News Briefs: East Football Game, Taco Republic and California Wildfires

East

Kicking off the first East football game of the season, the Lancers played Shawnee Mission Northwest on Saturday, Sept. 19th with an ending score of 6-36. 

Covid-19 has made practices and games look dramatically different this year. One of the precautions being taken is that masks must be worn anytime off the field. But, when helmets are on, and players are on the field, masks can come off. 

For games, all coaches, staff, trainers and managers are required to wear masks and everyone is expected to spread out across 80 yards to keep social distance apparent. Community water bottles and cups have been replaced. Now each player has their own individual water. 

Head football coach Justin Hoover has ensured the players have designated areas to come off the field to distance themselves. Hoover said that the boys have been mature and responsible in this situation because it’s all worth it to them to be able to play.

“I just hate it for them that their friends and classmates can’t be there,” Hoover said. “That’s part of the experience of high school sports, and I hate that for them, but I understand.”

The seven weeks of summer without in-person contact has left a lot to do in a small amount of time. According to Hoover, they’ve been trying to make up for the time they’ve lost from shutdowns due to quarantine. The coaches and players are trying to keep high energy and motivation to get through each practice.

“We’re just kind of trying to win every day,” Hoover said. “That’s kind of been our motto up to this point. Wednesday needs to be better than Tuesday.”

Local

Local taco joint Taco Republic is planning to open their second KC location in Corinth Square in spring of 2021. It will replace Arby’s, which recently closed due to business economic issues. 

The locally owned Mexican restaurant currently has one location in Kansas City, KS, where they’re known for serving authentic street-style tacos.

Taco Republic owner, Whitney VinZant, told the Shawnee Mission Post that he hopes to “bring a fun atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy together for years to come.”

The new location plans to create an outdoor area with family-friendly games and activities as well as their iconic on-sight taco truck.

Sophomore Andrew West, who’s a self-proclaimed Mexican food fanatic, can’t wait for the new taco joint to be added to Corinth Square. He loves Taco Republic’s authentic food and outdoor environment, so when he heard the news about the restaurant opening he got the idea to apply as a server. He’s watching their website expecting applications will come out soon. 

“I’m excited to have a job that’s close and convenient to my house,” West said. “And [in] Corinth Square in general.” 

National

With more than five million acres scorched in California, Oregon and Washington, wildfires on the West Coast slowly continue to spread. Unhealthy air quality due to large amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful chemicals are being released into the atmosphere as a result. 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in the L.A. Times that this catastrophe is the tenth largest wildfire in state history. They also state that 2,000 miles away, New Yorkers are claiming to notice smoke from the fires.

The wildfires were ignited in early September when a dry lightning storm and 110-degree heat wave hit California. Climate change is creating a drier environment with rising heat making it harder for the fires to be smothered. According to the New York Times, meteorologists are keeping a close watch to see how the upcoming winds and humidity will affect the severity of the fires.  

Kayla Schmidt, a close friend of junior Charlotte Hawes, lives in the San Francisco area and has experienced the fires first-hand. According to Schmidt, the effects of the disaster have been apparent—from the freeway being covered in debris and ash to the apocalyptic orange and red skies. 

One morning she woke up to a heavy, dark orange sky. She guessed it was around 6 a.m. and assumed the sun was rising. But after checking her phone, she realized it was almost 10 a.m.

“I think that’s when it really hit me,” Schmidt said. “I was like, ‘This is crazy.”

For about a week she was on house arrest because the air quality index was 200 micrograms per cubic meter, 150 over the healthy amount. When she did go outside it reeked of smoke and ash filled her lungs, causing her to choke on the air. 

“We would be sitting outside for dinner and all of a sudden we could smell the smoke start to blow,” Schmidt said. “We would immediately shut all the windows and go inside.”