Kansas City Salvation Army To Action Pricey Old School Diamond Ring

Northeast News: "The Salvation Army will auction off a unique, European cut diamond that experts say is at least 100 years old."

Eastside Crime Lab Hot Mess Continues

KCTV5: "Controversy continues over city's plans to buy out homeowners for crime lab"

A great many residents don't want it while local politicos and officials haven't given much credence to these persistent objections.

Golden Ghetto Motel Murder Charge

KMBC: "Johnson County, Kan., prosecutors charge a man in connection with the slaying of a woman at a Merriam motel last week."

TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY'S TRACY WARD AND THE LIBERTY RESTORATION PROJECT PROCLAIM: "WE TOLD YOU SO" AND PLAN A SATURDAY RED LIGHT CAMERA PROTEST!!!

The opponents of Kansas City Red Light Cameras have every right to crow.

After reports from the KCPD that the cameras don't really keep streets as safe as we were led to believe . . . The topic of surveillance, revenue generation and local government efficiency is once again before Kansas City voters and residents.

Some very so smart TKC readers remind us Los Angeles got rid of their red light cameras.

So it's not unreasonable that Kansas City could be next.

To wit . . .

KANSAS CITY ACTIVIST TRACY WARD AND THE LIBERTY RESTORATION PROJECT HAVE BEEN REINVIGORATED IN THEIR ONGOING FIGHT AGAINST KANSAS CITY RED LIGHT CAMERAS!!! 

And then . . .

THE GROUP STARTS PROTESTING AGAIN THIS WEEKEND ON SOUTHWEST TRAFFICWAY!!!



The Liberty Restoration Project has a great deal of street cred on this subject considering they have opposed these Kansas City cameras for at least two years now.

Take a look at their latest presser that's sure to be a part of Kansas City's tense upcoming budget discussions . . .

Red Light Cameras Are Not the Answer Says KCPD, LRP

Coming on the heels of a newly released study by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department indicating that red light traffic cameras are unsafe, local members of the Liberty Restoration Project simply say “we told you so.”

As an effort of education, regarding alternative, safe solutions to the controversial cameras, the LRP invites members of the public, and local media, to join them this Saturday, January 28th at 39th and Southwest Trafficway, the site that holds the dubious distinction of being the first to see the red light cameras switched on in Kansas City.

From Noon until 2:00, the organization will work to show what they've known for a number of years: while red light cameras generate revenue, they also generate more accidents, and pose a danger to the public at large.

Saturday's event will shine a light on those dangers while bringing to light the fact that the cameras are a moneymaker for ATS, the private corporation that sells the devices to the city.
######

Developing . . .

GM FAIRFAX WORKERS VOTE FOR STRIKE!!!

The latest on a local auto worker controversy . . .

KSHB: Workers at the General Motors Fairfax plant in KCK voted to authorize a strike Thursday.

Kansas City context: We're in the middle of a global economic decline, there A LOT of unemployed people in this town and there's no putting this one off on leadership . . . This was a worker vote and maybe a decision that might not reflect a clear understanding of the new American economic reality.

ON THE OTHER HAND . . . It's a fact of life that Owners and the rich aren't suffering as much the rest of us . . . In fact, GM is back on top as the world's largest automaker . . . So maybe this call to share the wealth with the people who actually work to create it might be a welcomed trend that pulls this nation out of the economic malaise that's bringing down the rest of the planet.

DEVELOPING . . .

KANSAS CITY SHOOTING SHOCK!!! 2-YEAR-OLD STRUCK BY BULLET!!!

Police are still investigating this one but it's a look at rough local life starting at a very early age for one Kansas City resident . . .

Girl, 2, struck by bullet in Kansas City

A 2-year-old girl was struck by a bullet inside a Kansas City apartment.

On the bright side: "The girl was taken to a hospital with non life threatening injuries."

Still . . .

THIS TRAGIC INSTANCE OF A TODDLER HIT BY A BULLET REMINDS ALL OF KANSAS CITY THAT THERE ARE CERTAINLY INNOCENT VICTIMS OF SO MUCH LOCAL GUN PLAY AND VIOLENCE!!!

DEVELOPING . . .

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY REACTION ON IMPORTANCE OF MISSOURI BLACK HOMICIDE NUMBERS DISPUTES KCPD CHIEF!!!

An important note for the local discourse . . .

Judging from reaction on this blog and looking at all of the follow-up stories related to a recent post from KCPD Chief Forté . . .

MOST OF KANSAS CITY SEEMS TO DISAGREE WITH THE CHIEF ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSOURI LEADING THE NATION IN BLACK HOMICIDES!!!

Take a sampling of local opinion on the latest news stories and I think you'll find the same trend.

Even better . . .

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS TKC EXCLUSIVE REACTION FROM A LOCAL LEADER REGARDING THE CHIEF'S RECENT STATEMENTS!!!

More number crunching that examines the thesis put forth by the KCPD Chief . . .

Why is Chief Forte saying "don't panic because this report didn't examine 2010 and 2011 numbers." If math is correct, the Chief should be lucky they only used 2009.
As he points out the 2009 numbers show 110 homicides 81 of which were black victims at an average of 73.6%.

If he feels 2010 and 2011 should have been examined, when averaging the two years together, there would have been an average of 110 homicides (equal to 2009), 83.5 of which were black victims (thats 2 more than 2009 numbers) at a percentage of 75.85% (2% higher than 2009).

If you averaged all three years 2009 to 2011 together: 110 homicides (still equal to 2009), 82.6 of which were black victims (up 1 from 2009) at an average of 75.1% (up 2% from 2009).

What is he thinking?

What's important in all of this is to remember that EVERYONE seems to be dedicated to reducing this number. And that's one of the positive things to come out of this conversation.

ERIC BOWERS WEST EDGE AWESOME!!!

Kick-ass picks from Kansas City's greatest photog . . . Eric Bowers: West Edge Demolition Update From Near the Cancer Survivors Park

Follow-up: Taser Proof Brookside Naked Dude

KSHB provides more detail on the most interesting thing to happen in Brookside since the Funky Administration: "Police say a man was arrested Thursday after he assaulted two police officers while running naked through a Brookside neighborhood. Police used a Taser gun, but it had no effect on the man who appeared to be high, according to police."

KCTV5 GETS A SCOOP ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE BABY LISA CASE!!!

For the most part, the national media has dominated coverage of Missing Baby Lisa news.

Until now . . .

Check out some rather KICK-ASS reporting work from KCTV5:

Dashcam captures initial rush after baby Lisa reported missing

Coming by this find didn't seem easy . . . The newsies @ KCTV5 had to fight for this one . . . Check it:

"The Kansas City Police Department initially denied KCTV5's request for the dashcam video, saying they were protected because of an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Sunshine Law requires disclosure of police incident reports.

After an attorney for KCTV5 challenged the denial, the police department agreed Thursday to release part of the dashcam video."

The video is interesting and gives us some context of the first moments of this case . . . A TKC Reader pointed out a very pronounced sigh on the dash cam which also captures the way KC seems to feel about the case.

KCPD LAUNCHES MAJOR CHANGE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST LOCAL VIOLENT CRIME!!!

FOX4: "In an effort to help cut down on the violence and arrest criminals, the department has begun sending two majors immediately to the scene of violent crimes. The majors have the authority to call in more resources immediately following the crime if necessary. Before, officers would often have to wait hours or even the next day to have the additional resources."

Gov. Jay Could Cost Kangaroos Millions

Star: "Gov. Jay Nixon's plan to cut 12.5 percent from higher education would cost the University of Missouri-Kansas City $9.4 million, the chancellor predicted Thursday."

Helena Christensen And TKC Morning Links!!!

Mainstream media Kansas City links to start this morning . . .

• Golden Ghetto Justice unfolding: Police arrest two sought in Merriam motel death
  
  
• Show-Me more taxes: Mo. Lawmakers Weigh In On I-70 Toll Discussion
  
  
• Scam with a local biz connection: Text message scam uses H&R Block name
  
  
• WaPo picks up Grain Valley Gross: Kansas City-area elementary school teacher accused of molesting 4 boys in his classroom
  
  
• Excellent choice: T-Bones Add Royals Legend Frank White to Coaching Staff
  
  
• Fox News on KC International case . . . Sentencing set in KC for Taiwan official
  
  
• KCTV5 looks for Chocolate Ale too . . . Let the chocolate ale frenzy begin again
  
  
• Friend against disaster: Dogs Alert Couple To Fire At KC Home
  
  
• Keeping up appearances @ K-PAC: Kauffman Center's high-rise cleaning
  
  
• Helena Christensen stays winning with yet another lingerie photo shoot AT 43 YEARS OLD!!!

Show-Me The Ongoing Redistricting Fight

Examiner: "The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday declined to strike down new state legislative districts, and suggested opponents of new state House districts take up their fight before a trial judge."

Big Sinquefield Check For Missouri Tax Fix

Star: "A group pushing to replace Missouri's income tax with a broader sales tax said Thursday it has received a million-dollar contribution from a prominent Missouri businessman." i.e. Your Conservative Daddy Rex.

Yo-Yo Ma In Praise Of K-PAC

One of the world's most talented and famous musicians plugs the new Kansas City place that's paying him . . . Artsy people need promos too: Yo-Yo Ma talks about Helzberg Hall

Alt. Power In The KC Broadway Corridor

May Takes A Look @ The Walgreens' Electric Vehicle Charger

Kansas City Capital Grille Change Up

KC Foodie Blog: "The Capital Grille’s “Plates” Lunch Menu Changes With The Season"

TKC OVERNIGHT!!! SOPHIE READE AND THE KANSAS CITY NEWS NEVER STOPS!!!

Lots of stuff happening tonight . . . Also, I didn't know Brit Hottie model Sophie Reade was a writer.

Anyhoo . . . Here's just a sample of stuff we're thinking about for the overnight . . .

There's word of a horrific KC Shooting that we'll link soon . . .

KCMO police search for missing girl, 11

Woman Escapes Loch Lloyd House Fire

Missouri Supreme Court declines redistricting case

More stuff on the way . . . Hopefully, for the morning we'll have more links, local content and all kind AWESOME stuff for more arguing . . . STAY TUNED!!!

HATERS HAVE A LOOK AT THE LATEST AND GREATEST TKC COMMUNITY PROFILE!!!

Here's the profile I blogged earlier . . . Just watched it on NBC Action News.

And now the Youtube link is up:

The man behind the Tony's KC blog

More . . .

A GREAT MANY THANKS TO KANSAS CITY JOURNALISTS CHRISTA DUBILL AND CAMERAMAN JONATHAN!!!

I liked it . . . Your mileage may vary.

THIS KSHB PROFILE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE AWESOME WE HAVE ALL CREATED WITH THIS TKC BLOG COMMUNITY!!!

Haters have a look and remember that nobody cares enough about you to ask you questions.

OH MY!!! K-PAC CELEBRATES THE GREATEST SCI-FI MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS WITH GEORGE "MR. SULU" TAKEI!!!

At the risk of complimenting Kansas City's Starship Gentrification . . . This seems kinda cool:

Sci-Fi Spectacular with George Takei

Details from the KC Symphony site:

"Join guest conductor Jack Everly of the Indianapolis Symphony on a journey through space and time. Travel to the edge of the universe with music from the biggest and best science fiction TV shows and movies, including Avatar, Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Special guest George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) provides dramatic narration…oh my!"

Unfortunately, because it's K-PAC . . . I'm pretty sure the prices are out of this work. HAR . . . Tip your space waitresses.

Council Dude Wagner's KC Scrap Metal Plan

Northeast News reports on what could be a good idea if anybody cared: Wagner proposes tighter guidelines for city’s scrap metal ordinance

Kent Babb Lashes Out @ KC Sports Media

Greg Hall . . . OTC: KC Star’s Kent Babb Talks Frankly About The “Corrupt” & “Shameful” Sports Media In KC

Kansas City Thursday Murder

Another murder and thankfully an arrest for this afternoon . . .

KCTV5: 1 person dead, suspect in custody after police chase

KSHB: One man is dead and another man is in custody after a shooting and a high-speed police chase in south Kansas City Thursday afternoon.

Star: KC police arrest suspect after fatal shooting, car chase

KMBC: Police Arrest 1 In KC Homicide

Shay Maria And Tonight's TKC Links!!!

Kansas City mainstream media links for tonight . . .

• Rock Chalk Safety Talk: KU Students Speak Against Conceal-Carry
  
  
• Kansas City leader inspiration: Alvin Brooks speaks to KCKCC students
  
  
• Motel murder investigation: Person Of Interest In Merriam Case In Custody
  
  
• Biz across the State Line: Despite odds, KCK school shows success
  
  
• Annual futile tradition: Drinking Crackdown Expands To KU Parties
  
  
• Claire's big bank: McCaskill: $1.4 4Q. About $5 Million Campaign Cash
  
  
• The Star gives you tax help: Help coming in claiming Earned Income Tax Credits
  
  
• Share and sniff each other's seats: Bike-sharing program heads toward downtown Kansas City
  
  
• Not so perfect life: The FBI and police are investigating the robbery this morning of a bank in Prairie Village.
  
  
• Shay Maria and hip-hop for tonight.

TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! CRIME FIGHTER ALONZO WASHINGTON WILL GIVE A DEPOSITION IN THE SHON PERNICE CASE!!!

Kansas City Crime Fighter Alonzo Washington has a vast array of contact and resources that he has used to help fight local crime and help police.

Mr. Washington's achievements have been so noteworthy that TKC knows he will soon receive national recognition on The Today Show.

Right now . . .

THE INFORMATION THAT MR. WASHINGTON OBTAINED THROUGH FIRST HAND REPORTING AND BLOGGING WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF AN UPCOMING DEPOSITION IN THE SHON PERNICE CASE!!!

This is important because it shows that Mr. Washington has dedicated his time (free of charge) to fighting crime throughout the area and his network of contacts isn't only in the Black community but throughout the Kansas City area.

As much as anybody in all of the Kansas City area . . . Alonzo Washington is making news, helping KC and putting the fight against crime as his top priority.

DEVELOPING . . .

TKC TALKS WITH CHRISTA DUBILL!!! WATCH IT TONIGHT @ 6 IN THE PM ON KSHB!!!

This afternoon included some rather gully coffee talk with Christa Dubill. We talked about Kansas City news, this blog community, the digital revolution and Denise Milani.

SO CHECK OUT KSHB TONIGHT @ 6 IN THE PM FOR A TKC COMMUNITY PROFILE AND A CHAT WITH ONE OF KANSAS CITY'S TOP ANCHORS!!!



From the only local news-ish source bold enough to keep giving Denise Milani a shout out.

DEVELOPING . . .

KANSAS CITY NAKED MAN ATTACKS COPS!!!

There's nothing more important than this local story right now . . .

KMBC: Kansas City police say a man who was spotted running naked through a Brookside neighborhood faces charges of assaulting two officers.

And that's how we celebrate the weather in this wicked little town.

Links:

Naked Man Gets Tasered

Man arrested after running naked through neighborhood

Man arrested after running naked through neighborhood

KANSAS CITY LAWYERS STAY WINNING!!!

The Biz Journal reports that local lawyers make more cash than their colleagues across both states . . . Kansas City lawyers’ pay tops others in Kansas, Missouri

Related/Example: Kansas City, Mo., School District hires Polsinelli Shughart

Bishop Finn Trial For The Fall

KSHB: The trial date for Bishop Robert Finn and the Kansas City – St. Joseph Diocese has been set for this fall.

TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! COUNCIL LADY JAN MARCASON WILL LEAD KANSAS CITY BUDGET HEARINGS!!! CITY HALL INSIDERS DOUBT HER SKILL!!!

The lady who is known for the best potato salad recipe in all of local politics is now in charge of the Kansas City budget debate.

That's right . . .

4TH DISTRICT COUNCIL LADY JAN MARCASON WILL CHAIR KANSAS CITY BUDGET HEARINGS!!!



She's got a lot to live up to . . .

Last time around former Northland Council Member Deb Hermann earned praise for her budget work from just about every political faction in Kansas City.



To wit . . .

AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS AND KANSAS CITY POLITICAL INSIDERS DON'T BELIEVE THAT COUNCIL LADY JAN IS UP TO THE TASK OF RUNNING TENSE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS!!!

As usual, TKC is always in favor of letting white ladies prove themselves . . . HOWEVER . . . It's a matter of fact that Council Lady Jan's rise to power is mostly due to the fact that everybody likes her and she is PATHOLOGICALLY pleasant.

But this budget isn't going to be as nice as a Brookside potluck where Jan regularly impresses with her potato salad concoctions.

Kansas City Firefighters are fighting to keep jobs.

There's big toy train money on the table.

The cash for local services keeps dwindling.

Promises of economic recovery have not come to pass and most reasonable people understand that a long-term local economic realignment is necessary.

On the topic of Ms. Marcason's leadership ability to guide us through all of this, there's a lot of pessimism:

"She'll get 'confused' on issues that are messy."

On her selection to this duty, hehe doody . . . TKC TIPSTERS say:

"I'm very disappointed. So are lots of other people."

Regarding the fact that budget matters may not be Council Lady Jan's strong suit:

"Her strong suit is the navy one she wears every other week."

Ouch.

As always we're hopeful that the Council Lady can rise to the occasion. However, so many KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS and City Hall Insiders who know more about the work of Council Lady Jan are not as optimistic.

DEVELOPING . . .

MUST READ!!! KCPD CHIEF FORTÉ ADVISES AGAINST PANIC OVER "TWO-YEAR-OLD DATA" RE: MISSOURI BLACK HOMICIDES!!!

This is probably one of the most important posts from The KCPD Chief's blog I've ever read:

Two-year-old data: don't panic about "Black Homicide Victimization in the United States" report

Please read the Chief's post in its entirety.

Here is the crux of his argument:

"Dredging up old data does nothing to help improve the situation. We can sit around and bemoan the violence and complain about inequality, or we can do something to fix it. Rest assured I am concerned about the victimization of any person regardless of race, age, sex or ethnicity. That’s why we’re adjusting our policing strategies: focusing on where crime happens most and who is most likely to commit it."

Clearly, this is a defense of the current KCPD "hot spot" program.

However . . .

RESPECTFULLY, TKC DISAGREES WITH THE KCPD CHIEF'S POSITION THAT ANALYZING THE DATA DOESN'T HELP!!! IN FACT, THE CHIEF PROVIDES A LOT OF RELEVANT NUMBERS IN HIS POST ARGUING AGAINST NUMBER CRUNCHING!!!

We're told that it's still too early to judge the Hot Spot program so I guess we'll sit around and wait for more people do die.

Nevertheless . . .

WE CAN'T IGNORE THAT EVERY YEAR THERE IS A SLAUGHTER MOSTLY AMONG YOUNG BLACK MEN IN KANSAS CITY'S URBAN CORE!!! TO IGNORE THE REALITY OF THESE RAW NUMBERS IS TO FURTHER DEVALUE THE LIVES LOST!!!

To be fair, I understand that the focus of the KCPD Chief is on prevention and addressing the crisis . . . Not number crunching.

Still . . .

THE UNACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN KANSAS CITY SHOULD BE OUR TOP PRIORITY AND THIS DATA HELPS DRAW ATTENTION TO THE ONGOING PROBLEM THAT SO OFTEN GOES IGNORED!!!

The number of young, Black men killed every year IS IMPORTANT . . . Furthermore . . . THE DATA IDENTIFIES A TREND.

Of course there are murders throughout the Kansas City area, TKC contends that an absence of Kansas City leadership has allowed a culture of death to take hold in our city.

Another controversial argument from The KCPD Chief:

"Kansas City is a safe place if you don’t exhibit high-risk behaviors by being involved in or associating with those who are involved in violent crime and narcotics distribution."

For the most part this is correct. However, every so often a stray bullet or innocent bystander killed remind us that statistical anomalies can have a dreadful impact on precious human life.

In conclusion, the fact that Missouri Leads The Nation in Black Homicides is an important detail that allows the public to put this ongoing tragedy in perspective and maybe help address the root causes of this horrific situation.

KANSAS CITY WOMEN GRAB THEIR GUNS!!!

A national trend that holds true for this cowtown according to a local news report . . .

FOX4: More Women Get Guns Permits

The story follows a lady who probably isn't as impressive as Penny Mathis packing heat but still reminds us to mind our manners.

Waiting For The Fairfax Strike Vote

Kansas City labor move amid worldwide Global Economic decline . . .

KSHB: GM Fairfax workers will take part in a strike authorization vote Thursday.

We've always believed that collective bargaining is a great thing but this move seems out of step with financial reality . . . We'll see . . .

KCK Hollywood Casino sneak-peek

AWESOME IMAGES from The Bonner Spring Chieftain: "Commissioners for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., were given a tour of the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway Thursday night. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the casino, set to open Feb. 3."