Month: July 2020

Police notes

Armed robbery reported on South 18th

Victims arrived at the 200 block of South 18th, a large public access lot, to sell private property at 2:55 p.m. July 21, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

One suspect attempted to pay for the items with counterfeit money, according to police. When the victims tried to leave, a second vehicle arrived. Five additional suspects exited the vehicle and pointed handguns and rifles at the victims, according to the report.

The suspects then took the items from the victims by force, the report stated. The victims went to a patrol station report desk to make a report.

Theft reported

A warehouse supervisor reported at 4:48 p.m. July 21 in the 6900 block of Riverview Avenue that an employee took more than $2,500 in products without permission, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

The supervisor went to the patrol station report desk to make the report.

Shooting reported on Meadowlark Court

A victim told police he had arrived at his residence around 8:43 p.m. July 21in the 1700 block of Meadowlark Court when an unknown suspect or suspects began firing at him, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

The victim’s vehicle was struck several times by gunfire, the report stated. The victim then fled the area with the suspect following him, the report stated.

The gunfire also struck another residence, going through the window, police stated. The residence was occupied. There were no injuries, according to the report.

Temperatures may rise to 89 today

After some fog this morning, the skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 89, according to the National Weather Service.

Thunderstorm chances may return to the area by early next week, the weather service said.

Temperatures will be in the high 80s through Thursday, then in the 90s from Friday through Monday, according to the forecast.

Today, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 89 and a calm wind, the weather service said.

Tonight, the low will be around 71 with a calm wind, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 89, the weather service said. The heat index will be as high as 95. A calm wind will become south southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 73 and a southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 90, the weather service said. A calm wind will become south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 74, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 91, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 75, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny with a high near 92, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 75, according to the weather service.

Monday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 90, the weather service said.

Monday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 70, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 86, the weather service said.

KCK school board votes to start school after Labor Day, with remote learning for nine weeks

School will start after Labor Day in the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, but with remote online learning only for the first nine weeks.

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education tonight unanimously decided to go along with Gov. Laura Kelly’s order to start school after the Labor Day holiday, according to a district spokesman.

The first nine weeks of the 2020-2021 school year, starting in September, will be in a distance learning format, with all learning taking place remotely, according to the spokesman. All students will have distance learning only during those nine weeks.

At this time, there was no exact date announced about the first day of school, with that information to be released later, the spokesman stated. Also, details are being worked out on sports and activities, with updates to be announced later.

Just a week ago, the state Board of Education released guidance for reopening schools across the state.

The district has been working closely with the Unified Government Health Department constantly, according to the spokesman.

“We understand and appreciate our parents’ urgency to know what returning to school will be like for this upcoming academic year. Our staff has been working diligently on a Reopening of Schools plan, and we are ahead of schedule with professional development workshops for our teachers and administration,” said Dr. Charles Foust, superintendent of schools. “Our preparations were designed to keep our staff and students safe regardless of whatever option the board chose for the upcoming school year, and to ensure that our staff is well-prepared to meet the unique situation they will face.”

The district will continue to work closely with the UG Health Department to review safety protocols during COVID-19, the spokesman stated. The best practices will be carefully considered before making any decisions to return to in-person instruction after the nine-week period.

The administration presented several instructional options for the board to consider with a focus on the health and safety of students, parents, and staff. Those options included:

Option A –
All students return to campus with mitigation practices for student and staff safety
Option B –
An A/B schedule where approximately 50 percent of the students will be on-site and 50 percent online daily
Option C –
Distance learning for all students
Option D –
Traditional return to campus with an online option

The board chose Option C.

A district spokesman stated they understood there will be questions about online learning activities, sporting events and staff expectations when school begins in September. The district is currently producing a frequently asked questions page to address as many of those questions as possible, according to the spokesman.

The district will offer updates on the plans through its website and other communication platforms.