NEW POLL: Your Response To An On-Line Only Newspaper

The new poll is to get a rough gauge of readers' response to our local paper- The KANSAS CITY STAR- should they decide to do away with newsprint and go Internet-only publishing.

I included 2 YES responses.

The first would imply one might pay the current delivery subscription price or even a price increase for an Internet-only version. The second YES response would indicate you'd probably subscribe to an on-line-only version if it were cheaper than the above.

The MAYBE and NO responses speak for themselves.

I did not quantify things like if the on-line version wasn't loaded down with pop-ups- sound-ups and other annoying advertisement- assuming the on-line version would not include those.

The poll is down the right column at the top of the other ones.

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Police Nail 28 Drunks In KC-MO Sobriety Checkpoint

According to the KC-MO police report on a "sobriety checkpoint" near Westport Tuesday night/Wednesday morning:

Police report 969 vehicles were stopped at the checkpoint at 39th Street and Southwest Trafficway.

A total of 28 were actually arrested for suspected driving while under the influence meaning (rounded up) 3% of all vehicles stopped had alleged intoxicated drivers operating them.

Twenty-two other people were arrested on non-intoxicated driving charges.

Last weekend a similar checkpoint north of the River that examined the drivers of more than 800 vehicles netted about a 2.5% return on impaired drivers when 11 were arrested.

On a somewhat related note- just before 2:30am this Wednesday morning Overland Park police were called to what resulted to be a fatal wreck on 79th Street and Hemlock.

A male driver in his 30's had struck several parked cars and died at the scene. OPPD says alcohol and excessive speed probably played a role in the crash.

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KC-MO St. Patrick's Day Parade Marred Only By Lack Of Transportation

So far- I've heard of only a couple of arrests- one for an open container of alcohol- at Kansas City's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

No shootings and so far- just one assault call.

The new route down Broadway from 33rd to 43rd Streets brought out the crowds- up to 10 deep in spots-but not enough shuttle busses to get the crowd there.

Amazingly- parade organizers only hired TWO SHUTTLE BUSSES to take people from Union Station to the parade route.

At least a thousand people were gathered at Union Station this morning waiting for busses- some left- then a couple of school buses were pressed into service by parade officials.

Otherwise- temperatures in the 70's under blue skies made this one of the most pleasant St. Patrick's Day parades in years.

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KC-MO Budget Cuts Affects Public Safety

The Kansas City-MO City Council has tentatively approved the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Final approval of this budget comes at Thursday's City Council meeting.

Firstly- the Council PROMISES NO RAISE IN PROPERTY TAXES.

Water rates and sewer rates WILL rise on May 1: 10 and 12-percent respectively. No doubt the council will find other areas to raise fees- charges- etc. too.


Among things barely cut: The $2-million annual payment to the Truman Sports Complex for the Royals and Chiefs' stadiums. The proposal is to reduce this subsidy by a mere $300000 but keeping a $1.7-million annual subsidy.

Among the cuts: The police department by $6-million which city officials "hope" will be made up my other taxpayer monies.

The city's busiest police patrol divisions frequently have no cars available at peak call times on weekends. In additions- a shaky economy brings more crime.

The police department can't afford any cuts.

Closing of 3 fire stations- one out south (Station 1?)- one station in midtown (which one? City needs them ALL there) and one fire station in the Northland (short on KC-MO fire protection as it is).

There is no mention how the City is going to fund another "new" public safety radio communications system to the tune of $30-million-plus in those cuts to police and fire.

Also- the city's parks and boulevards- already in shaggy shape- would actually get LESS attention under this new budget.

There was absolutely NO mention that the city council members would take a cut in pay to help the city's coffers. Amazing since most council members could afford such a cut.

However- 332 positions from the general fund, including 20 labor positions and 127 management positions will be eliminated.

The rest of the city labor force will see pay and benefit cuts (no mention if the City Council's included in this).

Bleak days ahead for city residents but not to worry if you're a developer.

The TIFs and 353's are still being doled out.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

It's Mankind's tribute to corned beef- cabbage and green beer.

Remember- Kansas City's signature St. Patrick's Day parade starts later this morning at 33rd Street and Broadway and runs along Broadway to 43rd Street.

Forecast of 80-degrees today and south winds of 10-20 MPH- so catch the sun along with a shamrock or two!

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Two Children Among 4 Dead Found In Raytown Apartment

During the noon hour Raytown-MO police got a call of 4 people found dead in an apartment of the Amber Glenn complex in the 9800 block of East 61st Street.

Police are not certain when the four were killed. Apartment complex residents interviewed said they heard possible shots fired around 8:30am Monday morning.

Police say 2 of the dead were adults- male and female- and 2 dead boys. A toddler was also reportedly found unharmed in the apartment.

No names have yet been officially released.

KSHB-41 Action News reports that the 2 boys had gone to the apartment Sunday evening to spend the night with a relative. The boys still had their coats on when found by police early Monday afternoon.

Although no motive has been discovered- police are indicating this may have been a murder-suicide.

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Seattle-WA Newspaper To Be Published On Internet Only

The Associated Press has announced that Seattle's POST-INTELLIGENCER will cease daily newsprint copies of it's publication and go to a Web-only basis.

After E.W. Scripps folded Denver's ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS and Garnett Company is about to close Tucson's CITIZEN- can Kansas City's STAR after further layoffs of staffers today be far behind?

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New Poll: Should AIG Be Allowed To Fail?

American taxpayers- a growing number without jobs themselves now- expressed outrage that American International Group (AIG) executives are getting million-dollar-plus payouts for their failed performance.



This is AFTER American taxpayers- through their "elected officials"- pumped tens of billions of dollars into AIG to keep the corrupt company afloat.



Therefore a new poll- found down the right column of this blog: Should AIG Be Allowed To Fail i.e. no more goverment/taxpayer bailouts?



Express yourself....

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Spring Weather = Kids Playing: Watch Out

An all terrain vehicle (ATV) crash with 2 juveniles on-board- logged about a half-hour ago in southeastern Jackson County-MO in the 24700 block of East 97th Street- reminds what this warm weather brings:

(Some) Kids outside playing.

I'm also reminded of some basic driving tips to avoid hitting those playing kids.

Number 1 is watch your own speed- especially while driving through neighborhoods.

Number 2 is to expect the unexpected (always) especially when you see children playing on or near a street.

DO NOT ASSUME the children see your car- always be ready to brake and/or take evasive action.

Number 3 is good parenting. Keep track of your kids and make SURE they know how to play safely outside.

The two young riders in eastern Jackson County are okay- minor injuries. One is being taken to a hospital by the parent- whom I hope gives the child an earful about unsafe operation of ATVs.

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Independence-MO Arena Photo Update

Here's that new arena Independence is building on the southeastern corner of the Interstates 70 and 470 interchange (click on image for full size).

Remember- you're paying extra sales tax in this area to pay for this extravagance.

While many could give a less a puck about the reported hockey team that will play in this structure- hopefully this new arena will be completed in time to host bread lines and soup kitchens for the increasing mass of unemployed.

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KC-MO Police Seek Rape Suspect

At 4:49am Sunday morning- a MAST-EMS unit and KC-MO Police East Zone patrol officers went to the Denny's restaurant on I-70 at Blue Ridge Cutoff on a reported rape victim waiting there.

Police were told by that victim the suspect- "a black male- left westbound on I-70" from the Denny's in "a yellow (coloured) Hummer with Missouri license plate HAO E8W.

Anyone who has seen this suspect vehicle are urged to call the KC-MO Crime Tips line at 471-TIPS.

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