Northeast's Buzz Blog

Northeast Slammed Again - Thanks KMBC

2009-11-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

If you were going to do a story about the tragic death of a Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate that abused Heroin, you'd go to south Johnson County rigtht? If you were going to tell about how Heroin is becoming a growing problem in the suburbs, specifically south Johnson County KANSAS, you'd go to Johnson County Kansas, right? If you were going to liberally quote Deputies from the Johnson County Kansas Sheriffs Department aboiut the increasing presence of heroin in Johnson County KANSAS, you'd go to...c'mon kids, you know the answer...you'd go to Johnson County KANSAS, right?

Well on that, you'd be dead wrong, and this lil newspooch would like to take a bite out of Martin Augustine's ankle because of it. If not him, the producer who idiotically thought it'd be a good idea to send him here.

Channel 9's Martin Augustine, came right down to the corner of Independence & Chestnut, with Avenue Pawn as a backdrop Thursday night for his live hit, right in the heart of Northeast, to talk about a heroin problem in southwest Johnson County.

Why?

Because he wanted to kick a little sand in Northeast's face, just like everyone else does out there, because this is where prostitutes are, and drugs are readily available on the avenue, and its such a baaaaad area after all. Certainly this could be the story that gets him that emmy. (Its sweeps month after all)

Here's a link to his piece...if you're interested - not that we're interested in drivin up the hit count on their site.

http://www.kmbc.com/news/21601853/detail.html

Its all about image folks and some sap, idiot producer probably told him to head down to Northeast - that's a shitty area where durgs and whores are. Nobody down there cares.

News flash for Mr. Idiot producer and Mr. Augustine - people down here DO care and have been trying their hearts out for years trying to clean up the mess. Capice?
Maybe if we had a little more cooperation from the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office when it came to prosecuting criminals, we'd be in a little better shape right now.

So next time you wanna do a story on heroin in south Johnson County, why don't you head down there and broadcast from some cul de sac at 135th & plowed ground, where the problem your talkin about exists instead of comin to Northeast and kickin more sand in our face. Thanks for nothin. Grrrrrrrrr

Cleaver Doesn't Disappoint on "Health Care" Vote.

2009-11-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

The right Reverend Emmanuel Cleaver (that'd be Congressman to you son) went right along with 218 of his fellow Lib-Dems and cast his vote with House Speaker Nancy Pelosio to further bankrupt our great nation by theoretically providing health care for all.
Ahhhhem.
This bill wreaks and is nothing more than an unfunded mandate on small business already strapped by an over-reaching, Pelosi/Reid caused recession, to pony up even MORE money to pay for government mandated employee health care.
But wait -
Small businesses with a payroll of less than $500,000 are exempt.
OK
Some quick math for you non-entrepeneurial types. $500-k is roughly 8.5 employees (at $50-k each) - plus bens. Ask your neighborhood micro-business owner(which is how businesses with less than 10 employees are classified by the gov-ment) how he'she's faring these days. Chances are not good! Now, add on mandatory health care to the ticket and you've got the recipe for a chapter 7 perfect storm. If you thought unemployment was bad in Q-1 of 2009, you ain't seen nothin yet.

For those of you in Missouri's 5th Congressional District, check out the latest at http://voteoutcleaver.blogspot.com/

Its the unofficial spot to stay current on everything you need to oust Hizz-Honor and elect some real leadership for this district, instead of another Obama/Pelosi Liberal who thinks he knows whats best for you.

COMBAT Works? Ummm...not so much.

2009-10-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

Thinking of voting yes on COMBAT? take a listen to this couple who bought a house in the Independence Plaza area during the summer of 2008, then, were summarily evicted from their property for allegedly breaking the law...by being in their own house.
On the October 10th Every Woman show on KKFI radio. (90.1 FM)

This is still the United States isn't it?
Props to TKC for the great mock-up of the COMBAT logo.

Here's the URL - I can't get the link thingy to work.
http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/24974124

Bye Bye Charity Car Wash - Sudsy Water Now Illegal

2009-07-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Say good-bye to the local charity car washes sponsored by everyone from high school cheerleaders to church groups raising money for summer camp trips. Looks like no more bikini bike washes either!

The federal government, namely the EPA is looking at clamping down on run off from people washing their cars in the street where run-off water drains to storm water drains and ultimately to rivers and streams.

A couple cities in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) are even re-writing laws on run off, Seattle Washington and Vancouver Oregon being two of them.

Here's the link to the story from the AP in this morning's daily rag.
http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1316239.html

So if I understand this right, North Korea can, pretty much without reproach, aim and fire warheads at us but God forbid you wash your freakn car in the street. Never mind that in this neighborhood, people do everything from oil and anti-freeze changes in the street, letting the offending sludge go down the storm drain.

So if your church group or if your kid's doing a Chess Club car wash as a fund raiser - better think twice, lest the car wash police find you and send you to a re-education camp. Yup - sounds about right for this administration

Cleaver Vote on Cap & Trade Launches Ouster Effort

2009-06-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Missouri's 5th District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II stood with his Lib-Dem bretheren last Friday and voted to unduly hike the utility rates of his constituency by casting a "yes" vote for Cap and Trade. A constituency that includes some of the poorest areas of Kansas City.
Didn't matter, Cleaver lined up with the rest of the Pelosi soldiers in the House and voted to approve the "Cap and Trade" legislation that he didn't even take the time to read.
To that end, one area constituent has taken his passion for the representative republic in which we live to a new level, telling the honorable Congressman that, if he voted for Cap & Trade, Mr. constituent would start a blog to foster his ouster from his Congressional seat.
He did, and the blog has been launched.

This lil pooch knows a thing or two about politics and will be watching the ongoing effort with much interest.
The URL is: http://voteoutcleaver.blogspot.com/

I’m getting Married in the Mornin, Ding-Dong the Bells are Gonna Ring!

2009-06-26T09:01:00.001-07:00

We all probably remember that song from the Lerner & Lowe musical My Fair Lady when the father goes out with his single buddies the night prior to his pending nuptials, celebrating the last rites of his life as a single man. Well, tonight is that night for Kansas City Missouri Police Chief Jim Corwin. No word on whether he’ll “pull out the stopper” and “have a whopper” (per the musical again) or who the designated driver will be given the complete lack of “professional courtesy” shown other KCPD officer(s) recently pinched for DUI.
One thing this lil pooch DOES know is that the chief is tyin the knot once again tomorrow (Saturday June 27th) at a super private ceremony at his home. The service will be followed by a reception and BBQ at the present Corwin home (the one he didn’t lose in the divorce) somewhere up north.
Note to potential wedding crashers and angry ex-spouses though – there will probably be enough police brass (present and retired) at this little party to kill a whale. Our sources indicate that the Chief is marrying the former Patty Ryan (Fialka) who, interestingly, divorced her husband in 2006. Corwin’s first wife Glenda filed for divorce very early in 2007 according to court records. That whole affair (ahem) was very quick and very quiet, being finalized in less than 50 days from the date of filing. The future Mrs. Corwin II is a 1974 graduate of Park Hill High School and is heir apparent to the Pizza Shoppe chain, launched in 1969 in Platte Woods MO by her parents.
An interesting side note – It sure looks to this lil pooch like the Chief has an affinity for Lake Waukomis girls, given both his first wife and his second wife spent their formative years there.

RIverdogs - - Mighty MO Claims yet Another Victim

2009-06-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Tis a sad day in the big town for hot dog fans.

Kitchy new dive HotDog joint Riverdogs has officially closed their doors leaving frankfurter afficianados throughout the metro dogless!

The joint opened earlier this year in a tiny building near 1st & Troost in the Missouri River bottoms west of the Paseo Bridge. It was run by long-time Northeast guy and retired K.C. Firefighter John Bruno who served up some of the best Chicago and New York style hot dogs in the city. Lines at lunch often stretched across the street, mostly made up of downtown office workers who made the trip for great tasting fare including a giant pork tender and a pig snout sandwich.

This lil poooch ate there too and each time came away stuffed to the gills and highly satisfied. Bruno sold the restaurant recently however amid problems getting good help. The new owners apparently had the same issues because now there's a big "CLOSED" sign hanging over the ordering window.
Sad, sad sad.

Doing some quick labor math makes me wonder what the problem is getting good help at a place that is open 4 daylight hours a day (10a - 2p) weekdays only. Essentially what could be referred to as bankers hours. Additionally, with an 8-10 item menu that is 75% hotdogs, how tough can this be? I mean really!

Has the economy come that far that people won't work an 8-10 hour day to run their own business? I think that's a much sadder commentary than anything else!

Draw your own conclusions about why, but it certainly sounds to me like the new owners just didn't want to put the effort in to making a go if it despite a strong local following that seemed to be growing larger by the day with literally no paid advertising.
Another great Kansas City dive gone.

Seperated at Birth?

2009-06-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

We watched the old Rankin-Bass classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer last Christmas and both of us wondered about whether the evil Burgermeister Meisterburger and embattled Co-Mayor Gloria Squitiro were in fact seperated at birth.
You be the judge.

Where's the Outrage?

2009-06-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

Since January 1st of this year, moreover since our new President and chief diety was sworn in, gasoline prices have skyrocketed. In January, pump prices in Kansas City bottomed out near $1.35 a gallon with lower prices in some eastern burbs of the city. These days however, prices in the area average $2.50 a gallon, even more on the Kansas side, representing an almost 80% increase in the per gallon price. Industry experts say that's the sharpest increase in history over a 6-month period of time. Other industry analysts are predicting $3.00/gal prices by the July 4th holiday.
But where's the outrage?
Last summer, when gas prices hovered near the $4.00 per gallon mark, the mainstream media decried the evil Dick Cheney and George Bush were busy lining the pockets of their oil company buddies. Business reporters at MSNBC and CNN were quick to jump on the bandwagon, spewing bile about record oil company profits and the evil Republicans who benefit from the "price gouging" at the pump.
All of that media outrage has strangely (well, not so much)disappeared.
Why?
Where's the outrage now?

Well you won't hear about it on CNN or PMS-NBC. ABC won't tell you - especially given they'll be doing the nightly news from the Blue Room of the White House next Wednesday evening. (but they're not in the tank- ohh noooo)

The answer - this administration wants you to suffer at the pump (among other places) so they can jam cafe standards for auto makers down your throat and drive the "unheathy" and evil SUV to extinction. All in the name of their clean earth, environmentalist whacko agenda.

Hang on to your wallets folks - this is just the beginning.

Party Time!! Silver Slipper Reopens Today

2009-06-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

After serving a 66 day license suspension for a variety of violations, embattled strip club Gerry's Silver Slipper reopens today.

Club owners denied any wrongdoing in the melee that erupted there in February and were quick to distance themselves from the double homicide that occurred outside the club a couple of weeks later after the club closed for the day.

According to provisions set forth in the suspension, club owners and management will be providing education, instruction and training to employees on city ordinances.

Tractor Parades now Legal in Missouri - THANK GAWD!!!

2009-05-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah and saints be praised - tractor parades are now legal in the state of Missouri. Newly elected Governor Jay Nixon this afternoon stood out on the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol next to a 1951 John Deere (made in Waterloo Iowa mind you and owned by a Tipton MO man)and heralded the grand news that - yes indeed folks, tractors can now be driven on Missouri roadways for fundriasing purposes. But only during daylight hours though.

THANK YOU GOD!! Well, and Governor Nixon too. I've got an old Farmall I've been itchin to take to the bowling alley and this is the legislation I've ben waiting for! WOOOHOOO!!!!!
Only God knows how many high-speed tractor chases the Highway Patrol has been involved in over the years. These rogue tractor drivers, I tell ya. My guess is its well in to the...
(crickets)

Wonder if this will spark a new craze of putting neon and ground effects and resinator mufflers on the old Massey-Fergeson!

The bill's passing comes just in the nick of time for the upcoming tractor parade up St. Joe way on June 27th to raise money for MDA or MS or another acronym'd malady.

No word on if DOT helmets will be required of now legal tractor drivers or if tractor drivers just need the standard DeKalb Seed ball-cap to be in compliance.

Funkhouser, Police Fiddle while violence escalates

2009-05-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Rome's burning Mr. Mayor. Gang violence is escelating Mr. Corwin. Are you listening?
This lil pooch would dare say not.
The same day an arrest was made in the March 2009 shooting at a known gang hangout near Scarritt & Jackson, we are treated to more violence brought to you Kansas City's street gangs.
Police were called this evening to a location near 9th & Van Brunt, then chased a perp down near 16th & Cypress. Gang violence? Shots fired? My money's on "yes".
Payback for yesterday's murder of one Josh Sadler, 22 of Kansas City last night near 11th & Belmont?
Hard telling.
One thing is for sure. Neighborhood leaders in Northeast are fed up with the non-reaction from command staff at East Patrol.
On the same evening, neighbors in the 4000 block of Morrell were treated to what can only be defined as a training excercize in firearms training by the local street thugs. According to neighbors there, shots rang out "throughout the night".
One long-time neighbor's reaction: "I'm out of here".
Another vacant house.
Gangs - 1, Peaceful family residents - 0
Long time Sheffield and Indian Mound neighbors are under seige as well.
K.C. PD's response...
Still waiting. The emergency eviction on the criminals was filed how long ago?
(crickets)
Somehow, "I'll get back to you asap" just don't cut it when the lead starts to fly. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor so your out of harms way when the shots go astray seems to be the norm rather than the exception any more.
This lil pooch is stocking up on Kevlar and ammo.
And under this administration, you'd better stock up while you still can.

Blocked access — again!

2009-05-26T08:27:00.001-07:00

Barricades went up on Wednesday blocking access to westbound I-70 off of
Independence Avenue in Columbus Park. Missouri Department of Transportation officials estimate the ramp to be closed through June of this year.
The Northeast News has also just received notice that the viaducts over the railroad tracks at the old Sheffield Steel plant will be undergoing maintenance beginning Tuesday, May 26. Once again, Northeast’s access to other areas of the city is stymied.
Throw in the night-time construction choking the HOA (Heart of America) Bridge down to one lane northbound, and Northeast has once again, been virtually cut off from the rest of the outside world.
It'll make summer commuting interesting, that's for sure.

City Sponsored Rent A Mob Invades Northeast - AGAIN!

2009-05-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

.

Your tax dollars at work! Aim 4 Peace, the city sponsored rent a mob will be invading Northeast agian this Saturday May 23rd for another love fest at St. John & Hardesty.
You may recall the last Aim4Peace mob that invaded that area with bused in protesters were greeted by business owners brandishing the family hand-gun to protect themselves from the "blessed peacemakers".

Armour up Indian Mound residents living near this location. Be prepared for throngs of losers invading your neighborhood, snarling traffic on St. John and Hardesty, peddling love beads, shoving daisies into gun barrels(remember that from the 60's) and offering free hotdogs to anyone gullable enough to buy their senseless "hug-a-thug" bile. The flyer we got also promised pony rides. Make of that what you will but we're lookin at it as just another source of manure.

Spell Check is for loozers

2009-04-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

We haven't thrown up anything in a little while, so what a fitting way to re-enter the blogosphere than havin a little fun with a concert poster we just received via electronic mail. Now we try and keep our furry lil paws on the pulse of things here at The News but this show is obviously being held at a new venue here in town.
We've heard of the Sprint Center, Kemper Arena and Memorial Hall, but this one is a new one on us.
Can anyone tell us where "Municiple Auditorium" is?

We've even thrown up the graphic so you get the picture - just like this lil pooch did!

New Country Claims Old ASB Bridge

2009-03-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

Breaking News!
Either Clay County and North Kansas City are forming their own country or some local dare-devil has claimed the old ASB Bridge for their own!
This lil news-pooch spotted a couple of new flags atop the old operators shack on the north end of the old ASB Bridge today whilst motoring about snffing out news.
We don't know what's up or who's claiming the 100 year old structure for their own, but whoever it is, isn't real scared of heights!
One of our eagle eye news hound photo-grabbers over at Hyperblogal grabbed the above photo earlier today.

Anyone know anything about this?
New country?
New Casino?
New shopping mall?

Let us know!

FUND MY ANGRY MOB - OR ELSE!!!

2009-03-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

This lil news-hound just received a "press release" from the Aim4Peace rent-a-mob folks that they'll be holding a press conference this afternoon to support the ongoing city (read TAXPAYER) funding of their protest mentality, scare tactics.
Now we're not sure whether it was a Freudian slip or what, but here's a direct quote from their press release.

"...to take a few minutes, come out & support this inactive to keep the movement alive.

Inactive. That'd be the perfect verb to describe what these sign totin, rented "volunteers" are. "Inactive". Course, when your gravy train is fixin to get derailed, and your very existance is threatened, ya gotta pull out all the stops. Get them buses rollin, get them signs painted, make sure the bull-horn is all charged up - we be fixin to make some noise!!!
Meanwhile - the rest of us with real jobs, who aren't dependent on the taxpayer's doll to pay our freight have better things to do than scream in to bullhorns in front of the TV cameras - especially during business hours.
And when the TV cameras disappear - so will the mobs, the buses, the signs. Its all about The Show with these types. Form over substance.
And for you folks who live in rural areas of incorporated Kansas City, you too have the unique privilege of funding these rented goons too! This despite the fact they won't come to YOUR suburban cul de sac anytime soon - trust me! It ain't about the burbs with these folks.

The best thing the city council can do with this bunch is send em packin, deny their funding, so they'll get real jobs and start paying taxes instead of livin off em.

This lil pooch has a simple solution to the crime problem. CCW.
Hasn't failed yet!

...and the gods of journalism smiled down upon us...

2009-03-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Word on the street, or at least according to John Landsberg over at Bottom Line Communications is that Lewis Duiguid, mr. race baiting, racist ( yes, this lil pooch called him a racist) Star columnist Lewis Duiguid has lost his VP gig, his column (which actually went bye-bye in December) as well as a good percentage of his reportedly six-figure paycheck.
There are Gods in Journalism after all.
The unfortunate part of the deal is that he maintains his position on the Star’s Editorial Board that supposedly “shapes the Star’s view on issues”.
Ahem.
I feel like the kid in the film Animal House when the “Playboy Bunny” landed on his bed and he looks skyward and exclaims: “Thank you God”!
This crack-pot Duiguid is the one who equated anyone – ANYONE who, during last year’s presidential campaign, called the messiah Obama a Socialist was also, by default – a racist.

Duiguid’s new boss will be Miriam Pepper, Vice President of the Editorial Page.

Central Bank Robbed - Suspect Gravely Wounded by Police

2009-03-16T17:59:00.001-07:00

Police Officers responded to Central Bank at 2301 Independence Blvd this afternoon after the bank was robbedthe bank late Monday afternoon.

Police sources indicate that a lone gunman entered the bank at approximately 4:30 this afternoon and demanded cash from a teller. The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police officers patroling nearby noticed the suspect and followed him south along Park Avenue toward Olive Park VIllage apartments. Officers noted that the suspect was changing clothes as he fled and at one point actually dropped the backpack that held the stolen cash. Police caught up with the suspect in a parking lot near 8th & Olive where, according to sources he confronted the officers, threatening to kill them. The suspect was shot by officers and transported to an area hospital where he was declared dead. The name of the suspect has not been released at this time. The officers involved are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

This is the second time in a week that the main branch of Central Bank has been held up. Last week, a suspect robbed the bank and was apprehended a short time later near Independence & Chestnut.

Bloodletting Commences at Major Daily(s)

2009-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

According to John Landsberg over at Bottom Line Communnications, some major players have been tapped by the grim reaper's bony hand this morning down at 1729 Grand. (The Star)
Today is Black Monday for the McClatchy owned Star as well as the Olathe Daily News.
As of 8:45 Monday evening, here's at least a partial list of who's getting the axe. So far, it reads like a who's-who of long-time, staffers and columnists.

Eric Palmer, Deputy Business Editor
DeAnn Smith, Investigative Reporter
Rick Alm, Gambling & Tourism Reporter
David Hayes, Technology/Internet Reporter
Malcolm Garcia, Reporter
Don Allmon, IT
Greg Peters, Photo Desk
Katie Middleton, Northland Editor
Jim Pedley, Motor Sports Writer
John Mark Eberhart, Books Editor
Ward Triplett, Wire Editor (credit Pitch)
Robert Folsom, Features Copy Editor
David Boyce, Sports Reporter
Mike Fitzgerald, Asst. Sports Editor
Stephen Winn- Deputy Editorial Page Editor
Trudy Hurley- Editorial Assistant
Kirk Weber- Night City Editor
Dennis Boone- Jackson County Editor
Russ Pulley- Independence Bureau Reporter
Bill Graham, Platte County Reporter/Columnist
Tom Dolphens, Asst. Mng. Editor
Terrel Harris, (Unknown)
Beth Jordan, Copy Editor
Georgann Norton, Copy Editor
Nick Poirier, (Unknown)
Kent Pulliam, Sports Reporter
Samantha Branson, Copy Editor

MADE PART-TIME WITH CUTS IN PAY & BENEFITS
Robert Butler, Movie Critic
Mike Hendricks, Columnist
Steve Penn, Columnist
Carol Powers, Deputy Features Editor
Alice Thorson, Art Critic
Robert Trussell, Theater Critic
Donna Vestal, Business Editor

Originally reported this morning by Bottom Line Communications was that the Olathe Daily News (taken over by McClatchy a few years back) would cease to publish a print product and fold their staff in to the neighborhood news section. However, updated reports indicate that it will now take the place of the Olathe Neighborhood News and will retain Olathe News-only subscribers and be inserted into the Star, taking the place of the Olathe Neighborhood News.
BLC quotes a source close to the carnage as saying: "The Olathe News will be redesigned into a tabloid, but remain independent in look and voice," says the source. "All Olathe News employees--those who are left after layoffs tomorrow---will become Star employees and work within its system to produce The Olathe News.

On the Pacific coast, sources at the Hearst owned Seattle Post Intelligencer announced today that their operation would cease publishing a print product with the March 17, 2009 edition. According to Marketwatch.com who broke the news, it is the largest Hearst owned daily paper to become a web only product.

We'd like to recognize John Landsberg of Bottom Line Communications who has been doing yeoman's work today closely following this sad and developing story. Its not fun watching the slow, painful demise of one of the oldest print news sources in the city and John is covering this professionally and objectively. We'd like to thank him for his work and credit him for our ability to post updated information for our readers.
This lil pooch sez WOOF! That's Bunny-speak for thanks!

Layoffs Hit Paragraph Factory - Again

2009-03-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

Things aren't good for the daily rag here in town as about 150 employees got pink slips today. Affected staffers received a form letter from head honcho Mark Zieman thanking them for their sacrifices.
Interestingly, the letter indicated this was the "final stages" of staff reduction. If that sounds familiar, its bacause every blood letting at The Star recently has been their "final stage".

Adding insult to injury - staffers who survived the budget axe are taking a pay cut too. Employees who make in excess of $100-k get whacked by 10%. If you fall under the $100-k ceiling, you get a 5% whack. Guess that's that "spreadin the wealth around" Obama-nomics.
The absolute funniest part of the letter was in the final paragraph. Here's a snippet, courtesy of John Landsberg over at Bottom Line Communications.

[b]Not only have you kept our newspaper safe, you have made heroic progress toward successfully transitioning The Star to a multimedia, multi-platform future.
Even during this difficult time, we remain far and away our region's preeminent source for news and advertising. When the economy recovers we will be well-positioned for future growth.[/b]

Puhlease. I think they pegged the B.S. meter with that one. How bout you! "Heroic"?
SHEESH!!!
"Kept the newspaper SAFE?"
I can hear the death rattle from here!

Shooting Near Gladstone Elementary Results in Death

2009-03-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Kansas City Police Officers on Tuesday morning were investigating a shooting that resulted in the city’s latest homicide. Officers initially responded to a shots fired call near the intersection of Elmwood and Scarritt Avenues Tuesday evening at approximately 10:45 pm. across from Gladstone Elementary School. Sources indicated that a man living at 220 North Elmwood was outside when a disturbance erupted between the resident and a group of black male subjects in a PT Cruiser on the street. Allegedly, the parties began shooting at one another and the subjects in PT Cruiser fled the scene, pursued by the resident and a Hispanic male friend in a black Pontiac.

The suspect’s vehicle was later discovered abandoned in an alley behind the Mark I apartments near Maple Boulevard and Missouri Avenue. One subject, a black male in his 20’s was discovered deceased inside the vehicle from alleged gunshot wounds. The name of the victim has not been released at this time pending notification of relatives. Later in the morning, (above) police investigators marked footprints in the snow through Maple Park with orange cones that led from the area near the abandoned vehicle toward the Riverview housing project. Sources close to the investigation indicated that at least one suspect from the PT cruiser was in custody and Police were questioning other occupants of the car.
The Hispanic male has not been located at this time.

Neighbors living near the house on Elmwood stated that there hadn’t been any problems at the house until last week when thieves tried to steal a number of vehicles in the vicinity of Elmwood and Scarritt. “Maybe they came back to try and finish things up” said one neighbor who wished to remain anonymous.

Police at this hour are continuing their investigation. Watch for updates on this story on our web site and in next week’s print edition.

Suburban Weeklies Slay Major Daily - at least for now

2009-02-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

Sources indicate that the daily rag (The Star) is going to the dogs pretty quickly.

John Landsberg over at Bottom Line Communications is reporting that the KCK, Northland (Platte County) and the eastern Jackson County bureaus for the paper will close soon.
No word on the number of impacted employees or when the bureaus will shut their doors.
Time was when the major daily built up its suburban offices specifically to drive the dominant weekly out of business.
So much for that, at least for now.
NPG (formerly Townsend) papers up north are still functioning on all cylinders although down a bit. The Examiner recently suspended printing of its Monday edition and last week indicated it would deliver morning editions only.
Publishing giant, or what's left of them, Gatehouse Media (who also owns The Examiner) ceased printing of the Kansas City Kansan late last year, but upstarts from Parkville have slid in with a new KCK weekly print product.

While some believe the print world is going to the dogs, this lil pooch thinks the time is ripe for local investor types with a nose for local news to pick up some good print products (The Examiner for starters) for pennies on the dollar.
Local news sells locally - in print or otherwise.

Given Gatehouse stock is trading in the 8-10 cent per share area, you could easily pick up The Examiner for, oh, the price of a 72 ElDorado!

Police Chief Launches New Blog

2009-02-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

Kansas City Police Chief Jim Corwin today launched a new blog to, in his words:

"serve as a place where you can hear about our latest news, officers’ heroics, crime statistics and patterns, and my take on the issues of the day."

The blog's URL is: www.kcpdchief.blogspot.com

While this seems like a neat idea, there's only one problem.
The obvious lack of a comments button, where citizens can leave comments and opinions about the above noted Chief's "take on issues of the day".

On numerous occasions in the inaugural post, the Chief notes that public feedback is important. It would certainly seem to this lil pooch, who about a year ago accused this Chief of dereliction of duty, that if public feedback and departmental transparency is so important, why isn't there a comments button where citizens can leave unfettered comments about the way the department is running - or not.

Leaving an email address for citizens to respond to is fine, but most folks I know will filter their own comments. A comments button is a much better way - at least on a blog, to get clear, honest opinions from citizens.

Besides - that's how blogs work! The comments are half the fun!

Have Machete - Get Shot

2009-02-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

Some people just don't learn from history, much less pay attention.

You may recall a few years back that Kansas City Missouri Police Officers shot and killed a machete weilding man in midtown. The man, allegedly was muttering all sorts of jibberish, standing in the middle of an intersection near Linwood & Main. When he acted in a threatening manner, cops dropped him like a hammer. End of story.

Fast forward to this lovely, unseasonably warm Tuesday morning (which should give you a hint of what summer might bring) near Maple & Independence Boulevards. Police were summoned to the scene of a disturbance where they found - you guessed it, a machete toting guy in the courtyard of an apartment complex there.

Police once again, shot the perpetrator, critically wounding Mr. junior ninja wanna-be.
People, take a lesson here - Cops don't like it when you carry weapons bigger than anything they've got in the car or on their person. Moreover - if you threaten them with it, plan on catching some lead in a vital organ.
Is this really that hard to understand?

River Market Brewery Closes

2009-02-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

When it originally opened in 1995, RMB was a "must do" for the residents of the City Market area and surrounding neighborhoods. They put out a quality product, one that this news pup sampled on a variety of occasions. I've even got my old Mug Club mugs up in the cabinet for cryin out loud. The food was unique too, Spent Yeast Pretzels were a favorite with grainy brown mustard.
But when neon signs advertising such American rice brewed swill as Miller Lite and Bud Light started poppin up in the windows, this dog knew the party was all but over. Who in their right mind goes to a brew pub and orders Bud freakin Light??? Come on!

On February 1st, owners shuttered the brew-pub, pasting a sign on the front door indicating the place was closed indifintely. Calls to the pub were routed to voice mail where a friendly voice thanked us for our years of patronage.

We ceased dining there years ago due to slow service primarily. The beer was still tasty but an hour wait for a pastrami on rye ain't pleasurable dining ya know?

RIP RMB - we remember you for what you WERE - not what you became. Maybe those lovely ladies over at the Dead Canary Brewery in the West Bottoms can move in. We hear they've got some great stuff brewing in their copper kettles!

Westside Victims not Cooperating...Call Aim4Peace - Quick!!

2009-02-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

We need a movement. No, strike that, we need a march and we need it now!
Someone get those morons from Aim4Peace on the phone so we can get some accountability from this neighborhood - STAT!!!
Based on a story covered on KC Crime Scene, the daily rag's crime site, victims of the shootings that took place at the Agguire Center Friday night aren't cooperating with Police. Police investigators are stonewalled at this stage of the game.

Quick - someone cue the Underdog theme music.

I'm sure the Aim4Idiots could come in and really lend a hand here. After all, this is what they specialize in isn't it? They could picket the victims houses, that'd work. They ned to do something to justify that $1500/mo stipend from the city - time they step up and get right!

Vennie Gonzalez, who runs an Aim4Peace "church" out of his Independence home should be right over with his busload of rent-a-mob picket toting goons. THAT ought to break this thing wide open, huh!

Puhleeaze!!! Give me strength!!

Hypocrite millionaire McCaskill gives "Bony Wag" to Wall Street Millionaires.

2009-02-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

And they called it puppy love
Never let it be said House Democrats aren't the least bit hypocritical. That said, imagine how some Wall Street tycoons felt when the fourteenth richest member of the United States Congress lectured them on, what else...their shameful behavior and bonuses.
Our guess is that its all smoke and mirrors in an attempt to keep her nose deeply buried in the president's hind quarters - someone who she ardently campaigned for over the last 12 months instead of doing her JOB representing the people of Missouri.

According to Bottom Line Communications, McCaskill's net worth grew substantially in 2007. McCaskill and her husband own a number of "affordable" housing developments. There's big money in po folks housing. (do as I say, not as I do) Can you say dependant class?

Looks like my grandmother was right. A matress is probably the safest place for this lil pooches money cuz it sure looks as if Claire and the rest of her brood are comin after it!
God forbid we should be on the business end of THAT girl's bony wag!

YIKES!!!!

East Zone Warrant Sweeps Target Blue Valley Townhomes

2009-01-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

Police blanketed the area near 23rd& Wheeling yesterday in a multi-agency warrant sweep in the Blue Valley Townhomes. Kansas City MO Police Officers teamed with officials from the Independence MO Police Department, The U.S. Marshall's Office and HUD on the sweep that netted over 45 arrests.
Can you say target rich environment?

Captain Jeff Emery of East Patrol noted: "with the cooperation of these other agencies, this was a huge success" referring to the 75% arrest to warrant ratio.

We can only hope that the Prosecutor's office will hold and charge these individuals instead of "ROR"ing (release on recognizance) them back in to the community to continue their pillaging and plundering.

Who Writes This Stuff???

2009-01-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

A story on the NBC Action news web site tells the tale of a stabbing early Saturday morning outside of Gerry's Silver Slipper down at Independence & Lawn, well within the city limits of Kansas City.

The writer for NBC Action News, (Mike Markewinski) I shant call him a journalist, indicates in his ramblings that "Police don't know what caused the stabbings".

Hmm, last I looked, stabbing is usually caused by someone thrusting a sharp object into or at someone else. Usually deliberately and with much vigor.

Then, Mr. Markewinski indicates that anyone with information should call the Prairie Village Police Department.

I might not be the greatest cartographer (map maker) but last I looked, 4700 Independence Avenue is in Kansas City and is roughly 8 or so miles from any border of the sleepy burb of Prairie Village.

Guess the ol intern pool was a little dry this semester aye channel 41?

The story, if you can call it that, speaks for itself and is below.

Enjoy!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A stabbing outside a bar early Saturday morning sent one man to the hospital with critical injuries.Police say it happened as three men were standing outside the Silver Slipper at 4703 Independence Avenue shortly before 2 a.m.The victim was taken to the hospital, where his condition was not known.The other two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.Police have not said what may have caused the stabbings, nor have they released any information about a suspect.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prairie Village Police Department at (913) 385-4608 or call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS, submit a tip anonymous online, or text TIP452 and your information to 274537.

Man charged in shooting death

2009-01-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Kirk Fincher, age 18, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the Dec. 30 murder of a 19-year-old Northeast man.
Ryan Onckelet was shot to death in a vehicle outside of Belmont Place apartments near Belmont Boulevard and St. John Avenue.
Fincher, of 1629 Fincher in Kansas City, is being held in lieu of a $1 million bond.

Pitch Axes Three Staffers

2009-01-01T08:43:00.001-08:00

Local alternative weekly The Pitch has sent pink slips to at least three of its columnists, most notably, restaurant reviewer and friend of this lil pooch, Charles Feruzza.

Feruzza, along with Jen Chen and Lorna Perry were shown the door.

Citing a post on Tony's Kansas City, a local blog, Bottom Line Communications is reporting that Feruzza will continue his gig at The Pitch, but wouldn't go in to detail about his status with the paper but sources are indicating he'll continue his weekly column there.

18-year-old Man Killed in shooting

2008-12-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

Kansas City’s three-week homicide drought came to a violent end Tuesday afternoon when an 18-year-old Kansas City man was shot in the head in the parking lot of the Belmont Place Apartments near Belmont Boulevard and St. John Avenue.

Crime scene tape fluttered in the breeze as Police investigators combed the area inside the Belmont Court apartments Tuesday afternoon looking for clues as to who may have wanted the man dead.

Witnesses indicated hearing a loud boom near the scene at approximately 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. A female witness at the scene stated that a white male shot the victim. The suspect is described as a white male, 5'8", medium build, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt/jacket and blue jeans.

What exactly happened next is unclear, but the end result is the victim’s girlfriend’s car, (left) in which the victim was riding, crashed into the side of one of the buildings. The pair were allegedly “jumped,” by a group of individuals when they pulled in tothe parking lot. The group approached the victim's girlfriend, then walked toward the victim as he sat in the vehicle. Seeing the group approaching the car, the victim allegedly jumped in to the driver';s seat and attempted to flee the scene. As he did so, he was struck in the head by a bullet. . He was pronounced dead later. Witnesses indicated that the suspect(s) fled on foot, possibly to a house a few blocks away.

The victim’s father, a lifelong Northeast resident, indicated the victim wasn’t a bad kid.

“He just got mixed up with the wrong crowd," the father said. “I tried on many occasions to tell him he was going down the wrong road, but he wouldn’t listen."

The father lamented how times in Northeast had changed.
“When I was a kid, we used to run these streets. If you didn’t like someone, you met them after school, went to the vacant lot and duked it out, with your fists, like men,” he said. “It's a lot different today. You look cross-eyed at some of these kids, and you risk getting shot. It's just crazy."

Residents indicate that lately, the small complex has become a hot-bed of gang activity. One resident who wished to remain anonymous indicated that gunshots were a regular occurrence at the complex, where a home invasion, robbery and assault occurred this past weekend. Police are reviewing evidence to see if the two incidents are related.

“We call 911 on a regular basis,” the resident said. “It all seems to be coming from one apartment."

We're all idiots - just ask Clinton Adams

2008-12-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

"This community has not been effective in electing effective school board members".

So says Freedom Inc. sock-puppet Clinton Adams in an article published in today's daily rag.
Adams went on to advocate that, given that 2/3 of the district's enrollment is black - that mobs, er, groups such as the NAAACP, the Urban League and the Black United Front need to be part of the process.
In the immortal words of Popeye the Sailor man: "well blow me down".

This lil canine has long thought that the very broods advanced by Adams were a large part of the problem, not the solution, given their history of patronage, nepitism and advancement of issues that do nothing to help white urban kids - and that's taken liberties with the word "advancement".

Additionally, the very fact that Adams doesn't trust the public to elect compitent representatives does't go too far either. Especially since a majority of the black candidates running for the office are fronted by Freedom Inc. to begin with. Lets not forget this is the same bunch that incurred a hefty fine ($45,000) from the Federal Election Commission for failing to register as a political committee. the name James Tindall (convicted felon) ring a bell?

It should be no surprise that State representative Jonas Hughes has his fingers in the pie as well - especially given his ties to Freedom Inc. Hughes advocates the appointment of a board of "community leaders" seperate from the politics and free from the cronyism that has weighed the district down over the last five decades. The operative buzz words here are "community leaders".
Who's community?
Who does the appointing, and from what smoke filled Freedom Inc, Black United Front, Urban League back room will this alleged savior emerge?

Is it any wonder with these goons running the show for so long, we have what we have - or what's left of what we had. The Shawnee Mission District won't play ball with these morons. Independence won't. Blue Springs and Park Hill? HA! Get real!

And if you think these cronies are in it for the kids - you are sadly mistaken. This one is all about political favors, croneyism and contributions to the "right" candidates. If you don't agree, someone from Freedom Inc will be right over to take a look at those knee-caps you love so much.

In Train-Wreck Economy, Congress Gets a Raise.

2008-12-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

In an article you definitely won't see in Kansas City's liberal daily rag, Congress will get a raise next year to the tune of $4700.

According to an article published in The Hill, members of Congress will get an extra $4700 tacked on to their salaries next year. All this in the face of their hypocratical grandstanding and demanding that Auto execs ride bicycles to work and oil execs should surrender profits, our ever so smart elected officials in Washington DC just got a hefty pay bump.

Ask your neighbor who just got laid off from Chrysler of GM what THEY could do with an extra $4700. Or maybe the lady next door who watches the neighborhood kids for $8.00 an hour how they feel about it.

This lil pooch knows that given all the perks Congress gets already, they need a raise like I need to be chased by a pit bull. Perkjs you ask?
Well lets start with free barbershop, free meals, travel per-diem, lodging per-diem, free health care (far superior to anything us lowly citizens would get) and more.

For the record, Average pay for a Congressman: $169,000. Leadership positions get spiffed a little more. Her Majesty Pelosi hauls in a little over $215,000. Senate leadership types make a little under$190,000. According tot he article in The Hill, in 1789, Congressional Representatives made $6.00 a day. That equates to roughly $75 a today by modern standards.

So much for the old premise of "citizen legislator", huh.
Change?
All together now.....Yes we can!!!
Hold on to your checkbooks!

Union Station to CEO Udris: Sayonara!

2008-12-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

USKC Board members announced Thursday that CEO Andi Udris was essentially persona non grata and that former American Royal head wrangler George M. Gaustello II was taking over the reins in 2009.

Udris, as you may recall, came under fire from this lil news-pooch back in 2005-06 for some of the sweeping changes he undertook in the infancy of his reign as CEO.

After spending a rain-soaked May afternoon with Andi and his PR gal Sara up at Shoal Creek, we came away with a whole new understanding of how hubs and spokes applied to Union Station as well as how to parse the word "at".

Like him or not - he deserves a paw-bump for relocating the local Fire History Museum to the Depot in 2007 and playing a pivotal role in the ongoing restoration and re-development of the Corinthian Hall facility here in good ol Historic Northeast.

Given the pull quotes from the PR piece sent out this morning though, it sure looks to this nose for news pup that the whole thing was a "mutual decision" and that's all they're sayin about that.

Gaustello: "Its an honor to be entrusted with the stewardship of these beloved regional treasures...".

Udris: "I have enjoyed immensely my time working at Union Station..."

Time will tell however - former Mayoral aide Joe Miller and former daily rag, chatter-box gossip monger Hearne Christopher (both with an emphasis on "former") are looking for work and this may have all the makings for a kiss & tell-all book. Stranger things have happend...one look at the fiasco that is the Mayor's office proves this pup's point!

Be sure to check out next week's edition though for a more objective look at the transition taking place down at the big depot on Pershing Road.

Truman Corridor Launches New Website

2008-12-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

The Truman Road Corridor Association has just launched its new web site. The site is: www.freewebs.com/trca

The site is designed to link merchants, organizations and area residents in the ongoing advancement of business along the Truman Road Corridor. If that sounds like a mission statement - it is! (Lifted directly from their site, thank you very much)

The new site profiles TRCA's advancement of their CID (Community Improvement District) as well as other initiatives and activities the association is involved in.

ALDI applies for liquor license

2008-12-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

ALDI grocery store at 721 Paseo Blvd. applied this past Thursday for a package liquor license.
Some neighbors in Independence Plaza, Columbus Park and Pendleton Heights neighborhoods are unhappy about the prospect of another liquor store in the area — and the characters liquor stores so often attract.
Others, however, including ALDI Vice President Mark Bersted, point out that ALDI would be a more responsible liquor vendor in the neighborhood, as the store only sells wine and beer.
One thing's for sure — since Queen's Grocery Store's liquor license went inactive recently, someone's going to try to get a license to fill that void.
See the Wednesday, Dec. 17 Northeast News for more on this story.

Kemper Arena Staff Sent Packing

2008-12-03T09:56:00.001-08:00

In something you didn't see in the daily rag, (The Falling Star) on Monday, December 1st, the administration staff at Kemper Arena was quietly let go. Two employees remain and will work out of...the Sprint Center.

Thanks to the rosy picture painted by former Mayor Kay Barnes, if we built a taj mahal arena at taxpayer expense, professional teams would literally beat a path to our door. (Ahem) The reasoning was of course completley political. (Remember those anti-Sam Graves ads she ran back in October?) She had a nest to feather and a Congressional seat to steal.

Fact: Kansas City will never again have a professional NBA or NHL franchise. We've proved that with the Scouts (NHL) and the Kings. (NBA) Now, with two vacant arenas, neither with an anchor tenant in place, Kansas City will be nothing more than a bargaining chip for other cities, with big arenas and anchor pro-team tenants to negotiate a batter gig in their existing cities.

Can you say red-headed step-child?

Oh, did we mention that you, the Kansas City taxpayer is payin for this? Maybe we can go ask some of those fat-cat developers for a bail out.

Riiiight.

Truck overturns by Sheffield Cemetery

2008-11-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

An 18-wheeler truck flipped onto its side — apparently from taking a turn too sharply — at Wilson and Belmont streets next to Sheffield Cemetery Monday evening.
Firefighters on the scene were quick to block the sewer drain to keep any hazardous materials from leaking into the sewer system from the truck.The driver was reportedly uninjured, but as can be seen more clearly in the photo below, the streetlight pole didn't take the hit so well.

Channel 9 mainstays sue station: Age, sex discrimination alleged

2008-11-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

The "ghost" of Christine Craft is alive and well at local news powerhouse KMBC Channel 9.

Three of the station's long time female, former news anchors are slapping the station with an age and sex discrimination suit that alleges, among other things that younger and prettier faces could propel the station into the future better than the old guard.

In a 16 page court document forwarded to our news room this morning, the plaintiffs, Kelly Eckerman, Maria Antonia and Peggy Breit are bringing the action against the station. Most of the brief targets General Manager Wayne Godsey and newly hired news Director Sherrie Brown who was brought on board in January of 2008.

Count 1 alleges gender discrimination and count 2 alleges age discrimination. Both counts allege that the three were forced to work in a hostile environment.

This lil news hound knows a thing or two about the news biz and I can tell you - these journalists do excellent work. Additionally, if station management actually said what is alleged in the court documents, Katy bar the door.

You'd think after Christine Craft sued the pants off the station a number of years back for essentially being told she was too ugly for TV that the management, especially at this station would have a little higher level of awareness. Apparently not!

We'll be watching this with ever so interested eyes and ears.

Have it your way

2008-11-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

Northeasters — in particular those who live, do business or otherwise have a stake in the downtown area including River Market and Columbus Park — this is your chance to give input to the people planning improvements to the downtown area.
The city's Planning and Development Department and a consultant team led by BNIM Architects need citizens to show up to a public forum Tuesday and weigh in on ideas for improving the 11 neighborhoods around downtown.
The planners have already identified four themes as a framework to use for improvements — doubling the population, sustainability, walkability and safety.
However, now they've got recommendations to show people, and at two meetings from 5:15-6:45 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Arthur Stillwell Conference Room at Union Station, people can vote on those ideas using electronic keypads.
"At its heart," BNIM Associate Stephen Hardy said, "this is an opportunity for people to help guide the future of downtown and their neighborhoods."
He added the planners are keeping the specific characteristics of the individual neighborhoods in mind while developing this plan. To be sure they really do, attend one of the meetings or sound off on the online forum at www.plandowntownkc.com.

Long lines at polls this morning

2008-11-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

Numerous Northeast residents reported long lines at a number of polling places this morning as the 2008 General Election kicked off. Sources close to The Northeast News said that the line at Holy Cross Parish on St. John stretched out the door, around the corner and down to the second tree on Denver avenue. Another voter told us of the wait time at the Kansas City Museum. "I got here about 5:40 a.m." said Scarritt resident Joseph Peterson. "I was probably 60th in line at that time and finished my voting at about 6:30 a.m."

By 8:00 a.m. however, lines at most of the polling places in Northeast were down to a handful of people and wait times were virtually non existent.

While poll workers and volunteers enjoyed the lull, election officials are bracing for the after work rush.

Unless you like sitting still in traffic...

2008-10-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

Motorists are advised to avoid southbound Interstate 29/35 near the Front Street interchange at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. Street crews will be removing an overhead sign structure at the southbound off-ramp to the Paseo, and southbound traffic will be stopped for about 10 minutes.
This work is dependent on the weather.

Interstate 29/35 lanes reduced

2008-10-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Drivers headed southbound on Interstate 29/35 this week may have experienced delays due to a shift in traffic and a lane reduction at Front Street.
The $245 million Christopher S. Bond Bridge and Roadway project has resulted in the southbound lanes' shifting to the east between Front Street and Independence Avenue, which means the Front Street on-ramp has been shortened and there are now two, rather than three, southbound lanes running through the area.
"We're now starting to experience the pain that goes with widening nearly five miles of the most heavily traveled highway in Kansas City," Project Director Brian Kidwell said in a press release.
Kidwell added he urges motorists to use an alternate route if possible.

Hey Everyone - Lets All Get Drunk for Light Rail!

2008-10-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, Mayor Mark Funkhouser and a bunch of other "suit & tie", pinkie raisin, yuppie types in line with the cause will be pulling beers at the River Market Brewing Company to raise awareness for the latest and greatest light rail plan to end all light rail plans.

So come on down to the City Market and get hammered for the cause. When you're done, you can take the train home.

Oh, wait.

Its not built yet.

Details. Dang it!!

Well, come on down anyway!!

Pay no mind to the small man behind the curtain!!!

Maybe you can coax the Mayor in to buyin you a round or two. Hey, get em now, because if this thing passes, you won't have any money for those hefty, local brews later!

I-29/35 To Close Saturday for Sign Removal.

2008-10-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Officials with KC ICON, indicate that both directions of I-29/35 near the Front Street interchange will close this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. so crews can remove an overhead sign truss that spans the northbound and southbound lanes.

Single right lane closures will be in place in both directions between Front St. and The Paseo starting at 7 a.m. so crews can mobilize equipment and start the removal process before stopping traffic completely at 10 a.m. The northbound lanes will be closed for about 20 minutes to stage a large crane and flatbed truck for removing the sign. The southbound lanes will be closed for about 10 minutes while the sign is being lifted onto the truck.

To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to use either the Heart of America or Broadway bridges Saturday morning.

KCMSD Board Cronyism - Alive and Well!

2008-09-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Speculation is running rampant about who will replace Kansas City Missouri School Board member Ingrid Burnett who resigned abruptly this week, citing "disfunction" among board members and no clear direction for where the Board and the Disctict was going.

Late this afternoon, sources close to the District have indicated that Board President Marilyn Simmons and Arthur benson II have thrown policy out the window, had a con-fab behind closed doors and already named the heir to be to Burnett's seat on the Board.

Official School District Policy indicates that notices must be placed in newspapers within 7 days of the vacancy, then applications are accepted within 14 days of the posting of the notice.

Despite this transparent policy being in place, this newspaper has received no notice of said vacancy to date.

If those sources are correct, it looks as if cronyism is alive and well in the KCMSD!

Project deadline extended

2008-09-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Councilwoman Cindy Circo, Chair of the City Council Housing Committee, announced today that due to the groundswell of interest, the deadline to submit proposals for neighborhood building projects will be extended to 4 p.m. Monday.

On August 21, the Council adopted an ordinance No. to use $750,000 to fund neighborhood-based programs and projects aimed at crime prevention, economic development, graffiti removal and property code enforcement.

The funds will finance multiple projects between $10,000 and $50,000 with a maximum award of $150,000 per group.

Those eligible to apply are neighborhood-based, not-for-profit corporations. Eligible organizations must be able to provide a current Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Missouri showing their 501(c)(3) status as a Missouri Not-for-Profit Corporation.

For more information about the request for proposal, call David Park, Assistant Director of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department, 816-513-3231.

Newhouse Shelter finds funding

2008-09-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

With dwindling donations and increasing costs, the Newhouse battered women's shelter said last week that it might have to close its doors. But an anonymous donor has stepped forward and has offered to keep the shelter open.

From a press release at Don Bosco:

When financial troubles threatened to close the doors of Newhouse, a battered women’s shelter serving the Kansas City area, the organization looked to The Don Bosco Centers for a possible merger that would enable the organization’s services to continue. However, according to Newhouse Board President Jim Feller, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous has come forward to assist Newhouse in remaining independent and operational. With improved financial viability, merger talks between Newhouse and The Don Bosco Centers have ceased.

“Don Bosco is committed to providing a full compliment of services to the Northeast community and the metro area,” said Don Bosco Board Chair Dan Cranshaw. “We did what we had to do to ensure that Newhouse’s critical services and programs would continue. We are thrilled that Newhouse will be able to move forward on its own.”

The two organizations will continue to work together through referrals and program partnerships to ensure clients and participants have access to the greatest number of community resources as possible.

Mayor takes on council over volunteer ordinance

2008-09-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

Mayor Mark Funkhouser is expected in a few moments to take a few swipes at his own City Council for passing an ordinance that could remove the Mayor's wife from his office.

This morning, the council unanimously passed an ordinance that will require all city volunteers to partake in some form of training and would also keep family members from volunteering within the same department as other family members.

Since the beginning of his term, Funkhouser has had his wife Gloria Squitaro working in his office as a volunteer. In recent months she has drawn fire from critics — and even some former supporters — after employees began to complain.

Funkhouser today issued a statement saying:

Mayor Funkhouser feels the process has been dishonest, rushed and opaque as exhibited by the following events from today’s meeting:

The process in which public testimony is allowed requires those who testify to sign up and be present. Two weeks ago, at the first public hearing, names of influential individuals were put on the top of the list by Councilwoman Marcason to testify on behalf of the ordinance.

“These actions violate the very spirit in which we allow our citizens to voice their concerns and is an insult to all who come to honestly be a part of the democratic process. We need to hold our elected officials accountable,” said Mayor Funkhouser.

When the ordinance was first introduced, Funkhouser said he planned to ignore it.

Trash Pick up delayed

2008-08-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

In observance of Labor Day on Sept. 1, curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and Kansas City government offices will be closed.

The 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, also will be closed for the holiday.

Residents who usually have Monday collection will receive this service Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Residents who usually have Friday collection will receive this service Saturday, Sept. 6.

For more information about solid waste collection services, visit www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center at 311 or (816) 513-1313.

Air show roars to KC

2008-08-22T09:59:00.001-07:00

Pilots Stewart Dawson and Mike Olson stand outside their restored WW II B-25

If you have missed the roar overhead then check your hearing. The Kansas City Air Show is this weekend and pilots from all over the country are at the Wheeler Downtown Airport firing up their jets and historic airplanes getting them ready for the big show.

The air show will be flying all weekend.

Pay for play does not work out this way.

2008-08-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Cranky?

Was this li’l pooch just called cranky?

That’s how mayoral spokesman Joe Miller sees it after our portrayal of the Mayor’s “pay to play” PR tour that hits Historic Northeast on Sept. 6. We rightfully called this red herring what it is the minute the donor letter arrived.

But wait — the donor letter isn’t really supposed to be a donor letter. It’s supposed to only advertise the event at Concourse Park.

Huh?

“We’re just trying to get the word out, casting a wide net,” Miller said.

When we asked if Miller had read the part of the letter establishing the donor levels that we took issue with — he openly said that he had not read it prior to it being sent out. An out-of-town company is planning the event.

Remember, “...in a city that works.”

Well here’s some straight skinny from a veteran — and apparently cranky — newshound.

We’d like to remind the Mayor — and his brood — that once upon a time during his campaign we sat in a little trailer on the West Side as he told our Publisher boss that, and I quote: “I expect you as a member of the media to call me on the carpet if I do something stupid,” (His words, not ours).

He has and we are.

Maybe in a city that works, instead of gutting neighborhood programs and getting local businesses and neighborhoods to pony up for what’s essentially the Mayor’s “Ghetto PR Tour ‘08” that equates to a bus ride and free appetizers in a tent, he should find a way to restore some of the programs and services to neighborhoods that took it on the chin last spring when the “neighborhoods first” City Council and the “city that works” Mayor decided it was indeed going to be the neighborhoods that got it first!

We got it alright.

And for the record — we’re going to stay “cranky.”

Cliff Drive Classic in Northeast

2008-08-09T10:22:00.001-07:00

More than 400 cyclists converged on the Concourse and Cliff Drive to race in the 10th annual Cliff Drive Classic.

With several heats and hundreds of riders, Cliff Drive and several surrounding roads near Concourse Park and The Kansas City Museum were close to traffic as the cyclists took seven laps around the hilly Cliff Drive early Saturday morning.

The race is one leg of a three-part race that take cyclists to different portions of the city.

Here are some photos from Saturday's event:

A little rain did not stop cyclists in the Master Race as they made their way up the reconstructed portion of Cliff Drive near the Benton Boulevard entrance.

The Scenic Byway, now car free on the weekends, got one of its first major events this past weekend with the Cliff Drive Classic bicycle race.

Shootings near St. John and Hardesty

2008-08-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

Police are reporting that late last night two shootings took place near St. John and Hardesty. No was reported injured in the shootings and police have not yet provided any more information.

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS: Burnett retains State House seat — Rizzo takes Committeeman seat from Royster

2008-08-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Burnett with his family thanking supporters / Mike Ekey

State Rep. John Burnett early Tuesday night declared victory for a third time over challenger John Rizzo.

Burnett, speaking to a crowd of supporters in the River Market, said this primary victory was not necessarily about winning. Rather, he said, the victory proved that Northeast residents approved of the work he has already done in Jefferson City.

Voters will send Burnett back to the Capitol with 57 percent of the vote. Burnett enjoyed more of a cushion in this election winning with 933 votes as Rizzo garnered only 636.

"I am really happy with the way thing turned out," Burnett said. "I did not want to win another narrow victory. I wanted to ... know that what I was going to do in the next two years had the support of the voters."

In their last meeting, Burnett won by only seven votes.

Rizzo, meeting with supporters and campaign managers less than two blocks away from Burnett's party, said he attributed the election results to Burnett's negative attacks on him and his efforts to help the neighborhoods.

"He wanted to make this more about me and not about the issues," Rizzo said. "And it worked, I guess."

But the night was not completely lost for Rizzo as he beat Will Royster in an oddly high profile committeeman race in the 11th Ward. Rizzo said he plans to use that seat to continue to help the neighborhoods. Rizzo would not say whether he planned to run again in two years for the legislative seat as Burnett will be forced out because of term limits.

IN OTHER NEWS: Carol Royster retained her 11th ward Committeewoman seat over challenger Lindsay Runnels winning with 55 percent of the vote. Scott Wagner retained his 12th ward Committeman seat over Nick Zicarelli garnering 60 percent of the vote and Laura Wagner, 12th Ward Committeewoman ran unopposed.

In the Sheriff race, Mike Sharp bested John Bullard for the Democrats. Jim Kanatzar beat Rachel Townsend with 65 percent of the vote in the County Proctors race for Democrats.

For a full list of results and statistics, go to the Kansas City Election Board and click Current Results.

St. Anthony polling place keeps busy

2008-08-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Reports are sketchy, but several sources have said that a fight broke out at the St. Anthony's polling place late in the day.

Sources say that an intoxicated male went to the polling place and was becoming argumentative with campaign workers there. Tensions got hot and poll workers had to call the police to have the man escorted away.

Dispatchers confirmed that police were sent to St. Anthony, but could not say if anyone had been arrested. Voters at St. Anthony, earlier in the day, had discovered that ballots sent there had been misprinted and nearly 60 voters did not get a chance to vote in the Sheriff and Prosecutor's races.

Committee races get hot

2008-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Scott Wagner's hand-made sign stood out from the other political signs along St. John on Tuesday.

It was his last-ditch effort to get him and his wife, who are running for Democrat Committeeman and Committeewoman positions in Historic Northeast's 12th Ward, in front of voters as they cast their ballots Tuesday at Holy Cross Parish. Down on Independence Ave., drivers have spent weeks looking at several political billboards, two of which were purchased by Democrat Committeman candidate Will Royster, as well the thousands of dollars worth of advertising he purchased in The Northeast News.

The once lowly Democrat Committee position, which historically has seen little campaigning if any in Northeast, has become just as heated as the other races sharing the same ballot.

That influx of campaigning also means Committeemen and women candidates are spending more money, thus catching the attention of state and county election officials who question where that money came from.

"I have never seen anyone campaign that much as to take out a billboard for a committeeman position," said Liz Ziegler with the Missouri Ethics Commission. "That situation has us really digging for answers here."

That situation? Do Committee candidates have to file reports with the state Ethics Commission, outlining where they get their campaign donations from and how they spent that money in their campaigns, just like every other candidate on the ballot?

State, county and even city Election Board officials are unsure of the answer. Officials are even more unsure as they have watched Royster's campaign spend large amounts of money and not file any paperwork with the state or local election boards, the same financial paperwork that is required of other candidates on the ballot. Missouri law dictates that if more than $500 is spent during any campaign, by any candidate or campaign committee, then it needs to be reported to the state. Those reports are public documents.

In July, candidates had to file a quarterly financial reports showing all donations to their campaign and, in turn, how and where they spent those donations. Candidates also had to file a similar report one week prior to Election Day.

Royster, to date, has not filed that paperwork. Wagner, when questioned, indicated he and his wife have spent less than the required threshold required for reporting. Nick Zicarelli, who is running against Wagner, went through the Old Northeast New Democrats political action committee — which is up to date with their Ethics Commission filings. Reports indicated that at the time of the last filing, John Rizzo has not spent any money on his own Committeeman race against Royster.

Ethics commission officials said they were unsure what action would have to be taken, if any when they looked at the numbers in Northeast's Democrat Committee races. Royster could not be reached for comment.

City yanking signs out of parks

2008-08-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

Both Burnet and Rizzo campaign volunteers today are saying they have seen someone in a city vehicle removing signs from park land around Northeast.

Earlier today, both camps had yard signs prominently placed along St. john in Concourse Park and Budd Park.

Volunteers said they saw the green car with city license plate pull up and begin removing signs and even warned the volunteers not to place them back in the public space.

City officials could not be reached to comment on whether this was happening all over the city or just in Northeast.

Ballots misprinted at St. Anthony polling place

2008-08-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Kansas City election officials have confirmed that ballots at one Northeast polling place were misprinted and left off both the Sheriff and Prosecutor's races.

Shelly McThomas, director with the Kansas City Election Board, said this morning that both high-profile races on the Democratic ballot had been accidentally left off. The error was attributed to a computer and human error.

McThomas said that only 58 people had voted before poll workers noticed the error.

"We caught it early, but not early enough," she said. Election board officials are using the registration rolls to track down those voters who got the misprinted ballots and trying to see if they can vote provisionally in those two races.

Somebody was busy, Part II

2008-08-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

We are no detective, but it does not take much to recognize when campaign signs have been swiped from the street.

Yesterday we reported that more than a dozen State Rep John Burnett signs had been placed illegally along Cherry and Independence Ave some time late Sunday night. Well, some time last night someone went through and took down most of them but left the wire frames firmly planted in the ground.

Hmm, how curious.

Several John Rizzo signs have even gone up in their place on the busy roadway between the River Market and Columbus Park.

But the sign battle does not stop there. Rizzo's camp was back up the Concourse Park this morning placing signs in the city park. Burnett was also busy — who now has signs in Budd Park. There were also rumors, posted and e-mailed to this Newshound, that both candidates were placing signs in the yards of empty homes around Northeast.

Seriously, gentlemen, this is just getting out of hand.

Let's just hope all of the politicians will be out tomorrow cleaning up those signs.

I mean, they all promised to help clean up Northeast, we just did not realize they were going to be the ones making the mess.

(Primary) Election Day!

2008-08-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

Image from the KC Election Board

The signs are up, the mailers are done and the debate have long gone silent. All because today is both Republicans and Democrats will square off with each other in their primary elections across the state.

Election officials, both locally and statewide have predicted a low turn out — roughly 30 percent of all registered voters. Gov. Matt Blunt even issued a statement Monday asking voters to come out to the polls to avoid an embarrassingly low turn out in this election.

However, Northeast has never been one to follow trends.

Election workers at polls around the area say they have seen a large number of people hit the polls early with some ever reporting a few slow downs as people came out before heading to work.

For more information and updates throughout the day, check here as we will be bringing you the latest results as the ballots start coming in.

Somebody was busy

2008-08-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

As the primary election inches closer (It's on Tuesday, folks), the politicians and campaign volunteers are getting in one last push over the weekend and today.

With a flurry of negative campaign pieces hitting mailboxes across Northeast this past weekend, State Rep. John Burnett's supporters also hit the streets of Columbus Park putting up more than a dozen campaign signs (by our count) along Cherry and Independence Avenue.

The ones found here this morning were at the corner of Fifth Street and Locust. The signs were placed overnight and are also in the public Right of Way — a big "No-No" according to the city.

Burnett's challenger, John Rizzo, lives in Columbus Park and for weeks has had signs placed in the back yards of several homes along Cherry. Rizzo supporters were recently slapped by The Northeast News when one volunteer was caught putting up signs at the Concourse.

But Burnett was not the only one with signs in the public spots along Independence — although he did have the most. This morning at around 6 a.m. we found a regular Who's-Who's of politicians with signs illegally placed along the roadways and in public property.

Including, but not limited to:
John Burnett - state rep.
Rachel Townsend - county prosecutor
Jim Kanatzar - county prosecutor
John Bullard - Sheriff
Mike Sharp - Sheriff
Freedom Inc. - PAC

Limb and brush drop off

2008-07-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

Got limbs and brush. Old Northeast Inc is having a free limbs and brush drop off this Saturday.

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
WHERE: AT THE CONCOURSE (GLADSTONE AND BENTON BLVD.)
TIME: 8 AM—NOON
QUESTIONS: CALL OLD NORTHEAST, INC at (816) 231-3707

ONE wants to thank: The City of Kansas City and Neighborhood Cleanup Assistance Program

City, employee union reach a deal

2008-07-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Kansas City and AFSCME Local 500 labor union officials announced today they have reached what they are calling a "tentative settlement" for the next three-years.
The agreement, which outlines how the city will compensate 1,800 of the city’s general laboring, trades, clerical and skilled trades employees, came after months of negotiations and haggling by both sides.
The deal still needs final approval by union members and the City Council.
Negotiations began in May 2007 and reached a breakthrough recently when the parties agreed on a $1,200 cash reward for most senior employees who are not entitled to a base pay increase.
Additionally, the new agreement includes:
- An additional vacation day for employees with more than 20 years of continuous service
- An additional floating holiday
- A pay increase for most employees on a sliding scale basis.

Candidate forum, Part II

2008-07-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

State Rep. John Burnett and three-time challenger JJ Rizzo will again square off in a public debate here in Northeast.

The two exchanged several sharp jabs at their last outing at Melrose United Methodist two weeks ago. As the Primary election edges closer, the debate is only expected to get a little more rowdy.

The Forum is at 7 p.m. at Scuola Vita Nuova, 544 Wabash Ave.

The forum is sponsored by non-partisan League of Women Voters Kansas City/Jackson, Clay & Platte Counties and Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

The public is invited.

Free dental screenings

2008-07-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Kansas City Royals, Willie Wilson Baseball and Team Smile are providing free dental health education, screening and treatment.

The event will be on Saturday, July 26, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Thornberry Unit, located at 3831 E. 43rd Street.

Registration is limited to the first 150 registrations. Appointment times will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Dental screenings will be provided to children ages 5-18.

To secure your child’s appointment you must register with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

What: Free oral health education, screening, and treatment
When: Saturday July 26, 2008 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Thornberry Unit
3831 E. 43rd Street

Appointments will be granted on a first come, first serve basis. To secure your appointment, call Eutisha McClain at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City at 816-361-3600 x237

Take this argument for a walk

2008-07-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

This little pooch loves a good walk as much as the next. However, in a recent survey, Northeast fared poorly when it comes to actually grading Northeast’s walking potential.

In a survey done by walkscore.com, a Web site that promotes homes sales in neighborhoods that cater to walking and public transportation, Northeast’s walking score looked rather dim despite the amount of walking that is done by many of its residents throughout the neighborhoods.

Kansas City overall ranked 34th out of 40 major cities surveyed. Researchers at walkscore.com were mostly looking for how reliant residents had to be on their own vehicles or public transportation to get around in their neighborhoods.

Out of a 138 neighborhoods in Kansas City, Northeast’s neighborhood fell mostly in the middle of the pack with many of our streets being deemed unwalkable — mostly meaning you have to have a car to get around.

But what struck this dog as interesting was how looking at the maps generated by the Web site showed some of the most walkable regions of the city are in areas that city leaders think need MORE public transportation and resourced invested for walking traffic.

Already the downtown loop and neighborhoods to the south — all the way to the Plaza — rank as highly walkable and easily accessible through public transportation. But city leaders and the Mayor are ignoring this fact and seem bent on dumping more resources and tax dollars in an area where it really is not needed.

What this map and its data should be telling city leaders is that places like Northeast, where not everyone can afford a car or the gas to fuel it, need light rail, improved bus routs and more resourses, not the Power and lLight District or bars downtown.

In all, here is how Northeast's neighborhood ranked against other neighborhoods in the city:

1 - Old Westport
2 - The Country Club Plaza
3 - Plaza Westport Neighborhood Northeast

24 - Pendleton Heights
25 - Independence Plaza
39 - Indian Mound - South
51 - Lykins
53 - Sheffield
55 - Indian Mound - North
59 - Scarritt-Renaissance
64 - Blue Valley

City Market to show movies

2008-07-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

The City Market, working with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and Front Yard Features, is bringing outdoor movies to the Market.

Starting July 25, the City Market farmers market will become one large open air theater for residents to enjoy several movies that are planned for screening.

"We are excited to bring free movies to the City Market. We have wanted to host movies at the City Market for a number of years and now, partnering with the Kansas City Parks & Recreation Department, it is coming to fruition," said Deb Churchill, Property Manager for the City Market, "The City Market Park is one of just a few green spaces in the downtown area and City Market Cinema is just one of many ways we hope to maximize is functionality."

City Market Cinema will take place in the City Market Park, located at Third & Main. Admission is free and movies will begin at 9:00 p.m.

The schedule includes:
July 25 - Animal House
August 29 - Blues Brothers
September 26 - Rocky Horror Picture Show

District postpones school fairs

2008-07-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

A pair of Kansas City School District neighborhood fairs planned for the community this weekend will be rescheduled during two weekends in August.

The fair at James Elementary fair will be rescheduled for 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2 at the school. The event is designed for the James community to address concerns related to changes in the school’s boundaries.

The event will also feature food, carnival games and the magician “Razzle The Dazzler.” Informative activities such as language proficiency tests, science activities, and library book giveaways and card registration will also be offered.

The fair at Garfield Elementary will be rescheduled for 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16 at the school. Students, families and community members are invited to enjoy carnival games and delicious snacks, informative community booths and vendors, and important information about enrollment, free preschool and K-8 Neighborhood Schools.

Both events are free and open to the public. These fairs are an effort by the Kansas City, Missouri School District to bring important services and information directly to the community.

Sign of the times...

2008-07-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Caught red-handed.

John Rizzo’s posse begs a warning from The Northeast News. It wasn’t even 48 hours after Rizzo had professed at a public forum his campaign workers did not place signs in the right of way, that they did the very thing.

The Northeast News sighted Mike Gray, brother of Pat Gray – the Rizzo campaign consultant, diligently placing Rizzo’s campaign signs along St. John Avenue and along Gladstone Boulevard in Concourse Park. Having busted Gray for placing signs along Independence Avenue last year,

The Northeast News quickly pulled a u-turn to confront the man. Gray openly admitted he was paid by Rizzo to “go out and plant signs” Later that same afternoon, The Northeast News received a call from Rizzo who called to make some clarifications.

“We’ve reprimanded Mr. Gray and instructed him that if he places any more yard signs in the public right of way, he would be terminated from working on our campaign any further,” Rizzo said.

He also stated Mr. Gray receives a list of addresses of where to place the signs.

“I don’t know what he was thinking,” Rizzo said. “I take this very seriously, yard signs are for yards, not the public right of way.”

BREAKING NEWS: Police find body on East 10th Street

2008-07-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Larrie Latimore of Kansas City. There are no suspects in custody and detectives ask that anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

FROM EARLIER: Today, at about 7:58am, Kansas City Police Officers found the body of a man in the 2400 block of East 10th Street. Witnesses say they heard gun shots around 3 a.m. Officers found the man, who has not yet been identified, in nearby yard.

The man appeared to be the victim of a homicide and detectives are responding to the scene to investigate.

Candidate forum tonight

2008-07-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight, July 9, The Northeast News and the neighborhoods of Historic Northeast will host a candidate forum at Melrose United Methodist Church, 200 N. Bales, from 6 - 8:15 p.m.

The moderated forum will lead off with Jackson County Sheriff candidates from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

From 7:15 - 8:15, candidates for the 40th District State House race will take the stage. Written questions from the audience will be submitted to event moderator Christine Adams, then submitted to the candidates to answer.

For more information on the forum, please call The Northeast News st 241-0765

It's quiet, almost too quiet...

2008-07-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Like a calm before the storm.

The heated rivalry between State Rep. John Burnett and John Joseph Rizzo is no big secret. The two have gone back and forth for years in an exchanges of political left hooks and right jabs.

Already some political watchers throughout Kansas City are predicting that Northeast’s State House race is one of the hot races to watch as the two will undoubtedly duke it out for the chance to represent us in the Missouri house. The attack ads, we are sure, are merely waiting in the shadows before being sprung on one or both candidates.

Some of the attacks, which have mostly remained said behind closed doors or in confidence, have even bordered on eerily personal.

In their last go around for the seat, Burnett beat Rizzo by only seven votes — and don’t think that has not gotten some in the Rizzo camp fired-up for this next round and vice versa for Burnett.

Tonight (Wednesday, July 9) though, is the first chance the two will square off publicly and once again open the flood gates of what could become another bloody political season for Northeast.

This pup has only one dog in this fight and it is the neighborhoods that these two claim they can better represent.

But let’s cut though the fur and get to the heart of what is at stake here: the success or failure of these neighborhoods that more than 30,000 call home. Northeast as a whole stands in a very unique position as major projects and some help begins to trickle in through neighborhood revitalization and crime prevention.

At the same time, though, the city is shrinking its support and the neighborhood groups that already give their hearts to this area are going to start looking to county and state leaders to keep that success rolling.

Reducing this seat of authority into a pile of hateful mailers and vindictive ads is not going to serve anyone any good.

Now, this dog has some years in her and is not naive enough to think one editorial is going to make every politician fly straight this election season.

Still, we hope through this we can maybe remind every candidate that there are still a lot of good people counting on whomever takes this seat to turn right around after the campaign party and get to work. The winner will be expected to immediately begin giving every last bit they can to get resources, projects and money to flow from the State to the streets of Northeast.

As we ride this calm before the storm, it might be good to ask how any candidate for any position representing Northeast will accomplish this though another hateful flyer clogging our mailboxes.

UPDATE: Police close Belmont

2008-07-08T12:43:00.001-07:00

Officials with the Kansas city Police Department say officers closed Belmont for a little over an hour this morning as they were attempting to arrest a man with several warrants.

police did not say who the man was nor give further information about the arrest.

In the photo below, one officer offers water to two individuals who had been arrested this morning. Police were not releasing any details at that time.

Police close Belmont for investigation

2008-07-08T09:36:00.001-07:00

Officers would not say why, but the Kansas City Police Department this morning closed off a significant portion of Belmont Road just north of St. John Avenue.

Police had two men in custody and even had SWAT on hand for what appeared to be an on going investigation of a house across the street from the Super Flea. Officers would not comment on what they were looking for or even what had happened.

For more on this, check here or in Next week's copy of The Northeast News

Paseo to Independence Ave. lane closure

2008-07-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Lane Closure for kcICON project and Paseo Bridge work.

Traffic impacts associated with kcICON work for the upcoming week include:
Monday, July 7 – southbound I-35 The Paseo to Independence Avenue – Left lane closed 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for shoulder widening work.

Interesting forum for Funkhouser, neighborhoods

2008-07-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Mayor Mark Funkhouser seems to think that Northeast’s illegal dumping problem is “Interesting.”

At least that was all he could say when residents brought to his attention that the illegal dumping has gotten so bad in some Northeast parks that you can now see it from photographs taken from space.

Woof! Space?!

Residents were right last week in giving the the mayor a berating for his lack of attention when it comes to police, codes enforcement, graffiti and a slew of other topics that Northeast residents have been barking about for years. Topics that he, as the “City that Works” and “Neighborhoods First” mayor should be on top of and know inside and out.

Even with two top staffers living in Northeast, the mayor still had to ask last week, with a straight face, “Is illegal dumping a serious issue here?”

The laughs and the gasps that followed from the crowd of about 100 people should have been enough to embarrass everyone down at City Hall.

This Newshound has joked in the past that the folks downtown were out of touch, but there it was on full display; a mayor who did not fully grasp the problems of a neighborhood he swore would benefit from his reign.

The mayor would call out some Northeast notables by name as important parts of the solution to making Kansas City and Northeast better, but when asked simply about HOW he is fixing issues like trash, graffiti or redevelopment, he would defer and simply say, “We hear you.” or “We are working on a plan.”

Mayor, these residents have been screaming for something to get done and you appeared in front of them as if this was the first time Round-up.

Where is the dedication to the “Broken Windows” theory or code enforcement?

Where are the promised resources for graffiti abatement?

Why cut off bulky trash services in an area that needs it most?

Every question met with a non-answer and even swipes at former mayors and others.

At one point, as the meeting hit a boiling point, several residents even said they were prepared to start practicing vigilante justice just to get a handle on the crime and graffiti problems in the area.

It was here, Mr. Mayor, that we expected you to use your stature, your position, anything, to reassure those frantic few that taking the law into their own hands would be wrong.

But you never did. You seemed to resign yourself to the barrage of questions and attacks.
Northeast does not need an economics lesson or a professor lecturing at the front of the class, they needed a leader who was going to tell them straight out what the next steps were going to be when it comes to picking up the pieces out here and getting back on track.

There have been many residents and community leaders out here that have been doing that on their own; dedicating their own time, resources and effort to making this a great place to live.
There was hope, at one time, that you would be one of those people and would lend Northeast a hand.

But if last week’s forum is any indication, that help will never come and Northeast will once again work on its own to keep residents safe and the streets clean.
Now that is “Interesting.”

City removes yield signs from Benton Circle

2008-06-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

It did not take long for the city to yield to residents concerns about new traffic signs at the Benton Circle.

Last week, city engineers quietly switched the two stop signs at the corner of St. John Avenue and Benton Boulevard with a handful of yield signs. Residents who called our offices said the new signs created a safety hazard as cars would speed though the intersection without looking for oncoming traffic.

City engineers however rudely dismissed those concerns and insisted that the signs were safer and it was residents who did not know how to use the traffic circle properly. Residents were also miffed that the city did not notify anyone from the neighborhoods about the change.

City engineer Wei Sun curtly indicated to The Northeast News that it was not his job to keep residents informed about changes in traffic signs in the area.

“Changing stop signs are safety issues, but we don’t send a notice out. We only publish changes in The Daily Record – everyone has access, they just don’t know it,” Sun said.

Just so you know, The Daily Record is an online newspaper. For the record, Sun didn’t even know how to get a copy of it — he said they just get mailed a copy to the city clerk’s office.

“This is not a public opinion process, it is a decision we made," Sun said, obviously making safety a secondary concern. .

But when The Northeast News began investigating the matter, city engineer Sun took our reporter for a "safety demonstration" at the circle to prove that his yield signs were better than the stop signs that had controlled the intersection for decades.

During the demonstration Wednesday, two cars nearly collided with each other, right in front of our reporter and Sun. Sun mumbled something about public safety, climbed in to his city issued vehicle and hurriedly left the scene, leaving our reporter standing alone in the street.

In less than hour Sun and his team had the stop signs back where they had been so hastily removed last week.

— Kristi L. Dalberg

Police investigating death of jail inmate

2008-06-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

Kansas City detectives are investigating the death of a 51-year-old man who died at a hospital after collapsing while in jail.

Allen L. Streit, 51, was arrested on Monday at 4:45 p.m. after officers pulled him over at Roberts Street and Indiana Avenue in Northeast. Streit was a passenger and was questioned after the vehicle responded with warrants. Streit was removed from the car and while being interviewed by the officers, swallowed what officers said looked like a plastic bag.

Officers found plastic bags containing what preliminarily appeared to be methamphetamine in a container Streit had in the car. Streit was placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine and a municipal warrant for passing bad checks.

At about 8:30 this Tuesday, a detective was trying to question Streit about the narcotics. The detective said Streit was acting strangely and would not leave the detention area with him. Officials alerted the detention staff about his condition and before Streit could be returned to his cell he collapsed.

Jail staff began immediate life saving measures and notified MAST. Streit was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The investigation is still on going.

Funkhouser coming to Northeast

2008-06-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

Mayor Mark Funkhouser is coming to Northeast to face your questions.

Although not yet confirmed by the mayor's office, some in the community are saying Funkhouser will be holding a public forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Mattie Rhodes Center, 148 North Topping Avenue.

He will spend 15 minutes talking about recent activities at City Hall and then spend the rest of the hour taking questions. The event is being sponsored by the Mattie Rhodes Center.

Yield to oncoming disasters: City even unsure why stops signs removed from Benton Circle

2008-06-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Northeast News has been sniffing out the yield sign incident, but so far, no one wants to own up to making the changes.

The engineer supposedly responsible for removal and installation, has not answered his cell phone or return voice mails made by The Northeast News.

Even City Council members had no idea why the city switched from stop signs to yield signs at the busy Benton Circle intersection. Terri Wolfe, administrative assistant to Councilwoman Deb Hermann, said she had first heard about the new signage from residents who were upset.

She said she was investigating the situation, trying to find why the change was made and who is responsible for ordering the changes.

Mario Vasquez, project manager from CIMO, didn’t know anything about the change and said the elusive city engineers would know more. Vasquez is in charge of the reconstruction efforts that will soon begin at the Benton Circle.

This intersection is confusing as it is, let alone the stop signs being taken away. The changes are already causing problems, residents say, with near misses and close fender-benders as people try to navigate the circle. People are speeding through the intersection without slowing down or even looking.

— Kristi L. Dalberg

Police searching for car involved in morning bus stop assults

2008-06-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Police are still searching for a vehicle used in five assaults this morning at several bus stops around Kansas City

Police looking for a 2000 white Chevy Malibu that see fleeing the scene where several people waiting at bus stop were shot with a pellet gun. It was occupied by at least 3 black male teens, possibly juveniles.

The locations are as follows:
6:00 a.m. Swope Parkway and Prospect Avenue
6:05 a.m. 35th and Prospect Avenue
7:00 a.m. Independence Avenue and Garfield
7:20 a.m. 8th and Lydia
7:50 a.m. 12th and Paseo

Anyone with information in regard to the assaults is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

Man Charged in East Bottoms Drive-By Shooting

2008-06-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

Jackson County Prosecutors on Friday charged Jovell L. Swopes with first degree assault and armed criminal action in a Tuesday evening drive by shooting of Irvin Dale House in the 700 block of North Kansas.

House told detectives that he was walking in his old neighborhood when he heard gunshots. House tried to run away from the shots but, according to witness reports, was unable to escape Swopes, who fired at him repeatedly.

House was transported to a hospital and was treated for multiple gunshot wounds to his legs. Witnesses positively identified Swopes as the shooter from a police photo spread.

When contacted by detectives, Swopes denied any involvement in the shooting. Prosecutors have requested a $250,000 bond.

Mobile Crime Watch gets $75,000 from county

2008-06-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

After hearing that programs might get cut or budgets slashed, Northeast's Mobile Crime Watch this week was told it was getting a major boost in funding from the county.

On Monday, County Legislators and members of COMBAT approved a plan that would give the area crime watch group nearly $75,000 to help fund programs and projects throughout Northeast.

The grant, which is $51,000 more than what the county gave to the Mobile Crime Watch last year, came from the county's COMBAT program.

Officials with the crime watch said the money would be used to help publish bi-lingual crime prevention materials and bolster community involvement programs through the Whatsoever Community Center and other organizations.

Northeast taggers caught on tape

2008-06-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

A battery of video cameras mounted on stores in the 5900 block of St. John Avenue has captured the images of two men spraying graffiti.

Videotapes show the men walking past Leon's Super Market and Leon's Truck Accessories at approximately 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 20. The men then tagged a meat truck and the walls of both the super market and truck-parts store. One man is beefy and seems to have a shaved head. The other is more slight in build.

Officer Shannon Hansen, who is investigating the case, says the police department will enlarge the images with the hope of getting pictures good enough to release. Hansen asked those attending Indian Mound's meeting on June 7 to keep an eye out for the men, who are suspected of repeatedly tagging several stores on St. John east of Hardesty.

"I'd say these guys are in their late teens or early twenties," Hansen said. "The video has to be blown up to get a good look at their faces, but it shows how they are built. We think they are white or Hispanic."

One of the taggers uses the word "Cricket" in his graffiti.

Kim Do, who operates a hair salon just west of Leon's store, says one wall of her building has been tagged repeatedly.

"I'd say six times since November," she says. "But I just keep going back and painting it out."

— Dennis Stack
Special to The Northeast News

Stack not to seek reelection in Indian Mound

2008-06-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

Indian Mound President Dennis Stack Announced late last night that he would not be seeking re-election when his term ends in July.

In an e-mail to neighborhood residents, Stack said he would not be seeking the post because of other "urgent business" that will require him to be out of town for much of the coming year.

"The neighborhood association takes up a lot of time, but I have always felt that it was time well invested," he wrote in his e-mail. "For the next year or so, I won't be able to spend as many hours on volunteer work as I have, but I will try to help out when I can. "

No word yet on who is expected to replace him when elections are held next month.

Feds honor the Rev. Earl Abel

2008-06-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

The large blue and white postal building visible from Interstate 70 will bear a new name honoring one local man who has served Northeast and the entire Kansas City community.
This week, federal officials passed legislation renaming the facility at 1700 Cleveland Avenue the Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building.

This congressional action is in tribute to Reverend Earl Abel’s years of dedication to the Kansas City community as a minister, dedicated community activist, and public servant. Rev. Abel passed away in May of 2005 after 48 years as a minister, including 46 years at the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ in Kansas City which he organized in 1959.

Reverend Abel established Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ with only 11 members, but today the church has grown into a much larger ministry in the Kansas City community. Under his leadership the church built two senior citizens residences, a Senior Activity Center and a church camp for both youths and adults. In the larger Kansas City community, Abel served many important roles including Chaplain for the Kansas City Police Department, President of the Baptist Ministers Union, and member of the Kansas City Council on Crime Prevention. In 1999, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan appointed him to the Appellate Judicial Commission.

Summer camp at Whatsoever

2008-06-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

By Kristi L. Dalberg

Want to fill those boring summer days with activities you love? If so, the Whatsoever Community Center is just the place for you.

Whatsoever is offering a variety of classes and activities during this year's summer day-camp program. Kids can join a graphic design club, art club, gardening club, cooking classes and leadership classes. Students can also learn how to make a documentary, join a mini society, join the robotics club, book club, or help complete a variety of community service projects and more.

Whatsoever will also take kids on several field trips each week to various summer activities around Kansas City. This year, organizers are planning to see a play at Starlight, attend an overnight camping trip at Smithville Lake, visit a Royals' game, climb the ropes course at Tucker Leadership Academy and visit an art museum. With summer heating up, Whatsoever also plans many trips to the swimming pool.

Whatsoever’s day camp is available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday with additional clubs on Fridays and Saturdays.

The day camp is free and will include lunch each day. Kids will only be asked to have good attendance. Spanish speaking staff will be available for children/parents who don’t speak English, and ESL assistance will be provided throughout the summer.

For more information on the day camp, contact Whatsoever at 816-231-0227.

Where is my paper?

2008-05-28T13:42:00.001-07:00

Fear not, Northeast Neighbors. This week's edition of the Northeast News is going to be a day late because of the Memorial Day Holiday.

Look for the latest copy of the paper on your doorstep or in the racks Thursday or check out our Web site at www.northeastnews.net.

BREAKING NEWS: Police board upholds firing of two officers in Salva case

2008-05-23T13:44:00.001-07:00

This afternoon the Board of Police Commissioners announced that the firing of two officers who ignored the pleas of a woman who later had a miscarriage was justified.

Police officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell had been fired by Chief Jim Corwin after it became public that the two ignored the woman who was asking for someone to call for an ambulance during a traffic stop in 2006.

Sophia Salva, who had been pulled over for using a fake temporary tag in her car, asked the officers while they were searching her to call for an ambulance and even said she was pregnant and bleeding despite showing no evidence of either during the stop.

Both Schnell and Spencer testified that they thought Salva was lying to get out of being taken to jail. Both Officers stated that Salva's prior record played a role in their decision. Salva was placed under arrest and taken to jail. Approximately 20 hours after the stop, Salva had a miscarriage.

The incident was not made public until Salva and her family sued the Kansas City Police Department nearly nine months later. After portions of the dash-cam video was made public, Corwin announced that the two officers were to be terminated for their actions.

Spencer and Schnell appealed his decision to the commission last month. According to documents released this afternoon by the commission, the decision to fire the officers will stand.

Council delays museum tax proposal

2008-05-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

After pushing though a proposal to increase a tax benefiting Kansas City's museums, the city Council today decided to pull the measure that was to be voted on today.

Councilwoman Deb Hermann introduced the referendum Wednesday that would have asked voters to increase the mil levy, from 2 mils to 10 mils to help fund several area museums.

Currently those two mils only benefit the Kansas City Museum. Hermann's plan, which was made public just last week in an interview in The Star, would have used the additional mils to fund other "museum" sites in the metro such as Union Station, Liberty Memorial, the Black Archives, and 18th and Vine museums.

But Hermann caught ire from some Northeast residents and even fellow councilmembers for not including them in the talks that preceded the referendums' introduction on Wednesday.

Hermann said yesterday that the she only caught wind of the proposal two weeks ago and wanted to get things smoothed out before making it public. Part of the rush, also, was for the issue to make it on this August's ballot. In order for that to occur however, the council would have had to approve the measure today.

It does not appear that the resolution will make that deadline.

For more on this, check Wednesday in The Northeast News

Update on Perry F. Jones

2008-05-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Officials with Glennon Place Nursing Center say they have found a relative of Perry F. Jones.

Last week, The Northeast News featured a story about Jones who suffered a stroke and could not remember where he lived or much of his past before being hospitalized.

After the story ran neighbors who lived near Jones's old home recognized Jones's photo and knew he had a sister living in Sullivan — a small town just southwest of St. Louis. Neighbors contacted his sister and told her where she could find Jones.

Officials at Glennon said the sister had been trying to find Jones and had even enlisted the help of police. She plans to visit in th next week.

Prosecutors charge man in connection to drive-by shooting in Northeast

2008-05-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Jackson County Prosecutors today announced that Francisco J. Cota has been charged with two counts of first degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. The charges stem from a drive-by shooting near 6th and Van Brunt Boulevard Monday.

According to court documents, witnesses said a white Lincoln Towncar drove by a residence and "threw up a gang sign." Then, about 30 minutes later, the same car drove by again and an occupant of the vehicle began shooting at a group of people. Two people sustained gun shots to their legs but the apparent target of the shooting - with whom Cota allegedly had a long-running feud - was unharmed. Police later arrested Cota and a 15-year-old juvenile were later arrested after being identified as the suspects. Two 9mm shell casings were recovered from the car.

Trash pick-up delayed, City offices closed May 26

2008-05-21T09:13:00.001-07:00

From the city:

In observance of Memorial Day, trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day and city offices will be closed.

The 3-1-1 Action Center, a division of the City Manager's Office, also will be closed for the holiday. Residents who usually have Monday trash collection will receive this service Tuesday, May 27. Residents who usually have Friday trash collection will receive this service Saturday, May 31.

For more information about solid waste collection services, visit www.kcmo.org/trash or call the 3-1-1 Action Center at 311 or (816) 513-1313.

Northeast Industrial businesses offer reward to catch A/C thieves

2008-05-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Northeast and east Bottoms industrial businesses are teaming up to catch the thieves stealing more than a dozen air conditioners from around the area.

They are putting up additional money for anyone who comes forward with tips that could lead to an arrest.

From the Northeast Industrial Association:

Between March 24th and April 28th there were 14 incidents of A/C theft and destruction in The Northeast Area that were reported to the Police Department. It is estimated that the damage to property as a result of these thefts is approaching $100,000. To our knowledge there have not been any incidents since April 28th.

The Northeast Industrial Association in conjunction with several businesses in the area and in partnership with the Kansas Crime City Commission's TIPS Hotline have posted a reward of $1,250 in addition to the TIPS Hotline reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for these thefts.

Northeast community partners to protest expansion of downtown strip club

2008-05-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

From officials at the Community Action Network:

There is no CAN meeting Wednesday, May 21.

Instead, residents and business owners are requested to come to 6612 Independence Avenue by 12:30 p.m. We will travel to City Hall to protest the expansion of Temptations — a downtown strip club.

In the U.S., the commercial sex industry generates billions of dollars each year by exploiting women and young girls. A recent survey indicates that nearly every woman who works in a strip club is repeatedly exposed to verbal and sexual abuse by customers, employees and managers in these clubs on a routine basis.

The expansion and abuse that will accompany it is something that we cannot tolerate in our community. Please use this opportunity to show the sex industry that we value the safety, health, and wellbeing of women and young girls. The Council is scheduled to vote on the matter at 1:30. For more information call Cathy at 816-483-6754.

City to shut down payday loan business in Northeast

2008-05-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

Scoring a victory for residents who have tried to limit the number of of payday loan and check cashing businesses along Independence Ave., the City on Tuesday denied an appeal by one business to continue operating.

For the last eight years, ACE Cash Express at the corner of Independence and Elmwood avenues, has operated without the proper zoning or documentation. It was not discovered, however, until last November when owner Russell Denson tried to sell the business and was denied.

The city noticed he had not been registering his business correctly despite being open and holding a valid business license since 1999.

In 2000, the city altered the ordinances that required payday loan operations to receive special permission from the city to operate. Denson, who lives in Houston, said he never received any notification and continued to run his business unaware of the ordinance change until the error was discovered late 2007.

The city, however, was able to prove that the owner of the building did receive notification back in 2000.

His appeal, which was formally heard on Tuesday afternoon, failed.

For more on this, check here and for next Wednesday's Northeast News.

Police Identify two killed in traffic accident last night

2008-05-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

From police:

The people killed in the fatal accident at 23rd and Montgall last night at about 8 pm have been identified as Tiffany A. Berry, 33, and Suavae R. Rouser, 14, of Kansas City. Two other passengers were in the car and they received minor injuries. They were daughters of Ms. Berry. Police have a 42-year-old male in custody who was driving the truck.

The male is a parole absconder and is being held on a no bond warrant. He will likely not be charged with any crimes related to the accident today.

Officers stopped the truck near 23rd Street and Myrtle because the vehicle was driving erratically. When the vehicle stopped, two passengers in the truck got out and were taken into custody by the officers. The truck fled the area westbound on 23rd street. The officers stayed with the passengers and told the dispatcher about the truck. Near 23rd and Montgall Avenue, the truck collided with a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Ms. Berry. The truck flipped onto its side and slid into the intersection of 23rd and Prospect where other officers were waiting. Officers took the driver into custody after he climbed out of the truck and tried to run away.

One of the passengers from the truck had cocaine in his possession. He was placed under arrest and is being held for possession of narcotics.