🚨 One thing to know today

A former nurse in Overland Park has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for stealing opioids from Menorah Medical Center.

In December, Alec Ramirez, 32, of Overland Park, pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge.

In a press release, the U.S. Department of Justice said Ramirez in March 2021 “removed vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah” and replaced them with vials filled with an “alternate liquid.”

Fentanyl and hydromorphone are both synthetic opioids typically prescribed for pain relief.

The drugs are highly addictive and have played a role in America’s ongoing opioid crisis, which researchers say has been responsible for more than 500,000 deaths over the past two decades.

Ramirez was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021 and was one of two nurses that year charged with illegally removing vials of fentanyl from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah.

🚧 Latest U.S. 69 short-term closures

During the U.S. 69 toll lane project and interchange improvement work, the Post will provide updates on the latest lane and ramp closures from West 103rd to West 151st streets. Here’s the latest:

• Northbound U.S. 69/135th St., March 7-17 — Flagging operation at ramp (135th St. to northbound U.S. 69 entrance ramp) for project batch plant construction inside ramp loop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Southbound U.S. 69 at Indian Creek, March 13-17 — Single right lane closure on bridge over Indian Creek for project access to bridge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Northbound and southbound U.S. 69, 135th to 151st, March 13-17 — Single right lane closures for temporary grading, paving and widening work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Southbound U.S. 69/westbound I-435, March 13-17 — Alternating lane closures on southbound U.S. 69 to westbound I-435 ramp for bridge work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Eastbound and westbound I-435/College Blvd., March 14-16 — Mobile lane closures on collector distributor road (I-435 to College Blvd.) for bridge work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Southbound U.S. 69/westbound I-435/College Blvd., March 14-17 — Ramp closed (westbound I-435 ramp to southbound U.S. 69 ramp, between I-435 and College Blvd.) for bridge work from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

🗓 Public meetings Wednesday

• Johnson County Park and Recreation Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners, 7 p.m. [View agenda]

🚀 Post’s top Tuesday stories

1. Blue Valley West graduate Kate Cosentino on NBC’s ‘The Voice’
2. Overland Park OKs plans for two new subdivisions to the south
3. Going to the new KCI from JoCo? Here’s what you need to know
4. KC India Mart looking to relocate store in Overland Park
5. Local obituaries for March 10-13

📰 Other local news

• A new community of nuns, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will serve the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas out of St. Michael the Archangel parish in southern Leawood. [The Leaven]
• The Community Blood Center earlier this month declared the first blood emergency of 2023. Donations are down partially due to the cold and flu season, a high number of lapsed blood donors and a drop in first-time donors. Schedule an appointment here. [KCTV]
• The Chick-fil-A fast food chain will open a new $31 million, 148,000-square-foot distribution center in Olathe. [Fox 4]

🐦 Notable tweets

ICYMI, Matt Christensen was named 2023 Kansas Master Teacher!

I was so excited to see one of my all-time favorite teachers, Matt Christensen, on the house floor today! He was named a 2023 Kansas Master Teacher, and the award could not be more deserved! Congratulations, Mr. Christensen 🎉 Kansas is so lucky to have you! #ksleg @BVNW_Huskies pic.twitter.com/b1uukl8wbF

— Lindsay Vaughn (@Lindsay4KS22) March 14, 2023

Fire season is winding down for those restoring prairie restoration efforts in Johnson County.

My fire season is winding down as the spring wildflowers and reptiles begin to emerge. The units today were between a highway, landfill, and a Walmart. Gotta love the urban interface. pic.twitter.com/9sspKdJODo

— Prairie Czar (@PrairieCzar) March 14, 2023

Ted Lasso says this season feels different. Let’s go!

Maybe’s it the magic of three, maybe it’s climate change, but this season feels different.

Here we go!

— Ted Lasso (@TedLasso) March 15, 2023