Month: September 2017

New transit service to be considered at UG meeting Thursday

A new enhanced paratransit service will be considered at the Thursday, Sept. 14, Unified Government Commission meeting.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

A service is proposed to provide a lower cost mobility option for able-bodied persons, ages 16-64, who are not eligible for existing services, do not have private transportation or reasonable access to fixed route public transportation, according to the UG agenda.

The cost of the service would be determined by the length of the trip, and it would be less expensive than the traditional services.

The new pilot service would use already established services and routes, according to agenda information.

In other action, the commission is set to consider a resolution authorizing a survey and acquisition of land for the Board of Public Utilities water distribution South Bethany-Muncie site improvement. The resolution would allow the UG to use eminent domain if needed.

Also proposed is an ordinance amending the bicycle lamp traffic ordinance, to reflect changes in the state laws.

In addition, ordinances concerning domestic battery, narcotics and other drugs, possession of simulated controlled substances, paraphernalia, and violation of protective orders are proposed to be amended to come into line with changes in state laws.

In other action, the nomination of Ty Collins Jr. to the UG Park Board will be considered. Collins was nominated by Commissioner Angela Markley.

Summerfest highlights history at Grinter Place

Representing the Grinter Quilters were, left to right, Albertha Martin, Patsy Weibrecht and Ana-Maria Blancarte at the annual Summerfest on Saturday at the Grinter Place, South 78th and K-32 in Kansas City, Kansas. They were working on an opportunity quilt to raise funds for Grinter Place. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Transportation of all kinds was explored last weekend at the Grinter Place Summerfest.

The annual event for Grinter Place, a state museum preserving the oldest home still standing in Wyandotte County, raised funds for future programs there.

With a transportation theme, the festival last Saturday at the historic home at South 78th and K-32 included historic re-enactments about the early days of the Grinter ferry across the Kansas River, travel by horseback, the role of early engineers in building bridges in the Kansas City area, early attempts at aviation, as well as the entry of cars and trains into the transportation picture.

Besides the presentations and about 40 information tables and booths, the festival had a barbecue, concessions, musical entertainment by the band MP3, a car show, quilting demonstration, tours of the historic Grinter House and other attractions.

Parking lots were full at the event. At least 500 persons were estimated to have attended the event by midday Saturday.

Julie Blagg, right, chatted with Leslie Brillhart, standing, left, at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. A historic re-enactment sketch was presented Saturday based on a diary entry by Julie Blagg’s ancestor, who stayed three days at the Grinter House in the 1800s. (Staff photo)
At the Summerfest, Bill Nicks, Grinter Place site director, portrayed historical figures, including Moses Grinter of Grinter Place, and Octave Chanute, known as the engineer who designed the Kansas City stockyards and built the Hannibal Bridge. (Staff photo)
At the Summerfest, Bill Nicks, Grinter Place site director, portrayed historical figures, including Moses Grinter of Grinter Place, and Octave Chanute, known as the engineer who designed the Kansas City stockyards and built the Hannibal Bridge. (Staff photo)
Bill Nicks, Grinter Place site director, also portrayed the historical character Wilbur Wright during the Summerfest on Saturday. (Staff photo)
More than 40 vendor booths or tables were at the Grinter Summerfest on Saturday. (Staff photo)
Raymond and Karen Crockett were barbecuing at their display table to raise funds for the Old Quindaro Museum, 3432 N. 29th St., Kansas City, Kansas. They’re trying to help raise funds for a new roof, Karen Crockett said. After the death of Jesse Hope, Tony Hope has been operating the Old Quindaro Museum, and the Crocketts are trying to help him. (Staff photo)
Laura Debus, a Schlagle High School graduate, had craft items for sale in her Crafts-N-The Dotte booth at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. She made some of the items such as scrubber rings with loom knitting. Debus said it’s her first year in business, and she has given away some of the scarves she made to the homeless. (Staff photo)
Kathy Bales, Leavenworth, and Judy Clark, Fairmount, offered several craft items for sale at their K&J Crafts booth at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. The items included wreaths, decorations and quilts. (Staff photo)
Kathy Bales, Leavenworth, and Judy Clark, Fairmount, offered several craft items for sale at their K&J Crafts booth at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. The items included wreaths, decorations and quilts. (Staff photo)
The Amelia Earhart Museum in Atchison, Kansas, had a display at the Grinter Place Summerfest Saturday. (Staff photo)
State Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist., right, admired Ken Rickey’s Bel-Air at the car show at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. (Staff photo)
Several antique cars were on display Saturday during a car show at the Grinter Place Summerfest. (Staff photo)
An antique hearse was displayed at the Grinter Place Summerfest on Saturday. (Staff photo)
A Ride KC bus displayed a sign supporting veterans at the Grinter Place Summerfest Saturday. (Staff photo)
The band MP3 entertained visitors to the Grinter Place Summerfest inside the Grinter Barn on Saturday. (Staff photo)
At the silent auction on Saturday at the Grinter Place Summerfest. The event was a fundraiser for programs at Grinter Place, a historic site. (Staff photo)
Concessions were available Saturday at the Grinter Place Summerfest. (Staff photo)
In front of the Grinter Barn is a new sign for the historic site. (Staff photo)

Injuries reported in sideswipe accident on I-435

Injuries were reported after a sideswipe accident on Sept. 12, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report.

According to the trooper’s report, a Ford Escape and a Mercury Grand Marquis were northbound on I-435 near I-70 at 4:06 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, when the two vehicles sideswiped each other.

The driver of the Escape, a 29-year-old woman from Lenexa, Kansas, was not injured, the report stated.

The driver of the Grand Marquis, an 84-year-old man from Mission, Kansas, had a possible injury and was taken to the hospital, according to the report.

A passenger in the Grand Marquis, a Kansas woman, also was taken to the hospital with a possible injury, the trooper’s report stated.

Another woman in the Grand Marquis had a possible injury and was taken to the hospital, according to the report.