Volume 10, Episode 1

Scorching Hot Weather Forecast for Parkville

Monday: 98 degrees
Tuesday: 100 degrees
Wednesday: 100 degrees
Thursday: 100 degrees
Friday: 100 degrees
Saturday: 100 degrees

Yeesh.

Episode 47 Hits the Streets

No Charges in Fire Truck Accident

From the Platte County Prosecutor:

On May 9, 2011, two fire trucks operated by members of the Central Platte Fire Protection District collided while responding to a fire on Highway HH east of Platte City.  Investigators with the Platte County Sheriff’s Department investigated the crash and forwarded reports regarding the incident to the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “I have carefully reviewed reports of the Platte County Sheriff’s Department regarding this crash.  I  discussed the results of the investigation with my assistant prosecutors, including Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Humiston, who went to the scene shortly after the incident.  We have concluded that this unfortunate accident was just that—an accident—and no criminal charges will be brought as a result.”

Park Reverses Stance on Campus Access

Park University has reversed their position and will now allow guests to run on a specially marked trail on a temporary basis (basically, the duration of the Flood of 2011). The trail plan was approved by President Michael Droge. In comments to the Luminary, Park spokesperson Rita Weighill said the University quickly realized "a need to be flexible" due to the flood.

As reported in last week's Luminary, campus security had been turning away non-students, faculty or others with "official business on campus, leading to an outcry among area joggers and alumni.

Under the pilot plan, temporary day passes and dashboard cards will be issued by campus security that will be valid from sunrise to sunset. Runners are required to also check out with security. Weighill said that the plan gives the university confidence they can provide security to students and ensure the safety if those using the trails on a day pass. "If someone is hurt, we wouldn't want them out there alone," Weighill said.

More in tomorrow's Luminary. (Click through below to see the trail and to download a temporary pass form.)

Graves Amendment Takes Aim at Army Corps River Management

Sam Graves, pictured here at Whiteman AFB
took aim at the Army's Missouri River
management today in Congress.

U.S. Congressman Sam Graves' first amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill passed on a 216-190 vote. 


The amendment transferred $1 million in funds from the Missouri River Recovery Program to the Operations and Maintenance Account to be used for levee maintenance. 


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spends $73 million on wildlife rehabilitation along the river, but only $6 million to build and maintain levees.

"We spend too much to protect fish at the expense of people," said Graves. "I am glad the House agreed that we need to rebalance our priorities and spend money to protect homes, businesses and farmland. This is just the first step in the long-march to rebalance those priorities."

Graves' second amendment reaffirms that flood control and navigation are the priorities for the management of the river. It is likely to be on the floor tomorrow.

"As we get ready to talk about changing the master plan, I want to remind everyone that flood control and navigation are the top two priorities," said Graves. "We are asking the Corps to balance too many competing interests."

Phase 1 of Route 45 Project Now Complete

Utility work is complete, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is wrapping up Stage 1 Phase 1 of the Route 45 widening project between Route 9 and Route K in Parkville, MO.  This week, motorists will switch onto new pavement between North Crooked Road and Route K as construction moves into the next phase.

RECYCLING CANNED

The ambitious yet controversial plan that would have mandatorily required all waste haulers to provide recycling services to all residents of Parkville has stalled, The Luminary has learned.

On Thursday evening, newly elected Ward 3 Alderman Kendall Welch confirmed to The Luminary that she sent an e-mail to fellow aldermen and city staff saying she would not push for the plan, a concession to the outspoken opposition to the proposal at the July 5 public hearing on the matter.

 “I have decided to not have a recycling ordinance at this time,” Welch, the chair for Parkville’s environmental committee wrote, adding that she did not expect the level of opposition faced at the hearing regarding the plan.

Parade Marches On Despite Flood

Parkville's Fourth of July Parade persevered amid rising flood water on Main Street.

A Guest Editorial From Bill Gresham

Everyday People
By William Gresham

What makes a community member’s voice authentic? What is it that gives the words pronounced by some greater heft than those expressed by someone else? Is it the time the commenter has spent in the community? Is it the age of the person expressing their point? Is it the length of time one’s clan has maintained residency in a geographic location? Or is it the good will built up by the person speaking, and wisdom evident in their previous words and deeds which make others recognize that what they are hearing is an expression worthy of consideration?

Merriam-Webster defines community as “a unified body of individuals”. But unification can come in a variety of colors, and isn’t necessarily comprehensive. I suppose that, usually, the main factor which defines that unity is geographic commonality.

Our community of Parkville has been challenged by a tough economic situation, and, now, a pending flood of the Missouri River and its tributaries. Preparations for that flooding, and the rising water itself, have made conducting the traditional festival associated with the 4th of July an impossibility. On a recent early Sunday morning, I attended a meeting at which alternative plans for Independence Day activities were discussed.

Volume 9, Episode 45

Top Stories:
In Platte County It's Your Breath Or Your Blood
Fireworks Over Fireworks: Festival Organizers Blasted
Alderman Eye Coffey Road For Evacuees
Flood Related Bulletins

Plus:
Why We're Flooding You by Brigadier General McMahon
Everyday People by William Gresham
a Flood Level Forecast

...and
a Photo Essay by Mylissa Russell, Frank Hamilton, and Chief Kevin Chrisman

All that plus a serving of Wondermark, Suduko, the King Crossword, Twitter Ticker, and Parkville's Police Report, coming at you in newsracks throughout the Parkville area.

Flood Prediction Remains Steady

English Landing Evacuation Alert Possible

Photo courtesy Chief Kevin Chrisman.

The Missouri River reaches the area near English Landing shops.

Flood levels continue to rise today sending a notice to tenants in the English Landing shopping center that an evacuation order may be possible. As of Thursday night, the water had risen to a height of 749 elevation nearing the sandbag wall.

The City of Parkville has said that a mandatory evacuation order would be probable at the 750 elevation mark. Projections show that the water is likely to rise another foot through Friday.

A 24 hour evacuation notice will be sent if weather forecasts predict the water level to increase.