Kansas

'I can't fully mourn': Kansas City mother calls on police for answers following son's death

Published

2 months ago

October 30, 2024

'I can't fully mourn': Kansas City mother calls on police for answers following son's death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a tear-filled, candle light vigil on Monday night, a family continues their fight for justice and answers.

35-year-old Jonathan Rodgers was found near Independence Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri’s, Northeast with serious injuries.

He later died at the hospital.

Jack McCormick

The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said officers found Rodgers with bodily trauma on Independence Avenue after receiving another call for a response near the intersection of east 6th Street and Monroe Avenue

Both calls were connected to Rodgers.

Later investigation revealed Rodgers’ injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma.

Rodgers’ family is frustrated with KCPD over their lack of answers.

“Everybody’s just putting this off like, ‘Oh, he was homeless,’” Zelpha Rodgers, Jonathan’s mother, said. “He was not just a homeless person. He had a home, he had a family, he had children.”

Zelpha Rodgers has returned to the intersection of Sixth and Monroe many times, looking for any information about what led up to her son’s death.

She told KSHB 41 News police didn’t initially contact her, and now aren’t responding to her many calls for answers.

“I came down here searching that next morning,” she said. “They never notified me. Everything I know, I have found out on my own.”

Jonathan was living on the streets for periods of time, but would sometimes return home to his mother and three young children.

On Oct. 17, Zelpha says Jonathan decided to come home for good.

“He was just getting things back together,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

According to Zelpha, Jonathan had called her earlier that afternoon and had asked to be picked up at the dollar store on Independence Avenue.

“He tossed his bag in the front seat and said, ‘I’m running around to the ATM, I’ll be right back’,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

But that was the last time she saw her son.

After Jonathan did not return to the car for awhile, Zelpha says she had to take the children home for dinner and bed.

It wasn’t until her family pulled up a news article she realized her son may not be coming home.

“I want to know why my son’s case is being blown over like it’s just somebody that has no family, no nothing,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

KCPD has not identified any suspects or stated why Jonathan had bodily trauma. A spokesperson told KSHB 41 News detectives are actively investigating.

Unsolved crimes among the homeless community is an unfortunate occurrence Shelter KC’s executive director sees too often.

“It’s just not safe in the streets,” Eric Burger said. “It just isn’t.”

Burger explained mental health issues and substance abuse struggles are contributing to the rising rates of chronic homelessness in the KC area.

“That already makes you vulnerable,” Burger said. “That already makes you into a situation where you are more susceptible to be victimized.”

Zelpha explained she refuses to let her son be just another victim.

“I cannot fully mourn or grieve until I got answers,” Zelpha Rodgers said.

If you are experiencing a housing crisis, you can call 211 to get in touch with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness and learn about housing resources.

If you know someone or see someone who is unhoused, calling 311 will notify the Kansas City outreach team who works directly with the shelters.

—

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.

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Kansas

State issues ‘Emergency Alert,’ advises drivers to stay off roads due to winter weather

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

State issues ‘Emergency Alert,’ advises drivers to stay off roads due to winter weather

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A statewide alert sent to smartphones across Kansas urges drivers to stay off of Kansas roads unless there’s an emergency. The alert follows numerous closures across the state, including in Harvey County where the sheriff’s office issued a travel alert, advising that all state highways in the county are closing “due to the impacts of the winter storm. In Harvey County, the state highway closures include Interstate I-135, U.S. 50, K-196 and K-15.

“These State-maintained roadways, and we do not have a timeline when they will reopen. We will share updates as they are made available to us,” the county explained.

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Transportation advised that due to low visibility and impassable conditions, Interstate 70 was closed in both directions from the Missouri state line in Kansas City west to the Ellsworth County line and that eastbound I-70 was also closed from Hays to the Missouri state line.

Joining Harvey County, KDOT said that all highways were closed in Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Riley, Pottawatomie, Johnson, Jackson, Atchison, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Osage, Douglas, Wyandotte, Washington, Clay, Geary, Dickinson, Morris, Marion, Chase, McPherson, Saline, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Ottawa, Mitchell, Republic, Cloud and Jewell counties.

Representing central Kansas and some of the areas most heavily impacted by the ice and snow, including Salina, Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C shed light on what troopers are dealing with.

“Due to untreated roadways and hazardous conditions, some motorists may be stuck for extended periods of time,” KHP Trooper Ben Gardner posted on the troop’s Facebook page a little after 5 p.m. Sunday. “Emergency response is extremely difficult, and we ask for your patience as troopers work to assist those in need. Please avoid travel if possible to help keep everyone safe.”

The first winter storm of 2025 prompted numerous closures to schools, businesses and local government facilities across Kansas. You can keep up with the full list of closures and delays here: https://www.kwch.com/weather/closings/. While temperatures will be dangerously cold on Monday, conditions are expected to improve enough throughout the day for most if not everyone to open again on Tuesday.

You can catch updates on highway conditions across Kansas here: www.kandrive.gov.

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Kansas

All early flights canceled at KCI Airport during winter storm

Published

14 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

All early flights canceled at KCI Airport during winter storm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Travelers trying to get in and out of Kansas City International Airport have long delays in front of them.

While the airport itself remains open, flights are not leaving or arriving Sunday.

According to flykc.com, airlines have canceled every flight leaving Kansas City before 5 p.m. There are no incoming flights expected to land at KCI Airport before 5:45 p.m. Sunday evening.

The airport told all impacted travelers Saturday to check with their airline for updates on flights and rescheduling options.

ALSO READ: Chiefs land in Denver after hours-long winter storm delay in Kansas City

KCI Airport closed for several hours Saturday afternoon because ice accumulated quickly. The airport eventually reopened, but travelers faced delays and cancelations.

Kansas City leaders are expected to provide updates concerning KCI Airport at 1 p.m. Sunday. Any information will be updated in this article.

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Kansas

What channel is Kansas basketball vs UCF on today? Time, TV schedule, prediction

Published

22 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

What channel is Kansas basketball vs UCF on today? Time, TV schedule, prediction

LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball continues Big 12 Conference play on Sunday on the road against UCF.

The No. 7 Jayhawks (9-3, 0-1 in Big 12) are coming off of a loss at home against West Virginia. UCF (10-2, 1-0 in Big 12) just beat Texas Tech on the road. It’s an opportunity for a rebound for KU, but coach Bill Self’s squad did lose this matchup last season.

Here’s how fans can follow, watch and stream the game against UCF, which is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. (CT):

What channel is Kansas basketball vs UCF on today?

Kansas basketball vs UCF time today

Date: Sunday, Jan. 5
Start time: 3 p.m. (CT)

Kansas basketball will play UCF at 3 p.m. (CT) at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.

Kansas basketball vs UCF prediction

The Jayhawks are in a tough position this week after losing their Big 12 opener at home against West Virginia. It’s not as if making the trip to face UCF this weekend will be some break for Kansas. But this could be the wake-up call that KU needs on the way to a 74-67 win in front of a hostile crowd.

Kansas basketball 2024-25 schedule

Here’s a look at the last three games Kansas has played during the regular season. The full schedule is available online.

Dec. 14 (home): NC State — Kansas won 75-60

Dec. 22 (home): Brown — Kansas won 87-53

Dec. 31 (home): West Virginia — Kansas lost 62-61

UCF basketball 2024-25 schedule

Here’s a look at the last three games UCF has played during the regular season. The full schedule is available online.

Dec. 14 (neutral): Tulsa — UCF won 88-75

Dec. 21 (home): Jacksonville — UCF won 86-66

Dec. 31 (away): Texas Tech — UCF won 87-83

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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