KANSAS CITY (AP) – The Kansas City Council has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a discrimination complaint from a former water department manager.

The council agreed to the settlement Thursday for Mable Ramey-Moore, who claimed she was discriminated against when she was laid off in May 2013 from the water department.

The Kansas City Star reports the city has paid nearly $3.4 million to settle discrimination claims from city workers since July 2013.

Ramey-Moore, a 62-year-old black woman who worked for the city for 17 years, was laid off after a reorganization of the water department and layoffs in other city departments. She had received positive evaluations throughout her career.

The city’s legal department recommended the settlement, saying a jury could believe race, age, and/or gender contributed to her dismissal.

RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) — Investigators in western Missouri are calling on scrap metal dealers hoping to find thieves who have stolen hundreds of bronze vases from a cemetery.

The staff at the 65-acre Mount Olivet Cemetery says an initial count put the number of missing vases at 170. But workers have checked further in recent days say the number could be as high as 300.

Scrap metal dealers are required by law to get a statement on cemetery letterhead to accept a gravesite vase for salvage.

Manufacturers have begun to provide cemeteries with vases made from aluminum and zinc.

FERGUSON (AP) – The streets of Ferguson have been peaceful for another night, as protests and tensions have been subsiding in the St. Louis suburb where unrest had erupted for several nights after a police officer fatally shot Michael Brown.

About 100 people gathered Thursday evening, walking in laps near the spot where Brown was shot. Some were in organized groups, such as clergy members.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who is in charge of security in Ferguson, said there had been seven arrests, mainly for failure to disperse. He said it had been a good day and a good night.

Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the Missouri National Guard, which arrived Monday, to begin withdrawing. He said he feels there’s been progress.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The son of missionary Nancy Writebol says his mother is still recuperating after surviving Ebola.

Jeremy Writebol said Thursday he is back home in Wichita after spending two weeks at an Atlanta hospital where his mother was in isolation.

He left Atlanta just hours before she was discharged on Tuesday and says he hasn’t had a chance to give her a hug yet. She is at an undisclosed location with his father.

He says it’s been a very traumatic experience in the lives of his parents, who are trying to consider their next steps and what they hope to do in the future.

Writebol said his parents talk constantly about the need to pray and do everything possible to help people Ebola-stricken parts of Africa.

Kansas Department of Education

TOPEKA – The National Association of State Directors for Pupil Transportation Services recently released the results of its annual survey of illegal passing of school buses. Kansas was one of 29 states to participate in a one-day survey of school bus drivers who were asked to report the number of times motorists passed school buses illegally. More than 97,000 school bus drivers reported a combined total of 75,966 vehicles passed their buses in a single day. Throughout a 180-day school year, these sample results point to more than 13 million violations by private motorists.

In Kansas, 2,221 school bus drivers reported a total of 798 instances of motorists illegally passing school buses in a single day. “With schools back in session and kids getting on and off buses, it is even more critical for drivers to slow down, be vigilant and follow the law,” said Keith Dreiling, Kansas State Department of Education School Bus Safety Director. “Motorists should never pass a school bus with its stop sign engaged and lights flashing. It only takes a split second to make a bad decision that could change lives forever.”

School bus drivers activate the warning lights (amber lights) prior to activating the red flashing lights and stop arm, allowing drivers time to slow down and stop. Drivers are not to proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the flashing red lights and the stop signal arm are no longer actuated. The public should be aware that anytime they see a school bus with its warning system activated they are in close proximity of school children. Under Kansas statute (K.S.A. 8-1556) drivers who choose to disregard school bus warning systems may be subject to a $315 fine plus court costs, which range from $108 to $110.

2014 survey results are available HERE.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 160,000 vehicles in North America for two safety issues.

The largest recall involves 159,395 Focus ST and Escape vehicles from the 2013 and 2014 model years. Ford says their engines could hesitate or stall because of a wiring problem.

Ford also is recalling 616 Focus and C-Max cars made earlier this month because their steering gears don’t have the proper number of ball bearings. That can potentially degrade the remaining ball bearings and lead to a loss of steering control.

Ford says there have been no accidents or injuries related to either recall. The 616 cars are still at dealerships and haven’t been sold.

Ford Motor Co. will notify customers and repair the vehicles for free.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s lieutenant governor wants lawmakers to look into events related to the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder on Thursday called for the creation of a bipartisan panel of House and Senate members to review the state’s law allowing the use of deadly force by police officers.

He says lawmakers should review the state’s open-records law for police investigations, to ensure the public has access to information.

Kinder also wants the panel to look at education reforms for the area.