WycoWest.com

Jerniah Slater, 6, of Kansas City, Kan., showed a catch including a 4.25-pound catfish she caught at the seventh annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby, Saturday, May 19, at the pond at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave. With her is her father, Jeron Slater Sr. Jerniah and her brother also go fishing with their father at the kids' pond at Wyandotte County Lake. The free fishing derby Saturday was sponsored by Urban American Outdoors and KCKCC. More than 300 children attended. (Staff photo)

Annika Garcia's bike's tires and brakes were checked for safety on Saturday, May 19, at the sixth annual Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo held at the Schlitterbahn, 94th and State, Kansas City, Kan. Those attending received a free bicycle helmet and T-shirt. Car safety checks also were held. Annika's mother, Jana Garcia, left, Kansas City, Kan., accompanied her daughter. Roberta Dierks and Bill Wells, right, of Big D Cycling, volunteered to do safety checks. (Staff photo)

Detective Danon Vaughn sang a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" during the Kansas City, Kan., Police Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 16, in front of City Hall. See below for more photos. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Some 60 tractors participated in a fundraising cruise Saturday, May 5. The 35-mile drive started and ended at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs. More than $11,000 was raised to benefit the Ag Hall. Joe Steineger Jr. and his friend Ruthelene Scherer, above, both of Kansas City, Kan., helped organize the event and rode in the lead tractor. Stops included Grinter Place, Cabela’s and Wyandotte County Lake. (Submitted photo)

   William Johnson, manager of electric operations and technology for the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities, has been named the 2012-2013 president of Kansas Municipal Utilities.    The appointment came at the organization’s 84th annual conference last week in Wichita. Kansas Municipal Utilities is the statewide trade association supporting and representing 176 municipal electric, natural gas, water and wastewater utilities across the state.     As president, Johnson is charged with leading the association that advocates for municipal systems before Congress, the Kansas Legislature and other regulatory agencies. KMU also provides educational, job training and safety, operation and maintenance...

Joe Steineger Jr. and his friend Ruthlene Scherer, both of Kansas City, Kan., are helping to raise funds for the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame through a tractor cruise to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5. (Submitted photo)   Joe Steineger Jr. has never forgotten the importance of agriculture.   Joe Jr.’s grandfather, Milton Steineger, came to Wyandotte County in about 1860 from the German-speaking area of Switzerland and settled in the Muncie community as a farmer. Joe lives on land that was an Indian trading post in those early days.   Joe Steineger Sr. and his family probably farmed more...

   What does the future look like for the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools? What is the district doing to achieve its goal of graduating every student ready for college and careers? These and many other questions will be answered during the upcoming State of the District Community Town Hall Meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Central Office and Training Center, 2010 N. 59th St.   Community members, business leaders, staff and students are all invited to attend.    The Kansas City, Kan., Public School district has received national attention and recognition for its work to improve student...

    A conservative state Senate redistricting amendment that would have changed the look of the 5th District and several other districts was defeated today in the Kansas Senate.   The proposed conservative map, which had not received the approval of the Senate redistricting committee, would have whittled down Wyandotte County territory in the 5th District and enlarged a Leavenworth County portion of it.   A 21-19 vote against the map showed how close the map was to advancing.   Proposed by Sen. Steve Abrams, R-32nd Dist., of Arkansas City, Kan., the “For the People” map could have spelled trouble for Democrats and...

St. Patrick's Day marchers in Kansas City, Kan., enjoyed the weather in the mid-70s at noon today at 5th and Barnett as they marched a few blocks down the sidewalk on 5th Street in the fourth annual O'Dotte March. The parade ended at Breit's, 412 N. 5th St., where participants may enjoy Irish food provided by George Sooter and Co. for a $7 donation. Proceeds will benefit the Bishop Ward High School football team. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Greg Bole, immigration attorney, received a grant for La Luz Center from Dan Diepenbrock, Kansas Bar Foundation president. (Submitted photo)   The La Luz Center for Immigration Legal Assistance in Kansas City, Kan., has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the Kansas Bar Foundation.   The funds will help offset the center’s costs in providing free consultation and full legal representation to indigent clients, a spokesman said.   The center is a program of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. La Luz Center was established in 2010 to provide professional immigration legal assistance to low-income foreign-born individuals and their families needing assistance. The name...