Other Kansas News From Outside The Metro

[RoyalShock]

Back in the 60s (I think, maybe early 70s) my dad shot some 8mm video of Big Brutus in operation. One of these days I will get it digitized.

[JJClamdip]

Brutus is a great attraction, the first time I saw it was in the late 80’s you just walked right up and inspected the beast.

I have climbed to the top several times it’s a very impressive machine.

[C0|dB|00ded]

Been to Topeka a couple of times. Not a fan.

I like Topeka! It has a great park...

Also some pretty impressive topography.

[1972Shocker]

Been to Topeka a couple of times. Not a fan.

I thought the Kansas History Museum was pretty good. I see it is under renovation. But I enjoy historical museums in general.

[1972Shocker]

Can't recommend the Garden of Eden in Lucas unless weird, kitschy things are your jam. HOWEVER, it's a beautiful drive into Lucas and they have Brandt's Market where you can get some of the best sausage and meats you can find. Wonderful place. Worth the 20 minutes or so off I-70 (count on an hour round trip off and back on 70 if you go to Brandt's)? For me, yes but YMMV.

I thought it was pretty cool. I enjoyed it. But yeah it's a bit strange.

[1972Shocker]

Nicodemus, Kansas is a National Historic Site: https://www.nps.gov/nico/index.htm

Very interesting black history.

[1972Shocker]

The Seelye Mansion in Abilene is very worthwhile. As is the Brown Mansion in Coffeyville.

[1972Shocker]

For those of you interested in exploring Kansas a reall good resource is the Kansas Sampler Foundation: https://kansassampler.org

I would recommend the Kansas Guidebook 2 and also the Kanas Explorer's Club is worthwhile and relatively inexpensive at $30 per year for a Familty Membership

[BAShocker]

This barely fits into this topic category, but I didn’t want to start a new one…and it’s probably better fit in the Political Threads, but oh well.

This week, Oklahoma Governor Stitt veto’d a bill for six new license plates designs. Why? One of the Oklahoma tags was designed for KU. Stitt veto’d it because he didn’t think the state should be supporting a “college” oustide of Oklahoma-he’s right.

Footnote: I have heard that there is an Oklahoma K-State tag that folks could get. Makes this even funnier.

[SubGod22]

Fox News - Nation's most secure biosecurity lab opens in Kansas after a decade of delays

Initially estimated to cost $451 million, the price tag more than doubled after the National Research Council published a report in 2010 that questioned putting the facility in the heart of cattle country with a history of large, destructive tornadoes.

Department of Homeland Security officials said the increased cost came in part because the lab’s design was changed to reduce the possibility of releasing deadly pathogens.

The laboratory replaces an aging facility in Plum Island, New York. Officials there fought hard to keep the lab and several other states made bids to become home to the lab before Kansas was chosen in 2009.

Originally expected to open in 2016, construction of the laboratory was delayed several times by economic problems, safety concerns and resistance from politicians who wanted the project in their states.

The northeastern Kansas facility will be the nation’s only large-animal biosafety Level 4 lab, which means it will be able to handle pathogens that do not currently have treatments or countermeasures.

[SubGod22]

KWCH - $1.3 million missile silo hits real estate market in Central Kansas

SOMEWHERE IN CENTRAL Kansas. (KWCH) - If you’re looking to buy a peaceful home in “an undisclosed location in Central Kansas,” the Rolling Hills Missile Silo might be the place for you. Built in the 1960s, the silo is a quiet getaway nearly 200 feet underground.

Used at the height of the Cold War, the silo served as a shelter to withstand a nuclear blast and any type of natural disaster. Today, the owner says it could be renovated into a home. He says if you’re looking for peace and quiet, it could be the place for you.

“It’s super peaceful out here. You don’t hear anything but the birds. There’s no traffic. You might hear a cow moo once in a while. You really can’t see any neighbors, you can see 15 miles down the valley,” Rolling Hills Missile Silo Owner Paul Novitzke said. “At night, the stars are spectacular. It’s quit a neat place to be. The coyotes, you hear them. It’s a neat place to be.”

The asking price for the Rolling Hills Missile Silo is $1.3 million. The property is the second Kansas missile silo Novitzke has purchased, fixed up and put on the market. You can find further information on the missile silo here: https://www.rollinghillsmissilesilo.com/.

The ultimate purchase for a wealthy recluse.

[WstateU]

Abilene, Kansas voted best small town to visit in the USA

5. Lindsborg

https://www.kake.com/story/48990527/...sit-in-the-usa

[SubGod22]

I was in Lindsborg a few weeks ago. Didn't get to explore as much as I'd have liked, but I've always heard good things. One of my favorite HS memories took place there too. It still makes me smile. Never been to Abilene.

So I think Lindsborg is the only one on the list I've been to. I've been nearish Taos and Eureka Springs. Maybe Sedona as well.

[SubGod22]

Here's some good news that should/could help bolster the jobs market and economics of northwest Kansas.

Fort Hays State - Gov. Laura Kelly ceremonially signs affiliation bill at Fort Hays...

The bill, which creates a strategic affiliation between Fort Hays State University, Northwest Kansas Technical College, and North Central Kansas Technical College, enables the institutions to partner to make educational programs and student services more accessible by breaking down bureaucratic barriers to those services. The affiliation will also work to expand opportunities around apprenticeships, internships, and employment with local businesses.

“Connecting young people to good jobs right out of college is a critical way to keep local businesses vibrant and strong and to keep graduates living and working in Kansas,” Governor Kelly said. “This affiliation will do exactly that, helping rural Kansas meet the needs of critical industries, including agriculture and technology.”

The strategic affiliation institutional partnership initiative was created by the three college presidents to address workforce challenges in rural Kansas.

[SubGod22]

39 states, and many smaller municipalities in Kansas, continue to wait for the Department of Transportation to take action.

MSN - Small Kansas airports fighting to get SkyWest Charter

SkyWest submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) almost a year ago requesting commuter authority.

“We are pleading with the DOT to take action and allow SWC to serve the airports in our region,” Corey Keller, the director of public works for Dodge City.

The Department of Transportation has not approved that application yet.

Small Kansas airports such as Dodge City, Salina, Hays and Liberal say getting this application approved is crucial to their airports and communities.

Keller says without SkyWest Charter (SWC), the next steps are unclear.

“If SkyWest charter is not approved, there’s the possibility of, you know, no air service, so going to rebid looking for other airlines, and there’s just not a lot out there right now that can provide a good, reliable, safe service. So, the biggest impact is the possibility of losing a good air carrier like we have right now,” Keller said.

The City of Liberal Airport Manager Brian Fornwalt says no other applicant has been as highly qualified or offered the safety standards.

“We look forward to the opportunities that SkyWest Charter can provide for our community,” Fornwalt said. “They’ve helped our community grow, and they’ve helped actually in the region grow because we go clear down into Texas.”

Jamie Salter is the director of the Hays Regional Airport and says she trusts the safety of SkyWest Charter because both pilots are required to have over 1,500 hours of flight time.

I'm no expert, but having this type of service could be highly valuable for a number of communities and potentially play a part in future economic growth and development. I could see a number of potential businesses that would support smaller communities and having easier access to and from other locals would be highly beneficial.