The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department was dispatched about 15 minutes ago to put out a small fire at Kensington Park, located near 29th and State Avenue.

The fire, described as small, reportedly was set intentionally on a table.

No one was hurt and no significant damage to the park was reported by the fire.

Meanwhile, a dispatcher said a "young white male" is in custody with the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department in connection to the fire.

No other information was available.

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A Saturday evening single-car accident injured two Kansas City, Kan., residents.

Sharnia Robinson lost control of his 2004 Jaguar while attempting to exit westbound Interstate 70 at 38th Street.

Robinson, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol, was traveling at a "high rate of speed" as he was making his exit. The car vaulted and then flipped three to four times in the grassy median in the area.

The car came to rest on its side.

Along with Robinson, passenger Antonio Broom was injured in the accident. Both were transported to local hospitals.

Neither were wearing their seat-belts.

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Here are some photos from Friday night's Harmon-Washington football game.

Harmon prevailed in the league opener, 47-13, behind an offensive attack led by quarterback Terrance Simmons (pictured).

SPECIAL TO THE KANSAN

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (60-38) clinched the 2010 Northern League regular-season title Saturday night with a 22-4 win over the Kansas City T-Bones (57-41) in front of 6,928 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Kansas City will enter the 2010 Northern League playoffs as the number two seed.

Fargo took a 4-0 lead against Ryan Knippschild (10-8) in the first inning, scoring two of the runs on an RBI double by Jay Cox.

The T-Bones added a single tally in the bottom of the first against Jake Laber (11-4), and both teams added single runs in their halves of the second to make the score 5-2.

The RedHawks put the game out of reach in the third, chasing Knippschild with a six-run frame to push the score to 11-2. Knippschild walked his final batter, Eric Campbell, with the bases loaded to force in the third run of the inning before leaving in favor of Kyle Heim.

A three-run triple by Jeremiah Piepkorn immediately followed and capped the scoring in the inning.

Knippschild was charged with 11 runs, 10 earned, on eight hits over two and one-thirds innings in the loss.

Fargo added three more runs in the fourth to gain a 14-2 advantage. Drew Shetrone entered in the fifth and surrendered four runs on four hits, with a three-run home run by Kole Zimmerman highlighting the frame. Brian Joynt homered in the bottom of the fifth to bring the score to 18-3.

Laber picked up his 11th win of the season in the contest, moving into a tie for the league lead in that category after allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits over six innings.

Casey Hoorelbeke entered from Fargo’s bullpen and allowed the T-Bones final run in the seventh on a solo home run by Gabriel Martinez.

Shetrone gave up back-to-back singles to start the eighth before surrendering a three-run home run to Jesse Hoorelbeke. After inducing a groundout, he left in favor of Hunter Mense. Shetrone allowed seven runs on 10 hits and a walk in three and one-thirds innings, striking out two.

Mense finished the inning, allowing just one hit, before Keith Hernandez took the mound in the ninth. Hernandez surrendered a solo home run to Campbell to cap the scoring at 22-4.

The loss was the largest defeat in T-Bones history, and the 22 runs allowed was a single-game team high. Fargo collected 24 hits in the contest, tying the T-Bones record for hits allowed in single game.

Jacob Blackwood finished the game 0-for-five, dropping his season average to .338. He is now tied with Kevin West of Winnipeg in that category while maintaining his lead in both home runs and RBI as he pursues the league’s first Triple Crown since 2000.

Kansas City sends Reid Santos (6-5, 5.28) to the mound opposite Matt Zoltak (1-1,4.50) and the RedHawks Sunday night. First pitch is set for 7:05. Catch all the action online at www.tbonesbaseball.com or on the radio at KXTR 1660 AM.

SPECIAL TO THE KANSAN

FULL GAME RECAP: Jacob Blackwood connected for his 31st home run of the season Friday night to pull within two of the Northern League’s single-season record, but the Kansas City T-Bones (57-40) fell to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (59-38), 8-1, in front of 5,824 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Scott Fogelson (8-3) led the way for Fargo, surrendering just one hit, an infield single to Keanon Simon, over five innings. With the help of a double play, Simon was erased and Fogelson faced the minimum through five. The left-hander also struck out eight in the win.

Andrew Cruse (11-6) threw three scoreless innings for the Kansas City before the RedHawks plated two runs in the fourth on a two-run home run by Jesse Hoorelbeke.
Fargo added five more in the fifth, highlighted by two home runs. The first run of the frame came on a solo shot by Alan Rick, and a single by Nic Jackson plated two more.

A two-run home run by Eric Campbell extended the RedHawks lead to 7-0 and chased Cruse.

Cruse suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one walk over four-plus innings, striking out six. Casey Hodges entered for Kansas City and threw three innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out two.

Blackwood took sole possession of the T-Bones single-season home run record with his seventh-inning blast off Sean Gregory, besting the previous mark of 30 set by Eddie Pearson in 2004.

Kansas City sends Ryan Knippschild (10-7) to the mound opposite Jake Laber (10-4) and the RedHawks Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7:05. Catch all the action online at www.tbonesbaseball.com or on the radio at KXTR 1660 AM.

SUSPENDED GAME: The Kansas City T-Bones (57-39) pushed to within one game of the first-place Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (58-38) with a 4-3 win Friday night as they finished a suspended game from July 4 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
The T-Bones took an early lead in July, plating two runs in the first off Matt Mossey (3-2).

Jimmy Mojica doubled to begin Kansas City’s half of the inning and scored on an RBI triple by the next batter, Jacob Blackwood. An RBI groundout by Rico Washington pushed Blackwood across, giving the T-Bones a 2-0 advantage.

Fargo answered in the third inning when Zach Penprase hit a two-run home run off Reid Santos, evening the score at two. The T-Bones quickly regained the lead when Mojica walked and then scored on another RBI groundout by Washington. Following a walk to the next batter, the game was suspended.

Mossey surrendered three runs on three hits and four walks over two and one-thirds innings in the loss. Santos did not factor into the decision, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in three innings while striking out two.

When the game resumed Friday, Matt Petrusek took the mound for Fargo and got the final two outs in the third to keep the score at 3-2. Kansas City pushed the score to 4-2 in the fifth on a solo home run by Jim Fasano.

Todd Moser (1-0) threw three innings for Kansas City, allowing two hits and one walk, striking out four in the win. Steven Stewart added a scoreless seventh for the T-Bones before Matt Perisho threw the final two frames, surrendering two hits and one unearned run to cap the scoring at 4-3 while earning his first save with Kansas City.
 

The Ming Dynasty may have arrived at Harmon High School.

In their debut for the Harmon Hawks, the Ming Brothers scored a combined six touchdowns tonight in the Hawks' 47-13 victory against Washington.

The Ming dominance began on the game's very first touch.

Herman Ming, the senior, took the opening kickoff well into Washington territory. After quarterback Terrance Simmons hit Herman on a key fourth down conversion, Isiah Ming (pictured) took it to the house from about 20 yards out, giving Harmon a 7-0 lead.

After Harmon's defense stymied Washington, the Mings went back to work. Isiah Ming scored his second touchdown of the quarter to give the Hawks a 14-0 advantage.

The first quarter of the year was Harmon's best of the night – they outgained Washington 147 yards to -11 yards.

"There's nothing too much I can complain about in the first quarter," said head coach Calvin Davenport.

Following a special teams touchdown from Washington, Isiah scored three more touchdowns in the first half – totaling five for the game.

"I've been working hard for a game like this," Isiah Ming said. "I knew this was going to be my night."

While he didn't quite score as much as his younger brother did, Herman Ming was pretty good himself tonight.

He was dominating on all three sides of the ball, scoring a touchdown on a reception. Herman Ming broke tackle after tackle following receptions, running plays called for him and even after an interception. On one play, six Wildcats were required to bring him down.

He had multiple 30-yard kickoff returns, including a touchdown that was negated on a questionable holding call.

"Isiah ran it really hard," Davenport said. "He ran it very hard."

As far as his quarterback, Davenport was pleased in Simmon's performance. Simmons had one touchdown and showed poise in the pocket, scrambling around the rush of the Wildcats. Most importantly – no turnovers.

"He was excellent tonight," he said. "He came prepared and anchored the offense tonight. He missed a few guys open, but we'll fix it."

Both Isiah Ming and Davenport think a special season's in store at Harmon.

"This team can go anywhere we want to," Isiah Ming said.

"The group that came out tonight was very special," Davenport said. "We've practiced so hard and we're very pleased tonight."

Sorry for being late, but the officiating crew in the Harmon-Washington game enjoyed tossing flags late.

Here are some scores from Friday night football.

• Harmon 47, Washington 13

• Basehor-Linwood 42, Piper 26

• Blue Valley 56, Turner 7

• Sumner Academy 40, Jefferson West 37

• Lincoln Prep 16, Schlagle 12

• Tonganoxie 54, Bishop Ward 6

• Van Horn 6, Wyandotte 0

More when final scores come in.

We ran an update from the Wyandotte County District's Attorney office last week about the case of Kelsey Stacker.

In our post, we stated Stacker pleaded "guilty" to second degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Randy Campbell.

However, he pleaded "noel contendere," meaning a no contest plea. Although the plea is similiar to a plea of guilty, technically it is not.

The Kansan regrets the confusion.

Kelvin Gibson, Jr., was sentenced to life in prison this morning for the murder of Phillip Martin.

Gibson will have no chance of parole for 20 years, plus 61 months, according to the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office.

Gibson was convicted of first degree murder and aggravated robbery in connection to Martin's death, occurring Oct. 6, 2008, at 22nd and Haskell.

Katron Harris, a second defendant in the case, will also spend life in prison. Harris was sentenced in April.
 

SPECIAL TO THE KANSAN

The Kansas City Wizards and Philadelphia Union kick off week 23 of MLS action at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 4 at the newly opened PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Both teams are coming off wins in their last two games, but Kansas City is riding the momentum of an extended run of results.

In all competition, the Wizards have earned more points than any MLS team over their last eight matches, going 5-1-2 in a span that includes road victories over both conference leaders and a 2-1 upset of English powerhouse Manchester United.
 
With the streak, the Wizards have moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Toronto, and are just three points out of the final playoff spot with nine games remaining.

The Union sit in seventh place in the East with 20 points from 21 games played in their first season in MLS.

Philadelphia is coming off a busy, but successful week. The Union came from behind at New England last Saturday, scoring two goals in the final ten minutes to beat the Revolution 2-1, and then returned home for a hard fought 1-0 victory on Wednesday in a friendly against Chivas Guadalajara.

Chivas striker Omar Bravo, on-loan from Kansas City until he joins the Wizards as a Designated Player for the 2011 season, started and played 63 minutes in his first appearance in the United States since signing with Kansas City last month.

The Union offense features one of the league’s top performers this season, Philadelphia forward Sebastian Le Toux, who is in the midst of a breakout season with nine goals and ten assists.

He is joined on the frontline by rookies Danny Mwanga, this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, and Jack McInerney, who has scored in back-to-back games for the Union. Together, Mwanga and McInerney have nine goals in league play.

Kansas City will be playing without its leading goal scorer, Kei Kamara, due to international duty.

Kamara was selected by Sierra Leone for an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday, September 5 in Cairo against defending continental champions Egypt.

Following Kansas City’s game on Saturday, Wizards defenders Shavar Thomas (Jamaica) and Roger Espinoza (Honduras) will also report to their respective national teams for upcoming international fixtures.

The Wizards will play at the newly opened PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania for the first time on Saturday. Kansas City and Philadelphia’s only previous meeting came on June 10 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, with the Wizards emerging as 2-0 winners on goals from Kamara and midfielder Graham Zusi.

Saturday’s match will be broadcast live and in high definition in both English and Spanish on KCWE Channel 29. It will also be available over the airwaves on La Gran D 1340 AM.

A Friday morning accident on Leavenworth Road near U73 northbound injured on Lawrence, Kan., resident.

The accident was reported to the Kansas Highway Patrol at about 9:15 a.m. Friday morning. The two-vehicle accident injured Ann Kruse, who rear-ended the vehicle of Barbara Coates of Leavenworth, Kan.

Coates' vehicle was stopped at a red light when Kruse's car struck hers. However, Coates was not injured in the accident.

Kruse is expected to recovery fully.

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A Kansas City, Kan., job fair featuring several local employers will be held later this month at the Jack Reardon Convention Center.

Residents in search of a job will have an opportunity to make connections with key employers from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

The first hour of the job fair will be available exclusively to military veterans.

The Unified Government, Hilton Garden Inn, Kansas Work, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools, The Builders' Association, Workforce Partnership and the YWCA of KCK will be among those at the job fair.

There's no cost to attend the event or employers who take part in the fair.

Thursday, the United Way of Wyandotte County hosted a community rally.

Our speaker was Kevin Salwen, co-author of The Power of Half. This is the story of one family’s commitment to impact a change in an area of need.

During his talk, Mr. Salwen asked attendees to look at the use of our time. If one spends six hours watching television can one cut the time in half and use the three free hours to volunteer?

Volunteers can tutor a child, help an agency with a backlog of clerical work, prepare a nutritious meal at a local food kitchen, get exercise by working in a community garden to name just a few of the many options available.

As the director of the volunteer center that sounds like a real good idea. The needs in our community are tremendous. Today I want to share just a few of those needs with you.

Do you know the rules of soccer? Can you share your knowledge and skills with children? Communities in School Kansas City, Kansas is recruiting soccer coaches and assistant coaches to work with teams of elementary level students from M.E. Pearson and Whittier schools in KCK.

The fall season starts soon. Games are on Saturdays and practice is weekly as scheduled by the coach. High School students with soccer backgrounds will be considered. Background checks are required. For more information on how you can volunteer to coach soccer please contact Jamie at 913-638-1103 or at jthiessen@ciskck.org.

Kauffman Scholars in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters is recruiting volunteers to mentor students.  Mentors are matched in a one-to-one friendship with a scholar. Kauffman scholars is a comprehensive multi-year program designed to provide students who would not otherwise have a chance to go to college an opportunity for a full ride. To learn more about this mentoring opportunity visit bbbskc.org/kauffmanscholars or call 816-561-5269.

Sister Strength is sponsoring Heal the Land, 1000 Woman Prayer Conference on September 11, 2010. Volunteers are needed to help the day of event to work registration, serve as ushers, greeters, give water to attendees, and help with clean-up. If you would like to help with this event go to www.sisterstrength/whatsnew or contact me at 913-371-3674.

Do you like to work outdoors? The Family Conservancy needs volunteers to do simple landscape work at the 54th & State Ave. office. Thursday, Friday or Saturday mornings would be good times. This is a one time opportunity for 3-5 people. For more information contact Barb at 913-742-4137 or bking@thefamilyconservnacy.org.

Sunflower House is looking for volunteers who know something about building maintenance.

They are planning to organize a committee to complete a facilities needs assessment and then develop a plan to see that needed preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance takes place on schedule. Please contact Allison at Allison@sunflowerhouse.org or at 913-631-5800.

These are only some of the many opportunities available to potential volunteers. Now is a good to re-evaluate how you use your time. Just maybe, you can find a free hour or two to volunteer and make a difference in the life of someone in need. For information on other volunteer opportunities please contact see our website at www.volunteerkc.org.

Diane Hentges is the Director of the Volunteer Center at the United Way of Wyandotte County.

The Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas will host an open house for the new La Luz Center for Immigration Legal Assistance later this month.

The open house will be held Thursday, Sept. 30, at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas' headquarters at 2230 Central Ave.

Once it's open, the center will provide legal services to immigrants who have recently moved to the United States. Services include "know your rights" consultations, naturalization and other needs associated with immigration.

“These are people who wanted a better life for their children and now they’re forced to live in the shadows,” said Greg Bole, an attorney for La Luz Center. “Anything we can do to make their daily lives better, to bring them light, is extremely important.”

The open house will last from 4-7 p.m.

Dealing with the worst economy in decades hasn't stopped the United Way of Wyandotte County from setting an ambitious $3 million goal for its year-long fundraiser.

The organization officially kicked off its fundraiser yesterday at two events: A community rally at the Jack Reardon Convention Center and Breit's Stein & Deli.

One day in, there's already a sign that this year's campaign could easily outmatch last year's. Over 700 attended this year's campaign rally, doubling the total of last year's attendance.

"We've dealt with the tough economy in past campaigns," said Wendell Maddox, president and CEO of the United Way of Wyandotte County. "We think we saw rock bottom last year. Several contributors had laid off employees. It was pretty obvious there were economic hardships."

Maddox points out to the increasing jobs at the General Motors Fairfax plant and the lack of cutbacks this year at the Unified Government, Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools Districts and other large employers of Wyandotte County as reasons to be optimistic.

"They usually do well raising funds," he said.

Jon Jackson, the chairperson of this year's campaign, said the economy is also affecting the needs of the county.

"Each year our goal is set by the needs of our community," he said. "We are trying to meet those needs and we are optimistic about doing better than last year."

(More photos of the event at Breit's after the jump)