Month: March 2021

Online program to address polio epidemic

A virtual program on the polio epidemic is scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.

The program, “We’ve Been Here Before: the Polio Epidemic,” is offered through the Bonner Springs Library, in partnership with the Northeast Kansas Library System and six neighboring libraries.

The program is the second in a series of programs that examine historical events that have lessons to teach in the midst of the pandemic.

Interested persons may register for the program at https://bit.ly/2PgymSV.

The program on March 24 is a moderated discussion about the polio vaccine.

Mass vaccinations in the 1950s helped eradicate polio from the United States. The panel of experts for the polio discussion includes:

• René F. Najera, Dr.PH, editor, History of Vaccines, College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Chris Crenner, M.D., Ph.D., Hudson-Major professor and chair at the University of Kansas Medical Center
• Carl Chinnery, a past district governor from District 6040 and member of the Lee’s Summit Rotary Club
• Jim Arnett, Rotary District 5710 polio chairman and spouse of a polio survivor of Kansas City’s 1946 polio epidemic

This program series is a partnership of the public libraries in Atchison, Basehor, Bonner Springs, Lansing, Leavenworth, Linwood, and Tonganoxie, as well as NEKLS.

The first program in this series, in February, was on the 1918 flu pandemic. That program was in partnership with the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and almost 3,000 people tuned in to it. C-SPAN has contacted the museum for permission to air it.

Virtual job fair to be today through Thursday

The KansasWorks statewide virtual job fair will dedicate Tuesday, its first day, to military veterans, their spouses and caretakers.

The job fair, from March 23 to March 25, will open with a veterans’ day.

“Kansas veterans pick up valuable career skills during their time in military service that give them the tools to be successful members of our workforce,” Gov. Kelly said. “The KansasWorks Virtual Job Fair is designed to help elevate those skills, and promote their talents to businesses and employers statewide.”

The virtual fair will allow job seekers to easily live chat with employers from across the state through computers and mobile devices.

To register for the virtual job fair, visit https://kansasworksvirtualjobfair.easyvirtualfair.com/.

The Department of Commerce, in partnership with local Workforce Development boards, moved its statewide job fairs online in 2020 to eliminate public health risks associated with mass gatherings, and to continue providing job opportunities and maintaining a ready workforce for Kansas businesses.

Registration is now required for each virtual event. If job seekers have previously attended a virtual job fair, they are required to re-register for this event with the link above.

“Virtual job fairs continue to be a vital part of our commitment to safely helping Kansans find employment and helping Kansas businesses fill positions,” Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Our state’s veteran community has some of the most dedicated, persistent and capable people you’ll ever meet. We want them to live and work in Kansas, and setting aside the first day of the fair for our veterans seeking employment is one show of support they richly deserve.”

As concerns for Kansans’ health and safety remain high due to COVID-19, the Department of Commerce will maintain the virtual job fair system, according to a spokesman.

Job seekers can now upload their most recent resume to their virtual job fair account. Those who require assistance may contact their local workforce center at 877-509-6757 to schedule an appointment.

Thunderstorms possible today

Wyandotte County is at risk for thunderstorms today. (National Weather Service graphic)
Wyandotte County could see thunderstorms around noon today. (National Weather Service graphic)

Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop by late morning and continue through the afternoon hours, according to the National Weather Service.

A few storms could be strong to severe, the weather service said. The Kansas City area has a risk of thunderstorms. Winds may gust up to 21 mph.

The main threats could be a brief tornado and hail up to quarter-size throughout the region, according to the weather service.

Severe weather is possible from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The weather service said that the timing of the storms could be around noon in the Kansas City area.

Between a quarter and half-inch of rain could fall today, according to the weather service.

At 9 a.m., it was overcast in Wyandotte County.

Today, there is a 90 percent chance of rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 60, with an east wind of 9 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds may gust up to 21 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain may fall.

Tonight, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7 p.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 45 with a southwest wind of 8 to 13 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 53 and a west wind of 10 to 14 mph, gusting up to 18 mph, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a low of 40, according to the weather service. A north northwest win of 6 mph will become light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is likely.

Thursday, there is a 20 percent chance of rain after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 53. A north northeast wind will be 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday night, there is a 20 percent chance of rain before 1 a.m., with a low of 37, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 60, the weather service said.

Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain, with a low of 46, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 64, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 42, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 62, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 41, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 66, the weather service said.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.