Man Gets Life Sentence for KC Double Murder
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for a double homicide in Kansas. The Kansas City Star reports that Jose Varela Jr. was given two life sentences for first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Fabian Arriaga and Jose Morales. The charges stemmed from a 2017 triple shooting in Kansas City, Kansas. The Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office says Varela must serve 25 years before he is eliglble for parole.
====================
Kansas City Zoo Plans $10 Million Renovation of Elephant Exhibit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Zoo is planning a $10 million renovation of its elephant exhibit. The project announced this week will include easier access to the pool for the elephants, as well as adding shade and softer ground for the animals to walk on. Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff says the renovations will also improve visitors' views of the elephants, with additional seating and handicapped-accessible renovations. The zoo is still waiting to announce final plans for a $75 million saltwater aquarium. KCUR reports the delay is caused mostly by a $7 million contribution from Kansas City. The city council directed City Manager Troy Schulte to try and find the money but a city spokesman said this week no funds have been identified to fulfill the request.
====================
Ottawa Movie Theater Recognized for its Longevity
OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — The oldest continuously operating movie theater in the world might figure to be in New York or Hollywood. How about Kansas? The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Ottawa is home to the Plaza 1907 Cinema, showing films since May 22, 1907, when black-and-white silent movies ruled the day. Ottawa is about 50 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and is home to 12,300 people. What sets the theater apart is that over the past 112 years, it has never shut down and has remained at the same location. The Plaza applied for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2017. It achieved the distinction of being the "World's Oldest Operating Purpose-Built Cinema" after it was determined it was two days older than a theater in Denmark.