Author: Mary Rupert

Programs help senior citizens with tax rebates

Seniors in Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County may apply for tax rebates on their homes and utilities, through a program launching Jan. 3 by the Unified Government.

Seniors may call 311 to make an appointment to present their paperwork and complete applications at available locations throughout the week. If needed, they may arrange for free transportation to their appointment.

Seniors are asked to plan 48 hours in advance for transportation.

Wyandotte County residents born before Jan. 1, 1967, blind or disabled prior to 2022 and own their home for an entire year or have dependent minors under the age of 18 living with them, with an annual income of $37,750 or less may be eligible for a tax refund.

The state of Kansas has changed the senior tax rebate programs this year and the UG has posted updated qualifications and documentation requirement on the website at wycokck.org/clerk.

The Homestead Safe Senior Rebate Program is for Wyandotte County residents born before Jan. 1, 1967, blind or disabled prior to 2022 and own their home for an entire year or have dependent minors under age 18 living with them, with an annual income of $37,750 or less may be eligible for a tax refund With the new Senior Veteran Rebate, a disabled veteran or spouse of a disabled veteran may qualify if the annual income is $50,000 or less.

Utility and Sales Tax Rebate Program: Seniors residing in Kansas City, Kansas, and born before Jan. 1, 1967, with an annual income of $25,000 or less the opportunity may be eligible for refunds of up to $150 for utilities (electricity, gas, water, phone).

To ensure residents fully understand the application process and document requirements, the Unified Government Clerk’s Office will be holding one-on-one appointments starting Tuesday, Jan. 3, through Friday, March 31, to help answer any questions and walk residents through their applications. Appointments will be available at the following community centers and business locations throughout Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas:

• Beatrice L. Lee Community Center, 1310 N. 10th, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Armourdale Community Center, 730 Osage, Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.


• Joe E. Amayo Community Center, 2810 Metropolitan,Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon.


• The Windmill KC, 840 S. 55th St, ,Kansas City, Kansas, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Eisenhower Community Center, 2901 N. 72nd St., 9 a.m. to noon, Thursdays.


• KCK Annex Building, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays.


• City Hall, Office of the Clerk, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, no appointment needed.

For more information regarding the tax rebate programs, transportation and appointment scheduling, call 3-1-1 or visit the website at www.wycokck.org/clerk.

One dead in officer-involved shooting on Parallel

One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting this morning in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a police spokesman.

Shortly after 8 a.m., the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department emergency communications received a 911 call from a man asking for assistance because his vehicle had stalled in the westbound lanes of the 9200 block of Parallel Parkway, the spokesman stated.

An officer was dispatched and upon arrival discovered the vehicle unattended, according to the spokesman. As the officer was inspecting the vehicle, an adult male exited a wooded area and pointed a gun at the officer, who took cover, the spokesman stated.

The suspect then entered the officer’s patrol vehicle and fled the scene, driving west on Parallel, the spokesman stated.

As he neared the intersection of 98th and Parallel, the suspect encountered two more units that were responding to the call for assistance from the initial officer, according to the spokesman.

In response, the suspect made a U-turn and headed east, encountering two more units heading westbound, the spokesman stated. The suspect stopped around 94th and Parallel and at that point officers initiated a felony car stop, the spokesman stated. However, the man exited the vehicle and pointed a gun at the officers, according to the spokesman.

Officers discharged their weapons, striking the suspect, and then performed life-saving efforts until EMS arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead, the spokesman stated.

No officers were injured in the exchange, according to the spokesman. A gun was recovered near the victim, the spokesman stated.

All officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending evaluation, the spokesman stated.

Detectives with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department and the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may have been in the area and observed activity possibly related to the incident, is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, the spokesman stated.

Cooler temperatures today

The high will be around 45 today. (National Weather Service graphic)

Cooler temperatures move in today behind a cold front, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Temperatures may reach a high of 45 today with a low tonight of 31, the weather service said.

Temperatures will rebound Saturday and remain warm through Monday, according to the weather service.

Rain showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected Monday into Tuesday, the weather service said.

There will be an active, complicated weather pattern through next week, according to the weather service.

Today, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 45 and a light and variable wind, the weather service said.

Tonight, there will be increasing clouds, with a low of 31 and a calm wind, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 53 and a calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 36 and a south wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Sunday, New Year’s Day, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 56 and alight east southeast wind, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 42, according to the weather service.

Monday, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1 p.m., the weather service said.

Monday night, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1 p.m., according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7 p.m., the weather service said.

Tuesday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 36, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 21, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 35, the weather service said.