(KAIR)--Atchison residents will have one more prime viewing site on the day of the solar eclipse, following a decision of the USD 409 Board of Education.
Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers told MSC News the previous decision to close school for the August 21 eclipse cleared the way to the opening of the Atchison High School Football Stadium as a public viewing site. “As a public service, the Board thought that that would be a good thing, and so we will have that stadium open,” Myers said. “We're not going to charge admission, because we're not canceling school to make any money, that's not our purpose. This is an educational opportunity. We will have concessions available because if people are going to be there they're going to be thirsty, might get a little hungry.”
The School Board approved the plan to open the stadium, located at 1500 West Riley Street, during a special August 9 meeting.
Area emergency planners are estimating more than 1 million visitors to the local northeast Kansas region for the historic solar eclipse. That's due to the local area allowing a clear view and a longer length of total darkness than in other spots across the nation.
In Atchison, the eclipse is estimated to last nearly 2 minutes and 19 seconds starting at 1:06 p.m.
It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 1979, and the first seen in Kansas in nearly 100 years.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Three former Atchison Co employees arrested on felonies
One hospitalized, one jailed, after Atchison attack
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
Services set for Effingham woman killed in crash
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
Two file to challenge local legislator
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
Support sought for fire ravaged family
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
USD 415 board select new member
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Date set for signals switch at Hiawatha intersection
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
State Board approves land transfer agreements
Flags to fly half staff Wednesday across KS
LATEST STORIES
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Jefferson Co readies for Co Fair season
MO man injured in KS weather-related crash
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
Public health advisory issued for local lake