Month: February 2019

BPU’s Quindaro units to close

The Board of Public Utilities will close its oldest electric generating units at the Quindaro power plant later in 2019.

The two Quindaro units, which went into operation in 1965 and 1971, were converted to natural gas some years ago and have not been burning coal for some time, said David Mehlhaff, BPU spokesman.

Mehlhaff said there is a high cost to maintain the unit’s steam electric generating units, which rarely are used. Last year, the Quindaro units produced only 3 percent of the BPU’s capacity, he said.

A preliminary feasibility study by Lutz, Daily and Brain found that the BPU has enough capacity to meet future forecasted loads, he said. The units are no longer efficient to operate, according to a BPU management decision based on the study.

Mehlhaff said closing the Quindaro units will save the BPU up to an estimated $10 million each year eventually.

Currently, the BPU uses 45 percent renewable energy, 44 percent coal and about 11 percent natural gas, Mehlhaff said.

He said the closing of the Quindaro units will not result in any loss of jobs here. Some of the operating positions previously were reassigned during the past year to the BPU Nearman plant, according to Mehlhaff. Other positions where offices were at the Quindaro station will be relocated to existing BPU facilities, he said.

Environmental regulations were not a factor in the decision to close the Quindaro units, he said. It is too early to tell what will eventually happen to the two Quindaro units, he said, and for now, they will just be idle.

The BPU management has been talking about the Quindaro units closing for some time, he said, and the decision is the result of that long process and the study.

Two KCK students named to dean’s list

Two students from Kansas City, Kansas, were named to the dean’s list recently for the fall semester at the University of Iowa.

The students were Skyler Barnes and Caroline Meek of Kansas City, Kansas.

Students on the dean’s list achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of graded course work, according to the university.

The University of Iowa’s campus is at Iowa City, Iowa.

No. 4 Highland escapes when last-second KCKCC shot just misses 60-59

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

But for a couple of inches, Kansas City Kansas Community College would hold the biggest upset of the year in the Jayhawk Conference.

On the road at No. 4 ranked Highland Wednesday, the Blue Devils had Daiyon Taylor’s rebound shot bounce off the front of the rim at the horn in a heartbreaking 60-59 loss.

The win kept the Scotties (26-2) tied with Johnson County for first place in the conference while the Blue Devils (14-15) remained tied with Labette for third place with one game to go – a home game with Johnson County (25-4) at Sophomore Day Saturday at 4 p.m. Highland and JCCC are both 8-1 in the league; KCKCC and Labette 4-5.

A 69-61 winner over KCKCC earlier, the Scotties opened a 27-16 lead late in the half and seemingly were in control with a 31-24. Not so by any stretch of the imagination. Field goals by Jonathan Richmond and Kelyn Bolton and a 3-pointer by Calvin Slaughter got the Blue Devils even 31-31 and set up perhaps the most hotly contested second half of the season.

Neither team led by more than three points and for most of the time the two teams traded one-point leads. Each team led five times and seven times they were tied.

Ahead 56-53 with 5:21 left, KCKCC fell behind 57-56 before Slaughter regained the lead 59-57 with a basket and one of two free throws with 2:17 remaining.

Tristen Hull pulled Highland back even with two free throws and after a Blue Devil turnover, Jaquan Daniels made one of three free throws with 55 seconds left and a 60-59 Highland lead.

The Blue Devils got two more chances. A turnover cost them the first opportunity but they got the last chance on a Scottie miscue with nine seconds left – a short base-line jump shot Taylor that was blocked by the 6-7 Hull. Taylor, however, got the rebound and falling away, had his game-winning attempt hit the front of the rim.

“Extremely proud of the guys,” KCKCC coach Kelley Newton said. “We put ourselves in a position to win the game against a very good team. It all came down to a couple of possessions.”

Arother Ratliff led the Blue Devils, knocking down 4-of-5 3-pointers in scoring 16 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots.

Slaughter added 11 points, a team high eight rebounds and three assists; and Taylor had 10 points and three rebounds. Bolton and Malcolm Tate had six points each, Tate on a pair of treys.

“The second half we were able to match Highland’s level and competed the whole way,” Newton said. “Calvin and Kelyn played inspired; DuVonte’ Beard was outstanding on the defensive end. Daiyon had some big-time offensive rebounds and put backs. Arother made some great plays. A total team effort. Now we have to respond from this on Saturday against another great team and ranked opponent, No. 8 Johnson County.”

The Blue Devils made 9-of-20 3-pointers (.450), four by Ratliff and two each by Slaughter and Tate, and were 21-of-52 for 40.4 percent from the field while limiting the Scotties to 20-of-57 (.351) including just 7-of-25 threes. Highland won the rebound battle 41-32 and had just seven turnovers to 11 for KCKCC.

Saturday’s game will be the final regular home season contest for three Blue Devil sophomores, Malcolm Tate, DuVonte’ Beard and Arother Ratliff.