Fame on behalf of Capt. Melton. His name will be etched in the Police Hall of Fame memorial.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police gave the tribute award to Capt. Melton, and it was accepted by his family. His name was engraved on the IACP’s law enforcement tribute. “May this tribute serve as a reminder that Capt. Robert Dave Melton will never be forgotten,” Police Chief Terry Zeigler said.

“Losing Detective Lancaster and Capt. Melton this year has been difficult on our department,” Zeigler said. “But we appreciate the outpouring of support from our community, the entire metro area and from our law enforcement family. It’s because of the support we received from you that made it a little bit easier. We still have a long ways to go, and we do appreciate the outpouring of support that we have received today.”