Accidents, delays reported on I-70

I-70 at 7th was the site of an accident Wednesday morning, according to KC Scout. (KC Scout photo)

 

Traffic was backed up on I-70 this morning as an accident was reported at I-635 and I-70. (KC Scout photo)

I-70 experienced accidents and delays on Wednesday morning after heavy rains in Wyandotte County.
KC Scout reported an accident at I-70 and 7th Street in Kansas City, Kan., which resulted in two closed lanes.
Emergency vehicles were at I-70 and I-670, according to KC Scout.
And traffic came to a stop on I-70 after an accident at I-635 southbound to westbound I-70, according to KC Scout.

Ground broken for new Oak Grove Elementary School

Students, district officials and board members broke ground Tuesday for a new Oak Grove Elementary School building in the Turner Public School district. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Ground was broken today for a new Oak Grove Elementary School at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan.

District officials, board members, students and community members attended the groundbreaking.

Almost 70 percent of the voters approved a bond issue for the new $14 million school last October. It is the first Turner School District construction project since the new Turner High School was built, said Jason Dandoy, Turner assistant superintendent of business and public relations.

At just under 70,000 square feet, the new school will be located just west of the existing Oak Grove school.

As soon as the new building is completed, the old school building will be taken down, projected for the summer of 2015, Dandoy said. The new school building is expected to be ready for the term starting in August 2015.

“The new structure gives kids the opportunity to go to school in one building,” Dandoy said. “Right now they are spread out over three buildings.”

Each wing will be divided into two grade levels. The school will include all the current Oak Grove elementary students, as well as a few special education classrooms, he said.

The new building will include certain reclaimed parts of the old structure, he said. It will have pieces of the current Oak Grove gymnasium ceiling used as accent wood. The signs on the new building will be from the current structure, he added.

It also will have security features built in, such as internal and external cameras, card readers, a security vestibule in front, and more.

Zoning was approved for the building on March 27.

Scenes from the groundbreaking Tuesday for the new Oak Grove Elementary School building at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
Theresa Tillery, Turner Board of Education president, spoke at the groundbreaking Tuesday for the new Oak Grove Elementary School Building, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

 

Ground was broken Tuesday for the new Oak Grove Elementary School building at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan. Superintendent Michelle Hubbard is on the right. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
Scenes from the groundbreaking Tuesday for the new Oak Grove Elementary School building at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

 

The existing Oak Grove Elementary School includes three buildings. Some parts of the old buildings, including the signs, will be moved to the new school. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
The existing Oak Grove Elementary School gymnasium was built in 1956. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

 

 

The existing Oak Grove Elementary School includes three buildings. Some parts of the old buildings, including the signs, will be moved to the new school. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
The existing Oak Grove Elementary School gymnasium was built in 1956. (Photo by Steve Rupert)
Oak Grove PTA presidents are remembered on a sign at the school. The first PTA president was Genevieve Hundly in 1939. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

 

An artist’s rendering showed the planned Oak Grove Elementary School at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan. The school is scheduled to open in August 2015.
An artist’s rendering showed the planned Oak Grove Elementary School at 5340 Oak Grove Road, Kansas City, Kan. The school is scheduled to open in August 2015. (Artist’s rendering)

 

Preparations under way for Polski Day celebration

Betty Kolenda and Cathy Kolenda Smith are preparing for the 30th annual Polski Day celebration May 3 in Kansas City, Kan. (File photo from Kathy Hanis)

by Kathy Hanis

Residents were busy preparing food today for the annual Polski Day celebration.

The 30th Annual Polski Day celebration will be held Saturday, May 3,  at All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.

An estimated 2,400 cabbage rolls were being prepared today for the annual event. The ingredient list included 200 pounds of cabbage, 360 pounds of ground beef, and 350 pounds of Polish sausage. The list of foods for the festival also includes 150 loaves of powitica, and 129 dozen Polish cookies.

The traditional Polski Day Parade begins at 11 a.m., at 12th and Central, and heads east on Central Avenue to 8th Street going up the wrong way on a one way street to Vermont and ends at the church. Enjoy Polish food, music, and entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. A special Polka mass will be held at 4 p.m. at All Saints Parish.

“Polski Day festivities include activities for babies to seniors, and 100 percent of the funds raised benefit All Saint’s Parish, formerly known as St. Joseph-St. Benedict’s Church,” said Cathy Kolenda-Smith, Polski Day committee member. “Polski Day has always been a day to celebrate our Polish heritage and support the Church.”

Polski Day is held annually on the first week in May to commemorate the signing of the Polish Constitution of Freedom on May 3, 1791.  Polish-Americans settled on Polish Hill, located north of Interstate 70 and west of 7th Street Trafficway, in Kansas City, Kan., where generations have carried on the heritage of their forefathers’ homeland, in Wyandotte County.

Pope John Paul II, of Polish ancestry, considered by many world leaders as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th Century, will be canonized on April 27,  2014. He was beatified on May 1, 2011, and through his endeavors strengthened Christianity throughout the world. Other Polish leaders include Casimir the Great, Copernicus, Chopin, Kosciuzsko,  Madam Sklodowska-Curie,  Marshal Jozef Pilsudski and Lech Wales, and KCK baseball player, Ray Sadecki, who was inducted into the Polish-American Hall of Fame.

Polski Day Festivities – 2014

11 a.m. – Polski Day Parade – Begins at 12th and Central, east to Vermont and south to church.

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Family festivities begin at St. Joseph’s Church Hall

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – A Polish Dinner will be served in the Church Hall and will include: Golambki, (Cabbage Rolls), Pierogi, (Filled Dumplings), Kapusta, (Sauerkraut), Powitica, Kolacki, and everyone’s favorite, Kielbasa, (Polish Sausage and refreshments including Piwo). Polish artifacts will be on display in the Parish Hall and 30th Anniversary T-Shirts and Polish items for sale. Enjoy a strolling accordion serenade by Don Lipovac.

11 a.m. –7 p.m. – Entertainment

Children’s activities and food served on the Parish Grounds.

1 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Strolling with Don Lipovac in the Church Hall.

11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Ed Grisnik Polka Band (outside).

3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Sheelytown, from Omaha, Neb.

4 p.m. – Polka Mass – All Saints Parish, at 8th and Vermont, in Kansas City, Kan.