Kansas is counting down the minutes to the country’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. The Most of Kansas will see only a partial eclipse on Monday. Social media is exploding with advice, instructions and fun.

More than 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon in Wichita and most of southeastern, central and northwestern Kansas. The peak of the eclipse will occur shortly after 1 p.m.

Start and ending times for the eclipse across central and southeast Kansas. Find your exact time here: https://t.co/RYmICa2kj8 #kswx pic.twitter.com/QUPkr7r1Gs

— NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) August 21, 2017

Hostess has declared Golden CupCakes the official snack cake of the eclipse. #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/dnCJx0yqPr

— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) August 21, 2017

#Eclipse2017 is today! For more info on totality in KS and safety tips, go here: https://t.co/iMECT6kiPJ. Don't forget your eclipse glasses! pic.twitter.com/PCVa6ki2S5

— Pat Roberts (@SenPatRoberts) August 21, 2017

If traveling across #Kansas to witness the #SolarEclipse2017 and need assistance please dial *47 to contact @kshighwaypatrol dispatch.

— Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) August 21, 2017

POTTAWOTOMIE COUNTY – Kansas game wardens and Pottawatomie County sheriff’s deputies worked together and rescued five adults and three children under the age of six stranded on the Kansas River over the weekend.

According to a social media report, the rescue occurred approximately four miles upstream from St. George. There were no injuries and everyone arrived home safely.

 Kansas is prepared for the country’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918.

Most of Kansas will see only a partial eclipse on Monday. More than 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon in Wichita and most of southeastern, central and northwestern Kansas.

The path of totality is where the moon will completely block the sun’s light. The path will travel diagonally across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. A narrow area of northeastern Kansas lies in the path of totality, including in Atchison, Leavenworth, Hiawatha and Marysville.

The peak of the eclipse will occur shortly after 1 p.m.

The Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2017” as it has been dubbed by some, is sure to be a memorable day as people celebrate this exciting astronomical event.

According to NASA’s website, the sun will be completely obstructed from view for about 2 minutes and 43 seconds. For this reason, Kansas Department of Transportation encourages travelers to take safety precautions and prepare for a safe place to stay and view the event.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 200 million people live within driving distance of the eclipse’s path of totality. An increase in traffic and travel time is expected on August 21.

 

 

Have you prepared ahead of time for the eclipse? Remember, get into a safe viewing area to watch, NOT the side of the highway! #Eclipse2017 https://t.co/UJFwwtdr3L

— KS Highway Patrol (@kshighwaypatrol) August 18, 2017

Some safety measures to be aware of are included in the list below. Please read carefully and be safe this August 21 – but don’t forget to enjoy this one-in-a-lifetime experience!

• Do not pull over to the side of the highway to observe the eclipse. Exit the highway to a safe location to view and/or photograph the event.
• Do not take photos while driving – KDOT reminds motorists to always maintain full awareness when driving to help maintain safety for all other drivers and pedestrians.
• Do not wear opaque eclipse glasses while driving.
• Be prepared for potential traffic congestion before, during, and after the event – While only the northeast corner of the state will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, the rest of Kansas will still see part of the astronomical event.
• Turn on vehicle headlights and do not rely solely on automatic headlights during the eclipse. – Because the sky will be darkened, the use of headlights during the eclipse will be needed.
• Pack an emergency travel kit – Check out the blog here for a list of suggested items to include in your safety kit.
• Plan ahead for fuel needs – Always remember to keep your gas tank full during long trips.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former lottery computer programmer who’s pleaded guilty in Iowa to running a criminal scheme that allowed him to collect $2 million in lottery winnings in four states is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.

A state prosecutor is seeking a 25-year prison term for former Multi-State Lottery Association security director Eddie Tipton.

Assistant Iowa Attorney General Rob Sand says in court documents that Tipton’s “depth of deceit is dumbfounding.” He says justice requires a lengthy prison sentence.

Tipton pleaded guilty in June and admitted writing code that allowed him to predict winners. His attorney is seeking a much lighter sentence of two to three years.

Sand says Tipton has detailed for authorities how he manipulated lottery computers to win lottery games in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

SUMNER COUNTY — A second earthquake shook Kansas Sunday. It was the third quake over the weekend.

The latest quake at 6:07 p.m. measured a magnitude 2.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. I was centered seven miles south of Conway Springs.

At 1a.m. Sunday, a 2.4 magnitude quake was centered approximately three miles southwest of Bluff City in Harper County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Just before 8pm. Saturday a quake that measured a magnitude 2.2 was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.

There are no reports of damage or injuries from Sunday’s quakes.

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HARPER COUNTY – A second weekend earthquake shook Kansas early Sunday morning. The quake measured a magnitude 2.4 at 1a.m. and was centered approximately three miles southwest of Bluff City in Harper County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Just before 8pm. Saturday a quake that measured a magnitude 2.2 was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.

There are no reports of damage or injuries from Sunday’s quake, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.

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SUMNER COUNTY – A small earthquake shook portions of Kansas Saturday evening. The quake just before 8pm. measured a magnitude 2.2 and was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.

There are no reports of damage or injuries from Saturday’s quake, according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Parks officials in Kansas City, Missouri, say an 83-year-old Confederate memorial will be removed after it was vandalized.

The Missouri Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy asked Kansas City Parks and Recreation officials to remove the monument from its current location to a place of safety. That request came after someone painted what appeared to be a red hammer and sickle on the “Loyal Women of the Old South” memorial late Friday or early Saturday.

Parks officials said Saturday the monument would be removed soon.

The memorial along one of the city’s main streets was erected in 1934 to recognize women who supported the Confederacy. It was a gift from the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It had been at its current location since 1958.