Kansas City Star: Local News

State says KC School District's turnaround plan shows improvement

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

After the Kansas City School District’s second quarterly report to the state Thursday, this much can be said about its critical turnaround plan: The setup is good.

Department of Justice to investigate KCPD hiring practices

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to investigate whether the Kansas City Police Department discriminates against blacks and Hispanics in hiring and promotions, according to a letter released Thursday.

12th Street Viaduct repaired ahead of schedule

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Kansas City has completed 12th Street Viaduct repairs several weeks ahead of schedule, and crews have reopened the bridge and Beardsley Road. In May, Missouri Department of Transportation inspectors found extensive deterioration on the bridge during a routine inspection. The 12th Street Viaduct was closed, and Beardsley Road was closed between Bluff and 17th streets to provide a staging area for the repairs.

Mercury unlikely to land in KC

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Uncle Sam must have it in for us. First, there was talk that terror detainees might be moved to Fort Leavenworth.

Swope Park party will celebrate National Recreation and Parks month

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Kansas City usually has a monthlong calendar of events for National Recreation and Parks month, but this year’s activities will be packed into a single day in Swope Park. It’s Party in the Park, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Police cars taken home against policy, audit finds

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

An internal audit by Kansas City police released Thursday identified at least 16 police cars that were being used as take-home cars against department policy. Auditors reviewed fuel consumption for various cars and found some used more than twice the average amount of gas. Some had legitimate reasons for excess mileage, but others did not, police said.

MAST hosts free CPR training Saturday

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

You can learn how to save a life — for free — on Saturday at Swope Park Mall. Save a Life Saturday will provide training in an innovative approach to CPR that can dramatically increase survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Health screenings and other health information will be available.

City withdrawing its support from Bartle Hall spiritual conference

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Kansas City officials said Thursday that they would pull city support from a large spiritual conference planned at Bartle Hall this month. The action came after Kansas City Council members expressed concern about a scheduled preacher who has condemned homosexuals.

Public Safety | Solvents blamed for Shawnee fire, inmate admits another rape

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

SHAWNEE | Solvents blamed for fire in skate shop Firefighters went to Addict Skate Supply, 6471 Quivira Road, shortly before noon Thursday and found heavy fire in the rear of the business that caused $75,000 in damage.

Wyandotte County faces $15 million shortfall in 2009

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Wyandotte County’s Unified Government is facing a more than $15 million revenue shortfall this calendar year, the product of cuts in state funding and dwindling tax revenues in a poor economy. Unified Government administrators delivered that grim news Thursday night before a public hearing on the 2010 budget and just days before they unveil the details of that budget Monday.

The Watchdog | Reader right about this right

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

A lot of people growl at the Dog about being stuck at red lights when it’s safe to turn.

Correction

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

2009

Tribute | Ernst Ulmer of Bonner Springs was 2006 Kansas Artist of the Year

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Who: Ernst Ulmer, 86, of Bonner Springs. When and how he died: June 9 of congestive heart disease.

There's no recession in the hearts of Kansas Citians

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Smack in the middle of the worst recession in decades, Kansas Citians are giving to others. But that’s the Kansas City way, according to a study being released today through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

Public safety | Police seek aid in finding missing man

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

OLATHE | Police seek aid in finding missing man Olathe police are asking for help in locating John R. Donovan, 70, who has been missing since he left his house to run errands Tuesday afternoon.

Shifting movement stings for anti-abortion leader

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

For many, Operation Rescue are words forever linked with the fanatical violence that left George Tiller dead. Randall Terry and Troy Newman denounced the violence, but it’s far from clear how the slaying will affect their support.

State using bugs to fight noxious weed in southwest Missouri

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

State officials are taking a new approach — bugs — to fight a noxious weed in southwest Missouri.

Phase-in of new Kansas license plate put on hold because of falling state revenue

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

Falling state revenue has put on hold a phase-in of the new Kansas license plate.

Red Cross honors three who aided man who suffered electrical shock

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

The quick action last year by two members of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical School staff and a campus police officer to save a contractor's life was recognized Tuesday by the American Red Cross.

New Bonner Springs library opens Sunday with reading

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:15 CDT

How do you break in a new library? You read a book of course.