Month: January 2018

Grand reopening for RSI to be today

A grand reopening is scheduled today for a new location for the RSI Crisis Stabilization Resource at 1301 N. 47th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

The first free-standing crisis stabilization center in Kansas, RSI is moving from its current location on West 36th Avenue near the University of Kansas Hospital, to 47th Street, between State Avenue and Parallel Parkway.

The grand reopening and open house is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. and will include agency officials and government dignitaries. Expected to make remarks are Randy Callstrom, president and CEO of Wyandot Inc., Sharon Sawyer, executive director, RSI; Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer; Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Tim Keck; and Tim DeWeese, director of Johnson County Mental Health Center.

The RSI crisis stabilization center serves individuals experiencing mental health and substance abuse crises. It serves Wyandotte and Johnson counties and diverts individuals from more costly treatment services such as emergency rooms.

Victim identified in homicide in 900 block of South Mill Street

The victim of a homicide Jan. 18 in the 900 block of South Mill Street has been identified, according to Kansas City, Kansas, police.

The victim was Megan N. Hernandez, 32, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a police spokesman.

She was found deceased from apparent stab wounds on the front porch of a residence about 2:31 p.m. Jan. 18.

A police spokesman stated the detectives in the case have conducted a tireless investigation leading to two persons of interest being identified and detained. Following the interviews, they were both released and no charges are pending, the spokesman stated.

The case remains under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, which is encouraging anyone with information to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Donnelly College to celebrate renovations with an open house Jan. 25

Donnelly College will hold an open house on Thursday, Jan. 25, for renovations to Marian Hall. (Donnelly College photo)

Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., will hold an open house and grand reopening celebration for Marian Hall on Thursday, Jan. 25.

The event is from 4 to 6 p.m., with a program beginning at 4:15 p.m. The program will include a presentation by college leaders, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a prayer of dedication, open house viewing, refreshments and information about the next phase of the project.

The renovation of Marian Hall on campus is the completion of the second phase of the campus master plan at the college.

The first phase was the construction of an events center, and the last phase will be a new building on the Donnelly campus, according to a spokesman.

As part of the renovations, the campus tower building, which was part of the former Providence Hospital, will be removed in the third phase. A new academic and administrative building will be constructed in the third phase.

All three project phases together total about $30 million, said a college spokesman, Craig Doty.

Renovations of Marian Hall will add 11,000 square feet of classroom and office space, he said. The college’s nursing programs and Gateway to College program are at Marian Hall.

Nine classrooms, six offices for faculty and staff, a computer lab and a collaborative study space are among the improvements at Marian Hall. In addition, the building has improved mechanical systems, a modernized elevator and sprinklers.

“It’s going to be really exciting for the campus and the community,” he said.

The event at 18th and Tauromee on Thursday is open to the public.

The third phase of the Donnelly College campus master plan will include a new academic building on the campus near 18th and Tauromee. (Artist’s rendition from Donnelly College)