Month: April 2021

Housing forum planned tonight

A housing forum is planned tonight by the Kansas Housing Resources Corp.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. tonight, and registration information is at https://kshousingcorp.org/events/housing-needs-assessment-public-forum-kc-metro/.

The forum is part of a state effort to assess future housing needs.

It will review current housing opportunities, identify strategic goals, and develop recommendations to guide future housing development.

“We’ve long known that the state’s shortage of comprehensive housing data limits our ability to provide affordable homes for Kansans,” said Ryan Vincent, executive director of Kansas Housing Resources Corp. “The feedback gathered through this study will be a crucial first step in identifying current needs and resources so we can ensure that every Kansas community has the housing needed to grow and thrive.”

The study’s current discovery phase includes a series of public listening sessions and a statewide survey to gauge community and stakeholder input. Consultants will use feedback gathered throughout the discovery process to assess opportunities and set strategic housing goals. The project’s final phase involves developing a statewide housing plan and recommendations, with delivery anticipated by December 2021.

Community members are encouraged to share their opinions by completing an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KansasHousing; participate in a public listening session; or visit the Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment webpage at https://kshousingcorp.org/kansas-statewide-housing-needs-assessment-2021/ to learn more.

Registration information for tonight’s forum is at https://kshousingcorp.org/events/housing-needs-assessment-public-forum-kc-metro/.

For more information, visit https://kshousingcorp.org/housing-leaders-welcome-public-input-for-statewide-study/.

Victim of fatal hit-and-run Friday at 10th and Central identified

The victim of a hit-and-run crash on Friday night at 10th and Central has been identified.

The victim was John Davis IV, 42, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

Officers were dispatched to 10th and Central around 8:52 p.m. Friday on reports of the accident. When they arrived, officers discovered Davis, who had been struck by a vehicle. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries, the spokesman stated.

The suspect vehicle was described as a white or silver Suburban-style vehicle, pulling a black enclosed trailer.The vehicle fled before officers arrived, police stated.

The incident is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Traffic Investigation Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), the spokesman stated.

Two more Hutchison homers, but Blue Devils routed 17-11

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

Even Palmer Hutchison’s prodigious hitting couldn’t save Kansas City Kansas Community College from a 17-11 thumping at Pittsburg State junior varsity Monday.

The loss left the Blue Devils at 21-14 heading into a pivotal Jayhawk Conference series with Allen County this week. Home Thursday for a 1 p.m. first pitch, the Blue Devils will go to Iola Saturday.

Hutchinson hammered his 13th and 14th home runs of the season and drove in four runs at Pitt State. A sophomore from Hays, Hutchison had a solo blast in the fourth inning and a 3-run shot in the eighth and now has nine home runs and 25 runs-batted-in in the Blue Devils’ last 11 games.

The Blue Devils also got a pinch 2-run home run in the ninth from Brock Stewart, his first. Brendyn Bard chipped in with a double and two singles; Raymond Paniagua a double and single; and Darius Freeman two singles in an 11-hit attack.

However, the offense came far too late. The Gorillas scored four times in the first and had leads of 11-0 and 17-5 after five innings.

The Blue Devils used six pitchers. Gabriel Ramos gave up seven runs on five hits and striking out four in two innings; Joseph Reyes was touched for four runs and two hits; Chase Terrell two runs on four hits; and Brett Owen, four runs on three hits. Parker Weddle struck out the three men he faced in one inning and Hunter Cashero gave up only a walk in two scoreless frames.

KCKCC will close out the regular season play with eight games next week. The Blue Devils will be the host to Baker junior varsity in a non-conference twin bill Monday starting at 2 p.m. and meet Baker again Tuesday at a location and time to be determined. They’ll close out Jayhawk Conference play at Coffeyville Thursday and at home Saturday.