At the Board of Public Utilities’ 6 p.m. telephone and Zoom internet meeting April 1, General Manager Bill Johnson said in answer to a question that the BPU had no employees who tested positive for COVID-19.
However, there were six to eight BPU employees in self-quarantine, he said, due to people having possible risk with travel.
Currently, about 24 percent of the work force is on administrative leave during the “stay-home” order, he said. Some are working at home. Water and electric services are considered to be essential operations.
Board member Jeff Bryant said BPU front-line workers working with the public are “unsung heroes.”
“My heart goes out to all the hard-working staff,” board member Bob Milan Sr. said.
According to BPU officials, it was too early to tell the effects of COVID-19 on the BPU. The February financial report included figures from before March.
Lori Austin, BPU chief financial officer, said they are starting to see a little bit in reduction in cash since the COVID-19 crisis started. They have noticed some change in the past three to four days, she said.
The BPU’s customer service lobby has been closed since March 23 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, utility cutoffs for nonpayment were discontinued temporarily on March 16 as a result of the pandemic.
The BPU staff will know more later, and they will be looking at the figures more often, according to Austin.
Operating revenues in February were down about 7 percent, according to the report. February electric revenues were down about 5.3 percent, and February water revenues were down about 1.1 percent.
Milder winter weather may have been the cause of the slight decline in February, according to Austin.
Child endangerment reported
Officers were sent to a residence about 2:15 p.m. April 1 where a young juvenile was left without any adult present, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
When they arrived, the officers found the victim left at home alone.
Shooting reported, with no injuries
A victim got into an argument with a suspect about 6:45 p.m. April 1 in the 900 block of Everett Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
The suspect shot a gun toward the victim, who was not struck, according to the report.
Kidnapping, robbery reported
A victim gave a suspect a ride at 4:30 p.m. March 31 in the 2600 block of North 53rd Street, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
Later the suspect pointed a gun at the victim and took the victim’s property, the report stated.
Then the suspect forced the victim to drive the suspect to a different location, the report stated. The victim was released with no injuries, according to the report.
Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is expected through Friday evening. (National Weather Service graphic) Winds could gust up to 30 mph Thursday. (National Weather Service graphic)
Today’s weather includes a 30 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible after noon, and a high of 66, according to the National Weather Service.
Breezy conditions are expected, as winds may gust up to 30 mph in the late morning and afternoon, the weather service said.
Rain will be possible again after midnight, the weather service said. No severe weather is expected at this time. However, scattered lightning will be possible on Friday.
Frost and freezing may be a concern Saturday morning, with temperatures dipping to 33 on Friday night and early Saturday morning, according to the weather service.
Today, there is a 30 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 66 with a south southeast wind of 13 to 16 mph, gusting to 30 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.
Tonight, there is an 80 percent chance of showers, followed by more rain and then possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 39 with a south southeast wind of 11 mph, becoming northwest after midnight. Winds may gust as high as 18 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.
Friday, there is an 80 percent chance of showers, with temperatures falling to around 39 by 9 a.m., the weather service said. A north northwest wind will be around 14 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph. New precipitation between a quarter and half-inch is possible.
Friday night, there is a 30 percent chance of precipitation, mainly before 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 33 with a north wind of 6 to 10 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is expected.
Saturday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 52 and a north wind of 3 to 6 mph, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 39, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 65, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 55, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 73, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 59, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 78, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 55, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 74, the weather service said.
