Severe thunderstorm watch in effect in Wyandotte County

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect from 7:45 p.m. June 16 until 4 a.m. June 17.

The thunderstorm watch also is in effect in Johnson and Leavenworth counties, and other counties in the area.

Large hail and damaging winds are the primary threats with storms on Friday and on Saturday, according to the weather service.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

Juneteenth activities planned this weekend in KCK

Juneteenth activities will get underway tonight at the Big Eleven Lake, near 11th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.

A prayer vigil will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, said Victor Harris, who is one of the organizers of the event.

Then, events will continue on Saturday at Big Eleven Lake. All events are free, he said.

Harris said he has been working with Harvesters to give away 30 pounds of food to 200 families at the Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth is a celebration of African American independence that began in 1865 in Galveston, Texas.