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Online program to address polio epidemic

A virtual program on the polio epidemic is scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.

The program, “We’ve Been Here Before: the Polio Epidemic,” is offered through the Bonner Springs Library, in partnership with the Northeast Kansas Library System and six neighboring libraries.

The program is the second in a series of programs that examine historical events that have lessons to teach in the midst of the pandemic.

Interested persons may register for the program at https://bit.ly/2PgymSV.

The program on March 24 is a moderated discussion about the polio vaccine.

Mass vaccinations in the 1950s helped eradicate polio from the United States. The panel of experts for the polio discussion includes:

• René F. Najera, Dr.PH, editor, History of Vaccines, College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Chris Crenner, M.D., Ph.D., Hudson-Major professor and chair at the University of Kansas Medical Center
• Carl Chinnery, a past district governor from District 6040 and member of the Lee’s Summit Rotary Club
• Jim Arnett, Rotary District 5710 polio chairman and spouse of a polio survivor of Kansas City’s 1946 polio epidemic

This program series is a partnership of the public libraries in Atchison, Basehor, Bonner Springs, Lansing, Leavenworth, Linwood, and Tonganoxie, as well as NEKLS.

The first program in this series, in February, was on the 1918 flu pandemic. That program was in partnership with the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and almost 3,000 people tuned in to it. C-SPAN has contacted the museum for permission to air it.

Kansas Corporation Commission opens investigations into effects of weather emergency

The Kansas Corporation Commission this morning opened seven company specific investigations pertaining to the effects of the February weather emergency.

Kansas Gas Service and Atmos Energy, which serve natural gas customers in Wyandotte County, are included in the seven companies. Also included is Evergy, which serves some residents of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.

The investigations will examine each utility’s proposals to minimize financial effects of the February weather emergency on its customers, according to a news release.

The high demand, along with generation facility issues due to cold weather, created supply shortages and extraordinarily high energy prices, according to the KCC An emergency order issued by the KCC on Feb. 15 ordered regulated utilities to defer those costs for review and to present a plan to minimize ratepayer impact over a reasonable time, the KCC stated.

The investigations will also address the cause of reduced natural gas supplies, high natural gas prices, supply and demand imbalances in the Southwest Power Pool Integrated Market, and what steps can be taken to make sure utilities are better prepared for future extreme weather events, according to the KCC.

The BPU is not included in the companies being investigated. The Kansas Corporation Commission does not have jurisdiction over the Board of Public Utilities, which serves electric customers in Kansas City, Kansas, because the BPU is a public utility with an elected board.

A report and recommendation filed by KCC staff on March 1 stated that company specific investigatory dockets would allow staff to tailor its investigation to match each utility’s unique circumstances.

Today’s order can be viewed at http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=8360b142-9f83-4d64-af94-06a09d85daf7.

Lady Braves earn state tourney berth, fall at Lansing

Sophomore forward Mariyah Noel drove inside for a layup during Bonner Springs’ state tournament quarterfinals match against Lansing. Lansing won the game 64-51 to advance to the semifinals in Emporia. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs girls basketball team lost to Lansing 64-51 in the quarterfinals of the KSHSAA 5A state tournament played Monday evening in Lansing.

The Lady Braves reached the state tournament in the first year under head coach Peyton Leslie. Leslie credited the players being “more disciplined and consistent with our system” for getting this far in the season. Although the team held only a 4-11 record going into the substate tournament, the Braves defeated higher-seeded teams Schlagle and Sumner to win the substate bracket.

Bonner opened the game with a slight advantage, getting a couple turnovers from its defense and an early three-pointer from Corrie Hassett. However, by midway through the first quarter, Lansing started to push ahead, powered by forward Mackenzie Manth’s drives from the right baseline.

Lansing continued to stretch its lead in the second half. Despite being harried by the Lansing defense, Hassett picked up two more baskets from behind the arc, but they were matched at the other end by two three-pointers from Lady Lions sharpshooter Caitlin Bishop. The Lady Braves trailed 36-23 at the break.

In the third quarter, Bonner relied on drives from forward Mariyah Noel to keep the game within sight. Noel earned three baskets and a pair of free throws in the quarter by pushing fearlessly into the Lansing defense.

Bonner Springs surged in the fourth quarter, bringing the margin from 17 down to 9 with Noel continuing her strong inside presence, but Lansing hit 6 of 9 free throws and got a key three-pointer from McKenzie Moburg to put an end to the comeback.

Noel led Bonner Springs in scoring with 24, including 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Hassett scored 12 points, all from behind the arc.

The Lady Braves will lose senior guards Maggie Myers and Jazmin Graham to graduation, but they’ll return a young core of the team with a lot of height and game experience.

Coach Leslie said after the game, “The sky is the limit for our team next year. Although we came up short this evening, our girls gained valuable experience, and they understand a bit more of what it takes to win in March.”