Kansas City Hyperlocal This Week

For close readers of the blog we share MORE THAN A FEW WORTHWHILE ITEMS that deserve a peek but maybe not much debate.

In this collection we combine recent community items and all manner of interesting tidbits.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

New housing units to shelter homeless Kansas City veterans in recovery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Benilde Hall is adding housing units to help homeless veterans in the Kansas City area that are recovering from substance abuse. The facility on East 23rd Street in Kansas City will hold eight single rooms with a private bathroom for veterans in the Kansas City Veterans Administration Grants and Per Dien program.

Volunteers, ambassadors put the shine on Kessler Park

If you noticed a small army of volunteers along the Gladstone Boulevard, Cliff Drive corridor in Kessler Park on Friday, you were not alone. In celebration of Earth Day, The Great Kansas City Clean Up-2022 was in full force in Northeast.

Permitting requirements push 'pop-up' food vendors across state lines

It's very costly," she said. "You're paying $60 for a permit for one day, you have to go in person to fill out the paperwork they may or may not accept it, it's non-refundable. There are a lot of stipulations that go with it.

Plans submitted for new bike hub at Leawood Aquatic Center

LEAWOOD, Kan. - The City of Leawood could soon be making park upgrades near the Leawood Aquatic Center. Tuesday, the Leawood Planning Commission will review a final plan for new signage for a bike plaza space near the entrance of the Leawood Aquatic Center.

Suburban school officials predict 'chaos' if Kansas lets out-of-district students transfer freely

Conservatives say the plan would give families stuck in failing school districts a chance at a life-changing escape. But school administrators fear a flood of students they're not prepared for and who come with needs they can't afford to accommodate.

Missouri and Kansas Goodwills partner with IBM to provide new career readiness services

Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (MoKan Goodwill) announced Wednesday that it is working with IBM to provide local job seekers' education and career readiness resources. MoKan Goodwill says it will provide enhanced access to IBM SkillsBuild for Job Seekers, a free program that helps prepare users for in-demand, entry-level IT roles in many industries.

This KC-area county will give you a historic bridge for free - if you remove it

RAY COUNTY, Mo. - If you've ever wanted to own a historic bridge, this could be your chance. The Ray County Commission is accepting proposals for the relocation and reuse of the Morton Bridge on E. 114 Street, which crosses the Crooked River, near Hardin, Missouri.

Can Kansas lawmakers override the governor's vetoes?

Kansas lawmakers are back today for a veto override session, after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly rejected multiple bills passed by the GOP-controlled legislature - including a ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports, and a "Parent's Bill of Rights." Overturning those vetoes will be a challenge, but not impossible.

Will Missouri teachers get a pay raise?

Missouri ranks dead last in the U.S. for the average starting salaries for teachers - just $32,000. But so far, state budget discussions have ignored a plan from the governor to raise that pay. Plus, how will Ford's plan to electrify its best-selling F-150 pickup play out in the Midwest?

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt joins others in urging GoFundMe reforms

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Attorneys general across the country are raising questions about the business practices of popular fund raising payment platform GoFundMe. On Tuesday, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced he's joining the effort in calling for reforms. "Users of the site pay a fee of 2.2-2.9%, plus 30 cents per transaction.

Missouri has a chance - and the money - for big things at Rock Island Trail State Park

OPINION AND COMMENTARY There is much at stake for Missouri this week. The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee is debating its version of the state budget and nestled in there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - $70 million to kick start development of the Rock Island Trail State Park.

Olathe approves Corporate Ridge apartments between Renner and Ridgeview Road - Kansas City Business Journal

Olathe signed off on the site for a Georgia developer's 289-unit apartment complex, sandwiched between Ridgeview Road and Renner Boulevard. The City Council unanimously approved Davis Development's plan for 56.42 acres along 106th Street and 106th Terrace for the project Tuesday evening. Amenities include a pool, clubhouse, dog park and three picnic areas.

Photos: Flights of Fancy Mega Kite Festival

Flights of Fancy Mega Kite Festival. // Photo by Jim Nimmo The phrase, "Go fly a kite," took on a whole new meaning this Sunday in Lee's Summit as thousands of local residents flocked to the hilltop campus of Metropolitan Community College- Longview to do exactly that-fly a kite.

Developing . . .