Tower replacement
A project is underway to replace the tower light poles located along I-70 from 38th Street to 10th Street in Kanas City, Kan.
Crews will install new tower lights at the I-70 interchanges to replace the existing tower poles which are dated and worn.
Work is taking place during daylight hours, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The majority of the project work will take place beyond the shoulders on the highway right of way along I-70.
There may be occasional lane and shoulder closures between the non-peak times of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or during the evening hours, Monday-Friday.
Drivers should expect minimal delays throughout the project duration.
Updated daily traffic information for this project can be viewed online at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.
The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to use caution driving through the project work zone.
Fulsom Brothers, Cedar Vale, Kan., is the primary contractor on this $495,000 tower lighting replacement project.
The overall project is scheduled to be completed in late May 2014, weather permitting.
Michael Liimatta, president of Connecting for Good, explained the new programs at the Northeast Wyandotte County Community Technology Center. (Photo by William Crum)
by William Crum
Kansas City, Kan., has a program to narrow the digital divide.
Connecting for Good has a new technology center located at 2006 N. 3rd Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.
A group of committed volunteers teach classes on how to use the Internet at the Northeast Wyandotte County Community Technology Center. This is done at the location on North 3rd Street, near the downtown area and the Juniper Gardens housing complex.
There are classes to learn how to operate a computer, and learn how to surf the Internet as well.
The center even provides low-cost hardware for low-income individuals, therefore a person who is not financially able to buy a computer can buy one at a very reasonable cost.
While Internet access is available at the library, at schools and other public places, they believe computing and connectivity in the home is a right that all people in our community can take advantage of to better themselves and fully participate in the digital age.
They provide expertise in wireless Internet connectivity, and in low-cost refurbishing PCs and laptops at a very reasonable price to people who are low income.
They even offer digital life skills, making this program an asset to the community. For more information, call 913-730-0677.
The new Northeast Wyandotte County Community Technology Center opened March 14. (Photo by William Crum) Aurelien Collin (File photo)
Sporting Kansas City settled for a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas in the team’s MLS home opener on Saturday at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Aurelien Collin scored in the 81st minute on a corner kick from Benny Feilhaber, however Matt Hedges headed home a free kick from Michel in the 90th minute to split the points.
Attendance was 19,431 and temperatures were at 70 degrees when the game started.
Playing the team’s third match during a stretch of five games in 15 days, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes made five changes from the lineups that started the team’s season opener in Seattle and mid-week match in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Jimmy Medranda made his first MLS start and second career appearance, while rookie midfielder Alex Martinez replaced the Colombian in the second half for his MLS debut.
Sporting Kansas City created the game’s first chance in the fourth minute. Collin’s service over the top of the FC Dallas backline drew Chris Seitz off his line, but the goalkeeper was beaten to the ball by Sal Zizzo on the right flank. The fifth-year forward sent his chip over Seitz from a tight angle and found C.J. Sapong at the backpost but his shot was blocked away by Hedges.
Eight minutes later, Sal Zizzo did well to turn Jair Benitez inside the penalty area and direct his shot on frame from 15 yards out. Chris Seitz dove to his left to push away the attempt for his first of five saves on the night.
FC Dallas would not record its first shot of the game until the 33rd minute when Blas Perez couldn’t connect fully on a lunging shot at the edge of the six-yard box. The Panamanian would try twice more in the first half — registering the visitors only three shots of the half — including a header in the 39th minute and a left-footed drive from 20 yards out that sailed just wide on the final play of the half.
Sporting Kansas City controlled 70 percent of the possession in the final 45 minutes while searching for the breakthrough goal. Feilhaber tested Seitz with a half-volley but the FC Dallas backup, starting in place of the injured Raul Fernandez, was well-positioned to smother the shot.
FC Dallas inserted young designated players Andres Escobar and David Texeria in the second half and it was Escobar’s corner kick in the 79th minute that fell to fellow Colombian Fabian Castillo outside the penalty box. The 21-year-old did well to strike a first-time side volley but it carried narrowly over the crossbar.
With under 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Sporting Kansas City finally found the game’s opening goal from one of the club’s 12 corner kicks on Saturday. Seth Sinovic stuttered his way past Je-Vaughn Watson and forced a sprawling save by Seitz at the near post to earn the set piece.
Collin then found space between Andrew Jacobson and Hedges to direct his header inside the far post for his 14th career goal in MLS competition, tying him with Jose Burciaga Jr. for second most by a defender in team history behind Jimmy Conrad.
The lead would be short-lived as FC Dallas responded nine minutes later through a free kick, awarded by referee Abbey Okulaja when Texeira went to ground as Oriol Rosell closed in for a challenge.
Michel, who had entered less than three minutes earlier, curled the set piece toward the back post where it was met by Hedges with a powerful header from six yards out.
The goal came on FC Dallas’ only shot on goal of the game and marked the second straight year FC Dallas came from behind to equalize in the 90th minute against Sporting KC. Sporting Kansas City would have three chances to grab a late game-winning goal in stoppage time, none better than from the foot of Martinez after a quickly taken free kick by Sinovic.
The 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick snuck into the left side of the penalty area and placed his shot past Seitz only to see it cleared in the goalmouth by Hedges.
The draw saw Sporting Kansas City move to 11-2-6 all-time in MLS home openers with just one loss to open the team’s regular season home schedule in the last 15 years.
Up next for Sporting Kansas City is the decisive second leg in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at Cruz Azul on Wednesday.
Sporting KC holds a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading to Estadio Azul in a match that will be nationally televised on FOX Sports 2 (English) and Galavision (Spanish).
