Police Shoot and Kill Home Intruder in South KC-MO

Just before 12:10 a.m. Saturday morning- KC-MO Police were called to the 10200 block of Drury on a reported intruder inside a house.


The occupant had reportedly come home and found a male in the basement and called police.

Officers arrived and found the intruder- reportedly a male in his mid-20's- inside and exchanged gunfire with the suspect.

The suspect was killed.

Police are still on the scene investigating the incident.

CSW Weather: Severe Storm Chances in MetroRegion Kansas City

The Storm Prediction Center has outlooked Metro and MetroRegion Kansas City for a possibility of severe thunderstorms (tstms) Sunday and Monday.

This "slight" risk of severe weather (and appreciable rainfall?) runs from parts of Nebraska and Kansas into our area mainly in the overnight hours- with the severe weather risks primarily large hail and possible severe-criteria winds.

CSW will post any severe weather watches that might be posted in the Metro and/or MetroRegion. 

CSW BREAKING: Two-Vehicle Fatality Crash on K-10 in Lenexa

A 2-vehicle crash on westbound Kansas (K)-10 highway east of Renner Road has resulted in one fatality and one critical injury.


The crash was dispatched at 1:42 a.m..


When emergency crews arrived about 5 minutes later- one crash victim was reported not breathing and one of the vehicles involved was on fire.


MEDACT-EMS transported a "30-year-old male" with "head" and other injuries in critical condition to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.




This initially has been reported as one of the vehicles was going ast in the westbound lanes of K-10 east of Renner.

CSW BREAKING: Three Injured- 1 Critically- When 2 Motorcycles Crash in KC-MO

Two motorcycles reportedly collided in KC-MO's West Bottoms early Saturday morning- injuring 3- one critically.


The crash was reported to emergency services at 1:35 a.m. at 12th Street and Genessee.

One male patient in his mid-40's was transported to a hospital with head injuries in very critical injuries.

Another male reported to be in his mid-20's was taken to another hospital in serious condition- also with head injuries.

A 3rd patient- a "24-year-old female" who was riding on one of the bikes was taken to yeat another hospital with a broken leg- but her condition was not life-threatening.


Police had the area closed for at least 2 hours while the accident investigation was conducted.

Newest Member of the CSW Family

Meet Miss Rosie.

CSW Commentary: Surprise! K.C. Star Editorial Board Supports Sales Tax Increase For KC-MO Zoo

I've commented at least several times on this blog that the KANSAS CITY STAR has never met a local tax increase it didn't like.

So naturally- The STAR's editorial board of wealthy resident shills approves a proposed 1/8-cent sales tax increase JUST to benefit Kansas City MO's zoo.

Not only that- The STAR also encourages the residents of Cass- Clay and Platte counties to sign petitions to bring the sales tax increase to a November vote.

DON'T DO IT!!!

Do not get me wrong- I love the K.C. Zoo.

But I also love smooth streets- a constant water supply as well as adequate EMS- fire and police services.

Three-eighths cents increase here- a quarter-cent there- special sales tax districts with their hidden higher sale taxes everywhere and soon we're paying 10% or more LOCAL sales taxes.

That's not even taking state and Federal sales taxes into account.

This is a HORRIBLE time to continue to ask citizens for MORE taxes on top of what's already been imposed including higher costs and fees.


CSW supports the Kansas City Zoo- but DOES NOT support an added sales tax for the zoo at this economically-shaky time. 

Government-Controlled Mortgage Company Fannie Mae Asks For Another $2.9-Billion of Taxpayer Money

Recently- our neighbors of 17 years- a single mother and her daughter- were forced from the home she was buying because the woman had been laid-off from her job.

The neighbor told me that Fannie Mae now owned the home into which she had bled 17 years of equity.


This Friday morning- the WICHITA (KS) EAGLE via the ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Fannie Mae is now asking for another $2.8-billion to keep the mortgage company afloat.


In related economic notes- as of this posting the Dow Jones continues it's spiral with stocks down more than 200 points.

Oil barrel prices were also down more than $1.80 to less than $85 per barrel.


Yet- as of this posting- America's oil companies are seemingly refusing to drop fuel prices accordingly.  

Two Die in KC-KS House Fire

A 12-year-old male and a 70-year-old female died in a house fire early Friday morning in southern Kansas City KS..


News partner KSHB-41 NBC Action News reports that the fire was reported around 2 a.m. in the 5600 block of Yecker.

It is reported that fire crews arriving at the scene saw heavy smoke coming from the house with active fire in the basement.

The 2 victims- identified by fire officials as Javeon and Naomi Denham- were found in an upstairs bedroom.

Ms. Denham and young Javeon were rescued by firefighters and taken by an EMS crew to the University of Kansas Medical Center where both passed from their injuries a short time later.


An investigation still had not revealed a possible cause of the fire as of this post.

CSW BREAKING: Two Children Seriously Hurt in JoCo I-35 Rollover Crash

A 1-vehicle rollover crash has injured 3 children and the vehicle's female driver on southbound I-35 south of Olathe.

The wreck was reported by a District 1 fire person at 2:56 p.m. by the truck scales- between Lone Elm and the Gardner exit.

Two children were transported by MEDACT-EMS to Children's Mercy Hospital: an "approximately 6 to 7-month-old male" and "a 6-year-old male."

Both were in serious condition.

A "6-year-old female" and the "20-year-old female driver" of the vehicle were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center in good condition.

Expect delays on southbound I-35 south of Olathe for at least the next 30 minutes until the wreckage is cleared.

CSW BREAKING: American Stock Market is Crashing

As of this post at 11:12 a.m. Thursday- the Dow Jone stock ticker on CNBC is down nearly 300 points.


Also- the market price of a barrel of oil is below $90 (read this oil companies?).


UPDATE- 3:30 P.M.- The Dow closed at 3 pm CDT down 512 points.

Oil barrel prices have fallen more than $5.50 to close at $86.40 a barrel.


NOTE: The last time this price went UP more than $2- gas prices rose more than 15-cents overnight.

CAN AMERICAN CONSUMERS EXPECT GASOLINE PRICES TO FALL MORE THAN 30-CENTS PER GALLON OVERNIGHT? (smirk).

CSW BREAKING: Critical-Injury Crash on South I-35 in Olathe KS

Olathe firefighters are currently extricating a male around or in his 20's from his truck on southbound I-35 south of Santa Fe.

The call went out to emergency crews at 10:42 a.m. Thursday morning- and upon arrival they found the male driver pinned in the wreckage of the pickup truck he was driving after it left the roadway and "wrapped around a pole" a MEDACT-EMS crew member told Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

The paramedic described the male's injuries to OPR/MC as critical.


Southbound I-35 south of Santa Fe in Olathe will be obstructed- if not closed until this crash is cleared.

Bad Move by MDA: Jerry Lewis Kicked Out of His Last Telethon

This could well be a disastrous move by the Muscular Dystrophy Association...


As reported here on CSW- earlier this year Comedian Jerry Lewis announced that the 2011 MDA Telethon would be his last- but Mr. Lewis would remain as MDA National chairman.

In what appears to me as a VERY bad PR stunt by the MDA- it was announced yesterday that Jerry Lewis has been removed as it's national chairman- according to CNN.

Not only that- Mr. Lewis would NOT appear on this year's shortened telethon.

A CSW poll regarding your feelings on Mr. Lewis' unceremonious end to his hosting the MDA Labor Day Telethon is found on the righthand side of this blog.


A FINE WAY (not!) to let Jerry Lewis say goodbye after his 40+ years of dedicated service to the MDA!

Missouri River Flood of 2011 - Upper Missouri Reservoir Readings- 5-Day Rainfall Forecast for August 4

The following are the latest reservoir readings on the upper Missouri River- taken on Thursday morning- August 4.



NOTE: This presentation is being posted once a week on until September 1.


The key to the project parameters listed can be found on this previous CSW post on daily USACE project readings.

There are also three-week predictions made by USACE on inflows and discharges for each dam/reservoir in the Pick-Sloan system found HERE.


Also- the National Weather Service's US 5-Day precipitation outlook and forecasted rainfall amounts.

America's Wealthy "Shovel-Ready" Stimulus Project In Progress (Image)

CSW BREAKING: Near-Drowning of Child Reported in Leavenworth KS

A child is enroute to a Leavenworth hospital in critical condition after nearly drowning in a residential swimming pool late Wednesday afternoon.

The incident was dispatched by Leavenworth emergency services at 5:50 p.m. to an address in the 1500 block of South 22nd Court.


The child was an 8-year-old female and she was later flown by medical helicopter to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City- still in critical condition.

CSW BREAKING: Shooting Homicide in South-Central KC-MO

Two males have reportedly been shot in a vehicle in the 2000 block of East 58th Street.

At least one of the victims has died at the scene according to police.

The incident was reported to KC-MO emergency service at 3:05 p.m.- and it was reported the 2 shooting victims were in "a gray (colored) vehicle."

Police on-scene report there were "3" males initially in the victim vehicle- but that person reportedly "ran" from the scene and is being sought.

Preliminary suspect information issued by police was that the shooter was "a light-complected black male" and unknown person(s) in "a white van" were also possibly involved.

The medical condition of the 2nd victim was not known.

Lee's Summit R-7 Schools Will Be Under "Full Lockdown" in Future Tornado Warnings

Whether you're a parent trying to get your child or a passerby trying to seek sturdy shelter- don't go to a Lee's Summit school building during a tornado warning.

The LEE'S SUMMIT (MO) JOURNAL reports that the R-7 district school board has decided new policy that in the event of a tornado warning during school hours- each of the district's school buildings will be under a "full lockdown."

That means you can't enter the building for any reason until the warning has expired. 

Missouri State Trooper Dies in Mountain Climbing Accident

Sad to report the passing of another Missouri state trooper...


The SPRINGFIELD (MO) NEWS-LEADER reports 44-year-old Missouri State Highway Patrol (MOHP) trooper Don Ivie died Sunday after falling an estimated 2500 feet in Wyoming's Grand Teton mountains.


Trooper Ivie- who was assigned to Troop D- was on vacation and climbing the mountain solo.


CSW passes our most sincere condolences to Trooper Ivie's family- friends and co-workers.

MetroRegion Kansas City News: Major Fire in Downtown Maryville MO

Fire consumed a 3-story retail/apartment building off the square in Maryville MO early Wednesday morning.

No one was hurt.

According to the MARYVILLE (MO) DAILY FORUM- the fire began in the structure at 224 North Main Street around 1:30 a.m. and took about 90 minutes to bring under control.

The building reportedly contained three businesses on the first floor- with 9 apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Fifteen people were displaced by the fire- many of them students at Northwest Missouri State University.

Central States News: Wildfires Burning Homes In and Near Tulsa OK

There are several natural cover fires burning in and around Tulsa that have burned at least several structures.

NEWS6 has live coverage from their helicopter linked here.

So far- no injuries or fatalities have been reported- but at least 1 north Tulsa neighborhood had been evacuated- and at least one helicopter has been doing water-drops on at least one of the fires that continue burning out of control at this time.

Weather Map of MetroRegion Kansas City's Hottest Day Since The 1980's

The temperature here at CSW in southeastern KC-MO has already reached 109 degrees (image shown is in degrees Celsius- translates to 109.4 degrees!) and most of the central and southern Kansas City MetroRegion are at or near that temperature at this hour.

Those 90's you see on the weather map image in the northern areas are the result of a "cool front" that's forecasted to advance south over the next 12 hours then wash out- providing SOME relief from the 100's and an at least slight chance of showers and thunderstorms during the next 24 hours.


A stronger "cool" front forecast to move through the MetroRegion Thursday into Friday will also contribute to some moderation of these blast furnace temps and provide a better chance of much-needed precipitation.

George Carlin Had It RIGHT-ON About America Not Belonging To It's Citizens

The following video clip from the late and great George Carlin is courtesy of one of CSW's faithful readers- SuperDave- to whom I thank for his welcome contributions.

WARNING: There is some naughty language in the video clip that may offend some- especially those who can't see the truth that Mr. Carlin espouses.

KC-MO's 62nd Homicide

Early Tuesday morning- a man was shot and killed at 81st Street and Wabash in south-central KC-MO..

The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. and witnesses report a man shot the victim and ran.

The victim is reported by local news media as in his 30's.

This brings the city's 2011 homicide count to 62.

Election Today in Center School District and Grandview on Tax Increases

I know it's hot- but most modern automobiles have air conditioning as do the polling places...


The issues are as follows:


In the Center School District in south and southwest KC-MO- recession-battered voters are being asked to approve a 76-cent property tax increase to make-up for revenue shortfalls.


In Grandview- city officials are asking for a new 5-percent motel/hotel tax.


UPDATE - Aug. 03- Both issues were approved by voters.

MetroRegion Kansas City NEWS: Missouri River Flood Possibly Claims First Human Death

A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper and his dog are apparently the first known victims of the Missouri River Flood of 2011.

Forty-six year-old Trooper Fred Guthrie Jr. and his 5-year-old K-9 Reed went missing shortly after 1 p.m. Monday near Big Lake northwest of St. Joseph- and searches by ground and air didn't locate the two- according to the ST. JOSEPH (MO) NEWS-PRESS and staff reporter Kim Norvell.

America's Elected Officials Favor Wealthy Over Middle to Lower Income People

Just watch yesterday's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to get the message of what Congress- the Senate and President Obama have done with their new debt-limit "compromise."

The Daily Show - Dealageddon! - A Compromise Without Revenues
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Hold on to your socks middle and lower income America- and BE SURE to vote the Republicrats and Demoblicans back into office in 2012!

Missouri River Flood of 2011: More Video of NW MO Railroad Repair- Possible Highway Bridge Damage

The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad has been trying to keep it's mainline maintained- or more accurately to keep it from being washed away- in northwest Missouri since it was closed by the Missouri River flood more than 45 days ago.


The pilot with Barnes Realty has a video shot earlier today that shows the hard work BSNF and contract crews have been doing to keep that rail line from washing away- crew are actually building at least 2 new bridges on the line and are planning to actually raise the road bed of the tracks up to 4 feet to try to escape future closures of the line due to future floods.


However- numerous large trucks hauling rock from Kansas and Nebraska to the railroad repairs have reportedly damaged the U.S. 159 bridge over the Missouri at Rulo Nebraska- according to this story by radio station KNZA in Falls City NE..

The bridge was to be closed today- tomorrow and possibly Wednesday while inspectors look at the bridge.

Meanwhile- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have reduced outflow from the Gavins Point dam from 16000 to 154900 CFS today- and that outflow is expected to continue to be decreased during August.

Are The Wealthy Taxed Too Much? Graph Shows Otherwise

Some people defend the wealthy people's tax rate in this country- saying stupid things like the middle and lower income people aren't taxed enough.

Case in point: a helpful graph- showing the tax rates on the upper income broaket in the U.C.S.A. (United Corporate States of America):

Missouri River Flood of 2011 - Upper Missouri Reservoir Readings- 5-Day Rainfall Forecast for July 31

The following are the latest reservoir readings on the upper Missouri River- taken on Sunday morning- July 31.

NOTE: Beginning August 1- this presentation will be posted once a week until September.


The key to the project parameters listed can be found on this previous CSW post on daily USACE project readings.

There are also three-week predictions made by USACE on inflows and discharges for each dam/reservoir in the Pick-Sloan system found HERE.


Also- the National Weather Service's US 5-Day precipitation outlook and forecasted rainfall amounts.