CSW WEATHER: Severe Storm Chances Increase for Late Weekend- Early Next Week

Thank you- yes- I'm happy to use the warm weather logo again...



Just posting to remind you and yours that severe thunderstorm (t-storm) and tornado season is here- and that there is a chance of severe storms in Metro Kansas City in a few days.

Right now- it appears next Tuesday is the best shot for severe t-storms and possible tornadoes here in Metro Kansas City.

There are slight chances of strong to severe storms beginning as early as tonight over parts of the western Central States and that chance continues Sunday night and again later Monday.

Even if there's no severe weather- rain- possibly up to 3-inch (or more?) totals- could accumulate in the Kansas City MetroRegion by late Tuesday.


There could well be some flooding issues by the middle of the coming week.



Meanwhile- enjoy this first actual spring-weather weekend and let's be careful out there.

What? No Citizen Vote to Spend A Billion-Plus on A New KC-MO Airport?

Without a citizen vote- the Ruling Class of KC-MO (RCKC) is attempting to shove a costly remake of flyer-economical Kansas City International airport down taxpayer's throats.


That's right- KC's glitz-struck pollys want to rebuild one of the most passenger-convenient airports in America.


Just a little review- the price tag to BUILD KCI in the late 1960's-early 1970's was around $250-million.


Because of cost overruns and union difficulties- that price was $100-million higher than the $150-million in airport bonds KC-MO voters approved in 1966.

A complete renovation of the three circular terminals and new parking structures completed in 2004 cost $258-million- all figures courtesy of WikiPedia.


Total cost to build KCI and the subsequent renovations: $508-million.


Current cost estimate to demolish the three circular terminals and replace it with a single- huge terminal: $1.2-BILLION.


The main RCKC reasons cited for spending more than a billion dollars on a single airport (while city infrastructure crumbles)  terminal are:

1) The individual boarding gates in the three terminals each require their own security (TSA Gestapos-TSAG) and-

2) Passengers awaiting their flights have to leave secured areas to obtain food- drink- or shop for touristy frou-frou- then re-enter the TSAG checkpoints.


Let's do some simple math and employ some very inexpensive logic on both of the above RCKS selling points.


1) Security (TSAG) cost. Currently- one can get to KCI no less than 30 minutes before their flight departs- go through the TSAG checkpoints- and still have anywhere from 10-20 minutes before the plane leaves.

There are 90 gates at KCI- maybe 70 of those are currently in use.

For the sake of generosity however- let's use all 90 gates with five TSAG agents assigned to each gate (450 agents- I'll add 50 more to make it 500). 

Let's make the average pay for an agent $40K per year (current starting wages are about $33K yearly).

That's a $2-million annual payroll for TSAG agents- it would take 50 years to reach just $100-million in TSAG costs- 500 years to reach one billion dollars.

2) KCI is not a hub airport- so we don't have many passengers waiting around for connecting flights. Most of us who use KCI do so as it's intended purpose- AN AIRPORT- not a shopping or dining experience (with inflated prices).


Proponents of a 'new' KCI say that various airport fees will pay for the $1.2 ($2.5B after overruns)-billion cost- claiming "no taxpayer dollars will be used."


This is pure- unadulterated BS.


Who pays those added fees (taxpayers-goodbye cheap airfares)?


I say the RCKC put this VERY expensive proposal to a vote by the CITIZENS of KC-MO.


Otherwise- put that $1.2-billion toward INFRASTRUCTURE (roadwork- curbs- sidewalks- water mains- sewers- public safety- etc.) and TRULY make this city livable.

CSW BREAKING: Independence MO House Fire- Possible Person Still Inside

Six companies of the IFD are currently working a house fire in the 1400 block of Franklin Drive.


The alarm was first dispatched at 5:36 pm and when the first fire company arrived two minutes later- they reported "heavy smoke showing from a 2-story" house.


There was also mentioned the possibility someone was still inside the burning house- but at 5:45 pm- that person was already outside and uninjured.


At 5:47 pm- a pumper crew inside the house reports "the fire is out."



More as received...

CSW BREAKING: Aircraft in Trouble Enroute to KCI Airport

At 12:20 pm Monday afternoon- an emergency has been declared by an in-flight "American" Airlines "MD-80" with "137" passengers and crew on board.


The problem is reported as a "pressurization" issue.


At 12:30 pm- KC-MO airport fire/rescue (ARFF) crews report the plane "has landed safely."

CSW BREAKING: Building Fire in KC-MO's West Bottoms

The fire was dispatched initially at 11:20 pm.


Five KC-MO fire companies were sent on "one report" of "smoke coming from the top of a building at West 8th Street and Santa Fe" in the old West Bottoms industrial district.

When first-in Pumper 25 arrived- they reported "smoke- and fire showing from the 5th floor of a 5-story warehouse."


A "1st-alarm" response of three additional companies was ordered to the scene.

During the firefight- the interior crews were warned of "holes in the floor" of what appears on GOOGLE street view images to be an empty building.


At 11:43 pm- the fire was declared "under control."


No reports of any injuries received as of 11:50 pm.. 

CSW BREAKING: House Fire in KC-KS

The alarm sounded at 9:49 pm Thursday night for five KC-KS fire companies.


They were sent to a reported fire inside a house in the 3000 block of South 35th Street in southern KCK...

Pumper 17 is the first to arrive five minutes later- reporting fire showing through one of the house's windows.


The owner of the home had made it out okay. 

No other injuries reported as of this post.


It took fire (mostly P-17's) crews only five minutes to knock down the flames.

An investigator was requested at the scene. 

All's Well After Natural Gas Line Break in KC-MO's Brookside Area

Residents in South Brookside are returning to their homes and nearly a dozen fire and EMS units to their stations after a natural gas line was ruptured earlier tonight.


The 5-inch line was reportedly broken around 8:30 pm by a utility contracting crew who was digging for an unrelated issue in the 6400 block of Pennsylvania .


Numerous fire and police were sent into the area to evacuate structures- memories of the result of the West Plaza gas line break still clear.


Gas was shut off to the line without further incident by Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) about 45 minutes later.

CSW BREAKING: House Fire with Minor Injury in Southern Overland Park

At least six fire companies from the Overland Park (OP) and Leawood departments are battling a fire in a house in the Stanley area of south OP-KS..

The initial alarm was dispatched at 1:09 pm Monday afternoon: the report of an "explosion in the garage" of a home at 7320 West 152nd Street.


One fire company six blocks away could see smoke rising from the fire.


Upon arrival- flames were reported shooting from the garage of the home and had involved the second story and attic as well.

A few minutes after the FD arrived- they reported "a male in front- possibly injured" as the man had "soot on his face."

The man was treated at the scene by a MEDACT-EMS unit but refused transport to any medical facility.


During the firefight- firefighters rescued a dog from the house.


The animal wasn't hurt.

GOOGLE maps lists an "Aspen Painting Company" at the house that burned.

We're awaiting an official report on the cause of this fire- that heavily damaged the split-level type residence.

CSW BREAKING: House Fire in Independence MO

At  10:18 pm Sunday night- five companies of the Independence Fire department were dispatched to a house fire in the 1300 block of West 24th Street (near Crysler).

Three minutes later IFD "Pumper 4" arrived on the scene to report "smoke and fire" coming from the "basement" windows of the structure.


There was no word as to the occupancy status of the house.


The fire was brought under control about 10:40 pm.


The house was tagged unfit for occupancy by the fire department.

Walt Bodine- Kansas City Broadcast Legend- Dies at Age 92

You can leave a message of condolence to the Bodine family at Walt's Web site HERE.

You can also read- look and listen regarding the life and times of Mr. Walton Marshall Bodine on the KCUR website here.

Fatality Vehicle Crash Near Kearney MO

The Missouri Highway Patrol (MoHP) reports a 24-year-old suburban Chicago man was killed on I-35 around 10:20 pm Saturday night.


Joshua J. French of Naperville IL was driving his 2001 Toyota on I-35 at the 23.4 mile-marker when he lost control on the wet road and struck the end of a guardrail.


Mr. French was pronounced dead at the scene.