Excessive heat in forecast for Wednesday through Saturday

National Weather Service graphic

After a hot day on Tuesday with a high temperature of 94, the heat index will rise to between 105 and 110 degrees Wednesday through Saturday across the entire region, according to the National Weather Service.

Today, there is an air quality alert in Wyandotte County. From noon Wednesday to 8 p.m. Saturday, an excessive heat warning has been issued for Wyandotte County, the weather service said.

Today residents are advised to avoid activities that form ozone, such as refueling vehicles or topping off, and using gasoline-powered lawn equipment. In addition, residents are encouraged to carpool, bike to work, delay or combine errands, and use water-based paints and cleaners.

Also, it is recommended that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. The very young and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or heart disease may be at risk, and should consider consulting their physicians.

Today, it will be sunny with a high of 94, the weather service said. The heat index could reach 99. There will be a south wind of 6 to 11 mph.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear with a low of 75, according to the weather service, and a south wind of 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday, it will be mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97, the weather service said. The heat index could reach 105. There will be a south southwest wind of 6 to 8 mph.

An excessive heat warning will go into effect at noon Wednesday. The weather service advised residents that it will be a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Residents are advised to drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles, the weather service stated. This is especially true during warm or hot weather where interiors may reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

During the excessive heat warning, cooling shelters will open in Wyandotte County. Residents are advised to find an air-conditioned place.

Wednesday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 77 and a south wind of 7 mph, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be sunny and hot, with a high near 98, the weather service said. There will be a south southwest wind of 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 77, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be sunny and hot, with a high near 99, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 79, according to the weather service.

Saturday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 99.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 74, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 94, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 69, according to the weather service.

Monday, there will be a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 87, the weather service said.

National Weather Service graphic

Fringe Festival to open this week

by William Crum

OK, it’s one hot summer, so what do you do? Well, there is something that is going on, the annual Fringe Festival.

This is where various acts such as vaudeville, comedy, dance and theater perform at various venues in Kansas City, Missouri. It runs from July 20 to 30.

Every year this event attracts people from all over the world and this year is going to be no exception to that.

According to the Fringe Festival officials, over 120 acts will be performing at various venues in the Kansas City, Missouri, area and two of the acts include people with ties to Wyandotte County. One play is called “Check Mate,” by David Hanson, who happens to be the assistant director of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries, and it will be performed at the Arts Tech studio in Kansas City, Missouri. The other play is called “My White Son” and is performed and written by Lewis Morrow. It is at the Arts Asylum theater in Kansas City, Missouri.

Every year a lot of people from Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, also volunteer for the Fringe Festival. The cost of the show is $10 per person and for $5 you can buy a Fringe button, which allows you to go to late-night of the Fringe, plus when you buy a button you get a discount at certain merchants within the community, such as Chez Elle, the restaurant best known for their crepes, and the Musical Theater Heritage, where you can get 20 percent off your ticket and this offer includes a Christmas show.

This year is even more special because according to the Fringe Festival authorities, they are talking about expanding and one place that they’re looking at for a venue is the Alcott Arts Center on 18th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. This will be the first time in the 13 years that the Fringe Festival has been going on that it is considering expansion, and where else but Wyandotte County. Nothing is official yet but negotiations are underway.

On Thursday, July 20, at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Missouri, they’re going to have an event called the Fringe Teasers where you can see various samples of acts that perform in the festival. It is a free event that starts at 5:30 p.m.; get there early.

If you want to go to a place where they have good quality entertainment for all members of the family, this year’s Fringe Festival is for the young and old alike, and I highly recommend it. If you can’t go Thursday night you can always visit their website, https://kcfringe.org/.

Homicide victim in 1200 block of Everett identified

Kansas City, Kansas, police have identified the victim of a homicide in the 1200 block of Everett Avenue.

The victim was Wordell Dean III, 22, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, police said.

Dean was found lying on the ground about 3:06 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of Everett Avenue, police said.

He was deceased from a gunshot wound, according to police.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.