Kansas City Hyperlocal: Back To School News At The End Of Summer

For fellow news junkies we share a bevy of community reports that don't really require intense debate but serve as a reminder that the point of local news is find common ground with your neighbors.

Check the lastest TKC gathering . . .

Marlborough school in KC transforming from eyesore to community hub

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A revitalization project in the Marlborough neighborhood is trying to be an example for what's possible with old school buildings in the rest of the city. Part of Kansas City Public School's Blueprint 2030 effort is identifying what to do with school buildings the district no longer uses.

Lee's Summit opens new middle school, adds sixth grade

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - Lee's Summit, Missouri goes back to school Tuesday and many students will be at new schools. In opening East Trails Middle School the district has gone through redistricting and is moving 6th graders from elementary to middle school.

School security: 1 in 4 classrooms can't lock from inside

RAYTOWN, Mo. - About a quarter of classroom doors in the U.S. are unable to lock from the inside, according to a 2020 survey from the National Center for Education Statistics. It was one of the many issues uncovered after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas .

Overland Park firefighters practice high-angle rescues at water tower

Firefighters spent hours Monday at the water tower in downtown Overland Park, training on rescues in high places.The training is the culmination of 90 hours of classroom work. Twelve trainees lowered their boss down 10 stories on a rope and a board."And after 90 hours of instruction, and being with them the whole time, I feel very comfortable being in their hands.

Kansas mental health hospitals are so overcrowded that patients have to wait in hallways

TOPEKA, Kansas - Patients facing mental health crises are waiting in a Wichita hospital hallway because psychiatric wards are full. Inmates in the Sedgwick County Jail wait up to a year to get transferred to the Larned State Hospital simply for evaluations.

Firefighters pull 74-year-old woman from burning home in KCK, she and dog die from injuries

The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department says a woman has died after she was pulled from a burning home Monday morning. Fire crews were originally called to a home in the 3200 block of North 47th Street around 8:12 a.m. Monday.

Medical condition may have caused 20-year-old man to drown in Hillsdale Lake

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A medical condition may have led to a 20-year-old man's drowning Sunday about 15 feet offshore in Hillsdale Lake in Miami County, Kansas. Michael Allen Giesbrecht of Lane, Kansas, was found unresponsive about 2 p.m.

Johnson County residents tired of semis using rural roads as cut-through

SPRING HILL, Kan. - People in one part of rural Johnson County complain their roads aren't meant for big semitrailers. As 18-wheelers constantly drive down their narrow roads, sometimes causing crashes, concerns grow for neighbors like Frank Moley. He's getting tired of seeing truckers use 199th Street between Spring Hill and Gardner as a cut-through.

Farmland prices soar, making it even harder for young farmers to break in and grow

Across the Midwest, farmland prices have risen sharply from last year, in part because of high commodity prices and a global food shortage. The highly competitive market, which often includes investors, can make it difficult for young farmers to grow their businesses.

KC baseball coaches help save teen's life after going into cardiac arrest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - CPR saves lives. First responders say that all the time, but now, some Kansas City baseball coaches understand firsthand, after using lifesaving techniques to revive a teenager in cardiac arrest. A simple baseball lesson turned into a harrowing experience on August 3.

Shawnee Mission North Marching Stampede performs on First News

It's back-to-school season, and KMBC 9 and KCWE are "banding together" to celebrate an exciting week! Join us all week for special performances from area marching bands, plus appearances by News Chopper 9 and Johnny Rowlands!On Tuesday, Johnny flew over Shawnee Mission North High School to catch the Marching Stampede, under the direction of Chad Reed and Rebecca Fillingham.

South KC High School Football Preview

Grandview looks to improve in the second year with Dan Joiner leading the program. The Bulldogs went 3-7 last year, beating Truman, Ruskin, and Raytown South. Grandview opens this season at home on August 26 against William Chrisman. The Bulldogs' offense looks like it has made progress from last season, at least in practice.

Romance GenreCon brought love, lust, and literacy to the masses at Mid-Continent Library

Attendees at the Mid-Continent Library's Romance GenreCon enjoy a presentation about dialogue writing given by author Virginia Heath. // Courtesy Romance GenreCon There's a lot more to writing romance novels than imagining steamy scenes or finding that enticing cover image. To dive into the details for both writers and fans, the Mid-Continent Library held its annual Romance GenreCon Aug.

Highs closer to 90 in the coming days

Kansas City is due for a warm and dry evening Tuesday. Mostly clear conditions will follow, with lows in the mid-60s.Highs will edge closer to 90° for the next several days. Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with highs near 90.There will be a slight chance for storms Thursday and Friday, mainly for northern Missouri and Kansas.

Developing . . .