Too hot: How you can rescue a pet in need

Earlier this summer a young puppy was rescued when baseball fans heard it crying following a Royals game in Kansas City. Reports say that it was one of the hottest days of the year and the puppy was most likely in the car for a few hours.  The fans immediately took the steps necessary to rescue the hot pup and get it to safety. The story has a happy ending and the puppy was re-homed.

What can you do when you see a trapped animal in a car?

Most animals left in cars are dogs of all shapes and sizes and the heat can affect them quickly . KDOT encourages you to check with your local law enforcement to understand what you can do when you see a pet trapped in a car on a hot day. 

According to the Humane Society’s website there are a few steps you should remember to take before you start smashing windows. 

• You should start by taking down the car’s information and description. What is the make and model of the car? What color is it? What is the license plate number?
• If you are in a parking lot attempt to get a hold of the manager or employee from the store or business. Have them try to find the owner.
•  If that fails, call the NON-emergency phone number for your local law enforcement and explain the situation. Then wait for them to give you further instructions or for them arrive.
• Fortunately, some states have Good Samaritan laws that may protect you should you try to rescue the animal. But it is a good idea to know the laws beforehand and it couldn’t hurt to ask local law enforcement first.

If the pet is showing any signs of heat distress get it to a cool area and apply cool, not cold, water if possible. Then call a local veterinarian for further assistance.

Remember, if you see something, say something. It is never okay to leave a pet inside a hot car. Cracked windows will not keep them cool. If its too hot for you, its way too hot for them. 

#WZW Diverging Diamond Interchange in Junction City

The interchange for I-70 and U.S. 77, with a diverging diamond interchange. 

A differently designed interchange will soon be coming to the I-70/U.S. 77 interchange on the west side of Junction City. A diverging diamond is a type of interchange in which two direction of traffic on the non-freeway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge at the freeway.

The project was let earlier this spring and construction begins this summer. How traffic passes through the DDI is unconventional, but easily understood by drivers unfamiliar with the design. This location was chosen because of it's importance to freight movement for trucks.

The DDI has many advantages over a traditional Diamond Interchange when dealing with high traffic volumes and a high percentage of tractor-trailers by reducing the number of conflict points. The benefits are listed below.

Safety Benefits

• Fewer conflict points (14 for DDI, 26 for conventional)
• Conflict points spread out throughout interchange
• Better sight distance at turns
• Virtually no driver confusion (FHWA study and new DDI observations in Springfield, MO)
• Traffic calming features when desired
• Wrong way entry to ramps extremely difficult
• Pedestrian crossings are shorter

Operational Benefits

• Unique phase combinations
• “Free” or simple left and right turns from all directions
• Increases left turn lane capacity without needing more lanes
• Only two phases needed, shorter cycle length
• Lanes with multiple assignments in all directions
• Better storage between the ramp terminals
• More functional during a power outage
• U-turns from highway are accommodated well
• Better signal network synchronization

Contests provide creative, educational opportunities for students

Contests sponsored by the Kansas DOT, the Kansas Turnpike and other transportation-safety organizations across the state

Each year, vehicular crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a national safety campaign that was created to raise safety awareness and end vehicle-related deaths. The official day is Oct. 10 every year. This national safety campaign was started in 2001 by Larry Emig, former KDOT Chief of Local Projects. His ultimate dream is a day with no fatalities.

KDOT and numerous other traffic safety organizations work together to raise awareness as part of this effort. In addition to the 20-day safety blog series and statewide news conference, two contests are now open for students to enter creative works and spread the word:

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day Poster Contest
Kansas kids ages 5 through 13 are invited to enter artwork representing their thoughts on “Put the Brakes on Fatalities.” Regional winners in the three age categories will be chosen. Then, three statewide winners will be selected from the 18 regional winners!”

ForContest Rules, Prizes and Entry Form CLICK HERE

Entries Due: September 23

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day Video Contest
Kansas teens grades 8-12 are welcome to enter a 6-60 second video highlighting the importance of ending traffic-related fatalities. Participants are encouraged to be creative, but safe while filming.

For Contest Rules and Prizes CLICK HERE  

Entries Due: September 25

Motoring Monday: Stevens County Gas and Historical Museum

The Stevens County Gas and Historical Museum was established in 1961 to tell the story of the Hugoton Gas Field, which at one time, was the largest natural gas field in the world. The gas well, drilled in 1945, is still producing and the 1945 well equipment is on display at the site of the well.

The main museum displays early 1900 furnishings including a chapel, dining room, parlor, kitchen and sewing room. There are also Indian artifacts, farming tools, a printing and western shop and an art room.

Also on the museum complex in Hugoton is the Santa Fe Hugoton Train Depot, an 1887 school house, the first jail house, an early day grocery store and more.

For details on the museum, click here.

The road to the Summer Olympics

Kansas athletes ready for Rio

Photo Credits:

Amy Cragg: gettyimages.com; Nico Hernandez: teamusa.org

Lydia Paterson: USAshooting.org Jack Sock: Tenniswarehouse.com 

Every four years the entire world comes together to celebrate and witness incredible acts of athleticism and astounding feats that defy limitations. The dreams of hundreds of athletes are realized as they take their first steps into the Summer Olympics arena.

Among those dreamers are 4 Kansas athletes and 20 other athletes who have ties to the Sunflower State.  (some of these athletes are competing for other countries, but they attended Kansas schools and universities)

According to the Wichita Eagle, the 4 Kansans that are representing the USA are:

Amy Cragg, Leavenworth – Track and Field

Nico Hernandez, Wichita – Boxing

Lydia Paterson, Kansas City  – Shooting

Jack Sock, Kansas City – Tennis 

Opening Ceremonies begin Friday, August 5. What events are you looking forward to watching?

Work Zone Wednesday: Reconstructing an intersection in Lakin

A project that will rebuild the intersection of U.S. 50 and K-25 in Lakin, replacing the asphalt pavement with concrete began in late June. Once the intersection has been reconstructed, the contractor will do a heavy preservation project on U.S. 50 through town, replacing the top six inches of pavement with new asphalt.

Smoky Hill, LLC, of Salina is the primary contractor on this TWORKS preservation project at a cost of $1.8 million. KDOT expects work on this project to be completed by the end of October, depending on weather. 

Motoring Monday: Henry's Candy Company

While Tom Henry was working in Arkansas City in 1919, he created a candy bar and called it the Tom Henry bar. Slight changes were made to the recipe and it later became the Oh Henry! bar that is known today.

A few years later, Tom opened a candy store in Little Rock, Ark. In 1956, his son, Patrick, opened Henry’s Candy Company in Dexter in Cowley County. Patrick’s daughter, Evelyn Henry Pudden, and other family members still run Henry’s Candies some 60 years later and make more than 100 different varieties of sweet treats. They even use some of the equipment from their grandfather’s former store.

The store in Dexter also features a Momma Henry bar that uses the original Tom Henry bar recipe. Henry’s Candy Company is open 363 day a year (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day), but they don’t make candy every day.

Call ahead, groups and tours are welcome.  For more information, click here.