Throwback Thursday

Here's a shot of U.S. 24 highway near Beloit.  Can you guess what year it was?  Here's your hint: If you know how much that doggie is in the window, you'll probably know the answer.  Give us your best guess in the comments and check back later this afternoon to find out the answer.

Uber is back in Kansas

Last week, the Kansas Legislature voted to bring the ride-hailing company, Uber back to the state by limiting the regulations concerning vehicle insurance and background checks.

Uber started in San Francisco in 2009 and has spread over the country.  It first began operating in Kansas in April. However, the company was forced to leave Kansas earlier this month after the Legislature overrode Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of a bill that would have required drivers for ride-hailing services to obtain comprehensive and collision insurance and to undergo background checks conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The new bill requires drivers with liens on their cars to carry comprehensive and collision insurance under Kansas law.  While KBI background checks are no longer required, the new legislation does prohibit Uber from hiring drivers who've been convicted of a felony or who are listed on a national or state sex offenders list.

Don't know much about Uber?  Click on the video below to learn more.

Will you use Uber?  Let us know in the comments below.

Send us your seat belt selfies

Have you taken your seat belt selfie yet?

Try a seat belt challenge with the help of your smart phone. Shoot a photo of yourself with your seat belt on holding your car keys. It’s an easy way to show your friends that you always buckle up and they should do the same.

Once you have the photo and are ready to post on social media, from a safe parked location, use tag it with #KSSeatBeltSelfie and tag several of your friends and challenge them to do the same. 

This challenge goes along with the “Click it. Or ticket.” campaign currently going on through the end of May. Kansas law enforcement is actively searching for unbelted drivers and passengers, so buckle up before you ever put your keys in the ignition. 

You can now virtually drive the Johnson County Gateway Project

Motorists can now ‘virtually drive’ the completed Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 Design-Build Project via a series of videos that are being released yesterday. KDOT  along with the project contractor, Gateway Interchange Constructors, is launching the online video series to provide a drive-through and aerial view look as to how drivers will navigate through the Phase 2 project that is scheduled for completion in December 2016. The video series will also provide motorists with a better understanding of the final interchange configuration and how their travel will be improved through the interchange area. 

Some of the major interchange improvements include adding new two-lane flyover bridge ramps from westbound I-435 to southbound I-35, eastbound I-435 to northbound I-35 and from eastbound K-10 to northbound I-35.  Collector-distributor roads are being built to help improve safety by reducing weaving and separating interstate traffic from traffic exiting at the local interchanges.  

The entire online Johnson County Gateway Project video series is available on the project website.

The video below shows the entire project.  Visit the project website to see additional clips.
 

Visitors are surprised by what Kansas has to offer

“That’s in Kansas?” may be the most common phrase heard at the Goodland Travel Information Center.

With summer just around the corner, center manager Mona Carver and her staff are gearing up for what is their busiest time of the year. Carver said visits to the center peak in July and may average between 700 and 1,000 visitors per day. Visitors can get maps, directors and brochures about attractions, and also work with the travel counselors to plan their visit in Kansas and make accommodations.

Carver said most visitors are surprised by all that Kansas has to offer, especially the Eisenhower Center and Monument Rocks. She noted most people don’t realize Eisenhower was from Kansas.

The center is open year-round except New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Free coffee and tea are always available!

Hours of Operation: 
May 15 through September 15 - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 16 through May 14 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Motoring Monday: Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial

We’re bringing back our Motoring Monday series which recommends some of the lesser known things and places to see in Kansas.  This week, in honor of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, we’re featuring the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Located on the east side of Heritage Park in Junction City, the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1987. In 1991, it was designated as the official State Vietnam Veterans Monument. The memorial is made of seven black granite panels measuring 13 feet high and 46 feet long. 

The two end panels contain the names of the Kansas veterans who were killed or listed as Missing In Action from the Vietnam War. The center panel is two soldiers flanking a Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Purple Heart Medal.

In addition to this memorial, Heritage Park also features:

·         Civil War Arch

·         1st Infantry Division Memorial

·         Junction City / Geary County Law Enforcement Memorial

·         POW/MIA Memorial

·         Purple Heart Memorial

·         Bandstand and Water Fountain

For more information on the memorial, click here.