January 2017 – Page 50 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Ice storm warning in effect Friday morning through Sunday

Expected ice amounts through Sunday night (National Weather Service graphic)

An ice storm warning is in effect from 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, until midnight on Sunday, Jan. 16, according to the National Weather Service.

The ice storm is expected to affect much of the region this weekend.

Freezing rain and freezing drizzle may move into the area on Friday, with activity then continuing through Sunday night, the weather service said. Significant icing is expected, with ice accumulations of one-fourth of an inch to three-fourths of an inch possible, according to the weather service.

Freezing rain is expected to develop Friday afternoon and spread north through the evening and overnight, according to the weather service. The evening rush hour may be affected. The heaviest icing may be south of I-70, the weather service said.

Saturday, a light freezing rain is possible over the entire forecast area, the weather service said.

Periodic breaks are expected during the day Saturday, which may keep icing accumulations low through the period.

The heaviest freezing rain is expected Saturday night into Sunday morning, the weather service said. Significant icing is possible.

Sunday afternoon, temperatures will warm the area from south to north.

Freezing rain on Sunday afternoon will be mainly confined to areas along or north of Route 36, the weather service said.

An icing threat diminishes late Sunday night into Monday, according to the weather service.

The weather service said power outages and downed tree limbs may be possible across the area.

Residents were advised to avoid travel, and if they must travel, to pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle.

For more up-to-date weather information, visit www.weather.gov or listen to a weather radio.

Friday afternoon through overnight, freezing rain. (National Weather Service graphic)

Saturday, light freezing rain. (National Weather Service)

Saturday night into Sunday morning, heaviest freezing rain expected through this period. (National Weather Service graphic)

Sunday afternoon, temperatures warm up. (National Weather Service graphic)

Ice storm warning. (National Weather Service graphic)

Area school districts cancel classes for Friday

Wyandotte County school districts have canceled classes for Friday, Jan. 13, because of the possibility of an ice storm.

School districts announcing that school is closed on Friday include Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, Turner Public Schools, Piper Public Schools and Bonner Springs Public Schools.

They will have a four-day break, as Monday is a holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center adds new exercise equipment

Lidia Her, left, worked out on a new chest press strength training machine at the Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center in Kansas City, Kan. Alessandra Harmon, right, is a YMCA personal trainer and health coach. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

by Mary Rupert

New exercise equipment at the Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center might help residents make their New Year’s resolutions become a reality.

The Providence YMCA – Ball Family Center at 8601 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kan., has added a new line of exercise and training equipment.

New strength training equipment and new cycling equipment at the YMCA represent a $200,000 upgrade, according to Providence YMCA-Ball Family Center executive director Chad Jansen.

The new equipment will be more effective in workouts and will help more individuals, according to Jansen, who has been executive director there about two months. He has more than 21 years experience with the YMCA.

Jansen said there has been a tremendous positive response from patrons to this new equipment, which has been in place about a month.

The YMCA also includes a new floor layout to accommodate the new equipment, he said.

A ribbon-cutting for the renovations was held today, with representatives of the Kansas City, Kan., Area Chamber of Commerce participating.

Danny Helmich, healthy living director at the YMCA, said YMCA members who sign up for exercise programs can have a coach and a fitness coordinator.

When members sign up, their fitness coordinator and coach will be able to help them come up with a workout individually tailored for them, and it will specify what equipment they should use, Helmich said. The YMCA is working with area hospitals in specific programs for patients.

Besides individual workouts, there are also exercise classes and workshops for groups. There are more than 61 group exercise classes currently at the Providence YMCA – Ball Family Center, including water and land exercise classes, he said. Some classes are geared to active older adults. The center has about 7,000 members, according to YMCA officials.

Helmich said the new strength training equipment allows members to work the entire body and keeps track of their exercise.

Exercise classes keep people motivated, as participants often work with partners, and have instructors who encourage them to continue with their exercise, he said.