The Kansas City T-Bones announced that March 24 will be the date Wyandotte County residents can first purchase single-game tickets.

The general public can purchase tickets beginning March 26.

The T-Bones box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark will open next week for the sale.  Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-4. 

The early sale for Wyandotte County residents will only be available by visiting the box office or the T-Bones TeamStore in the Legends shopping center (M-Sat 10-9 and Sun 11-6).

Beginning on March 26, tickets can be purchased online at www.tbonesbaseball.com.

Winter will apparently make a triumphant return this weekend.

After a week filled with spring-like weather, Kansas City could receive up to five inches of snow tomorrow.

Rain and snow is possible tonight. A winter storm watch has been issue to counties just south of Wyandotte County.

Here is the four-day forecast

Today: A chance of rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Light wind becoming north northwest between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1am. Low around 30. Blustery, with a north wind between 18 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Snow, mainly before 1pm. High near 34. Breezy, with a north northeast wind between 20 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Blustery, with a north wind between 18 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. North wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 46.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

A group of seventh graders at Coronado Middle School are making waves on the debate scene in Kansas City.

Debate students at Coronado Middle School are winning big this school year in various debate events held across the metro area.

In the City Championship earlier this month, two separate teams from Cornado Middle School advanced to the event held by Debate Kansas City, an organization that encourages students to take part in debate.

Along with the team success, individual students Aviance Battles and Angelica Strong earned individual honors.

Michelle Hogue, who's the debate coach at the school and a science teacher, said practice has been key.

"It's not a 'sit down and shut up' type of environment," she said. "We like to have fun and we practice what we do."

Students at Coronado and other schools across the metro area take part in city competitions in "policy debate" and "student congress." Among the issues the students debate include community schools and education.

"They have to research the issues," Hogue said. "They are so good. They just have this natural ability to perform well."

The Coronado students are among the youngest debaters in the city – most of their competition is exclusively eighth-graders.

But Battles and Strong apparently don't care about the age difference too much.

"When I first heard of debate, I had a different way of looking at it," she said. "Now I love doing it and giving speeches."

For Strong, debate has been a learning experience.

"I like that we keep up with current events," she said. "We've been learning more and more about the world. We practice a lot on the issues so we know what we're talking about."

For Debate KC Director Gabe Cook, hearing Battles, Strong and the other students at Coronado probably validates what he's trying to push at the school level.

The organization has grown from just a handful of schools to about 40 schools. At starting off with just two middle schools, Debate KC has expanded to 20 middle schools this year.

But Cook said the best benefit for students participating in debate is for the students themselves.

"Students who participate in debate are three times more likely to graduate from high school," Cook said, referring to a recent study on the issue. "It makes you more prepared for college and it helps with critical thinking."

A number of students on the team are on Debate KC's power rankings. Cook said the middle school team at Coronado was at the top of the power rankings at the time of these interviews.

Other schools in Kansas City, Kan., that take part in Debate KC include: Sumner Academy, Northwest Middle School, Eisenhower Middle School, F.L Schlagle Middle School, Rosedale Mildde School, Washington High School, Turner High School and Wyandotte High School.

A number of businesses at Village West will provide a helping hand to the American Red Cross this month.

A select number of businesses will donate a portion of their sales to the local chapter.

Businesses taking part include:

• Los Cabos: The Kansas City, Kan., Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business After Hours event on Wednesday, March 24 from 5-7 p.m.

• Culver's: All day on Thursday, March 25, the business will donate 10 percent of their sales to the American Red Cross. Culver's will also host a blood drive on Saturday, March 27.

• Palmer's Candies and Ice Cream: 10 percent of sales on March 30 will be donated to the American Red Cross.

• Mr. Goodcent's (in Bonner Springs): 10 percent of sales on March 30 will be donated

• Applebee's: 10 percent of "select sales" will be donated to the local Red Cross on April 1.

(From BIshop Ward High School)

The Bishop Ward High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will be on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Bishop Ward, 708 N. 18th St.

This event will celebrate the accomplishments of five extraordinary individuals who in their own way represent the legacy and tradition of Bishop Ward.

Bob ’69 and Denise ’71 Beaman are the co-chairs of this elegant event. The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Induction Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $125 per person or $1,000 per table of 8 guests.

You can make your reservations now for this special evening. Sponsorship levels also are available to honor our five distinguished inductees. 

To learn more about sponsorships or make a reservation, visit cyclonecountry.org or contact Amy Nelson in the Development Office at 913.371.6901 or at anelson@wardhigh.org. 

2010 Bishop Ward Hall of Fame Class

Monsignor Michael Mullen ’54, Alumnus of the Year

BeaMarie (Mejia) Mayer ’67, Don Denney ’70 Spirit of Bishop Ward Award

Dr. Andy Harding ’81, Athletic Achievement Award

Ed Dwight ’51, Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement Award

Donald E. Wolf, Father Raymond J. Davern Community Service Award

INDUCTEE BIOS

Mon. Michael Mullen, a 1954 alumnus, is receiving the Alumnus of the Year Award. Mon. Mullen is the pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church and is a member of the Bishop Ward Board of Trustees. He has served as a priest almost 48 years, serving as a pastor, seminary educator, and director of seminarians.

BeaMarie Mayer, a 1967 alumna, is receiving the Don Denney ’70 Spirit of Bishop Ward Award. Mayer is self employed as a human resources and finance consultant. She is a member of the Bishop Ward Board of Trustees. She has previously served on several local boards, including MANA of Kansas City, Cabot Westside Health Center and YWCA of Kansas City.

Dr. Andy Harding, a 1981 alumnus, is receiving the Athletic Achievement Award. He played Center for the K-State football team from 1981-1985 and was selected for the 1985 Academic All Big Eight. He is the owner of Chiropractic Healing Center.

Ed Dwight, a 1951 alumnus, is receiving the Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement Award. He is a nationally-renowned sculptor and most recently created a sculpture of the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Dwight was also the first African American astronaut and author of his autobiography, “Soaring on the Wings of a Dream.”

Don Wolf is receiving the Father Raymond J. Davern Community Service Award. He is the lead photographer of De Cloud Studios. Wolf is a supporter of St. Theresa’s Orphanage in Croatia and several Catholic schools and parishes in Wyandotte County.

A woman was robbed at gun-point last night on the 1300 Block of Central Avenue.

A thief used a handgun to rob the woman at around 7:30 p.m. last night. No one was seriously injured in the case. A witness was on the scene as well.

A case of aggravated assault and aggravated robbery were reported.

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Secundino Aria-Garcia and Sergio Mosqueda-Hernandez were sentenced today for their involvement in a drug trafficking ring that resulted in the sell of over $1 million in methamphetamine.

Both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Aria-Garcia also admitted to purchasing the drug in large quantities and later sold it to dealers in the Kansas City area.

Aria-Garcia was sentenced to 210 months in prison, while Mosqueda-Hernandez was senteced to 121 months. Both will serve the time in federal prison.

Additional defendants involved in the ring:

• Guadalupe Ruiz, sentenced to 120 months in federal prison.

• Robyn Woods, sentenced to 60 months.

• Marcicela Naranjo, sentenced to 70 months.

• Marisela Ruiz, sentenced to 108 months.

• Francisco Armondo Lopez-Montejano, sentenced to 70 months.

• Baltazar Quiroz, set for sentencing March 23, 2010.

• Betty Sue Marcos, set for sentencing March 30, 2010.

• Vincent Ray Marez, set for sentencing March 18, 2010.

• Baynard Jack Sitlington, set for sentencing 6, 2010.

• Hector Eduardo Garcia-Gallardo, set for sentencing May  4, 2010.

• Jesus Munoz, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Araceli Lozano-Miranda, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Carlos Dozal-Alvarez, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Javier Dozal, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Fabiola Uribe, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Steven Luttrell, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Hugo Chavez-Cadenas, set for sentencing April 13, 2010.

• Luis Lozano-Miranda, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Jose Jimenez-Alvarez, set for sentencing April 27, 2010.

• Francisco Javier Ruiz-Najera, set for sentencing April 13, 2010.

• Uriel Lopez-Montejano, set for sentencing April 13, 2010.

• Jorge Carrillo-Chavez, set for sentencing April 6, 2010.

• Kurtis Wall, set for sentencing April 6,2010. 

The Kansas City T-Bones have signed rookie pitcher Steven Stewart to a contract for the 2010 season.

Stewart, 23, spent two seasons in the Washington Nationals organization. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2008.

During his career with the organization, he posted a 3.64 ERA, holding opponents to a .249 average.

“Steven is a right-hander that puts good sink on the baseball,” said Tim Doherty, manager of the T-Bones.  “He will add depth to the backend of our bullpen.”

The Wyandotte County Parks Foundation and the Kansas City T-Bones have teamed up in an effort to build more accessible playgrounds for those with disabilities across Wyandotte County.

Eight proposed sites would receive the new playgrounds, which will be funded by pledges and donations including a $200,000 contribution from the T-Bones baseball team.

“For children with disabilities, an equally important consideration is that accessible equipment be integrated with non-accessible equipment,” said Gary Salva, the director of parks and recreation. “Not every piece of play equipment needs to be accessible, but when non-accessible swings are located alongside accessible ones, it promotes social interaction between children with and without disabilities.”

Playgrounds at City Park, Quindaro Park, Emerson Park, Shawnee West, Wyandotte County Lake (by shelters 3,5 and 7), Pierson Park, Eisenhower Park and Riverview Park.

The planning for the project began last year when the foundation's Board of Directors approved a project to make playgrounds within the county's park system more assessable for everyone in the community.

“Because Kansas City sports fans have so heartily embraced the T-Bones’ brand of affordable, family entertainment, we are thrilled to reinvest in Wyandotte County’s recreational infrastructure and its future,” T-Bones Co-Owner Adam Ehlert said.

The T-Bones have generated over $500,000 for the recreation department based on a partnership where the team contributes a portion of all ticket sales to the county.

Sumner Academy's 4A State Championship run got me thinking more about the basketball tradition in Kansas City, Kan.

Having traveled around the state the past two years while cover KCK hoops, there's a sense from my gathering that the tradition in KCK is not as appreciated as it should be.

Consider these basketball traditions in KCK and ask yourselves why the city is not as respected as it should be.

• Wyandotte Basketball: Any mention of hoops in KCK needs to be accommodated by talking about Wyandotte Bulldog basketball. If it's not law, it should be. Wyandotte has won 20 state titles, the most by far of any school in the state. They won titles in seven decades during the 20th Century, including an undefeated national championship in 1923. Slackers.

• The greatest high school basketball dynasty ever: Wyandotte was the first high school to win 1,000 games in the United States. Part of that can be attributed to the Walt Shublom Dynasty where Wyandotte went 296-26 over a 14-year period beginning in 1959. That's an obscene winning percentage of 92, if you're counting at home. Shublom, as a head coach, won 10 titles, coached Wyandotte to two undefeated seasons and finished five more years with just one loss. While eras are different, it's tough to imagine another one stacking up like Wyandotte's did from the late 50s to the early 1970s.

• Randy Springs: An argument also be made that Randy Springs is the greatest high school basketball coach in the state's history. Springs is the only coach to win titles at three different schools – and he won two at each of them. Along with winning two titles at Highland Park in Topeka, Kan., Springs won two titles at two KCK schools – Wyandotte and Sumner Academy. His impact at Sumner Academy is still being felt after he built them into one of the city's dominant programs in the mid-1990s.

• Sumner Academy: In the past 14 seasons, Sumner Academy has made 12 trips to the state tournament, whether it be 5A or 4A. The Sabres have won three state titles in the past 12 years and should be classified as a modern day dynasty. From Kelyn Block to Jeff Hawkins to Reese Holliday, Sumner's been a great program for nearly 15 years. Before integrating, Sumner High School also had an undefeated season in 1969 to win the state tournament.

• Schlagle High School: The team of the 1990s was flat out scary at times. The Stallions won titles in 1993 and 1995. They came very close to winning titles in 1999 and 2000. The Stallions' tradition was awesome in the 1990s. Under Chuck Minor, Schlagle was dominant for about a 10-year period.

• Lucius Allen: Allen's the only athlete from Kansas to win a title at all three levels in basketball– high school (Wyandotte), college (UCLA) and NBA (Milwaukee). Allen just might be the best player in Wyandotte history.

• Other NBA Talent: Along with Allen, Earl Watson is currently playing in the NBA. Wyandotte's Larry Drew, Larry Comely, Pierre Russell and Earl Watson also played in the NBA. Victor Williams is currently in the NBA Development League. Local players eventually moved on to play at big colleges like the University of Kansas and UCLA.

• Wyandotte and Washington's gyms: While some gyms in the city have the personality of a morgue, there might not be two better places to play or watch a game than at Wyandotte and Washington. Wyandotte's gym is proof perfection can be possible, while Washington is the loudest gym I've ever been in.

There's a ton of basketball history in KCK. Not enough people know about it, however. Keep this mind – only in KCK a school with four titles (Sumner Academy) pales in comparison to another school (Wyandotte's 20 titles).

This year will hopefully remind fans and followers of Kansas high school basketball about that tradition. Sumner brought home the trophy, Washington appeared in state and Harmon's rebuilding process nearly led it to state this season.

The bus that killed Kansas City, Kan., third-grader Patience Cary drove off the roadway, according to Kansas City, Kan., police.

The department is still investigating specifics on the case and questioning continues.

However, a report released by the department this week indicated that the bus, which was traveling north on N. 66th Street, "drove off the roadway to the right" and struck Cary.

Cary died before medics arrived on the scene.

The driver has not been charged by police and it's unknown why the bus veered off the road. The driver has been suspended, however, with pay by the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District.

The Legends at Village West is now known as the Legends Outlets Kansas City.

The name change was made in connection with a new transformation of the shopping center to a destination of outlet centers.

“Consumer buying habits have shifted,” said Lisa Quier Wagner, a consultant involved for The Legends. “There is a demand for higher value over the past 18 months, but consumers’ top priority is still the brand. Value and experience are still important. With outlet centers carrying an average discount of 37 percent, The Legends will be the best of both and a win-win for consumers.” 


The Legends is seeking to attain about 294,000 square feet in outlet retailers. They have 27 current outlets and more will announce soon.

A new logo for The Legends has been designed as well.

“Outlet retailers have squashed the connotation that its merchandise is overstock of lower quality or clearance items,” Wagner said. “Outlet centers today are shopping destinations with affordable brand name options of quality goods.”

Today's appointment of Democrat Chris Biggs to the Secretary of State position will not affect the future campaign of Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger.

Steineger, who announced last month he'd run for the Democratic Party's nomination, said today he will remain in the race.

“I entered the campaign for Secretary of State assuming there would be competition in the primary and general elections, and I have planned accordingly,” Steineger said. “I have worked hard for the people of Wyandotte County for 14 years, and I will continue to work on behalf of the people of Kansas.  I am undeterred by this appointment.”

Biggs, before being named, was to be Steineger's primary opponent for the party's nomination.

The Kansas City Wizards held an exhibition match late last week at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

As far as the real games are concerned, they begin soon.

The Wizards will welcome D.C. United into Kansas City, Kan., for the MLS Season Opener two Saturdays from now on March 27.

A reminder – the Wizards are offering a 20 percent discount on season ticket packages and all season-game tickets for residents of Wyandotte County.

The offer is an exclusive for just Wyandotte County residents or employees. Season-game tickets can be purchased by calling the team at (913) 387-3400 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com/wyandotte