KNEA endorses Wyandotte County Democratic candidates

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

The Kansas National Education Association has endorsed several candidates in Wyandotte County - and it's a Democratic sweep.

Kansas Sen. David Haley and Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala, both members of the Kansas Senate, received endorsements.

Pat Pettey, who's running for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger, has received the KNEA's endorsement for the Kansas Senate race in District 6 .

Louis Riz, Mike Peterson, Tom Burroughs, Valdenia Winn, Broderick Henderson, Kathy Wolfe Moore and Stan Frownfelter - Democrats currently serving in the Kansas House of Representatives - also received endorsements.

While all endorsed candidates from Wyandotte County fall on the Democratic side of the aisle, the KNEA also endorsed 42 Republicans to 56 Democrats state-wide.

“It’s not just our schools that will suffer if we don’t find the best policymakers,” KNEA Vice President Karen Godfrey told The Lawrence Journal-World. “Our roads and highways, public safety and vital services for seniors and those with disabilities are all at risk. We simply must elect legislators who are more interested in preserving our Kansas quality of life than in promoting a particular ideology."

The primary is in early August.

PHOTOS: KCKCC Technical Education Center students win awards

Two students at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center recently won awards at the SkillsUSA National Conference in late June.

Jeremy Baker was awarded the national college/postsecondary silver medal in Major Appliance & Refrigeration Technology at the SkillsUSA Championships.

Cody Jones was awarded the high school bronze medal in Major Appliance & Refrigeration Technology.

Dependable volunteers are always needed

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center of the United Way of Wyandotte County

I recently met representatives of local social service agencies in our community. The topic of discussion was volunteers and the agencies agreed that they need volunteers.

The tasks that the volunteers can do are varied. Some agencies need volunteer with special skills sets; maybe someone who knows computers, a photographer, volunteers with medical credentials, maybe a plumber, an accountant or someone skilled in marketing.

Other needs include administrative support, help with routine maintenance, and help in a pantry or preparing meals for those in need.

Some volunteer positions are behind the scenes work and others the volunteers engage directly with the client population.

Volunteers are needed to tutor, to mentor our young people and to teach them life skills.  I have mentioned only a few of the many opportunities available.

The agency representatives stressed that they need dependable, consistent and committed volunteers. The administration and staff of local service agencies are focused on fulfilling the mission of the agency.

They need the help and support of volunteers to get that accomplished. In this day of decreased budgets, the role of the volunteer in the non-profit sector has become very important.

The hours that volunteers contribute to an agency allow the staff to remain focused on what they were hired to do.

Do you want to help local social service agencies meet needs in our community? Do you want to make a difference?

Do you have a consistent block of time that you are available; once every other month, monthly, weekly?  Our local agencies want to recruit you.

You can find volunteer opportunities on our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org and then click on VOLUNTEER.

Anderson goes eight as T-Bones take lead in wild card race

By ASHLEY DUNKAK, Tbonesbaseball.com

T-Bones starter Devin Anderson gave up just one run over eight innings as Kansas City sealed a series win and a lead in the wild card race with an 8-3 victory Friday night in front of 6,107 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Anderson didn’t allow a hit until the fifth and, thanks to a double play, faced the minimum through six.

“When his sinker is on like that, he can be really tough,” said T-Bones manager Kenny Hook. “His last three outings have been great. Typically he’s a guy that really doesn’t go that deep in games, so to see him go eight innings, taking a no-hitter into the fifth, he was dominant, so that was awesome to see.”

Kansas City scored its first run in the fifth, when Sioux Falls pitcher Alan DeRatt threw to an empty third base, an error that allowed Trevor Coleman to score. With two outs, Justin Bass doubled in Jose Duran and Devin Goodwin before getting thrown out at third base.

Leading 3-0 in the sixth, the T-Bones got three straight singles, and DeRatt walked Coleman with the bases loaded and gave Kansas City its first run of the inning.

A sacrifice fly by Enrique Cruz scored Brandon Jones and Ray Sadler, pushing the T-Bones’ advantage to 6-0. A two-run homer by Goodwin put Kansas City up 8-0.

The Pheasants’ Cristian Guerrero hit a solo blast in the top of the eight, scoring Sioux Falls’ first run of the game on his 13th homer of the season. The Pheasants did their best to rally in the ninth, adding two runs, but ultimately could not overcome the deficit.

Entering the series, Sioux Falls led Kansas City in the race for the wild card slot in the playoffs, but the T-Bones took the edge after winning three of four games in the series this week.

The T-Bones (27-21) begin a six-game road trip, starting at Fargo-Moorhead on Saturday at 7:02 at Newman Outdoor Field. 

Weather: Cooler temperatures on the way to Kansas City

The 100-degee heat wave may soon be ending for Kansas City.

According to the National Weather Service, Kansas City, Kan., faces two more days of 100-degree heat.

However, relief could be on the way beginning on Sunday.

Friday's high is expected to hit 102 degrees, with Saturday checking in at 103 degrees. On Sunday, the heat will come down a bit, with the high temperature forecast being 91 degrees.

Beginning on Monday, temperatures could dip down into the 80's for a solid week.

Monday's high could drop to 86 degrees. The next few days will be in the high 80's, which is still a major improvement of the last two weeks.

Wyandotte County remains under an excessive heat warning for the next two days.

Click the image below for a four-day forecast. 

Today's Poll: Do you feel the military draft should return?

Background here.

Irvine, offense lead T-Bones to blowout win

Tbonesbaseball.com

Behind a 15-hit and four home run offensive night and a dominant pitching performance from starter Lucas Irvine, Kansas City rolled to a 13-1 victory over the Sioux Falls Pheasants on Thursday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Irvine (1-0), a Liberty, Mo., native making his third start of the season and first at home, was locked in all night.

He went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out nine, which is a team high on the season.

“I have known Luke since his first day in college and have seen a transformation in him,” said T-Bones manager Kenny Hook. “I have a great deal of confidence in him, and this is the kind of outing I think you’re going to see more of from him as he gets comfortable in the starting rotation. His velocity has continued to jump, and he’s getting a better feel for his breaking pitches, so he can be dominant. I love that he attacks the zone with his fastball. When he’s on and hitting his spots, he can be tough.”

The T-Bones jumped on Pheasants starter Mark Michael (5-3) with four runs in the first two innings, including a two-run home run to center field in the second inning by Milner (4) that gave the T-Bones a 4-1 lead. Milner, from nearby Olathe, Kan., went three for five in the game with three RBIs and three runs.

Still holding a 4-1 lead, the T-Bones exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth. A flurry of RBI singles by Jose Duran, Devin Goodwin, Justin Bass and Milner gave the T-Bones four runs.

The big hit of the inning came on a three-run homer from Enrique Cruz over the left field wall. Kansas City sent 10 men to the plate in the inning, collecting seven hits.

After missing the past three games because of an injured wrist, Brandon Jones led off the bottom of the eighth with a towering drive onto the right field berm.

Jones went two for four in his return. Following Jones’ home run, Ray Sadler launched a homer into the T-Bones’ bullpen in deep left-center field.

Kansas City (26-21) looks for the series victory in the final game of a four-game set with Sioux Falls on Friday night at 7:05 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Friday is “Turn Back the Clock” night where former Kansas City Royals All-Star players Fred Patek, Hal McRae, Willie Wilson, John Mayberry, Frank White, Amos Otis and Mickey Cobb (trainer) will be honored and meeting fans. Tickets are available by calling 913-328-5618.

Amber alert issued for 16-year-old girl in Leavenworth following altercation at convenience store; UPDATE: Both found

By ANDY HYLAND, The Lawrence Journal-World

Authorities issued an Amber Alert on Thursday following the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl in Leavenworth.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the girl, Jenna Marie Hord, who is 4 feet 11 inches tall and 135 pounds with brown and blonde hair and brown eyes, is encouraged to call the Leavenworth Police Department at 913-682-4411.

Police responded to a disturbance on Wednesday at a convenience store and learned that two male suspects had been involved in a fight.

One of them, 17-year-old Logan C. Burris, was reportedly seen grabbing the missing girl and shoving her into the passenger side of her vehicle.

Burris is described as standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

They were last seen in Hord’s car, a 1996 two-door white Toyota Camry with the Kansas license plate 168 DHH.

-----

UPDATE: Both Hord and Burns have been found and are currently with the police in Hiawatha, Kan.

Both are safe.

No other details were available.

Former KCKPD officer sentenced for violating Civil Rights law

A former officer for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing electronics from houses where his team served search warrants, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Dustin Sillings, 34, Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced to 8 months.

Sillings pleaded guilty to violating a federal civil rights statute that makes it a crime for police officers acting under color of law to deny or conspire to deny anyone’s civil rights.

Forrest was a member of the KCKPD’s Selective Crime Occurrence Reduction Enforcement Unit (SCORE Unit), which was a special weapons and tactics unit assigned to serve search warrants.

In January 2011, investigators for the KCKPD and the FBI set up a sting operation in which the SCORE Unit was sent to a house that was being monitored.

Investigators placed cash, electronic games and other items in the house before the SCORE unit arrived.   

In his plea, Sillings admitted stealing $340 in cash from the house. In addition, he admitted taking five or six PlayStation games during prior SCORE search warrants.

Co-defendants are Jeffrey M. Bell, 34, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 8 months, and Darrell M. Forrest, 32, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 12 months and a day.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the FBI and the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office for their work on the case. Grissom and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt prosecuted the case.

TRAFFIC: I-435 over Kansas River bridge repair project to begin in Wyandotte/Johnson County

On Monday, July 16, repair and overlay work will begin on the northbound I-435 bridge over the Kansas River at the Wyandotte/Johnson County line.

Project work includes pavement patching and polymer overlay on the bridge deck. Work will take place daily, Monday through Friday during daylight hours.

Beginning on Monday, July 16 at 8:00 a.m., northbound I-435 will be reduced to two 11-foot lanes (only one lane will be closed) from approximately a half-mile south of the bridge and over the bridge itself, 24/7 round the clock, throughout the project duration.

Traffic will be directed through the project via concrete barrier and signage. A 60 mph speed limit will be posted through the project work zone.

Also, beginning on Monday, July 16, the Holiday Drive to northbound I-435 ramp will be closed and will remain closed throughout the project duration.

A marked detour will be provided. Traffic will detour south on I-435 to Johnson Drive, exit at the interchange, and then head back north on I-435.

Special note: The bridge repair project which began on July 5, on the northbound I-435 bridge over K-32 will impact this northbound I-435 over Kansas River bridge project.

Once this bridge project begins on July 16, northbound I 435 will be reduced to two open lanes between the two projects from Holiday Drive to K-32, approximately less than one mile.

Drivers should expect some delays, especially during peak morning/evening rush hours, and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.

Teenager taken to hospital after fireworks explosion

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

A 15-year-old teenager was taken to the hospital Wednesday night after a firework exploded in his face.

The incident happened on the 1100 Block of Scott Avenue. The victim was lighting a firework when it exploded earlier than anticipated.

He suffered facial trauma and was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, according to Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Duke.

Duke said the incident is the only injury-related call the department received regarding fireworks.

Today's Poll: Do you think more money should be spent by the Kansas Legislature on education at the K-12 level?

Background:

Legislators approved about $40 million in increases in education spending in the budget that took effect July 1. It increased the base state aid per student by $58 to $3,838. That was the first increase in per-student spending since the 2008-2009 school year and reversed a string of reductions brought about by the state’s financial struggles during the recession that began in late 2007.

However, additional increases could be difficult based on new changes to the Kansas income tax code signed into law by Brownback in May. Coupled with a previously scheduled sales tax decrease, the income tax reductions will provide $231 million in tax relief during the fiscal year beginning July 1, with the annual figure growing to $934 million after six years. That means less money coming into state government coffers.

Ruling leaves Medicaid expansion decision to state

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

If the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, Kansas policyholders will have an important decision to make that would affect more than 150,000 Kansans.

That would be whether to expand the Medicaid program, which is the federal- and state-funded program that provides health care in Kansas to low-income families, children and people with disabilities.

The ACA required that states expand their Medicaid programs to include all non-elderly persons with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $30,000 annually for a family of four, or risk losing all federal Medicaid funding. That eligibility expansion would have had a significant impact in Kansas because currently only adults who earn less than 27 percent of the federal poverty level — $6,035 for a family of four — are eligible for Medicaid, and childless adults don’t qualify at all unless they are elderly or have a disability.

While the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of the ACA, it struck down the Medicaid requirement, making expansion of the program optional.

“That raises a lot of questions for states,” Suzanne Schrandt, of the Kansas Health Institute, said at a recent forum on the court’s ruling.

Schrandt said that of the state’s 350,000 uninsured people, 151,000 would qualify for the expanded Medicaid if Kansas enacts the changes.

Of those 151,000 who would qualify, 130,000 are low-income adults who currently do not qualify for Medicaid in Kansas, she said.

Gov. Sam Brownback is an ardent opponent of President Barack Obama’s health care law and has said he hopes presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney wins election in November and tries to repeal the law.

“Stopping Obamacare is now in the hands of the American people. It begins with a new president this fall,” Brownback said.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt said he was disappointed in the Supreme Court upholding the ACA but said the court’s ruling on Medicaid was a win for states. Kansas was one of 26 states that challenged the law and the proposed expansion of Medicaid was part of that challenge.

Referring to the court, Schmidt said, “It also rejected the federal government’s effort to transform the Medicaid program from a federal-state partnership into a centralized program run by Washington, from Washington and solely for Washington. These legal rulings will benefit the long-term vigor of our federal system.”

But Jay Angoff, the regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said when “cooler heads prevail,” states will expand Medicaid. Under the ACA, the federal government will pay the entire cost of newly eligible Medicaid population for three years. The federal contribution decreases to 90 percent by 2020 with the states picking up the remaining costs. The Obama administration has said 17 million people nationwide will be covered by the Medicaid expansion.

“The states will see what a good deal this is,” Angoff said.

Bolden and strong pitching lead Sioux Falls past T-Bones

A fourth of July crowd of 6,817 saw the Sioux Falls Pheasants tally 13 hits, including a four-hit game from Jared Bolden, and beat the T-Bones, 7-2.

Bolden collected a single, two doubles and a triple, just falling short of the cycle by a home run. He got his fourth hit of the night, a double, in the ninth.

Bolden’s four hits were just two fewer than the T-Bones’ final tally of six for the game. Sioux Falls starter Pete Gehle (4-3) kept the Kansas City batters on their heels during most of his seven innings, giving up only five hits and two runs (one earned).

“I don’t know that it was so much what he did as much as we just couldn’t get things going offensively,” said T-Bones manager Kenny Hook. “He was doing a good job of locating the ball, especially on the outside of the plate to right-handed hitters, but our guys got anxious and tried to pull everything. As a result, they grounded out several times.”

Kansas City took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Hunter Mense launched a sacrifice fly to dead center with the bases loaded, and scored Trevor Coleman. Sioux Falls, however, added five runs during the third and fourth innings.

Two of their three runs in the fourth came from a throwing error by T-Bones third baseman Enrique Cruz. Then, Bolden socked an RBI triple deep to the gap in left-center field.

After Kansas City starter Josh Rainwater (3-4) was ejected after the fourth for arguing balls and strikes, reliever Dan Kickham provided a boost out of the bullpen.

Kickham logged four innings of work, only allowing one hit while striking out five.

Sporting KC invades Canada, crosses border with three points

SportingKC.com

Sporting Kansas City defeated the Montreal Impact by a 3-1 score line Wednesday at Stade Saputo in Montreal. After falling behind in the 49th minute on a goal from Patrice Bernier, Sporting KC came back with goals from Kei Kamara, Graham Zusi and Jacob Peterson in a 25-minute span.

Sporting Kansas City improved their record to 10-5-2 and moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, just one point shy of D.C. United.

Montreal had the first chance of the night in the fifth minute with a sharp ball from the Italian Designated Player Marco Di Vaio through to Felipe Martins, but Jimmy Nielsen snuffed out the play with his first of five saves on the night.

Just one minute later, Di Vaio proved to be dangerous again and nearly scored but was just wide of the far post with his shot across the goal.

Sporting Kansas City’s first chance came in the 12th minute from a header from Matt Besler, which was cleared at the near post off a corner kick from Zusi. The visitors continued to attack in the 21st minute with a crack from Roger Espinoza 25 yards out that was easily saved by Donovan Ricketts.

Trouble came again for Sporting Kansas City one minute later from a well-taken free kick from Felipe that was sharply headed by Di Vaio. Nielsen reacted well to keep the ball out at the upper corner and keep the match scoreless.

Three minutes later, Davy Arnaud, the former Sporting Kansas City captain, nearly scored against his former club with a sliding shot just wide of the right post off of a low cross from Justin Mapp.

The 29th minute saw more havoc from Di Vaio when he settled the ball with one touch and turned at nearly midfield and made a run at goal, past the Sporting KC back-line and shot just wide of the post.

Sporting Kansas City responded with a chance of their own four minutes later when Kamara received a curling ball from Zusi and rose above his marker to win the ball, but his header went inches wide of the post.

Mapp was denied a goal in the 38th minute after Felipe, charging down the middle, passed wide to Mapp, who shot low with ample power, but was turned away by a stellar save from Nielsen.

Montreal struck within four minutes of the start to the second half, netting their lone goal in the 49th minute when Felipe made a perfectly-timed run past the defense. Receiving the ball from Zarek Valentin, the Brazilian’s cross found Bernier alone at the top of the area and he made no mistake in burying his shot on a first-time finish. It was his fourth goal of the season and second of the year against Sporting Kansas City.

Sporting KC found a way back into the game in the 55th minute, earning a penalty off of a handball in the box from the goal-scorer Bernier. Kamara converted the penalty, notching his team-leading sixth goal of the season and successfully ending the club’s goal-scoring drought of 320 minutes without a goal scored.

With 30 minutes left in the game and an even scoreline, Sporting Kansas City did better to break down Montreal’s back-line and generate more chances. A free kick from Roger Espinoza in the 68th minute beat the wall but floated just over the crossbar.

The eventual game-winner for Sporting Kansas City came in the 74th minute when a Arnaud was ruled to have taken down second-half substitute Soony Saad while fighting for position on a corner kick. Zusi stepped up to the spot and converted a minute later with a right-footed shot to the right of Ricketts.

Nine minutes later, Sporting Kansas City sealed their comeback with a volley from Peterson. Espinoza crossed the ball from the left to Peterson, stationed at the corner of the box with plenty of room, and he controlled the ball with his chest and struck before the ball could hit the ground.

The shot skimmed off former Sporting KC defender Shavar Thomas en route and sailed past Ricketts inside the near post for Peterson’s second goal in his past four appearances for Sporting KC.

Montreal nearly notched their second goal of the match in the first minute of stoppage time off of a wide-struck header from Justin Braun, sent in to him on a corner kick. Two minutes later, Felipe took a shot from 40 yards out that was well-struck but scooped up by Nielsen.

Sporting Kansas City will return home to host the Houston Dynamo at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Championship. Tickets for the match, sponsored by Outback, are available online at Ticketmaster.com or at the LSP Box Offices.

Kansas City, Kan., man receives probation for his role in 2008 robbery

By GEORGE DIEPENBROCK, The Lawrence Journal-World

A Douglas County judge Tuesday morning sentenced a Kansas City, Kan., man to serve three years on probation for his conviction as part of a 2008 Lawrence robbery.

John T. Words had pleaded no contest in January to robbery and aggravated assault as prosecutors accused him of aiding and abetting several co-defendants in the case.

Douglas County prosecutors in 2011 charged Words and others with several crimes, including aggravated robbery, in connection with the Dec. 3, 2008, armed robbery of an alleged drug dealer in the 3400 block of Augusta Drive. Prosecutors in January had said Words might fall under a “border box” where his attorney could argue for probation if he had no significant criminal history

Cheryl Wright, a district attorney’s office spokeswoman, said District Judge Kay Huff ordered Words to undergo a substance-abuse evaluation and follow the evaluator’s recommendations. If he’s found to violate terms of his probation, Words faces a four-year prison sentence.

A co-defendant, Christopher J. Jackson, 23, also of Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty in February to robbery and aggravated assault. His sentencing is scheduled for July 30.

KCKCC's NYSP provides many benefits for KCK youth

By ALAN HOSKINS

Six years as a participant in the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), Anthony Morgan is in his fifth year of camp leadership. Ivy Cullen has been a team leader for the past seven years; Carla Pestock is in her seventh years a camp coordinator.

While coming from diverse areas, all agree that there’s nothing better for the youth of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County than the 17th annual summer program offered at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

“It gets kids out of the house and involved in activities they may not otherwise ever participate,” says Morgan, a Sumner Academy graduate and social studies teacher at Raytown Central middle school in his first year as NYSP Activity Director. “With all the electronic technology today, too many kids don’t get out and are not active. In NYSP, they’re introduced to new sports, meet and make new friends and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.”   

Each day, anywhere from 170 to 180 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 16 are shuttled to the KCKCC campus for five hours of fun and games, classroom work and healthy meals.

“No one wants to miss,” says Pestock, a coordinator for the KCKCC Community Education Division. “We had 184 applicants this year, the most in my seven years.”

“The kids enjoy coming and making new friends,” agrees Cullen, whose son Cullen Brown has been in the program every year. “He was supposed to go out of town the last week but he won’t leave until NYSP is over because he wants to be there for his team.”

Campers are divided into eight teams during the five-week program. The main focus of the camp is on learning the fundamentals of the various sports and the classroom work in math and science, general education and alcohol and drug prevention.

“We also added an anti-bullying program this year presented by the KCK Police Department,” says Pestock. “Team leaders are reinforcing the message through the day in their team building time with the kids. Campers are learning their words have impact and what strategies to sue to diffuse bullies.”

As a bonus, the teams are awarded incentive points for good behavior, attendance and sportsmanship as well as hard work and teamwork as judged by the camp’s sports professionals, classroom teachers and staff.

There’s also weekly competition in such areas as relay races, tug of war, obstacle courses, basketball, musical chairs and dance contests.  

It will all come to a head on Olympic Day Thursday, July 12, when the winning team is announced along with the Female and Male Campers of the Year, “You can see the kids getting motivated for Olympic Day, they really get competitive and enthusiastic and even have their own chants.”

At stake is a pizza party and a ride in a limo to Super Splash Water Park on Friday, July 13. All campers get to go to Super Splash but only the winning team gets the limo ride and pizza.

While competition is a part of the program, the major thrusts are in the instruction provided by the NYSP staff.

Staff members include many young adults attending college and competing in athletics along with sports professionals working in several school district in the area including the USD 500 schools.

Many of the staff members were once campers in the program who have returned to give back to the community.e 

“NYSP gives the children confidence and leadership abilities,” adds Cullen. “They enjoy coming because they can express themselves in different ways. It’s not unusual for a child who came in without many friends blossoms and comes out of his or her shell. It’s also amazing to see how well they work together when they want to win.”

In addition to transportations to the KCKCC campus, campers are provided breakfast and lunch by MeMa’s Old Fashioned Blue Devil  Bakery and Deli.

“Our goal is to introduce the children to new and exciting healthy food choices,” says MeMa’s owner Loraine Waldeck. “Although sometimes they are a bit hesitant, they are always willing to give things a try. They are also very appreciative when they come in for breakfast and lunch.”

“Nestle USA and Schatz Distributing, the local distributor of Nesquik milk, provides all the milk for the program which not only helps financially but clears the way for MeMa’s to concentrate on providing healthy meals,” says Pestock.

Other sponsors in addition to KCKCC, which took over the sponsorship of the program when federal aid was with withdrawn, include KCK/WyCo Parks and Recreation, the American Red Cross, Kidzone and Federal Office Products.

Sunflower Hills provides the golf instruction with The First Tee of Greater Kansas City funding the golf shuttle to and from Sunflower Hills.

The cost of the five-week program is $25 and includes transportation, breakfast and lunch each day and a camp T-shirt.

PHOTO: Breakfast and lunch provided by MeMa’s Blue Devil Bakery and Deli and milk provided by Nestle are big hits with the more than 170 boys and girls taking part in the 17th annual National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) at Kansas City Kansas Community College this summer. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)

19-month-old treated for smoke inhalation from smoke bomb

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department treated a 19-month-old for smoke inhalation after the child inhaled smoke from a smoke bomb.

The child received treatment at the home, but was not transported to a hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

In other fireworks news, the KCKFD also had to put out a grass-fire Tuesday night that caused $300 worth of damage to a fence in the area.

Those were the only two fireworks incidents reported to the KCKFD Tuesday night.

Details about both incidents were limited.

Update from KCKFD: Still no fireworks ban

Twenty-four hours before Wyandotte Countians light up the sky with fireworks, the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department and Unified Government have announced there will be no fireworks ban for the Fourth of July.
However, the fire department is urging firework fans to use more caution than normal in light of hot temperatures and potential gusty winds for the fourth.

Also, no one is allowed to light off fireworks in any park inside Wyandotte County.

More from a press release:

The Kansas City Kansas Fire Department and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City Kansas would like to ask residents to use extreme caution this July 4th Holiday with the use of fireworks, in regard to windy and dry conditions.

It needs to be understood that common sense, safety precautions, and adult supervision should always be adhered to in relation to “fireworks” usage as the responsibility of the individual (personal accountability).

• Have a garden hose or bucket of water nearby

• Pay special attention to children in and around fireworks

• Move pets indoors if possible

I-435 over K-32 bridge repair project to begin Thursday in Wyandotte County

On Thursday, July 5, repair and overlay work will begin on the northbound and southbound I-435 bridges over K-32 in Wyandotte County. Repair work on the project includes: patching and overlay on the bridge deck, and replacement of the approach pavement.

Work will take place daily, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Beginning on Thursday, July 5 at 7:00 a.m., northbound and southbound I-435 will be reduced to two open 11-foot lanes (only one lane will be closed) from approximately a half-mile north/south of the respective bridges and over the bridges themselves throughout the project duration.

All adjacent ramps will remain open. Traffic will be directed through the project via concrete barrier and signage. A 60 mph speed limit will be posted through the project work zone.

Advance message boards will alert traffic to the lane closures. Updated traffic information for this bridge repair project can be viewed online: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. Drivers should expect some delays, especially during peak morning/evening rush hours, and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.

Comanche Construction Inc. (Shawnee Mission, KS) is the primary contractor on this bridge repair project with a total contract cost of $1.1 million. The scheduled completion date for the entire project is late November 2012, weather permitting.

This project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010.

Former KCKPD officer sentenced for violating Civil Rights law

U.S. Department of Justice

A former officer for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing electronics from houses where his team served search warrants, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Jeffrey M. Bell, 34, Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced to 8 months.

Bell pleaded guilty to violating a federal civil rights statute that makes it a crime for police officers acting under color of law to deny or conspire to deny anyone’s civil rights.

Bell was a member of the KCKPD’s Selective Crime Occurrence Reduction Enforcement Unit (SCORE Unit), which was a special weapons and tactics unit assigned to serve search warrants.

In January 2011, investigators for the KCKPD and the FBI set up a sting operation in which the SCORE Unit was sent to 730 Everett in Kansas City, Kan., a house that was under video surveillance.

Investigators placed cash, electronic games and other items in the house before the SCORE unit arrived.

In his plea, Bell admitted stealing a Nintendo DS hand-geld game system containing one Nintendo DS game from the house. He also admitted taking three or four PlayStation games and one PlayStation player during prior SCORE Unit search warrants.

Co-defendants are Darrell M. Forrest, 32, Kansas City, Kan., who was sentenced to 12 months and a day, and Dustin Sillings, 34, Kansas City, Kan., who is set for sentencing July 5.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom commended the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the FBI and the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office for their work on the case. Grissom and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt prosecuted the case.

Two more heat-related calls made to KCKFD

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department reports that two calls were made into the department in connection to heat-related injuries on July 2.

Both calls resulted in the individuals taken to a local hospital - a female was transported to Providence Medical Center in a "heat exhaustion" case, while a male was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital.

The ages on both individuals are unknown right now, but both were expected to recover.

Students, taxpayers benefit from KCKCC's VITA program

Helping low income taxpayers prepare their taxes is more than just a class at Kansas City Kansas Community College. It’s a step stone to life.

“The class and the experience itself made me look at everybody’s situation in a totally different perspective,” said Jennifer Knouse. “It taught me some really valuable skills, not just for preparing taxes but also for customer service,” said Scottie Sheets.

“An experience that was fulfilling and left me feeling better as a person,” added Vilma Book.

Founded nine years ago by KCKCC business instructor Joyce Griffin, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) this year went over the $10.6 million mark in refunds –  8,392 taxpayers received $10,651,422 in refunds to be exact.

“My goal this year was to reach out to 1,300 taxpayers and we made it with 1,312,” said Griffin. Tax refunds also reached an all-time high of $1,940,002.

Open only to taxpayers with limited incomes, 507 taxpayers took advantage of VITA in its first year in 2004, receiving $438,000 in refunds. Since then the number of recipients increased 2½ times and refunds have increased fourfold.

Equally important, for many graduates of the class, it has become a passion for helping others. In addition to 22 students enrolled in the class this spring, 14 former students returned to assist along with 15 community members. 

“The students are the biggest reason for our continued success and the accomplishment of our dual goals of giving our students some real-world experience and providing a needed service for the community,” said Griffin. “They worked hard, coming in early and staying late when needed; helping each other and acting professionally at all times.”

A one-hour credit class, students are required to work at least 27 hours during the filing season.

“However, most worked more, averaging more than 30 hours per student,” said Griffin. For 2012, volunteers contributed 1,695 hours in assisting others.

“I’m glad I gave up my Saturday morning to help out,” said Jennifer Gumminger. “It was a great feeling to be able to help others and to know they really appreciated what we were doing,” agreed Monica Blain. “The class was great for me and I left with a great season of accomplishment,” noted Amber Winfrey.

Other students in this year’s class were Robin Carroll, Brandi Fulson, Kevin George, Carol Hanna, Edwin Nyakeriga, Paris Mitchell, Eric Manyinsa, Tiffany Martin, Benjamin Buck, Tony Smith, Yesenia Nunez, Alyssa Torres, Ruby Amaya, LeNeise Watts, Amanda Watson and Korchi Yang.

Returning students included Cindy Avalos, Irina Albright, Kristi Burbage, Julie Boatright, Akilah Cohen, Michelle Curttright, Amanda Chrisman, Claudia Hernandez, Karina Gutierrez, Aaron Shuck, Kimberly Smith, Shunnissa Talley and Alice Wood.

Community members volunteering included Courtney Baxter, Ed Balzano, Charlie Cummings, Ellen Harbaugh, Ellen Herndon, Carmen Hopkins, Lesia Hegeman, Chiquita Miller, Elaine Kramer, June Matfield, Pamela Owens, Jill Nelson, Donna Tilden and Paula Zishka.  '

This is the final year of directing the program for Griffin, who retired after teaching accounting for 31 years as the end of the semester.

“It’s been a very unique and rewarding experience,” says Griffin. “It been rewarding because it gave me a chance to give back to the community and help students give back to the community while they were learning a skill that will help them both personally and professionally.”

However, she’s not abandoning the program either. “I’ll continue to be a volunteer,” she promises.

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PHOTO: Joyce Griffin (left), who founded the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at KCKCC that has returned more than $10.6 million to taxpayers over the past nine years, has ended her career as director of the program with her retirement after 31 years of teaching accounting but will continue as a volunteer. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins) 

KCKFD investigating possible arson

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department is investigating a possible arson to a vacant home.

The fire, located at 3539 Bell Crossing Drive, was reported shortly after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

No one was injured in the fire, but it caused $50,000 worth of damage.

"The fire was fought in defensive mode due to the structure being unstable," said Craig Duke, battalion chief of the KCKFD. "BPU was called due to fire impinging overhead wires. The fire was extinguished within one hour."

A fire investigator determined that the fire was likely intentionally set.

Lt. Gov. Colyer says Republicans may use budget reconciliation to overturn federal health care law

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

TOPEKA — As a state official on Monday revealed a new way to try to kill the federal health care law, health care advocates were encouraging the state to go in the opposite direction and work toward implementing the reforms.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer said Republicans will try to use a Senate rule called reconciliation to overturn President Barack Obama's health care law.

"You can do it through reconciliation because it's a tax," Colyer told the Lawrence Journal-World before a news event marking the reorganization of two state agencies.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold penalties on citizens who fail to get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In the decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court said the penalties fell under Congress' right to impose taxes.

Brownback and Colyer, both Republicans and ardent opponents of the federal law, said Kansas would not act on advancing that law in Kansas because presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, if elected, has vowed to repeal it.

Many supporters of the Affordable Care Act, however, have said even if Romney wins election he would be unable to repeal the law without a super majority of Republicans in the Senate.

Senate rules generally require 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to break filibusters and take up legislation. But Senate rules also allow a fast track procedure called budget reconciliation to consider some tax and spending bills with a 51-vote majority. Republicans currently hold 47 Senate seats and hope to pick up several more in the November general election.

Meanwhile, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, one of the few Republicans in the country to voice support for the health care overhaul said Kansas should implement a key provision, which would establish exchanges to help consumers buy health insurance.

The clock is ticking," said Praeger at a forum put on by the Kansas Health Institute.

The exchanges would provide a website where consumers could compare and shop for health insurance plans. Last year, Brownback returned a $31.5 million federal grant to assist the state in setting up the exchange. States have until 2014 to set up exchanges.

Praeger and Jay Angoff, regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said it would be better for Kansas to set up its own exchange so that it could tailor the system to Kansas' needs.

And last week, HHS announced 10 more opportunities for states to apply for funding to establish an exchange.

"It's a significant giving up of state authority if we don't move forward," Praeger said.

But Colyer said the Brownback administration still intends to await the results of the presidential election.

Amos Otis' All-Star thrills topped by '73 game in Kansas City

By ALAN HOSKINS

A five-time All-Star selection, Royals Hall of Famer Amos Otis has a lot of all-star memories but none to match playing in front of home town fans.

 “Of all the All-Star games, my biggest thrill,” says Otis, who holds the distinction of being both the first Royal to play in an All-Star game in 1970 and the first Royal selected to start an All-Star game in 1973.

Catcher Ellie Rodriguez was the first Royal to be selected to an All-Star team in 1969 but did not play.

Along with Steve Busby the first members of the Royals Hall of Fame, Otis will return to Kansas City for the All-Star festivities starting Friday when he and five Royals Hall of Fame teammates – Frank White, Hal McRae, John Mayberry, Fred Patek and Willie Wilson – will sign autographs prior to the T-Bones game with Sioux City.

In addition, he’ll be appearing at Fan Fest festivities at Bartle Hall.

For the immensely popular centerfielder known best as A.O., each of his five selections carried special significance but it is the 1973 game played at Royals Stadium July 21 that he remembers with greatest satisfaction despite a 7-1 American League loss.

“We only had five hits and I had two of them, stole a base and drove in our only run,” says Otis, whose second inning single following a double by Reggie Jackson gave the AL a brief 1-0 lead.

“It was my only two times at bat because (manager) Dick Williams took me out because he wanted to keep Reggie in the game. John Mayberry also had one of the five hits. He got to start because Dick Allen was injured.

“It was the first and only time I was picked as a starter. I was third in the voting behind Reggie and Bobby Murcer. Bobby was also a center-fielder but he told me ‘This is your home town, you play center and I’ll play left.’ That was very nice of him. He didn’t have to do that. He was a heckuva player.”

The NL took a 2-1 lead in the third and got a two-run homer in the fifth from Bobby Bonds, the game’s MVP.

But the biggest blow came in the fourth, a 480-foot solo shot over the concourse in left-field by future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench off Bill Singer, a blast that still stands as the longest home run in stadium history.

Not all of Otis’ thrills came during the game.

“I got to talk to my idol, Hank Aaron, for about 45 minutes,” says Otis, who, like Aaron, grew up in Mobile, Ala., about a half-mile from where Aaron was raised. “I met him when I was a kid. I was about 10 years old when Aaron and the Braves won the World Series in 1957.”

Ironically, Aaron was on hand for Otis’ first major league hit. “It was in Atlanta and I was 0 for 13 before I got my first hit against knuckleballer Phil Niekro. I was three for four that night. I got the baseball from the first hit and still have it along with my first home run and 2,000th hit.”

The 1973 game was an All-Star Game in every sense. A total of 18 players selected for the game are now in the Baseball Hall of Fame and seven members of the first All-Star Game in 1933 were also in attendance – Carl Hubbell, Bill Hallahan, Lefty Gomez, Dick Bartel, Lefty Grove, Jimmie Dykes and Charlie Gehringer.

Only one of the active selectees, Carl Yastrrzemski, did not play because of an injury. The game would be the final All-Star appearance by Willie Mays, who was joined on the NL team by Joe Morgan, Ron Santo, Tom Seaver, Willie Stargell, Don Sutton, Billy Williams, Aaron and Bench.

In addition to Jackson, the AL Hall of Famers included Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Rollie Fingers, Carlton Fisk, Catfish Hunter, Brooks Robinson and Nolan Ryan.

For Otis, each of his All-Star years was memorable. Here’s a look back:

1970 – “Nobody knew who I was until I made that great throw in the bottom of the 10th inning in Cincinnati,” says Otis. “That’s the play that Pete Rose ran into Ray Fosse at the plate in a violent collision. It took a toll on Fosse, he was never the same after that. A very good ball player, it was unfortunate it happened.” Otis entered the game in about the seventh inning and was hit-less in his only time at bat. “That was the game the kissing Morganna jumped on the field. I think she was going after Brooks (Robinson) but they stopped her.”

1971 – “It was the game in Detroit when the big boys went deep. Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente and Johnny Bench hit home runs and Reggie Jackson hit one that almost went out of the ballpark. It hit the transformer on top of old Tiger Stadium. It was very impressive. I had to keep running back to the right center-field wall chasing those home runs,” noted Otis, who was hit-less in two times to the plate.

1972 – “I was picked as an All-Star for the game in Atlanta but the Sunday afternoon before the game I crashed into the center-field wall, in old Municipal Stadium and ended up in the hospital with a couple of stitches in my eyebrow, a hole in the back of my tongue when I bit it and a very deep bruise to my shoulder. And I missed catch the ball.”

1976 –  “President (Gerald) Ford came in before the game in Philadelphia and shook everyone’s hand,” says Otis, who also has met Presidents Nixon and Clinton. “The only other things I remember is that during batting practice, Greg Luzinski was hitting balls in the third deck and I struck out to end the game.”
     
PHOTO: The first Royal to play in and start an All-Star Game, Amos Otis will be joined by Royals Hall of Famers Frank White, Hal McRae, John Mayberry, Fred Patek and Willie Wilson in an autograph session prior to the T-Bones game with Sioux City Friday night. (Photo by Alan Hoskins)

Helms' heroics and Coleman's bat lead T-Bones

By BRIAN BRUCE, Tbonesbaseball.com

LINCOLN, Neb.-  Rookie Spiker Helms reached well above the left field wall and robbed a would-be game-tying two-run homer off the bat of John Alonso in the bottom of the 10th as the T-Bones took the series finale against the Saltdogs, 3-1, at Haymarket Park on Monday night.

In the dramatic extra-inning affair, KC surged in front in the top of the 10th as Trevor Coleman drove a Pete Parise pitch into the left-center field gap to score Gus Milner who had led off the inning with a single.

Coleman later scored in the frame on a wild pitch, giving the T-Bones a 3-1 lead.

Then, with two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the 10th, the Saltdogs cleanup hitter, Alonso, launched a deep drive to left field but was robbed by Helms.

Brian Grening started for the T-Bones and pitched well, coming away with a no decision. Grening (5-2) went seven, allowing one run on six hits, while striking out seven. Lefty Steve Kent (2-2) earned the win with two innings of scoreless baseball in the eighth and ninth innings, including four strikeouts.

Righty Mike Mehlich picked up his second save by shutting down the Saltdogs – with Helms’ help – in the 10th. Coleman finished three for five including the game-winning double, and tallied two RBIs.

Milner finished two for four with two singles and a stolen base. The dramatic victory earned KC a split in the four-game set and improves their overall record to 24-20.

The T-Bones now return home for a four-game series versus the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants (24-18) July 3rd through the 6th as the top two Wildcard contenders battle it out. KC sends righty Shaun Garceau (4-0; 1.67 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday night.

 Tickets to the game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark are available by calling 913.328.5618.

T-Bones to honor former Royals All-Stars

The Kansas City T-Bones are excited to welcome seven former Royals All-Star players in a “Turn Back the Clock” night, presented by COUNTRY Financial on Friday, July 6, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The T-Bones will be saluting Royals Hall of Fame players John Mayberry, Hal McRae, Amos Otis, Fred Patek, Willie Wilson and, of course, current T-Bones coach Frank White. Joining the group will be long-time Royals trainer Mickey Cobb, who was selected as trainer for two All-Star games.

“This is a great event for baseball fans in Kansas City, and a great way to kick off All-Star weekend,” said T-Bones General Manager Chris Browne. “These guys are a huge part of Kansas City’s baseball past and part of what helped make this a great baseball town.”

The former All-Stars are scheduled for a post-game autograph session. The following fees apply:

-- $5 per player, limit one item per player

-- $30 for all seven Royals All-Stars (limit one item per player)

-- Additional items to be signed will be $5 each. A portion of proceeds is going to charity

First pitch that night for the game between the T-Bones and Sioux Falls is set for 7:05.

Next Chapter Kansas City offers Exploring Jobs Courses

“Exploring Jobs Courses” are four new, online courses to assist persons who are exploring paid work in a range of employment settings.

They are being offered by Next Chapter Kansas City in cooperation with Kansas City Kansas Community College and are appropriate for adults of any age, including persons aged 50 and older who are considering a second or Encore career. 

The upcoming classes are designed for persons to work at their own pace and need to be completed between July 9 and August 31.

The courses include Exploring Jobs in Community Engagement, Exploring Green Jobs, Exploring Jobs in Education, and Exploring Jobs in Caregiving.  Each class has four lessons, a resource center, and a moderated forum, all designed to provide helpful information and assist participants in determining their next best steps. 

Instructors will be Steven Joiner and Dale Graham.  The cost is $50 per course.

According to Karen Hostetler, Next Chapter Kansas City Director, the Green Jobs and Community Engagement courses have both been endorsed by professionals in the field. 

Julie Koppen, publisher with Greenability Magazine and Greenability Job Network reviewed the Exploring Green Jobs curriculum, and Jennifer Wilding, Director of Consensus, reviewed the Exploring Jobs in Community Engagement course. 

Their comments are available with the course descriptions on the Community College website.  Hostetler also said that additional endorsements are forthcoming.

Persons can register by phone with credit card payment at 913-288-7660 or online. 

To read the full course description and endorsements, and to enroll online, go to www.kckcc.edu, select Continuing Education (on the left)/ Summer 2012 Schedule/ Career Programs/ Career Exploration.

The courses are also listed under Prime Time Club/ Personal Growth.  You may contact Karen Hostetler at karenh@sckck.org or at (913) 281-8908 with questions.

Next Chapter Kansas City is a community collaborative of ten organizations developing meaningful opportunities for persons 50 and over as they explore options for work, service, and learning in life’s next chapter. 

Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kansas is the lead agency along with El Centro, Inc., KCK Chamber of Commerce, KCK Community College, KCK Public Library, Landon Center on Aging, Leadership 2000, Liveable Neighborhoods, Workforce Partnership, and Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging.

Wyandotte High School graduate to take place in 2012 Student Leaders program

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced that five Kansas City-area high school students have been selected to take part in the 2012 Student Leaders program, which awards a total of 225 high school juniors and seniors from around the country with paid eight-week summer internships at local nonprofit organizations.

The program is part of Bank of America’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to providing community-minded students with access and exposure to critical resources that will bolster their work and life skills while also benefiting the community.  The student awardees will also travel to Washington, DC to take part in a national Student Leadership Summit this July.

“Teens have been disproportionally affected by the recession with unemployment rates at an all-time high,” said Spence Heddens, Kansas City president for Bank of America. “Through the Student Leaders program, students are receiving more than just a paycheck.  They are gaining valuable real-world experience that will help them develop further as leaders, all while helping to strengthen Kansas City during a time when an increased number of people need assistance.”

Despite gains in the overall job market, one out of every four U.S. job seekers between the ages of 16 and 19 is still unable to find employment. Last summer, 29.8 percent of Missouri teens aged 16 to 19 were unemployed and 45.8 percent were unable to get the summer work they desired, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Research indicates that teens who are gainfully employed have lower drop-out rates, are more likely to continue their education to pursue long-term career goals, and ultimately show an increase in lifetime earning potential.  Overall unemployment in Kansas City was 6.9 percent in May.

All of the Kansas City-area Student Leaders will be interning with the Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Kansas City at the organization’s headquarters and in the field.

Participating local students are:

Ida Ayalew, a Blue Springs resident, and recent graduate of Blue Springs High School
Dylan Geary, a Leawood resident, and rising senior at Blue Valley North High School
Haley Crane, a Peculiar resident, and recent graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School
Zachary Hardwick, a Kansas City resident, and recent graduate of Rockhurst High School
Jillan Anderson, a Kansas City resident, and recent graduate of Wyandotte High School

Interview: New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter

By ALAN HOSKINS

The consummate pro will be leading the American League into this year’s All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium July 10 although when Derek Jeter made his first trip to Kansas City this spring, he wouldn’t admit what everyone knew, that he would be voted the starter for the seventh straight year and on to the team for the 13th time.

“There are a lot of good shortstops,” Jeter said.

None with the credentials of the Yankee captain, however. A runaway leader in shortstop voting with 6.6 million votes, Jeter has already cemented his name in the Hall of Fame by becoming the first Yankee to reach the magic 3,000 hit mark in a career untouched by steroids or drugs. With his 3,185th hit this past week, he moved past Cal Ripken for 13th on the all-time hit list.

He’s also the first Yankee to be named the All-Star Game’s most valuable player when he rapped out three hits in leading the AL to a 6-3 win in Atlanta in 2000, a feat that was not lost on Jeter’s manager at the time, Joe Torre.

“With all the history that has been written by a lot of Yankees because you know Mickey Mantle made it every year and all of the great Yankees like DiMaggio, it’s hard to believe,” said Torre.

With that in mind, here’s 10 minutes with Jeter when the Yankees were in Kansas City May 3-6.

Q: You’ve been selected to 12 All-Star games. Does it ever become old hat?

Jeter: No, not at all, it’s an honor, a privilege, an opportunity to get to go. You really appreciate it because there’s a lot of great players in the game. It’s something every player wants to be a part of.

Q: Are there any games that particularly stand out?

Jeter: There’s a lot of them. The first one; the one in Atlanta. The one in Yankee Stadium was special.

Q: Some players in the past have said they would prefer having three days off. Has that ever occurred to you?

Jeter: Everyone could use the rest but no, if you’re healthy, it’s something everyone enjoys being a part of.

Q: You did miss last year’s game in Arizona shortly after getting your 3,000th hit.

Jeter: People fail to remember that I was injured at the time and had announced about a week before the 3,000 hits that I wasn’t going to take part in the All-Star Game and no one said anything about it. Then I woke up the day before the game and everyone was making a big deal out of it.

Q: Right now at age 37, you have more hits than Pete Rose when he was 37. Do you think about the all-time hits record?

Jeter: I don’t think about it; I really don’t. I think it would be selfish on my part to sit around thinking of personal goals and thinking about how many hits I have. I think about how I can help this team win.

Q: Other great shortstops such as Cal Ripken and Ernie Banks moved to other positions. Is that an option?

Jeter: My job is to play short. It’s the job I’ve had since I was called up when I was 20 years old and it has never changed. I’ve never been told to play any other position; never tried to play any other position. It would be kind of hard now to try to learn a new position.

Q: In the past, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle were the faces of the Yankees. Now you’re the face of the Yankees.

Jeter: I don’t think about it. You know I’ve been here a long, long time. I was born in New Jersey and grew up a big Yankee fan. It was the only team I wanted to play for and I was lucky to get drafted by them.  It’s the only place I’ve played but I don’t think you ever sit down and look at it like that. I’ve been fortunate enough so far to have been here my entire career and I appreciate that. So I don’t look it like that.

Q: Each year, the Yankees give out a manual on how to deal with the media. Did you write the manual? You handle the media so well.

Jeter: I’ve never seen the manual. They didn’t give out manuals when I came up. I think they’re for the younger guys. I think you have to learn a lot, you have to be accountable. I think

I’ve always been accountable. You have to realize what your job is and deal with the good and the bad. I’ve always tried to be responsible and accountable. You learn on the go because New York is a little different than most places. You are what you are and if you try to be something else they’d have figured it out by now. You are who you are and you always try to stay the same whether things are going good or bad – take the good with the bad and do the best you can.

Q: Despite playing your entire career in New York, you’ve avoided off-field headlines. 

Jeter: I just try to stay out of the spotlight as much as I can which can be difficult. There’s a lot of distractions in New York and that goes for any player – a lot of distractions, a lot temptations in a lot of different ways. But if you focus on what you’re supposed to be doing, you’ll be fine. It can be tough at times, just don’t look at the paper or listen to the radio.

Q: Any thoughts about ending your career?

Jeter: No, I haven’t. I don’t think you ever prepare for the end of anything. I don’t know if it’s something you realize and it hits you all of a sudden. I’ve had teammates retire and then come back but I don’t know what that feeling is like. But right now I’m just enjoying myself.

Man found dead, heat may be to blame

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Kansas City, Kan., may have its first heat-related fatality this summer.

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department discovered a deceased male yesterday after reporting to an area home.

The home where the man was discovered did not have working air conditioning or fans, according to Craig Duke of the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department.

An investigation about whether the man's death is connected to the heat is on-going right now.

Information about the victim is unknown at this point.

(More when available.)

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UPDATE 9:18 a.m. -  KMBC Channel 9 news is reporting the man was 72 years old. 

Anderson pushes T-Bones to win over Saltdogs

By BRIAN BRUCE, Tbonesbaseball.com

LINCOLN, Neb.-  Left-hander Devin Anderson turned in an outstanding start, allowing only two runs over seven innings of work, as Kansas City soundly beat Lincoln, 11-2, at a steamy Haymarket Park on Sunday evening.

Working through a 96-degree heat index at game time, Anderson improved to 2-4 while allowing only six hits and striking out two. He turned in one-two-three third and sixth innings and held the Saltdogs scoreless through the first three frames.

KC took command in the top of the second, when leadoff man Justin Bass hammered a Ricardo Estevez fastball over the center fielder’s head with two outs. The bases clearing double, driving in Trevor Coleman, Enrique Cruz, and Spiker Helms, put the T-Bones on top 4-0. They would never trail.

The T-Bones tacked on one run in the fifth, and then put the game away with three runs on four hits in the sixth, extending their cushion to 8-2. In the frame, Jose Duran and the rookie Helms delivered RBI singles.

Anderson gave way to the bullpen for the last two innings, with right-hander and former Nebraska Cornhusker Matt Foust pitching a scoreless eighth and right-hander Mike Mehlich hurling a scoreless ninth.

The victory, KC’s first in the four-game set, improves the T-Bones to 4-3 on the road trip and 23-20 overall.

The four-game series finale is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start on Monday, with Brian Grening (5-2; 3.43 ERA) starting for Kansas City against Lincoln’s Justin Edwards (2-4; 7.29).

Catch the play-by-play call on the KMBZ Business Channel (1660 AM) or online at www.tbonesbaseball.com.

T-Bones drop opening pair of weekend series

By BRIAN BRUCE, Tbonesbaseball.com

SATURDAY: The red hot Tommy Collaro lined a 1-2 fastball from Jake Wiley to center field with two outs in the ninth, giving the Lincoln Saltdogs a 3-2 lead and eventual win at Haymarket Park on Saturday night.

KC erased a 2-1 deficit in the top of the sixth, tying the game on an RBI single down the left field line by Enrique Cruz. Meanwhile, T-Bones starter Luke Irvine, a Liberty, Mo. native, pitched well after a shaky first inning when he gave up two runs.

Although he didn’t get the decision, Irvine struck out eight and walked only two over six innings of work.

With a 2-2 tie, the game turned in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Provencher led off and reached on an error by T-Bones third baseman Enrique Cruz.

Four batters later, with Jake Wiley pitching for Kansas City and the bases loaded with two outs, Collaro, who had homered in each of his last four games, sent an RBI line drive single to center that gave the Saltdogs a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth, facing closer P.J. Zocchi, Hunter Mense led off with a single and was sacrificed to second, but the T-Bones couldn’t advance him past there before the final out.

Lefty slugger Brandon Jones raised his average to .349 with a homer and two singles in four at-bats.

The home run, a liner over the right-center field fence, came in the first inning with two outs. Jones scored Kansas City’s other run in sixth on the hit by Cruz.

The loss drops Kansas City’s record to 22-20.

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FRIDAY: Kansas City starter Josh Rainwater went the distance with eight innings, but the Lincoln Saltdogs used a three-run sixth inning to build a 6-1 lead and held on to win 6-4 at Haymarket Park on Friday night.

Rainwater (3-3), who had won his last three starts, gave up nine hits with one walk, and he struck out three Lincoln batters.

In the ninth inning, though, it looked as if the T-Bones offense was going to put Rainwater in position for his fourth win. After scoring two runs in the eighth, Kansas City trailed 6-3. With two outs and the bases loaded, Saltdogs closer P.J. Zocchi hit Gus Milner with a pitch. Then, down 6-4 and needing a base hit to possibly tie, the hot-hitting Brandon Jones lined out to left-fielder Brad Payne, ending the game.

Rainwater threw three scoreless innings and went into the bottom of the fourth with a 1-0 lead, after Milner lined his third home run of the season to right center with two outs. The Saltdogs, however, took the lead in the fourth on David Espinosa’s two-run homer.

After Tommy Collaro hit a leadoff solo shot to left in the fifth, his fourth straight game with a home run, the Saltdogs put their stamp on the game in the sixth. Leading 3-1, Lincoln scored three runs on four hits, increasing the lead to 6-1.

The loss drops Kansas City to 22-19.

Separate motorcycle accidents kill two

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

Two people were killed this weekend in separate motorcycle accidents in Kansas City, Kan.

The first accident happened at about 11 p.m. Saturday evening.

The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department responded to 47th and Parallel Parkway on an injury report accident. When arriving on the scene, officers found a dead man, described as a white male in his 40's.

According to the KCKPD, both vehicles were heading west. The fatality victim was driving a motorcycle when he was accidentally struck from behind by a truck. The driver of the truck was not injured and remained on the scene.

Accident number two happened shortly after midnight.

Two people were riding a motorcycle when it crashed on 37th Street and South Mill Street. The man driving the motorcycle was killed; a female passenger survived the crash.

It was the only vehicle in the accident. Officers are currently investigating both crashes.

GM employee injured after plant explosion

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

An employee at the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City, Kan., was injured after an explosion at the plant.

Firefighters reported to the scene Sunday morning at about 10:15 a.m.

According to Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Duke, the explosion happened as an employee was working on an electrical substation breaker on the plant's roof.

The man suffered burns to his upper torso and was later transported to the University of Kansas Hospital.

The victim is currently listed in critical condition.

93-year-old taken to hospital as result of heat

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

A 93-year-old woman has been taken to a local hospital as a result of the brutal heat-wave hitting Kansas City, Kan.

Information about the victim is limited. However, the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department confirms she was one of five calls to the department Saturday in relation to the heat.

Her condition is unknown right now.

While there have been multiple heat-related deaths in Kansas City, Mo., no such death has been reported in KCK as of early Sunday morning.

The four other individuals are in good condition. 

Unattended BBQ grill causes fire

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com

A home in Kansas City, Kan., was damaged Saturday afternoon after an unattended BBQ grill resulted in a fire.

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department responded to the fire's location, 2115 N. 3rd Street, at around 4:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

No one was injured in the fire, but about $15,000 worth of damage was reported at the home.

"Crews were informed upon arrival that occupants had evacuated the structure," said Craig Duke, KCKFD Battalion Chief. "Crews found heavy fire in the rear of the structure. Fire was under control within 17 minutes."

The BBQ grill was determined as the cause of the fire after a fire investigator was called to the scene.

Due to the heat, extra EMS-units were called to the scene of the fire.

No one was injured.