Category: News

Two new shops open at Legends Outlets

Two new stores, Aerie and Spencer’s, have opened at the Legends Outlets at I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Aerie, a brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters, promotes body positivity, empowerment and confidence with the #AerieREAL campaign. Aerie includes diverse models of all sizes, shapes, disabilities and skin colors in their campaigns, and does not retouch or alter photos.

The new intimate apparel and lifestyle store is located at 1837 Village West Parkway, Suite B-121. It carries size-inclusive bras, underwear, sleepwear, swimwear and activewear, with its exclusive Aerie line. For more information, see ae.com.

Spencer’s carries the latest pop culture styles, unique gifts and novelties.

Known for its gag items and licensed merchandise from movies, TV and music, the gift shop is located at 1803 Village West Parkway, Suite M-105. For more information, see www.spencersonline.com.

Settlement approved for Atmos Energy to recover 2021 winter storm costs

Customers’ bills estimated to go up $5.78 a month over 10 years

The Kansas Corporation Commission has approved a settlement agreement and financing order giving Atmos Energy authorization to issue securitized bonds to recover $92.7 million in deferred costs and associated carrying costs resulting from the 2021 Winter Storm Uri.

The use of lower interest securitized bonds is expected to save ratepayers an estimated $8.5 million compared to recovery through traditional rates, according to a KCC news release.

The exact amount of the winter weather recovery charge Atmos customers will see on their monthly bills won’t be determined until the bonds are issued due to variables such as term and interest rate based on current market conditions, according to the KCC. However, based on the interest rate estimates provided during the proceeding, it was estimated the monthly charge would be approximately $5.78 per month over 10 years. Without securitized bonds, ratepayers would see charges of approximately $10.55 per month over five years using traditional ratemaking.

During the winter storm, the KCC ordered regulated utilities to do everything possible to continue providing natural gas service to its customers, defer the charges, and then develop a plan to allow customers to pay the unusually high costs over time to minimize the financial impact, according to the KCC. The commission emphasized it was in the public interest for Atmos to incur the extraordinary costs to ensure the integrity of the gas system and ensure continuous service to its customers. A lesser response could have resulted in catastrophic property damage and serious public safety implications, including potential loss of life, the KCC stated.

In the wake of Winter Storm Uri, the Kansas Legislature passed the Utility Financing and Securitization Act, which allows utilities to use securitized bonds to pay for extraordinary costs at more favorable terms than traditional financing.

Wholesale natural gas prices are not regulated by the KCC or any other government entity. The U.S. Congress deregulated natural gas prices back in the mid-1980s. Prices are market driven by supply and demand. The KCC has stated that any proceeds recovered by Atmos resulting from state or federal investigations into possible market manipulation, price gouging, or other areas, will be passed on to customers.

Today’s order is available at https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/22-538_Order_Approving_Unanimous_Settlement_Agreement.pdf?Id=aafadfba-968c-4bcb-9855-a314508d0d99&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

A recording of today’s KCC business meeting featuring comments by commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcSxzaGi6jE.

Same apartment complex on Mill Street catches fire today

Firefighters responded again today to the same apartment complex that caught fire Wednesday on South Mill Street.

Firefighters responded at 6:41 a.m. Thursday to 2025 S. Mill St., a different building in the same apartment complex, for another fire, according to a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department.

The second floor started to collapse, so fire crews initially battled the Thursday fire from a defensive strategy, the spokesman stated.

The fire was under control at 7:41 a.m., and firefighters began a process of salvage and overhaul, according to the spokesman. There were no injuries associated with this fire, and its cause will be under investigation, the spokesman stated.

On Wednesday, firefighters were at 2409 S. Mill St., in the same apartment complex, where a three-story vacant residential apartment building was on fire. The building had been boarded up, according to the spokesman.

Firefighters responded to the Wednesday fire at 11:12 a.m., and found heavy smoke and fire upon arrival, according to the spokesman.

Firefighters made entry into the building on Wednesday, but had to evacuate when the back part of the building started to collapse, the spokesman stated. The fire was fought from the defensive mode, from the exterior only.

The spokesman stated that water supply was an issue as a four-inch water main could not supply enough water for adequate and efficient water flow from aerial master streams.

There were no injuries in the Wednesday fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation, the spokesman stated.