Urgent need for donations, blood center says

The Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City has issued an urgent need for blood donations as the local blood supply has been dropping, according to a spokesman.

There was less than a week’s supply for some blood types, according to the spokesman.

The need for types O-, O+ and B- blood types was particularly urgent, the spokesman stated.

“Blood centers nationwide are feeling the impact of the drop in donations and CBC is feeling it too,” said Kim Peck, executive director of the Community Blood Center. “We are urging all those who are able to donate and help ensure that every patient and hospital has access to life-saving blood when they need it.”

The Community Blood Center has seven donor centers, and offers mobile blood drives. Groups and companies are encouraged to hold blood drives.

Upcoming blood drives in Wyandotte County include:
• Progressive Insurance, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 1930 S. 45th St., Kansas City, Kansas, donor bus.
• Unified Government, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, main lobby, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
• Chiropractic Healing Center, Harding and Associates, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, donor bus, 8437 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

To see other blood drives in the area or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Police identify victim found dead near 38th and State

Kansas City, Kansas, police have identified a victim found dead Monday in the woods behind a cemetery on the south side of 38th and State Avenue.

The victim was Kevin L. Murphy, 41, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, a police spokesman stated. He was previously reported missing on July 24.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the death as suspicious. Anyone with information may call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Victim of homicide near 7200 block of Berger identified

The victim of a homicide at 1:22 a.m. Friday, July 26, in the 7200 block of Berger Avenue has been identified, according to Kansas City, Kansas, police.

The victim was Richard Langston, 38, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, police stated.

When officers responded on a shooting call, they found a male who had been shot in a vehicle, according to police. Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department crews also responded and confirmed the victim was deceased.

A female passenger in the vehicle also was shot, police stated. She was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police stated.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Criminal Investigations Division is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.