Truck overturns by Sheffield Cemetery

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

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

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

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...

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

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!

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!