Month: June 2017

Cleanup underway after Friday night storm

Workers were cleaning up downed limbs and storm debris this morning at Providence Medical Center, near 90th and Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.

Wyandotte Countians were cleaning up tree limbs after widespread damage from high winds on Friday night.

The Board of Public Utilities at 11:37 a.m. Saturday reported about 6,469 customers without power, on its outage map online. There is an excessive heat warning from noon to 7 p.m. today, and residents without air conditioning are advised to visit the public libraries or go shopping at an air-conditioned location during the hottest part of the day.

Residents are encouraged to make a service request by calling 311 or by submitting a request for storm debris pickup on the 311 online web portal located on the Unified Government’s website, www.wycokck.org. The UG is encouraging residents to call 311.

The Unified Government has announced that residents with storm debris that needs to be picked up may place the storm debris on the curb for pickup beginning on Monday. Deffenbaugh’s rules are that the debris must be 50 pounds or less, and less than 4 feet long.

UG street crews will pick up debris that is larger than 50 pounds and more than 4 feet long. Residents are responsible for getting the debris to the curb for pickup. Crews will not go on the residents’ property, the UG stated.

The UG’s Recycling Center at 32nd and Park Drive will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday if residents want to drop off debris.

The UG also announced that there are several cooling centers open today, with the excessive heat warning in effect. These include the KCK and Bonner Springs public libraries. A list of cooling centers and locations that are open is at www.wycokck.org.

A few of the places that had storm damage on Saturday:

A tree was down on 90th Street south of Parallel Parkway at Providence Medical Center on Saturday morning. There were high winds in a storm that hit the area Friday night.
Tree limbs were down at Providence Medical Center on Parallel Parkway near 90th Street after a storm moved through the area on Friday night.
A tree was down on the northwest corner of 94th and State Avenue at Schlitterbahn, in front of the old county courthouse annex.
A tree was down on North 82nd Street, between Parallel and State Avenue, on Saturday morning, following a Friday night storm.
Stoplights were blinking red as the 82nd and State intersection turned into a four-way stop on Saturday morning.
Tree branches were down on North 75th Street, between Parallel Parkway and State Avenue, on Saturday morning.
More tree limbs were down in Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday morning.
A stop sign and street sign was down near 75th Terrace and Troup on Saturday morning.

Storms possible today; excessive heat warning in effect this afternoon

Strong storms are possible today in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

The heat index could reach 109 today, and the area is under an excessive heat warning this afternoon. (National Weather Service graphic)

The National Weather Service said storms are possible again today, and also, there is an excessive heat warning from noon to 7 p.m. today for Wyandotte County.

Storms may develop this afternoon in the region, and may quickly increase in coverage and intensity, the weather service said.

The storms will move from the north to the southeast, and may produce very strong straight-line wind gusts or hail as they begin to develop southward along and southeast of a line from St. Joseph, Mo., to Davenport, Iowa.

Storms may weaken or become disorganized with time, and there is a need to monitor the potential for the enhanced risk area that includes Wyandotte County, according to the weather service.

The heat index could be as high as 109 today, the weather service said, with humid conditions. It is dangerous, according to the weather service.

Those outdoors should take frequent breaks in the shade, drink water often, and move outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day if possible, the weather service said. The public libraries in Kansas City, Kansas, are open until 5 p.m. today for those seeking a cooler place during the hot afternoon.

Prolonged exposure to the heat and humidity may lead to heat-related illness if precautions are not taken, the weather service said.

Residents should try to stay in air-conditioning, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors, the weather service said. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in a vehicle. Car interiors may reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes today, according to the weather service.

Today’s forecast calls for a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., and a slight chance of storms after 5 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 95 with a heat index as high as 109. There will be a south southwest wind of 9 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph.

Tonight, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 66, with a northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph, becoming light and variable after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 22 mph. Between a quarter and a half-inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, the forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 80, the weather service said. A northwest wind of 7 to 14 mph may gust as high as 20 mph.

Sunday night, the low will be around 60, with a north northwest wind of 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight, according to the weather service.

Heat advisories and warnings are in effect today. (National Weather Service graphic)

Saturday events

Here are some events we have heard about today in Wyandotte County. In the event of inclement weather, call the sponsoring organization first to see if the event will still be held.

Democrats to meet
Democratic state legislators from Wyandotte County will be speaking about the legislative session at the Saturday, June 17, Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast at The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. A 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, also is scheduled to speak briefly at the meeting. A breakfast buffet will begin at 8:15 a.m. June 17, with the program beginning at 9:15 a.m. The cost of the breakfast is $10, or $6 for students and those on limited incomes. There is a $2 charge for coffee for those who are not purchasing breakfast. Those attending are not required to purchase breakfast.

Juneteenth activities planned
Juneteenth activities are planned today at the Big Eleven Lake, near 11th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. All events are free. It is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a food giveaway planned for 200 families in conjunction with the event, with food from Harvesters. There are also free hair cuts and a car show. Alcohol is not allowed at this event. Juneteenth is a celebration of African American independence that began in 1865 in Galveston, Texas.

Pet adoption event planned at library
The Unleashed KC Pet Adopt-A-Thon is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 at the West Wyandotte Library auditorium, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. Meet pets looking for homes at this event.

Rhythm and music event planned for children
A rhythm and music event is planned for children from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. June 17 at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Environmental Library at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road. Children will clap and sing in this music program. All ages may participate. Johnny and Adam Pierce are leading the program.

Balloon workshop planned
A bilingual balloon workshop is planned from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 17 at the South Library, Meeting Room A, 3104 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. A balloon artist will teach different kinds of balloon decor and design. The program is for all ages.

Build a ‘wind car’ at library program
Children will be able to build a simple “wind car” at a program from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave. The program is for ages 5 to 12 years old. Registration is required to 913-295-8250, Ext. 1013. There is a limit of 20 persons.

Free outdoor concert planned at Legends Outlets
The Legends Outlets will continue its free outdoor concert series, Legends Live, on Saturday evenings this summer. The J Love Band will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. June 17 at the Civic Courtyard Fountain at The Legends Outlets, near the movie theater,. The Legends Outlets is near I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas. The J Love Band, an energetic funk and blues band, plays classic soul, jazz and rhythm and blues music.

Benefit barbecue contest planned
The Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas, plan a benefit barbecue contest June 16 and 17. For details, visit www.shkofcbbq.weebly.com.

Church plans Sloppy Joe dinner
Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., plans a Sloppy Joe dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Davern Hall at the church. The cost will be $6 for two sloppy Joes, plus drink and dessert.

T-Bones scheduled to play tonight
The T-Bones are scheduled to play a second baseball game in a three-game series with the Salina Stockade at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas, at I-70 and I-435.

Concert planned June 17
The Funk Fest concert is planned at 6:30 p.m. June 17 at Providence Medical Center amphitheater, 130th and State Avenue. Featured are Keith Sweat, Bel Biv Devoe, Guy featuring Teddy Riley, Doug E. Fresh, SWV, En Vogue, DJ Traci Steel and others. For more information, visit http://providenceamp.com/events/