Month: March 2022

Cold weather rule ends today for utility customers

The cold weather rule, which prevents disconnection of utility services when the temperature dips below a certain level, will end today, March 31.

The rule is in effect on natural gas utilities and also on electric service.

The private natural gas utilities in Wyandotte County are under the Kansas Corporation Commission cold weather rule, which says that between Nov. 1 and March 31, the utility can’t disconnect residential customers when the temperature drops below 35 degrees in a following 48-hour period.

Under the KCC rule, failure to make payment arrangements or to adhere to an existing payment plan could result in disconnection, according to the KCC. Reconnection after March 31 could require past due balances to be paid in full, depending on the utility’s policy, the KCC stated. Customers who are having difficulties paying their bills should call their utility now to make payment arrangements. A 12-month payment plan is available.

The BPU’s cold weather rule states that between Nov. 1 and March 31, BPU will not disconnect residential electric customers for nonpayment of bills when the forecast is at or below 32 degrees for 24 hours. Because it is a public utility, the BPU is not regulated by the KCC.

The BPU has several payment plans available for customers. Customers may call the utility’s customer service line at 913-573-9190. For BPU payment arrangements, call 913-573-9145 during business hours.

There are a number of utility assistance programs available to customers, including the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. The LIEAP deadline for applications is 5 p.m. today, March 31. Persons may apply at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

The Kansas KERA program also has provided utility assistance for renters here. For more information on the program, visit https://kshousingcorp.org/.

Bonner, Sumner win at Turner tourney

Freshman Gineveve Sopher scored two goals in Bonner Springs’ 10-0 win over Raytown in the second round of the Golden Bears girls’ soccer tournament. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The second round of the Golden Bears girls’ soccer tournament was held Wednesday at the Turner District Activities Center.

A fierce north wind swept the early games, dropping the wind chill into the 30s. As the late matches started, a chill rain arrived to soak the few hardy members of the light crowd.

The Bonner Springs Lady Braves defeated the Raytown Blue Jays 10-0, triggering the mercy rule with five minutes remaining in the match. Bonner’s center midfielder Mercedes Madlock owned the pitch when she chose to press forward, and her connection with forward Jenna Knight powered the offense.

Knight scored four goals and earned three assists. Madlock bent two second-half corner kicks on goal for her two scores. Gineveve Sopher scored twice, and Luci Smith and Laura Fisher scored one goal each.

Piper played Shawnee Mission North to a tight 1-0 decision in North’s favor. Goalkeeper Raegyn Combs saved 15 shots in a stand-out defensive performance for the Lady Pirates.

Bishop Ward’s first-round victory over Raymore put it in the line of fire for Shawnee Mission Northwest in the second round. The Lady Cougars won the match decisively, ringing up 10 goals in the first half to force an early stoppage.

Sumner Academy took on the host team, earning a 8-0 victory over the Golden Bears. Captain Joselyn Clark provided much of the offensive firepower. Ashley Terrazas scored on a brilliant free kick that arced into the net from 30 yards just over the outstretched fingers of Turner’s goalkeeper.

The tournament’s final round will take place on Friday. Piper and Bishop Ward will vie for third place starting at 4:30 p.m. on the lower field, while Sumner and Bonner Springs contest fifth place on the upper field. At 6:00 p.m. Turner and Raytown meet in the seventh place match on the upper field, while Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission Northwest duel for the tournament title on the lower field.

Bonner Springs junior Jenna Knight collected a pass near the left sideline. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs senior Mercedes Madlock blasted a corner kick that curled in for a goal. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs freshman Laura Fisher scored a goal and recorded two assists. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs senior Janiah Bond-Clough centered the ball from the left corner. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs sophomore Chloie Knapp played the ball in to the front line. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper junior Kyndell Letcher dribbled the ball against Shawnee Mission North sophomore Carmen Duarte. (Photo courtesy of Lexi Miles)

 

Piper junior Sierra Montez contested the ball with Shawnee Mission North sophomore Jadyn Swob. (Photo courtesy Lexi Miles)

 

Piper junior Payton Zimmerman found a clear spot to push the ball up field. (Photo courtesy Lexi Miles)

 

Sumner junior Joselyn Clark launched a shot on goal, pursued by Turner junior Adriana Loya-Loredo. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Turner junior Aleyda Salazar cleared the ball past the attempted block of Sumner sophomore Valery Chacon. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sumner junior Emily Baltazar was challenged as she dribbled up the right sideline. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Sumner senior Brenda Guevara-Alatorre dribbled up field. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Temperature falls below freezing

With temperatures at 31 degrees at 9 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service forecast said that a dusting of snow was possible this morning.

Snow was not visible in Wyandotte County at 9 a.m., and no accumulation was expected, but there was still a 20 percent chance, the weather service said. The weather service maps indicated that snow was more likely to the south of the Kansas City area.

The next chance for rain will be Friday night into Saturday, according to the weather service.

Today, a 20 percent chance of snow, mixing with drizzle after 10 a.m. and then gradually ending, was possible, the weather service said. Skies will be cloudy, changing to mostly sunny, with a high near 47. A northwest wind of 14 mph will gust as high as 22 mph.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 30, and a northwest wind of 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be sunny, with a high near 62 and a light south southeast wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning, the weather service said.

Friday night, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 44. A south southeast wind of 7 to 9 mph will become southwest after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 18 mph. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 63 and a northwest wind of 9 to 11 mph, gusting to 22 mph, the weather service said.

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

Sunday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain after 1 p.m., with a high near 67, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a low of 48, according to the weather service.

Monday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain, with a high near 61, the weather service said.

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

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high near 65, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain, with a low of 45, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 61, the weather service said.