Central Bank Robbed - Suspect Gravely Wounded by Police

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)

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.
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