Month: December 2017

Fire Chief Jones to retire

Fire Chief John Paul Jones (File photo by Mary Rupert)

After more than 10 years as fire chief, Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Chief John Paul Jones will retire on Dec. 20, according to an announcement today.

Jones has more than 30 years with the Fire Department, starting his Fire Department career in 1987.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed and valued my tenure of over 10 years as fire chief,” Jones wrote in a letter to Fire Department personnel. Expressing his appreciation to the community and the Unified Government, he wrote, “It has been a privilege.”

“I am proud to say that the city is well protected by fine men and women of dedication and courage,” Jones wrote in the letter. He thanked all members of the Fire Department.

“The future is bright for our department as you go forward and serve with excellence,” Jones wrote. “I feel good knowing that serving the community is in your hands. While I look forward to spending more time with my family, I will always treasure the days where I was part of being involved in what can only be described as ‘the greatest job in the world.’ ”

– Information from the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department

Several Wyandotte County students to be candidates for degrees at KU

Several Wyandotte County students are candidates for degrees this fall at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

The students are among more than 1,300 candidates for degrees this fall at KU. Some graduates participated in school and departmental recognition events, while other students will participate in the annual commencement ceremony May 18.

KU fall degree candidates from Wyandotte County include:

Allison McKenzie Crist, Bonner Springs, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Journalism and English minor;
Kristine Nicole Irwin, Bonner Springs, Kan., Master of Science in Nursing;
Kylie Christine Jones, Bonner Springs, Kan., Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology;
Patrick Ryan McKechnie, Bonner Springs, Kan., Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art;
Tessa R. Newberry, Bonner Springs, Kan., Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and English minor;
Sarah Lorraine Scott, Bonner Springs, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
Justin Micheal Bown, Edwardsville, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care;
Luis E. Aparicio-Avila, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies;
Aleesha M Atwood, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology and human sexuality minor;
Stephanie Marie Bailey, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Business Administration;
Brittany E. Baumli, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Arts in English;
Katelyn Margaret Bronell, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Arts in Global and International Studies;
Mollie Frances Grace Chapin-Patch, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and psychology minor;
Brianna Chatmon, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of General Studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences;
Angel Ann Craig, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Business in supply chain management;
Erin LaShae Davis, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of General Studies in Sociology and Bachelor of General Studies in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies;
Melissa Louise Erwin, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
Kaylisa Nickole Estes, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of General Studies in Sociology and Bachelor of General Studies in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies;
Ana I. Jimenez, Kansas City, Kan., Doctor of Medicine;
Kim P. M. Jones, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
Tequilla Tavockious Manning, Kansas City, Kan., Doctor of Medicine;
Cindy Marlene Moore, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Science in Education;
MeShon LaTra Pouncil, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
Bruno Soria, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering;
Molly Jean Steele, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
Sahira Abigail Tapia, Kansas City, Kan., Bachelor of Science in Biology;
Joseph Louis Voye III, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Business Administration;
Kristina Elizabeth Wendt-Scott, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Science in Education;
Jonathon Westbrook, Kansas City, Kan., Master of Public Administration;
Min Yao, Kansas City, Kan., Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology; and
Chien-Hung Yeh, Kansas City, Kan., Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology.

Two new players to join Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City has announced two new player acquisitions.

Khiry Shelton, a forward, was acquired in a trade with New York City FC last week, and Yohan Croizet was acquired last week in a transfer from a Belgian team.

According to news releases from Sporting KC, defender Saad Abdul-Salaam was traded to New York City FC.

Shelton, 24, began his professional career at New York City FC, where he recorded six goals and 10 assists over three seasons. The 6-foot-3 attacker enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign in 2016, tallying four goals and finishing second on the team with nine assists in 22 MLS matches.

Capable of playing as a central forward or winger, Shelton helped New York City FC reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2016 and 2017 with consecutive second-place finishes in the Eastern Conference. He assisted three game-winning goals during his time with the Blues and converted half of his 12 career shots on target into goals.

Born in Fort Carson, Colorado, and raised in Leander, Texas, Shelton amassed 19 goals and 15 assists during a four-year college career at Oregon State University.

As a senior in 2014, Shelton was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and a MAC Hermann Finalist after notching 10 goals and 12 assists. While playing collegiately, Shelton also featured for the Austin Aztex (2012-13) and Lane United (2014) in the Premier Development League. New York City FC took Shelton with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.

Abdul-Salaam, 26, has started 54 of 78 competitive appearances for Sporting Kansas City since joining MLS in 2015 out of the University of Akron. The right back recorded one goal and nine assists for the club, opening his scoring account in a 3-0 win over Minnesota United FC this spring.

Croizet, 25, a French midfielder, was with Belgian team KV Mechelen. He has signed as a designated player on a contract through 2020 with an option for 2021. He will occupy an international spot on Sporting KC’s roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and P1 visa.

A native of Sarrebourg, France, Croizet has scored 31 goals in more than 200 professional appearances across Europe. He joins Sporting KC after spending each of the last three seasons in the top-flight Belgian First Division A, where he has tallied 12 goals and 11 assists since 2015.

In his first season with KV Mechelen in 2016-17, Croizet played 37 matches as the Yellow Reds enjoyed their best domestic campaign since 2010. His three goals and four assists helped KV Mechelen to a seventh-place finish and 14 league wins, their most in the Belgian first division since 1993. Croizet has added three assists in 15 appearances during the 2017-2018 season.

– Information from Sporting KC