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🌱 Patch AM: How dangerous is the new bird flu strain near Overland Park?

And check out Preschool Snow Much Fun on the Overland Park Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Greetings Overland Park! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How dangerous is the new bird flu strain near Overland Park?
  • Is Overland Park’s Hardee’s about to shut its doors?
  • How one Johnson County teen turned his wish into 700 gifts

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Overland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 50, low: 28.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high of 46 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Birds are dying around KC from fast-spreading strain of avian flu. What to know (kansascity.com) — A highly pathogenic bird flu strain is killing wild birds across the Kansas City area, including a red-tailed hawk that an Overland Park family found injured in their backyard earlier this month. Wildlife experts say snow geese are being hit hardest, some birds are dying in residential areas, and residents should avoid handling sick or dead birds without protection while reporting unusual bird behavior to state agencies.
   

Find out what's happening in Overland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Is fast-food chain closing its KC-area locations? What we know (kansascity.com) — Hardee’s workers in Overland Park say their restaurant may close within days as a major franchisee faces a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from the chain. With several Kansas City–area locations already shuttering and corporate staying quiet, local customers and employees are left wondering which metro stores will survive and whether any closed sites might reopen.
   

3. Olathe teen fulfills Make-A-Wish by donating 700 toys to patients at Children's Mercy (kshb.com) — A Johnson County teen used his Make-A-Wish to collect more than 700 toys for young patients at Children’s Mercy, turning a tough cancer journey into a gift of holiday joy. The story comes from a reporter who regularly covers Overland Park and Johnson County, highlighting how local families and even Chiefs players rallied to brighten the season for hospitalized kids.
   

4. Community security director Chuck Green to retire (kcjc.com) — A former Overland Park deputy police chief, Simon Happer, is stepping in as Jewish Kansas City’s new community security director as longtime leader Chuck Green retires. Green’s nine-year tenure brought major security upgrades, federal grant funding, and extensive training that strengthened protection for Jewish institutions across the region while balancing safety with a welcoming environment.
   

5. JoCo's top election official resigns abruptly, saying he was forced out (johnsoncountypost.com) — Johnson County’s top election official has abruptly resigned after Kansas’ secretary of state gave him the choice to quit or be fired, citing an undisclosed policy dispute. The shake-up affects how elections are overseen countywide, including in Overland Park, where Fred Sherman previously worked in planning roles before leading the county through pandemic-era voting challenges and conspiracy-theory scrutiny.
   

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Meet Sweetie 🐾
    Sweetie is a 12 year, 8 month old Cocker Spaniel who recently lost her owner in October and is now looking for a new place to call home. She has had… (Nextdoor Strang Line)
  • My dog got lost at 9:15 PM near 159th and South Brougham.
    She is very scared, so please don’t try to chase her. She has a microchip and she is wearing a collar with her tag on it. Please text or call if you… (Nextdoor Southdale)
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Overland Park. Apply here.
  • Kansas Fine Wine and Spirits posted a job opening for Seasonal Stocking / Fulfillment Associate | Full Time - Morning & Days in Overland Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Overland Park here.

Ok Overland Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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