Dumpster Days to be Friday and Saturday in KCK

The Unified Government’s Public Works Department will hold the community’s first Dumpster Days on Oct. 22-23, an event to help residents recycle electronics waste and dispose of unwanted bulky items like old mattresses and furniture for free.

“These free WyCo Dumpster Day events are part of on-going efforts to reduce blight and trash in the community, making our neighborhoods more beautiful, healthy, and desirable,” said Mayor-CEO David Alvey said in a news release. “This two-day drop-off site provides all residents an opportunity to recycle electronics and dispose of large, unwanted bulky items at an accessible centralized location, and it is another public service intended to improve the overall quality of life in Wyandotte County.”

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22 and 23 in the parking lot of the former Kmart location at 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Visitors will need to bring their license or utility bill.

Items accepted include electronics recycling, mattresses, furniture, refrigerators, general appliances, fixtures, microwaves, freezers, televisions, and more. Television disposal is $35, cash only. Exact change is required.

Items that cannot be accepted include:

• All household hazardous waste
• Yard waste
• Batteries
• Storm debris
• Food waste
• Glass and plastics recycling
• Tires
• Construction demolition material
• Any item from businesses, nonprofits, or other commercial entities

These items will be turned away at the event, so remember not to bring them, a spokesman stated.

For yard waste, storm debris, and glass or paper recycling, residents may use the Recycling and Yard Waste Center at 3241 Park Drive, Kansas City, Kansas, at no charge. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) may be taken to the HHW Center at 2443 S. 88th St., Kansas City, Kansas. This year’s HHW events have passed. The HHW will re-open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 23, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, and Oct. 15.

For more information, call 913-573-5311 or visit wycokck.org/DumpsterDays.

Race car driver to appear at NFM today

Race car driver Ryan Vargas will appear from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at Nebraska Furniture Mart, Kansas City, Kansas.

Vargas will appear in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Kansas Speedway, I-435 and I-70 in Kansas City, Kansas.

The free event at NFM will feature giveaways, product demonstrations and discounts on Swann’s products.

The meet-and-greet with Vargas will be at the NFM Event Center, through the store’s Electronics entrance.

Masks will be required while inside the store, in accordance with the local mask ordinance.

KC making a bid for the FIFA World Cup today

FIFA officials are touring the Kansas City area today, as Kansas City is making a bid to be the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Kansas City plan is to hold the World Cup at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with other facilities throughout the area used for training camps.

Representatives from FIFA, Concacaf and U.S. Soccer will be touring Kansas City today. They will be gathering at the Power and Light District, along with touring Arrowhead Stadium, Union Station and other areas.

They also are planning to attend the U.S. Women’s Team’s soccer game tonight against Korea, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Joe Reardon said in a recent newsletter, “This would be HUGE for our local economy, worth up to $620 million in economic impact. And it would bring the world’s attention to KC with more than 3.5 billion viewers worldwide. (By comparison, 96.4 million viewers tuned into the 2021 Super Bowl). Not to mention the tens of thousands of international visitors we can expect.”

In Washington, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, made a statement Wednesday night on the Senate floor supporting the selection of Kansas City for the FIFA World Cup.

“…Kansas is home to some of the most devoted, fanatic soccer fans in the world that are ready to cheer on Team USA – and what better place than America’s heartland?” Sen. Marshall said. “The Kansas City community, alongside Sporting KC, has shown unwavering commitment to make this dream a reality. And Kansas City is no stranger to hosting major sporting events, from the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Conference Championship and NCAA March Madness, and plans to host the NFL Football Draft in 2023. We have great fan friendly facilities and something for everyone in the family to do. We have the lodging, public transportation, shopping, and dining options needed to make the 2026 World Cup a great success. The FIFA World Cup is the largest and most prestigious single sport event in the world and there is no better place for it to be held than Kansas City.”