Cool, sunny weather in today’s forecast

Sunny skies and cool weather are in store for Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures were 28 degrees at 8 a.m., and are expected to reach a high of 41 today.

Winds will be 11 to 16 mph, gusting to 24 mph. Wednesday will be windier, with a south wind from 13 to 18 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 39 mph Wednesday.

Showers are likely late Wednesday night. There is a 60 percent change of precipitation.

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Thursday, with more windy weather.

Friday, there will be a 20 percent chance of showers with a high near 50.

Saturday’s weather will be sunny with a high near 64, and Sunday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 75.

Proposal to put parole office at Argentine site moves forward

A project to put a parole office in a new public safety building proposed in the Argentine area moved forward tonight.

About 30 people turned out at a Unified Government Standing Committee meeting in support of the idea for a new public safety building on the grounds of the old Structural Steel site in the Argentine area.

The public safety building also would include a new South Patrol police station.

UG Commissioner Ann Murguia presented the idea to the committee, and the committee voted 6-0 to move the idea forward.

Murguia said she had held a community meeting with Argentine neighborhood leaders recently, and there was no opposition at the meeting.

The site of the public safety building office would be on a large site being developed near 21st and Metropolitan Avenue, where there is a Walmart Neighborhood Market being built. Not far from it is a new Save a Lot grocery store.

The public safety building would be on an environmentally remediated site, as it was a former silver smelting facility.

Murguia said the cost of a public safety building would be about $6 million, and it would be large enough to house more than the police station.

Over the next 20 years, she is estimating that Walmart will generate about $3 million in extra revenues for the community, leaving a $3 million gap. With a lease from the state for the parole office, $2 million over a 10-year period, that would bring the gap closer to $1 million, she said.

While in one sense the funding would come from outside the taxpayers, it will not all be realized until the end of a decade or two, and so the UG would need to fund the building through bonds or a note.  Murguia added that she would continue seeking grant funding for the project, and has already asked the Walmart Foundation for a grant.

The parole office earlier tried to move from its current location not far from 18th and I-70 to a new location at 7th and State Avenue, next to a child care center. That proposal met with considerable community opposition.

Rep. Val Winn led an effort in the state Legislature to defund any parole office location that is next to a child care center.

Murguia said the state’s lease is up in July at its present location for the parole office, but the state would see if it could extend it through the rest of the year.

In the future, as the idea for the public safety building progresses, more community meetings will be held to receive public comments, according to Murguia.

To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/proposed-parole-office-site-could-change-to-argentine-area-of-kck/.

Registration open for Blue Devil 5K run-walk and kids trot

by Kelly Rogge

Kansas City Kansas Community College is getting ready to become more active and is inviting the community to do the same.

“The goal of the Blue Devil 5k and Kids Trot is to get the Kansas City Kansas community more active,” said Joe Mundt, trainer at the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center. “Having the event each year helps students and staff at KCKCC as well as the community to stay more active and see the benefits of a regular exercise program.”

The Blue Devil 5K, which is in its 10th year, is at 8 a.m. May 3.

The course winds through the KCKCC campus on the roads, walking paths and sidewalks.

The 4th annual Kids Trot follows at 9 a.m. and is geared toward children 11-years and younger. Registration for the 5K is $20 per person and $5 for the Kids Trot, if submitted by March 31. Registration includes a T-shirt, goodie bag and pancake breakfast following the event.

After March 31, but before April 15, the registration fee is $25. Late registration, which is after April 15, is $30. Registration for the Kids Trot increases to $10 after March 31.

About 200 people participated in the 5K and Kids Trot in 2013.

“The money raised is put back into our community by making improvements to the campus walking trail, which is used by many community members,” Mundt said. “Also, the event helps to promote out KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center, which is open to the community for use.”

Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers. In addition, the winner of each age group will receive and award and a prize.

Activities will be provide for the children between 7:30 and 9 a.m. by childcare volunteers, so parent can participate in the 5K run-walk. Starting at 9 a.m., children in the Kids Trot run in heats based on age groups. Distances will range from 25 meters to one-quarter of a mile.

“People should sign up for the 5k and Kids Trot to help motivate them to take their exercise plan to the next level. If you are just wanting to start a walking program or running a 5k makes it easier because you have something to train for, there is a reason behind all of exercising,” Mundt said. “People should sign their kids up for the Kids Trot to get them more active and teach them that exercise can be fun. Also, it makes for a great family event that will make memories.”

For more information about the Blue Devil 5K Run-Walk and Kids Trot, visit www.kckcc.edu/studentLife/wfc/5kfunrunwalk.aspx.

Information is also available by calling the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center at 913-288-7610. An entry form must be filled out for each registrant. Registration is accepted through online registration, in person at the KCKCC Wellness Center or by fax to 913-288-7527.

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.