Month: January 2022

Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration in KCK to be online-only on Monday

This year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebration in Kansas City, Kansas, will be online-only.

The celebration will be shown on Facebook at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, according to those involved with the project.

The keynote speaker of the event will be Pastor Roger Bernard, president of the Central States Conference of Seventh Day Adventist.

The chair of the event is Dr. Clarence Small, with the Rev. Tony Carter.

Because of rising numbers of COVID-19 in the community, there will not be an in-person celebration for the public at Memorial Hall, as originally planned, according to organizers.

Instead, Joseph Straws III has been taping speakers, performances and announcements during three days this past week at Memorial Hall, and the video will be presented for public viewing at 11 a.m. on Monday on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kckmlkcelebration.

Also expected to speak at the event are Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner and Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree.

One highlight of the program is that 18 scholarships will be given to high school seniors, Straws said. Funds are being raised for the scholarships. According to the event’s information, donations may be made to https://gkccf.kimbia.com/king01.

The program will be about 55 minutes long, Straws stated.

Area blanketed with snow

Photo by Mary Rupert
About 4 inches of snow fell in parts of Wyandotte County on Friday night and Saturday morning, with snow continuing Saturday morning. (Photo by Mary Rupert)
Some parts of Wyandotte County got 4 inches of snow overnight and mid-morning on Saturday. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
A crash was reported on southbound I-635 near Shawnee Drive about 8:54 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, according to KC Scout. (KC Scout photo)
A crash was reported on southbound I-35 near 18th Street Expressway and Southwest Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, according to KC Scout. (KC Scout photo)
Snow could be ending around 11 a.m. or noon in the Wyandotte County area. (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte County was blanketed with snow overnight, and snow continues to fall Saturday morning.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Saturday, Jan. 15, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow is expected to come to an end from north to south by early this afternoon, ending about 11 a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.

Parts of Wyandotte County received approximately 4 inches of snow overnight and Saturday morning. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible over the entire area this morning.

Hazardous travel is expected this morning, and the weather service is advising residents to stay home if possible.

If heading out, check road conditions at telephone 5-1-1 or check highway conditions in the Kansas City area at www.kcscout.net. Pack a safety kit.

Saturday, there will be areas of fog before 10 a.m., as snow continues mainly before 11 a.m., the weather service forecast said. The high will be near 27. A north northeast wind of 13 to 17 mph will gust as high as 34 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Saturday night, there will be patchy fog possible between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to the weather service. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low about 12. A north wind of 6 to 11 mph will become light and variable after midnight.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 35, the weather service said. A calm wind will become southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 25, according to the weather service. A northwest wind of 6 to 8 mph will gust as high as 18 mph.

On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 42, the weather service said. A northwest wind around 6 mph will become light and variable in the afternoon.

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

Saturday events canceled

Note: Before you go, please check with the sponsor of the event to see if there are any changes being made because of the overnight snowfall, or if there are any changes because of COVID.

Update: Third Saturday breakfast canceled Saturday morning

The third Saturday breakfast scheduled for Saturday morning, Jan. 15, has been canceled, according to a social media post by Scott Mackey, the founder of the breakfast.

Mayor Tyrone Garner and State Rep. Tom Burroughs were scheduled to be the guest speakers on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast Forum at Las Islas VIP Sports Bar and Grill, 4929 State Ave.


The program was scheduled to begin around 9 a.m., and people may arrive at 8:15 a.m., but it was canceled earlier on Saturday morning.


For more information, email Scott Mackey at [email protected].

Update: Eagle Days canceled for Saturday, still on for Sunday


Update: Eagle Days canceled for Saturday, still on for Sunday

The annual Eagle Days is canceled for Saturday after snow fell Friday night and Saturday morning in Wyandotte County, according to an announcement from the Board of Public Utilities, one of the sponsors of the event. Eagle Days is still scheduled for Sunday, according to the announcement.

Eagle Days will take place Sunday, Jan. 16, at Wyandotte County Lake Park, 91st and Leavenworth Road.


The annual event is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Events will take place at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library at the lake, and also at the James P. Davis Hall at the lake. There are some changes to the event format this year due to COVID-19 protocols.


The free family-oriented program will provide those who attend with an opportunity to see eagles and birds of prey at each location. There are educational programs in connection with the viewing. Birds of prey from Operation WildLife Rehab Center will be on display.


Hours for Sunday are noon to 4 p.m. Masks will be required.


Spotting scopes will be available outside for birdwatching around the lake. Visitors should bring binoculars and cameras to take advantage of the scenic views and beautiful winter landscapes.


This year, there will be reservations for the live bird presentations, and reservations can be made online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fl-schlagle-library-eagle-days-live-bird-viewing-tickets-195997964187. For more information, call 913-295-8250.


Each guest will need a free ticket to view the live birds at both the Schlagle Library and Davis Hall, according to library information. The ticket will allow a 15-minute time slot to take pictures, ask questions and enjoy watching the birds of prey indoors. There will be different bird species at both buildings and those who attend may reserve a time slot at both buildings.


Those who arrive without a reservation ticket will have to wait until there is a vacancy, according to the library information. While they wait, people may participate in crafts, wild bird spotting stations and outdoor activities. Those who attend may re-enter the live bird viewing area more than once during the event as long as there are spots open, according to library information. Eagle Days at Wyandotte County Lake are offered in partnership with Operation WildLife, the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library; the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities; the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library; Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools; the Unified Government; and Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City.

In addition, all Kansas City, Kansas, Public Libraries had a delayed start of noon Saturday because of the winter weather.


For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fl-schlagle-library-eagle-days-live-bird-viewing-tickets-195997964187 or https://kckplprograms.org/2021/11/16/eagle-days-20th-anniversary-celebration/.


To see a flier about Eagle Days, visit https://kckplprograms.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Eagle-Days-2022-Flyer.pdf.

Grinter Place education event postponed until April

The Grinter Place educational program scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15, has been postponed until April, according to a social media post by the Grinter Place Friends.

The program by Louise Crable, “Plants and Herbs of the Grinter Era,” has been moved to April.

The Grinter Place educational programs take place on the second Saturday of the month. Speakers present a program about the history of the Grinter Place, or topics from the era when the Grinter Place was built, 1857.

The next program is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 12, with Judith Manthe, principal chief, Wyandot Tribe of Kansas.