Temperatures in low 80s today, warming trend continues

Photo by Mary Rupert
Temperatures could reach 83 today in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

A warming trend continues today, with high temperatures approaching 83 in Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

A record may be set for high temperatures in Kansas City, as the record high for Kansas City on March 2 is 80 degrees, set in 1901, the weather service said.

Winds today could gust up to 20 mph, the weather service said, leading to high fire danger.

Outdoor burning is discouraged on Wednesday as rapid growth will be possible with any fire that ignites, according to the weather service.

The next chance for rain is Saturday, and there will be the potential of strong to severe thunderstorms in the region on Saturday afternoon, the weather service said. Rain is possible on Sunday, also.

After that, look for more see-saw weather and subfreezing temperatures on Sunday night and Monday night. Snow is possible on Sunday night, and temperatures could reach a low of 25 on Monday night, according to the weather service.

Today, it will be sunny, with a high near 83, the weather service said. A southwest wind of 6 to 11 mph will become north northwest in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 20 mph.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 40, and a north wind of 6 to 11 mph becoming east northeast after midnight, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be sunny, with a high near 57, and an east wind of 10 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph, the weather service said.

Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 40, according to the weather service. An east wind of 8 to 10 mph will gust as high as 18 mph.

Friday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 70, the weather service said. A south wind of 8 to 16 mph will gust as high as 28 mph.

Friday night, there is a 20 percent chance of rain after midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 56.

Saturday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 70.

Saturday night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain before midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 37.

Sunday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain after noon, with a high near 47, the weather service said.

Sunday night, there is a 50 percent chance of rain before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of snow after 4 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 28.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 46, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 25, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be sunny, with a high near 52, the weather service said.

Substate win over Lansing starts Pirates’ playoff journey

Senior Aaron Simmons drew a crowd of Lions as he drove into the lane in Piper’s substate playoff win over Lansing. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Piper Pirates started their playoff run in fine form Tuesday evening in Piper, taking a 76-58 win from the Lansing Lions in the first round of their substate bracket.

The Pirates used quick perimeter movement and skip passes to open driving lanes that they exploited with drives and kickouts.

Piper built on its lead with each successive quarter until there was no doubt about the outcome in the final frame. To the great delight of the boisterous Pirates’ student section, head coach Steve Wallace emptied the bench in the latter half of the fourth quarter.

Four Pirates scored in double figures, led by Jaron Briggs with 18 points. Gannon Roth scored 13, including 3 three-pointers. Devin Kerr scored 11 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Mikey Burgess scored 10 points.

The Pirates move on to play Topeka’s Highland Park High School on Friday for the substate trophy and a berth in the 5A state tournament in Emporia.

In other local playoff action, Bishop Ward boys defeated Santa Fe Trail 63-51 and will face Easton-Pleasant Ridge on Thursday in Pomona in the 3A substate bracket. The Lady Cyclones were defeated 47-28 by Osage City in their first round match, and finish their season with a 9-11 record.

Bonner Springs boys lost 85-55 at St. James Academy in Lenexa. Sumner Academy boys lost 65-52 at Pittsburg. Wyandotte girls lost at Shawnee Mission West, 59-9.

Junior Miguel Martin elevated for a jump shot from the elbow. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman P.J. Moore dribbled the ball up the court. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper’s ball movement earned senior Gannon Roth a wide open shot from the corner. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

The Piper cheerleaders performed stunts during a break in the game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Senior Jaron Briggs defended Lansing freshman Makhi Butler. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Miguel Martin went for a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Junior Colin Vigil dribbled in from the corner. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman Mikey Burgess took a jump shot. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Lansing sophomore Ryan French stood in against a drive from senior Jaron Briggs but was whistled for a foul. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Freshman P.J. Moore took a mid-range jumper in the lane. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Representative, senators from Kansas respond to President’s State of Union address

The President’s State of the Union address received responses from Rep. Sharice Davids, Sen. Jerry Moran and Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., issued the following statement after President Biden delivered his State of the Union address:

“At a time of global uncertainty, I hope we can come together as a nation to recognize the progress we’ve made over the last year—and that we can come together in Congress to pass bipartisan policies that address inflation, fix our supply chains, and lower costs on everyday expenses from prescription drugs to gas and groceries.

“I appreciated the President’s attention to those issues tonight, and I will hold him accountable to his words. We need clear and consistent leadership to tackle the concerns that I am hearing from Kansans and build on bipartisan successes like the infrastructure law and our work to bring down health care costs. I stand ready to work with anyone who shares that goal.”

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, tonight released the following statement following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address:

“The state of our Union is sobering – we are up against the highest inflation in 40 years, record gas prices, surging violent crime, an historic number of migrants illegally crossing our southern border and alarming instability abroad. Kansas families are looking for a dose of long-overdue candor from President Biden and his administration. In President Biden’s inaugural address, and again tonight, he pledged unity, but unfortunately his first year in office has left the American people empty-handed.

“As Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjust invasion rages in Ukraine, murdering innocent people and threatening the security of all of Europe, the world is taking note of our actions, or lack thereof. We must take immediate action to bolster our defense to protect Americans, increase energy production to lessen our dependence on foreign suppliers, provide humanitarian assistance to demonstrate our commitment to global security and further isolate Putin with punishing sanctions. Even today, U.S. dollars are still subsidizing Moscow’s aggression as Russian oil arrives in our ports. This is unacceptable and is why today I introduced legislation and called on President Biden to immediately ban Russian energy imports.

“We face a crucial moment in our nation’s history. It is time for the President to work with Congress on sensible solutions to restore liberty, reduce reckless spending, protect our borders, support law enforcement, become energy independent and send a clear message to the world that America is united against aggression of any type. We need to show the American people that we can and will work together to address issues here at home, and we need to demonstrate to our friends and foes around the world that we are unified in our response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address. Earlier today, Senator Marshall introduced legislation to ban the U.S. purchase of Russian oil. The legislation was in response to Russia’s unjustifiable war against the sovereign nation of Ukraine.

“President Biden had the opportunity tonight to announce a ban on U.S. imports of Russian oil but instead he continues to use Russia as America’s gas station,” Sen. Marshall said. “Having done nearly 100 town hall meetings across Kansas, it’s clear we have a Commander-in-Chief who is not commanding and the state of our union is not what he painted it as this evening. The American people are fed up with having to deal with crisis after crisis created by this Administration. Whether it’s skyrocketing inflation, our porous southern border, embracing socialism, foreign policy disasters in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and more, President Biden’s radical policies and weakness have put our nation’s prosperity and global standing in jeopardy. Make no mistake, President Biden can turn things around by immediately showing strength on the world stage, putting a stop to reckless spending, unleashing America’s energy independence, and immediately banning the U.S. purchase of Russian oil.”

Sen. Marshall’s plan to “Unleash America’s Energy Independence”:

• Immediately Restart the Keystone XL Pipeline.
• Remove burdensome regulations from America’s energy producers.
• Increase natural gas exports to European allies and other global partners.
• Give certainty to oil and gas producers that credit will remain available to them by maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve and withdrawing the nomination of Sarah Raskin.
• Encourage FERC to reverse their decision to add new barriers to natural gas pipeline approvals.
• Directly instruct the Department of the Interior to allow new oil and gas leases on public lands.