🚨 One thing to know today

The day has finally arrived: Johnson County native and Blue Valley West alum Kate Cosentino debuted on this season of NBC”s “The Voice” as one of the newest contestants.

A 2017 graduate from Blue Valley West, the indie-pop singer-songwriter was a featured artist on the 23rd season of the singing competition, which premiered earlier this month on NBC.

Cosentino performed her own version of “I Say a Little Prayer,” first performed by Dionne Warwick in 1967 and later by Aretha Franklin.

“Way to represent Blue Valley, we are proud of you!” the school district tweeted Wednesday morning.

Wow 😱! Blue Valley West alum @KateMCosentino debuted on The Voice last night and it was electric! Way to represent Blue Valley, we are proud of you!
Incredible talent our alumni showcases all over the world. #BVTogether https://t.co/XNQ8XXasd1

— Blue Valley Schools (@bvschools) March 15, 2023

In case you missed it, here’s our report on Consentino before her big day.

🚧 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 to (now) June 30 due to extension — 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.
• Southbound U.S. 69, 119th to Antioch and 135th to 151st, March 16-17 — Single right lane closures and intermittent ramp closures (U.S. 69 at 135th St. entrance and exit ramps) for utility location and temporary drainage work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

🗓 Public meetings Thursday

• Board of County Commissioners, 9:30 a.m. [View agenda]

🚀 Post’s top Wednesday stories

1. Blue Valley West graduate Kate Cosentino on NBC’s ‘The Voice’
2. Bravo! Italian Kitchen closes in Leawood after 20 years
3. KU Health opening primary care clinic in southern Overland Park
4. Overland Park advances plan for new retail at Nieman Plaza
5. JoCo Notes: Former Overland Park nurse sentenced for stealing opioids

📰 Other local news

• The Qlathe BBQ Championship is coming up this weekend at Lone Elm Park in Olathe. [Kansas City Star]
• Olathe Public Schools was ranked 12th on Forbes’ annual list of “Best Midsize Employers” in the United States. [Kansas City Business Journal]
• The U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas is warning the public about phone scams in which callers spoof or fraudulently display themselves as having numbers belonging to government agencies in attempt to defraud victims of money. If you are a victim of such a scam, contact the bank you used to try to recall the wire transfer, then file the complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. [Department of Justice]

🐦 Notable tweets

The perfect date: on the court at Mokan.

lil date, was kinda nervous🪣⛹️‍♂️ @BVNW_Hoops https://t.co/P7SkAfgxWR

— landon braun (@landonbraun6) March 15, 2023

Oooh, Ted Lasso!!

I see you, @TedLasso pic.twitter.com/LjNP8RAppF

— Justin Meyer (@JustinMeyerKC) March 15, 2023