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🌱 Patch AM: What sparked the fire at this long-vacant South KC school?

Coming up on the Kansas City Patch calendar: KC Bartle Hall Boat Show

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Hello Kansas City! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What sparked the fire at this long-vacant South KC school?
  • What we know about the apartment fire with multiple rescues downtown
  • How a stolen car left one Kansas City passenger critically hurt

Also on today's calendar: NYE with Tyler Walsh & Kenny Mock! and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Kansas Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Kansas Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 45 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 45, low: 23.
  • Thursday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire damaged the auditorium Monday in school building vacant for years (kshb.com) — A fire damaged the long-vacant auditorium of the former Paul Robeson Middle School in south Kansas City on Monday afternoon, but no injuries were reported. Firefighters responded to smoke at East 82nd Street and Holmes Road and are still investigating the cause, renewing concerns about the long-neglected property’s impact on nearby neighbors.
   

2. 'Multiple rescues' reported as Kansas City, Missouri, firefighters battle apartment fire (kshb.com) — Firefighters in Kansas City responded Monday night to a serious apartment fire near 18th Street and Kansas Street, where officials reported multiple rescues. Crews were dispatched around 7:20 p.m. to a building on Kansas Avenue, and additional firefighters were called in. Residents with crime-related information are urged to contact Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers anonymously.
   

3. 1 suffers critical injuries after stolen vehicle crashes in Kansas City (fox4kc.com) — A stolen white Acura ran a red light at 27th and Indiana in Kansas City, crashing into a Jeep and leaving its passenger in critical condition Monday afternoon. The Acura’s driver fled, the Jeep’s driver suffered minor injuries, and police are still investigating the hit-and-run. Expect continued police activity in that area as the case develops.
   

4. Teen organizes toy drive to comfort family after Linn County boy's death (kctv5.com) — From her Kansas City-area home, 19-year-old Sammie Magee is filling her dining room with toys, snacks and gift cards to comfort the family of 13-year-old Airen Andula, found dead in Bates County after a December disappearance. Her Sammie’s Toy Drive, started after the Uvalde school shooting, now aims to bring some joy and financial relief to Airen’s siblings and parents.
   

5. SMART division, Kansas University to conduct hearing loss study (12/30/2013) (progressiverailroading.com) — Union members in the Kansas City area will soon be invited to join a new hearing loss study run by Kansas University Medical Center and the SMART Transportation Division. The program will offer cutting-edge hearing tests, treatment guidance, and research participation opportunities, with plans to expand to additional locations later.
   

📸 Around Kansas City

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kansas City

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📣 Kansas City Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Sunday January 4
  • Sunday Worship Services
    Independence Chamber-Commerce , 17902 North Whitney Road , Independence
    9:45 am
    • Wednesday January 7
  • Boys Basketball BA OT @ Ray-Pec East
    Osage Trail Middle Independence, MO 64058
    4:00 pm
  • Girls Basketball BA Ray Pec East @ OT
    Osage Trail Middle Independence, MO 64058
    4:00 pm
  • Boys Basketball A/B/C Game @ Smithville
    Smithville MS
    4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE HE HAS BEEN FOUND (12/28/25) 7:34 pm
    This is Oliver, he’s been missing for a few days around the Martin Luther king jr blvd area. He’s an indoor and outdoor cat and we let him out for a… (Nextdoor North Town Fork Creek)
  • WILL YOU PLEASE DM/SEND ME LOCATIONS OF STRAY/FERAL CAT COMMUNITIES IN KC AREA.
    (25 mile radius, per a vet.). I want to visit them to look for my rescue who does NOT know Kansas City, not any city, actually. (Even if a small… (Nextdoor South Plaza)
  • As the KCPS Education Foundation continues showcasing the amazing work of our teachers while gifting them grants that will make a major impact in... (X: kcpublicschools)
  • Missing Person Kyla Ticknor, 22, was supposed be in the area of Bannister Rd. and Blue Ridge Blvd., but has not been seen. It is believed that Kyla... (X: kcpolice)
  • Independence Corrugated posted a job opening for Clamp Truck Operator in Kansas City. Apply here.
  • Home Depot posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate in Kansas City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kansas City here.

Ok Kansas City! 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
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