Month: June 2018

More rain and storms possible today

Heavy rain outlook (National Weather Service graphic)

Another round of storms is expected today, according to the National Weather Service.

There could be a round that moves through in the morning, but the better chance will come this afternoon through this evening, the weather service said.

The main threat with the storms will be heavy rain and localized flooding. Marginally severe hail to around the quarter size, strong winds of 60 mph and frequent lightning are all possible in the strongest storms, according to the weather service.

Today, the high will be near 83 with a 60 percent chance of showers and storms, the weather service said. A thunderstorm is possible after 2 p.m. A south southwest wind of 8 to 10 mph may gust as high as 22 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, there will be a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 65, with a west wind of 6 to 8 mph. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Thursday, there is a 50 percent chance of showers, with storms possible after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 75 with a west wind of 10 mph. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Thursday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 a.m., with a low of 63 and a northwest wind of 7 to 10 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Friday, there is a 20 percent chance of showers before 1 a.m., with a low of 63, according to the weather service. There will be a northwest wind of 7 to 10 mph.

Friday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 65, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 84, the weather service said.

Saturday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 68, according to the weather service.

Sunday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m., with a high near 86, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., with a low of 69, according to the weather service.

Monday, there is a 50 percent chance of showers with a high near 85, the weather service said.

Monday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 71, according to the weather service. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain.

Tuesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, with a high near 88, the weather service said.

Wednesday’s severe outlook (National Weather Service graphic)

Community prepares for funeral service for two deputies

The community is preparing for the funeral service for Deputy Patrick Rohrer and Deputy Theresa King, who were killed in the line of duty on Friday.

Authorities believe the two deputies were overpowered on Friday by a handcuffed and shackled inmate who was being transported from court back to the Wyandotte County Jail.

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department has released more information about the upcoming funeral arrangements.

Visitation

Deputy Theresa King’s visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Jack Reardon Center at 500 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Deputy Patrick Rohrer will not have a public visitation, at the request of his family.

Funeral service

A joint funeral service will be held at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 21. There will not be a burial site for either deputy. Children’s Mercy Park is at The Legends, near I-435 and I-70 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Flower donations

Flowers may be dropped off at the Premium Gate located on Sporting Way Parkway at Children’s Mercy Park – home of KC Sporting. Deliveries may be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 20.

Flowers for Deputy Theresa King’s visitation

Flowers can be dropped off at 500 Minnesota Ave. at the Jack Reardon Civic Center’s 5th street garage dock location between 3 and 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 20.

Restaurant donating to funds for deputies’ families

The Chick-Fil-A location in Village West, 10770 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, has offered to donate 50 percent of all sales that are made from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 21, to the Rohrer and King family. They want to support the community in which they operate. The Sheriff’s Department thanked Chick-Fil-A for this generous donation. This only applies to the restaurant’s location in Village West, Kansas City, Kansas.

Money donations

Anyone wishing to make cash donations to the Rohrer or King families can do so at the locations listed below. Each deputy has a separate fund set up at the credit union. If someone wishes to make the donations at the Sheriff’s Office they will be accepted at the front desk (Sheriff Administration). The Sheriff’s Department will take those donations to the bank daily. When donations are accepted it needs to be clearly identified as to which deputy the money is to be credited to. Those writing checks should make the checks payable to one of the funds below.

Greater KC Public Safety Credit Union
Theresa King Memorial Fund or Patrick Rohrer Memorial Fund

Main Branch
2800 E. 14th St.
Kansas City, MO 64127-0020

North Branch
8320 North Brighton
Kansas City, MO 64119

East Branch
19341 E US 40 Hwy, Ste A
Independence, MO 64055

South Branch
9701 Marion Park Drive
Kansas City, MO 64137

Overland Park Branch
7721 W 123rd St.
Overland Park, KS 66213

Merchandise donations
Message Max Sybrant, the president of FOP Lodge 40 on FaceBook at Wyandotte County Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 40.

Counseling services
Since the tragedy the following groups have responded:
Kansas Peer Support Group (police counselors) (KBI)
Unified Government Employee Assistance Program
Unified Government Police Chaplains
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team

Outside law enforcement agencies assisting
Nearby law enforcement agencies have offered to assist the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department during this time. Tentatively, they include:
Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office

14-year coaching veteran Lana Ross to head KCKCC softball program

Lana Ross (KCKCC photo)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

This past spring, Lana Ross was blown away by Kansas City Kansas Community College’s new softball facilities. Now, she’s the new Lady Blue Devils’ head coach.

“I love the field, the facilities are incredible,” said Ross, who coached Fort Scott to a split with KCKCC in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader in late March. “This is a great opportunity and a great spot; one in which I feel very comfortable.”

A 14-year head coaching veteran, Ross brings a wealth of experience and success to the KCKCC program.

In a 13-year career at Iowa Western in Council Bluffs, Ross’ teams compiled a record of 544-238, the most wins in IWCC history.

A five-time Region XI Coach of the Year, she was recognized in 2013 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as the Coaching Staff of the Year. In eight seasons, her teams won 40 or more games and twice won 50 or more.

Winner of five regional titles and three district championships, her teams reached the NJCAA national tournament three times.

“Lana Ross is the right person to lead our softball program,” KCKCC Athletic Director Tony Tompkins said. “She is a strong leader, tough competitor and has committed to the success of the student-athlete in the classroom and on the field.”

In each of her 13 years at Iowa Western, Ross’ teams were recognized as Academic Team of the Year by the NFCA. During her tenure at IWCC, Ross coached 11 NJCAA All-Americans, 17 NFCA All-Americans, 25 NJCAA Academic All-Americans and 96 NFCA Academic All-Americans. In addition, 62 players earned All-Region first team honors and 43 were named to the All-Region second team.

In 2015, Ross was selected to coach the NJCAA All-Star team in the prestigious Canada Cup competition in Surrey, British Columbia. After leaving college coaching for two years to give private lessons, Ross returned to the coaching ranks in 2017-18 at Fort Scott where she coached the Greyhounds to a 28-22 record.

Ross officially begins her KCKCC coaching duties July 9 but has already started recruiting for the upcoming season.

“I was hired late at Fort Scott so I’m not overly concerned,” Ross said. “We’ll still be OK. My emphasis is always about fundamentals; something I’ve done with all my programs. Day in and day out there will be a lot of repetitions and teaching the game. We want to build a program year after year and start moving up in the conference standings.”

Ross said the all-weather field, the only one in the Jayhawk Conference, opens up a wealth of opportunities.

“It’s amazing. Not having to spend a lot of time preparing the field will allow more time to work with our student-athletes,” she said. “Also, there’s so much room. I’ve already got lots of ideas and plans. A great opportunity all around. I could not ask for more.”

An outstanding player in her own right, Ross was a member of an Oklahoma City University softball team that won back-to-back national championships. She also played competitively in Canada, Europe and the United States.

An education major at Oklahoma City, Ross was named to Who’s Who Among America Teachers in 2004-05. A member of the NFCA since 1999, she has served as a keynote speaker for numerous leadership conventions.

She began her coaching career in 1999 as an assistant at Blinn (Texas) Junior College and was an assistant at the University of Oregon for one year before taking the head coaching position at Iowa Western.