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Month: March 2019

Partly sunny with temps near 60 today

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It’s going to be a nice couple of days before the threat of rain returns Thursday and Friday. Expect temperatures to warm nicely with the help of gusty south winds Wednesday. However, those same winds will also bring some Gulf moisture north, making showers and thunderstorms likely for Thursday and Friday. This will result in additional flooding issues along the Missouri River by this weekend. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South southeast wind around 8 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. High near 67. South southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers. High near 58. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers. Low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Floodwaters wreck levee system as Missouri River recedes at St. Joseph

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By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Levee breach in southern Buchanan County/Photo courtesy of the Kansas Highway Patrol

Floodwaters recede in northwest Missouri as the Missouri River at St. Joseph drops out of the major flood stage into the moderate category.

But, widespread flooding has damaged the levee system.

Lt. Col. James Startzell with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Omaha office says 350 miles of levees on the Missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn River basins have sustained significant flood damage.

“Due to the magnitude of the damage along these levees, repair of the levee system will take an extended period of time to execute. The majority of the levee system remains compromised and vulnerable, due to record inflows surpassing their designed protection levels,” Startzell says during a conference call held by the Corps of Engineers.

The Corps counts 52 full or partial levee breaches in Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.

The crest of the Missouri River is flowing downstream, putting pressure on the levee system in central Missouri.

Chief of Emergency Management in the Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City office, Jud Kneuvean, says several systems are handling as much water as they can, including those in Napoleon and Waverly.

“There is water against the sandbags that have been placed by the local flood fighters,” Kneuvean says. “We have projected that 18 levee systems will have less than two feet of freeboard. Ten of those 18 are projected to overtop. This estimate changes with each forecast.”

Kneuvean says though the flooding is beginning to ease, area residents cannot afford to let their guard down.

“Can’t say this enough, it’s dangerous river conditions out there. We continue to stress safety to all of our partners and all our own flood fighters.”

 

Hundreds celebrate groundbreaking for new terminal at Kansas City International Airport

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KANSAS CITY — Hundreds of Kansas Citians attended Monday’s long awaited launch of the construction phase of the a $1.5B modern single terminal at Kansas City International Airport. The event included the ceremonial first turning of the dirt and the start of demolition activities at Terminal A, according to a media release from FlyKCI.com

“On behalf of the entire airline community, we are excited to be part of this journey and celebrate such an incredible milestone for the city,” said Kyle O’Neal, Senior Regional Leader, Airport Affairs at Southwest Airlines. “The new terminal will support more efficient airline operations and allow airport users to enjoy the convenience of modern air travel in a facility with updated technology and amenities, close parking, spacious gate areas, and ample food and beverage options.”

At just over one million square feet, the Kansas City International Airport New Terminal is the largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history. It will have a profound and lasting economic impact on the region in the form of new jobs, opportunities for local and small businesses, and a first-class traveler experience for airport users. The facility will open with 39gates and the ability to expand up to 50 gates in the future. The project will also include a 6,300space parking structure, which will be constructed adjacent to the terminal building, a central utility plant, and landside and airside improvements.

“We’re excited to move forward on this landmark project for Kansas City and eager to put men and women to work,” said Geoff Stricker, Edgemoor Managing Director. “This has been a great partnership with the City and airline partners, and we look forward to building on that to delivering an exceptional new terminal for travelers and the airlines alike.”

Edgemoor has partnered with design-builder Clark | Weitz | Clarkson (CWC) to construct the New Terminal. The construction joint venture, which is comprised of Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Weitz Company, and Clarkson Construction Company, has collectively delivered more than 40 aviation projects nationwide; Skidmore Owings & Merrill is the project designer.

The New Terminal project is expected to generate up to 5,000 construction-related jobs. Sixty local partners are already at work on the project, including 41 minority- and women-owned businesses. Edgemoor has pledged to maximize opportunities for local minority and women-owned firms, setting ambitious participation goals for 20% minority-owned and 15% women-owned businesses for professional and construction services, respectively.

The new KCI is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to benefit working families and our broader community in a number of ways,” said Alise Martiny with the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council. “Kansas City has one of the strongest and best qualified labor communities in the country. This will be an outstanding project with all the skilled trades and crafts from throughout our region, working together.”

The New Terminal project will be funded using 100 percent tax-exempt debt – the most cost efficient approach for the project. When complete, the new facility will replace the airport’s aging terminals, which opened in 1972.

“With the launch of the ‘Build KCI’ phase of the project, it will serve as the official source for up-to-the-minute construction news for passengers and members of the greater Kansas City community,” said Pat Klein Kansas City Aviation Director. “We will continue to champion the benefits of the new single terminal and how it will be a valued asset to Kansas City.”

The New Terminal will be built in the footprint of the airport’s existing Terminal A, which has been decommissioned. Interior demolition operations will begin this spring; structural demolition is expected to begin to mid to late-April. The new terminal is expected to open in early 2023.

Missouri House votes to allow Bible courses in public school

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri House lawmakers have passed legislationto allow public schools to offer elective social studies classes on the Bible.

The Republican-led House voted 95-52 to pass the bill Monday.

Some critics argued that public K-12 schools can already teach about the Bible and other religious texts.

But Republican bill sponsor Rep. Ben Baker says current law has sometimes been interpreted to mean full courses on the Bible are not permitted. Baker says his bill is aimed at clarifying that those classes are allowed in Missouri.

Missouri House lawmakers previously voted down a proposal to specify that schools can also offer courses on the Book of Mormon.

The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

82-year-old Missouri woman dies in 2-vehicle crash

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STONE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 1p.m. Monday in Stone County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by Daniel W. Cantrell, 68, Marionville, was southbound on MO 413 just south of Route M. The pickup crossed the center line and struck a 2008 Chevy HHR driven by Barbara J. Sutherland, 82, Crane.

Sutherland was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Cantrell to Mercy Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Kan. congresswoman not committing to Green New Deal, Medicare-for-all

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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas says she is committed to expanding health care access and combatting climate change.

But during a town hall meeting Sunday in Olathe, Davids stopped short of endorsing “Medicare For All” or a “Green New Deal” pushed by many leading Democrats.

Davids says she is focusing on health care legislation that would get bipartisan support. She says she can’t say yet whether she supports a bill to give all Americans access to government-run health care.

She notes she is co-sponsoring legislation to give states incentives to expand Medicaid eligibility.

Davids said she isn’t currently backing the Green New Deal because it contains some specific policies she doesn’t support. But she agrees the country needs to find bold ways to address climate change.

Missouri State women upset No. 3 seed Iowa State to advance to Sweet 16

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AMES, Iowa (AP) — Alexa Willard scored 17 points to help 11th-seeded Missouri State stun third-seeded Iowa State 69-60 on Monday, becoming the only double-digit seed to reach this year’s Sweet 16.

Abby Hipp had 11 points and Danielle Gitzen scored 10 for the Lady Bears (25-9), who will compete in an NCAA Tournament regional semifinal for the first time since the Jackie Stiles-led team in 2001. They’ll face either Stanford or BYU in Chicago after becoming the ninth team in 10 years to reach the Sweet 16 as a double-digit seed.

Iowa State (26-9) played much of the fourth quarter within a possession of the lead, only to let Missouri State answer time and time again. Sydney Manning extended the Lady Bears’ lead to 60-54 on a 3, her only field goal of the game, and Willard followed with a jumper.

Gitzen answered an empty Cyclones possession with two free throws, and Bridget Carleton threw the ball away at the 1:07 mark with Iowa State down 65-58. The Cyclones then inexplicably failed to foul Missouri State, allowing the Lady Bears to burn nearly 30 seconds off the clock.

Carleton had 31 points in her final game to lead Iowa State, which shot a ghastly 2 of 17 on 3s and 35.6 percent overall.

Missouri State controlled the first half, jumping ahead 33-30 at the break after Iowa State — which makes 8.9 3s a game — missed its first five tries from deep. A 10-2 run to open the second half gave the Lady Bears a 43-32 lead midway through the third quarter.

Finally faced with the idea that their Cyclones were in trouble, Iowa State’s fans got into the act. The Cyclones followed, reeling off nine quick points to make it a one-possession game. But a crucial 3 by Willard helped Missouri State push its lead to 49-45 entering the final quarter.

It might have seemed as though a game-deciding run was inevitable for the Cyclones. But it was the Lady Bears, fresh off a dominant win over sixth-seeded DePaul, who took control when it mattered.

The jubilant Bears ran into the crowd to celebrate with their band after the final horn, and a few of them picked up coach Kellie Harper’s son in celebration while screaming “We’re going to Chicago!”

THE BIG PICTURE

Iowa State: The Cyclones fell a game shy of matching the school record for wins in a season. This was a brutal way to end the year — but it was still a remarkable turnaround for a program that bottomed out at 14-17 a year ago.

Missouri State: The Lady Bears have beaten three straight ranked opponents — Drake, DePaul and Iowa State — in road or neutral games. They’ll be underdogs the rest of the way, but they’re much more dangerous than their mid-major backstory might suggest. Iowa State was just the fifth opponent in 34 tries to outrebound them, and even then it was just 38-37.

UP NEXT

Missouri State moves on to the Chicago Regional semifinals.

— Associated Press —

Missouri athletics files NCAA appeals brief

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri took the next step in the process of appealing overly-harsh sanctions imposed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Committee on Infractions by filing its 64-page appeals brief with the organization’s Appeals Committee Monday afternoon.

“We believe that the penalties our programs received were a clear abuse of the Committee’s discretion based upon existing NCAA bylaws. Our staff and legal team have worked tirelessly to research and develop a well-written appeal that accurately reflects our position,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. “We look forward to having the opportunity to meet face to face with the NCAA Appeals Committee later this year, and it is our sincere hope that at the end of this process, the penalties assessed are consistent with the nature of the violations and take into account our swift response.”

In its appeals brief, the University argues the following:

–  The penalties handed down were contrary to NCAA case precedent;

–  They were not supported, or appropriate, given the nature of the violations;

–  They could have a chilling effect on future NCAA enforcement processes.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions now has 30 days to respond to Mizzou’s appeal, and following that, an in-person hearing date will be established for Mizzou to appear before the NCAA Appeals Committee.

“A message is sent to the membership every time the NCAA Committee on Infractions adjudicates cases. In this instance, the message is loud and clear that neither proactive self-reporting nor exemplary cooperation is of any value to the committee. I am shocked this is the message the NCAA wants to send to its membership in today’s climate,” Sterk added.

On Jan. 31, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions imposed severe penalties on Mizzou’s football, baseball and softball programs in the form of postseason bans, as well as scholarship and recruiting restrictions. The sweeping sanctions were completely unexpected because the violations resulted from the actions made by a single, rogue, part-time employee who acted on her own. The university self-reported the incident as soon as officials became aware.

“As the university prepared its vigorous response to these unfair penalties, the spirits of our student-athletes have been buoyed by the widespread support of our students, alumni, university supporters and our elected officials in Jefferson City and in Washington D.C. That unified support has been most gratifying for all of us associated with this great institution,” Sterk said. “We will continue to work diligently to make this situation right for our student-athletes, coaches and fans who are impacted by these penalties as they now stand.”

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffon men in 4th after first two rounds at Lindenwood

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ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished the first and second rounds of the Lindenwood Invitational on Monday. The Griffons are in fourth place after day one, shooting 298 in both rounds for a combined score of 596. Patrick McCarthy leads the Griffons and is tied for sixth entering Tuesday’s third round.

Patrick McCarthy’s score of 144 over the first two rounds is the best on the team. After shooting a 73 in the opening round, McCarthy shaved two strokes off in the second round. His second-round score of 71 was the best single round score by a Missouri Western golfer on Monday.

Tom Buffington is currently tied for 17th after the first two rounds. Buffington shot a 76 and 73 for a combined score of 149. Jett Simmons scored a 77 in back-to-back rounds for a 154, placing him tied for 41st.

Jake Mikesch had one of the best rounds of the day for the Griffons in the first, finishing with a score of 72 in the round. Mikesch enters Tuesday with a total score of 156.

Lucas Horseman finished with a two-round total of 159 to round out the Missouri Western scoring.

The Lindenwood Invitational will resume on Tuesday morning.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest’s McCollum, Witthus, Hudgins earn NABC all-district honors

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The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the 2019 NABC Coaches’ Division II All-District teams and coaches, recognizing the best men’s collegiate basketball student-athletes and coaches in the division.  Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC in NCAA Division II, these 88 student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America.

Northwest Missouri State University head coach Ben McCollum earned central region coach of the year honors after guiding the Bearcats to their sixth straight MIAA regular season title and fourth straight MIAA tournament crown.

Senior Joey Witthus (Chanhassen, Minnesota) and redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins (Manhattan, Kansas) were each named to the central region first team.

Central
First Team                                                                          Second Team
Kevin Buckingham, Southeastern Oklahoma              Javion Blake, Washburn
Ryan Bruggeman, Southwest Minnesota State           Brandon Myer, UM Duluth
Gage Davis, St. Cloud State                                             Harrison Cleary, UM Crookston
Trevor Hudgins, Northwest Missouri State                 Jhonathan Dunn, Southern Nazarene
Cam Martin, Missouri Southern State                          Ian Smith, Northern State
Joey Witthus, Northwest Missouri State

Coach of the Year: Ben McCollum, Northwest Missouri State

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