Month: March 2020

Police announce changes for reporting non-emergency calls

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department has announced changes in the reporting of non-emergency calls for service.

According to a news release found on the department’s social media website, the changes are an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce exposure to first responders.

Starting today, March 14, and until further notice, the Police Department is asking individuals involved in non-injury accidents and non-emergency calls for service to either call in information to a report desk officer at 913-573-8680, to its non-emergency number at 913-596-3000, or to walk it in to the closest police station, according to the news release.

This process is similar to one used routinely during inclement weather when accidents are at a high volume, according to the spokesman.

The hours of the stations are police headquarters, 700 Minnesota Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; Midtown Patrol, 849 N. 47th St. (Indian Springs site), 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week; and South Patrol, 2200 Metropolitan Ave., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

To accommodate reporting, the Midtown and South patrol stations will be open for reporting seven days a week and for extended hours, the spokesman stated.

A non-emergency call is a request for the response of emergency personnel for a situation that is not life-threatening, according to the spokesman. Examples of the most common non-emergency calls are vandalism, disturbing the peace and theft.

Emergency calls, those which involve an immediate threat to a person or property such as gunshot, injury accidents, sexual assaults, armed robbery, fire, medical emergencies and any felony should continue to be reported by dialing 911, the spokesman stated.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department continues to work with the Wyandotte County Health Department and the Unified Government in a coordinated effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to the spokesman. It is a rapidly changing situation, which means that residents should expect there could be additional changes in the days and weeks to come, the spokesman stated. The police department maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts, and its website is at www.kckpd.org.

Cooler weather today, with a high near 40

Snow was in the forecast this morning for an area about 50 miles north of Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

Cooler weather is forecast today, with a high near 40, according to the National Weather Service.

After some overnight rain, temperatures will remain cool, the weather service said. The temperature was 37 degrees at 10 a.m., with fog and mist in the area. Rain is still possible through 1 p.m., according to the weather service.

North of St. Joseph, Missouri, snow was in the forecast.

Today’s high will be near 40 with an east northeast wind of 10 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph, the weather service said. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, it will be cloudy, with a low of 33 and a northeast wind of 9 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 45 and an east wind of 7 to 9 mph, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there will be a 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., and a low of 37, according to the weather service. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is expected.

Monday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 55 with a light southeast wind.

Monday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers before 1 a.m., with a low of 42, according to the weather service. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Tuesday, it will be cloudy with a high near 52, the weather service said.

KCKCC to go on extended spring break through March 29, with virtual classes through April 10, because of COVID-19 risk

Kansas City Kansas Community College announced on Friday that it would be closed from March 14 to 22, and that there would be an extended spring break of March 23 to 29 for all students.

Then, from March 30 to April 10, classes will resume in either a virtual or hybrid delivery, according to a letter sent Friday from the college president, Dr. Greg Mosier, to students, employees and the community.

“For the remainder of the semester our goal is to limit the number of people (faculty and students, and community) physically on campus while ensuring students receive the critical information they need to be successful in their classes and in the future,” Dr. Mosier wrote in the letter.

All public and community events, as well as nonessential events on campus were canceled through May 20, according to the announcement.

Dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment classes at the high schools will continue as normal until a schedule change is announced at each individual school district, according to the announcement.

Only essential personnel will be on campus from March 14 to 29, according to the letter.

Instructors will be making the transition to online courses during the week of March 23 to 29. Classes that need hands-on instruction will be a hybrid of online and lab work. Faculty are receiving support to make the transition, according to the letter.

The COVID-19 situation will be re-evaluated to determine actions that need to be taken for the remainder of the semester on April 9, and students and employees will be notified on April 10, according to the letter.

Also, KCKCC has banned all work-related travel for employees on airlines, trains, ships and large public transportation until May 22.

The letter stated that final plans have not yet been determined for KCKCC’s commencement ceremonies on May 21.

For more information, visit https://www.kckcc.edu/communications/letter-to-all-03-13-2020.pdf.