Month: June 2021

5-year-old boy who was hit by vehicle dies from injuries

A 5-year-old boy who was struck by a vehicle Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas, has died from his injuries, according to police.

The child was playing Saturday evening at Kensington Park, on the north side of State Avenue between 29th and 32nd streets, a Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department spokesman stated.

Shortly after 7 p.m. he wandered away from adults and tried to cross busy State Avenue around 30th Street by himself, police said.

He crossed the westbound lanes, but was then struck by an eastbound vehicle that was unable to stop in time, the spokesman stated.

The driver of that vehicle remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police. Initial indications were that speed was not a factor, the police spokesman said.

First responders from Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department Station 11 at 31st and State responded immediately and took the child to a hospital, where he died Wednesday from the injuries he sustained, the spokesman stated.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit is investigating. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS, police said.

Community Blood Center declares blood emergency

Today, the Community Blood Center announced a blood emergency, with only a three-day blood supply.

The long-term impact of the pandemic has resulted in a year of virtually no youth first-time donors, hundreds fewer blood drives and 25,000 donors in the Greater Kansas City area alone that have yet to return to donate since before the pandemic, according to a spokesman.

Complicating matters, there has been a recent surge in blood usage as hospitals perform surgeries and patients seek medical care that was postponed during the pandemic, the spokesman stated. The increased need and lag in donors has created a chronic gap in blood donations.

“As the region reopens, local blood usage is going up and far outpacing the number of donations we are receiving,” said Patsy Shipley, senior director of donor recruitment and collections at Community Blood Center. “Through this new media campaign, we are hoping to raise awareness and encourage lapsed donors who have not donated since before COVID-19 to return and to attract the next generation of blood donors to help us build a healthy blood supply.”

With this campaign, CBC is hoping a bit of humor will help tackle preconceived notions around donating blood and send the message that donating blood is easy, a spokesman said. CBC is using the campaign to demonstrate that giving blood is simpler and less painful than life’s awkward moments.

Donating blood is safe and it only takes one hour, according to the spokesman. Extra precautions are being taken to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19, the spokesman said.

CBC staff are also practicing health self-assessments prior to presenting at work. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms.

Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available at https://savealifenow.org/donate-blood/covid-19-and-blood-donation/.

Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-877-468-6844 or visiting www.savealifenow.org.

Upcoming mobile blood drives in Wyandotte County, in order of date:

• Bonner Springs United Methodist Church, 425 W. Morse Ave., Bonner Springs, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the church Fellowship Hall. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

• Wyandotte Masonic Lodge No. 3 will have a Community Blood Center blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19, in the lodge dining hall, 2835 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

• The University of Kansas Medical Center will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at the Health Education Building, Ad Astra, fifth floor, 2146 W. 39th Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

• Christ the King Catholic Church will sponsor a Community Blood Center blood drive from 12:30 pm. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 28, at Davern Hall, church basement, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

• Legends Outlets will have a Community Blood Center blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Suite T103, across from the Old Navy store, at 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

• Kansas City Kansas Community College will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the Jewell Center, Room 2325, at 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To make an appointment, visit esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.

Hollywood Casino revenues reported for May

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway reported casino gaming revenues of $12.6 million in May, according to figures released at the Kansas Lottery Commission Wednesday.

Total gaming revenue was down 7 percent compared to May 2019 figures. The May 2021 admissions were down 23 percent compared to May 2019, a pre-pandemic month. Gaming revenues were only $4.3 million in May 2020, a time when there were reduced capacities, closures and reduced hours.

However, May’s report was similar to the April 2021 report, where the Hollywood Casino had $12.7 million in gaming revenues.

Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery, said the revenue reports from the four state casinos were a “mixed bag” this month.

Kocher reported Boot Hill, Dodge City, Kansas, had gaming revenues of almost $4.5 million in May; Kansas Star in Mulvane, Kansas, just over $14 million; and Kansas Crossing, near Pittsburg, Kansas, just short of $3.3 million.

The highest increases were in the two smallest casinos in May, he said. Kansas Crossing reported one of its best ever May revenues, he added.

Boot Hill casino reported its best ever month, he said.

For the fiscal year, revenues from the four casinos combined are down about 9 percent, he added.

The May 2021 Hollywood Casino gaming revenues are more than $8 million over the May 2020 revenues. In May 2020, with closure, reduced hours and capacities, the Hollywood Casino reported $4.3 million in casino gaming revenues.

The state of Kansas receives 22 percent of the gaming revenues, while the Unified Government receives 3 percent.

According to a written report submitted to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, Rick Skinner, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino, stated that table games revenue was down 40.7 percent while slot revenue was down 1.7 percent when compared with May 2019.

While the casinos have slowly been returning to normal operations, the Hollywood Casino’s poker room remains closed, according to the report.

Stephen Durrell, the lottery’s executive director, said casinos have been steadily reopening, as local jurisdictions are lessening some restrictions.

He also said there have been some discussions about the lottery offering incentives or a chance at prizes to those who get vaccinated for COVID-19; however, nothing is certain at this time.