Month: June 2020

How to make a no-sew cloth mask

A mandatory mask order is going into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, in Wyandotte County, and it’s not always easy to find masks in stores here.

Everyone will be required to wear a mask in public places starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Also, people should continue social distancing and hand-washing, according to the Wyandotte County health order. Those who are sick should stay home, according to the health officials.

Doctors have said that a cloth mask does not provide 100 percent protection against COVID-19, but if everyone is wearing one, then protection increases.

There are some exceptions to who must wear masks. Children under 5 do not have to wear a mask, and those who have medical conditions that make it difficult to wear a mask do not have to wear them.

The Unified Government Health Department has shared a CDC link that tells people how to make their own cloth face masks. It is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html.

A cloth mask can be made out of any material, and closely woven fabric is better. A bandana or an old T-shirt can be made into a cloth mask.

This pattern takes about five minutes or less to make, once you have the items. Here are the CDC directions for making your own no-sew cloth mask:

This graphic on how to make a non-sewn face mask is from the CDC website.

To see an earlier story about the mask order, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/wyandotte-county-orders-people-to-wear-masks-in-public/.

Sahara dust increases levels of particulate matter in Midwest

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Air Quality Program encourages residents across the region to limit or avoid outdoor activity on Sunday, June 28.

The skies across the Greater Kansas City region may look a bit hazier with lower visibility in the horizon as dust from the Sahara Desert moves across Kansas and Missouri.

The dust originated in the Sahara Desert in Africa. Trade winds picked up the dust, carrying it thousands of miles across and Atlantic before arriving in the United States.

While the metro is experiencing increased levels of particulate matter, the MARC Air Quality Program is not issuing an Ozone Alert because ozone levels are in a healthy range.


“The Kansas City metro is experiencing increased levels of particulate matter due to dust from the Sahara Desert. The increase in particulate matter can cause health problems in even healthy individuals,” said MARC Air Quality Program Manager Karen Clawson. “We recommend all area residents limit outdoor activity. If you have a heart-related or respiratory illness, please remain indoors for the day.”


MARC’s Air Quality Program monitors air quality throughout the bistate Kansas City region. Stay informed by visiting AirQKC.org and following the Air Quality Program on Twitter at www.twitter.com/airQKC .

Police notes

Shooting reported near 67th and Kaw Drive

Officers received a dispatched call around 2:16 a.m. June 27 about a large disturbance and shooting in a parking lot in the 6700 block of Kaw Drive, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Officers located an occupied vehicle associated with the incident which was fleeing from the scene, according to the report. A vehicle pursuit began, and the occupants were taken into custody, the report stated.

The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the report stated.

Shooting reported on North 82nd

A shooting into an occupied house was reported at 3:45 a.m. June 27 in the 700 block of North 82nd Street, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Officers responded to the reported shooting into a house and found four occupants who were not injured, according to the report. The suspect fled, the report stated.

Criminal damage, theft reported on Cabela Drive

Criminal damage and theft was reported at 10:58 a.m. June 27 in the 10000 block of Cabela Drive, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

When they arrived, officers found that an unknown suspect entered into the fenced area of a business and took an extensive amount of merchandise, according to the report. The suspect fled, the report stated.

Aggravated robbery reported on New Jersey

Aggravated robbery was reported at 7:09 p.m. June 26 in the 2800 block of New Jersey, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

The victim was flagged down by an acquaintance who pulled into a nearby parking lot. The suspect then opened the victim’s car door, pointed a handgun at him and demanded his vehicle, the report stated. The suspect then fled.

Aggravated robbery reported on Elizabeth

Aggravated robbery was reported at 10:15 p.m. June 26 in the 500 block of Elizabeth, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The victim responded to the area to meet the suspect, who was accompanied by another unknown individual, the report stated.

The suspect produced a weapon and demanded the victim’s car keys, phone and other personal items, according to the report. Both suspects then struck the victim with their hands and feet, causing injury to the victim, the report stated. Both suspects fled the area, the report stated.