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Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand

The bismarck larks will change their name for one game on july 27, 2023.

(Bismarck, ND) – In honor of summertime, pontoons and the mighty Missouri River, the Bismarck Larks baseball team of the Northwoods League will change their name to the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game on July 27.

The players and coaches will wear special-designed hats and jerseys for the game against the Rochester Honkers at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark Home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity. The team also has a variety of summer themed t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and other merchandise for sale now at mrmotorboaters.com.

“The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck’s heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through,” said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. “We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water.”

The Motorboaters gives a nod to boat captains as the logo is designed with the motorboat engine as the character wearing sunglasses, a boat captain’s hat, and motoring a pontoon. Additionally, the pontoon boat’s paddle features a baseball bat knob and the colors are designed to give off a fun, summer vibe.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States beginning in Three Forks, Montana and stopping in Missouri where it connects to the Mississippi River. It passes through the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as receives river water from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Learn and shop exclusive Missouri River Motorboaters gear at mrmotorboaters.com .

Latest News

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Bismarck Larks

201 W Front Ave

Bismarck, ND 58504

(701) 557-7600

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Bismarck Larks to play as Missouri River Motorboaters

The collegiate summer level Bismarck Larks will rebrand as the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game this season. The temporary change is an homage to summertime, pontoons, and the longest river in the United States, the Missouri, per the team.

“The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck’s heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through,” said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. “We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water.”

The suite of logos, created by John Worthen of Worthen Design, features colors “designed to give off a fun, summer vibe,” as well as a motorboat engine character wearing sunglasses and a captain’s hat while motoring a pontoon. A boat paddle that underscores the logo includes a baseball bat knob.

Bismarck’s home state of North Dakota is one seven US states that the Missouri River passes through, in addition to two Canadian provinces.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the July 27 game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity.

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Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand

June 14, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods) Bismarck Larks News Release

(Bismarck, ND) - In honor of summertime, pontoons and the mighty Missouri River, the Bismarck Larks baseball team of the Northwoods League will change their name to the Missouri River Motorboaters for one game on July 27.

The players and coaches will wear special-designed hats and jerseys for the game against the Rochester Honkers at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark Home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all net proceeds benefiting a local charity. The team also has a variety of summer themed t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and other merchandise for sale now at mrmotorboaters.com.

"The Missouri River holds a special place in Bismarck's heart as well as every other city the 2,341 miles of water passes through," said Bismarck Larks Owner and CEO John Bollinger. "We wanted to create a brand that connected with our boat loving fans, but also fans from all over the country that love their summertimes on the water."

The Motorboaters gives a nod to boat captains as the logo is designed with the motorboat engine as the character wearing sunglasses, a boat captain's hat, and motoring a pontoon. Additionally, the pontoon boat's paddle features a baseball bat knob and the colors are designed to give off a fun, summer vibe.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States beginning in Three Forks, Montana and stopping in Missouri where it connects to the Mississippi River. It passes through the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as receives river water from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Learn and shop exclusive Missouri River Motorboaters gear at mrmotorboaters.com.

• Discuss this story on the Northwoods League message board ...

Northwoods League Stories from June 14, 2023

• Bismarck, ND Baseball Team Announces Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand - Bismarck Larks
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley Awarded Softball Equipment Through Share the Glove Initiative - Waterloo Bucks
• Express Score Early and Often to Split the Series - Eau Claire Express
• Dock Spiders Get Revenge on Mallards 5-1 For Fourth Win of the Season - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Bismarck Larks Stories

• Missouri River Motorboaters Rebrand Returns with New Gear
• Bismarck Larks Unveil Catchers for 2024
• Bismarck Larks Announce 2024 Roster Additions
• Larks & Bismarck Distillery Announce New Drink Flavor: Hot Dog Water
• Community Champions: Glenn & Julie Bosch's Commitment to Giving Back

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Exiting nps.gov

Alerts in effect, horsepower limits, jacks fork river - horsepower limit table [§ 7.83].

The use of a motorized vessel is allowed on the Jacks Fork River according to the seasonal restrictions and maximum horsepower limits set forth in the table below. Locations and boundaries referenced here can be found on our park map .

Background on the Amendments

Seasonal non-motorized zones.

The NPS proposes to create seasonal non-motorized zones along the upper stretches of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, where lower water levels during the peak season typically limit access for motorboats. These zones would provide areas where motorized and non-motorized vessels would not conflict during peak visitor season, when it can be challenging for non-motorized vessels and motorboats to navigate narrow river channels at the same time.

Peak visitor season usually begins the day after the last day of spring trapping season and ends the day before gigging season, which would currently be April 1 - September 14 for 2024. The non-motorized zone on the Jacks Fork River would be from the western boundary of the park to the boundary at West Eminence. The seasonal non-motorized zone on the Current River would be from the northern boundary of the park to Round Spring.

60/40 HP Motors

The new rule will allow the use of outboard 60/40 HP jet propulsion systems that are most popular with motorboat users today.

Under existing (prior to 2024) regulations for motorized vessels within Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the 60/40 HP motors are not legal because they exceed 40 HP at the powerhead. The new rule will allow the use of these motors and clarify HP limits at the powerhead for both motors with jet propulsion units and motors with propellers, which produce differing horsepower outputs.

150 HP Limit

A 150 HP limit for motors equipped with outboard jet propulsion and 105 HP limit for motors with a propeller will be implemented on the Current River between the lower end of the Van Buren Gap and the southern boundary of the park. These limits were established to address visitor concerns about safety, degradation of visitor experience and increasing boat sizes resulting from no limits on boat motor size.

Frequently Asked Questions

When would the proposed rule go into effect.

Changes will be implemented on January 11, 2024. The final rule can be viewed on the federal register .

What are the dates for “peak visitor season?"

Peak season would be defined as beginning on the day after the last day of trapping season (usually around April 1) and ending on the day before the first day of gigging season for nongame fish (usually around September 15).

These dates are determined annually by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Defining peak season in this manner, rather than using fixed dates, would allow visitors to use motorboats for lawful trapping and gigging activities. Hunting, trapping and fishing (gigging) were included as authorized activities in the legislation that established Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Are inboard motors allowed in the park?

No. Only outboard motors can be used within park boundaries.

Do these rules apply to the sections of river that pass through Eminence and Van Buren?

No. When Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established, “gap” areas were established near the towns of Eminence and Van Buren to allow for economic growth and expansion of those communities. These “gap” areas begin and end approximately two miles above and below the highway bridges in each town. In Eminence, the “gap” begins approximately two miles upriver from the Highway 19 bridge over the Jacks Fork River and ends two miles downriver from that bridge. In Van Buren, the “gap” begins approximately two miles upriver from the Highway 60 bridge over the Current River and ends two miles downriver from that bridge. These areas are not managed by the National Park Service and regulations specific to Ozark National Scenic Riverways do not apply there. Any limits on types of vessels or horsepower would be at the discretion of the city or county in each area.

Do restrictions on motorized boats during peak season include boats using only a trolling motor?

Yes , the seasonal restriction on the upper stretches of both rivers would prohibit motorized boats operating with trolling motors.

Are there areas where the current horsepower limit will change?

Yes, the section of the Current River from Big Spring to the southern boundary of the park, near Gooseneck, is currently unlimited. The new rule will establish a 150 HP limit for boats with outboard jet units (105 HP for boats with propellers) for this section. In addition, the section from the lower boundary of Van Buren to Big Spring will have its limit raised to 150 hp.

Why do we need a rule about the 60/40 HP motors?

This rule is necessary in order to legalize the use of the 60/40 HP motors.

The regulated limit for boat motors in most areas of ONSR is 40 HP. The way the NPS previously interpreted the use of 60/40 HP motors retrofitted with a jet propulsion unit was determined to be inconsistent with Title 36 CFR § 7.83, which is the park’s existing Special Regulation regarding HP ratings for motorboats used in the park.

Several years ago, motorboat users began exchanging propeller units on their outboard motors for jet units. An argument was made that the jet units reduced the HP output of the motors. Following this logic, a 60 HP motor would only produce 40 HP at the jet output. The 60/40 HP motors are widely used today, allowing longer and wider boats capable of transporting four or more adults against the current of the rivers of the park. A Solicitor review concluded that the use of 60/40 motors is inconsistent with § 7.83(a)(2). The inconsistency lies in the regulation’s use of the standard of power output “as established by manufacturer”. Because the HP rating pursuant to the “prevailing industry standard . . . as established by the manufacturer” on a 60/40 motor is 60 HP, the [current] rule prohibits use of these 60 HP motors on ONSR waters where the regulated limit is currently 40 HP.

What if there are emergencies or hazards in the non-motorized zones during peak season?

The park Superintendent has the authority to make exceptions to the horsepower limits or seasonal closures in limited circumstances, taking into consideration public safety, protection of park resources, weather conditions, and management objectives.

Where are the river sections affected by seasonal non-motorized zones?

On the Current River, motorized boats would be restricted during peak visitor season from the northern boundary of Ozark National Scenic Riverways (near Tan Vat) to Round Spring . On the Jacks Fork River, motorized boats would be restricted during peak visitor season from the western boundary of the park to the park boundary near West Eminence .

Last updated: December 12, 2023

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P.O. Box 490 Van Buren, MO 63965

(573) 323-4236 Call (573) 323-4236 for Big Spring Entrance Station, located south of Van Buren, MO. Call (573) 226-3945 for the Alley Spring General Store, located west of Eminence, MO. Call (573) 858-3297 for Round Spring Ranger Station, located north of Eminence, MO.

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An Experience for the Whole Family

The Missouri River is a majestic place to be experienced by a motorboat! That is why we are offering the Big Muddy Boat Ride Series out of Cooper's Landing during the warmer months of 2024. For each month, registered participants will have the opportunity to step aboard our motorboat for a 2-hour interactive experience where we'll introduce you to our treasured natural resource. 

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Details

• 2 Hour Motorboat Trips (max capacity 18 guests)
• At Cooper's Landing in Columbia, MO
• Cost is $25 Per Person
• Registration opens March 6th

Participants will meet at Cooper's Landing and receive a safety talk and life jacket before loading onto the motorboat.  If you want to make a whole weekend out of the experience, you can make camping reservations at  Cooper's Landing website or check out their schedule of live music and food trucks on  Cooper's Landing Facebook page.

Big Muddy Boat Ride Schedule

We schedule boat rides for late spring and early summer 2024. This year's rides will be offered at 11:30am , 2:00pm , and 4:30pm on the following Saturdays:

• August 17th

Big Muddy Boat Ride Series Registration

Registration is hosted by Columbia Parks and Recreation.

• Registration opens March 6th, 2024 , through Columbia Parks & Recreation. You may call (573) 874-7460 and register for Big Muddy Boat Rides via telephone. Calling is highly encouraged and is the most user-friendly way to register.
• You can also follow this  link, which will take you directly to the registration page on The City of Columbia's website. You can also use the search function and enter the activity code 314306 and then select your preferred day and time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is safety going to be handled on the river, what type of boats will we be in, how should i come prepared for the trip.

We will send out an email prior to the trip with information on how to come prepared but here is the basic information:

• Dress comfortably, bring a jacket and hat come prepared for the weather. 
• Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
• Wear sturdy footwear that you are willing to get wet or muddy. (no flip flops) 
• Bring a re-usable water bottle.  Water jugs will be provided on the boat.
• If the river levels are low enough we might make it to an island, just in case bring some fun toys for the sand. 
• If you have a Life Jacket that fits you, bring it. 

Click here so see our 2023 May , June, and July rides on Flickr. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Schulte at [email protected] 573-443-0292. 

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Darren and the team at KC Boat Doctor did an incredible job re-powering my Chaparral after an engine failure. They provided up front and reasonable estimates and accomplished the work on time and budget. If you need service or repair in the KC area, look no further!

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Tyson Foods released millions of pounds of pollution into U.S. waterways, including in Missouri

The majority of the pollutants released by Tyson in the five years the study examines were in the Midwestern states of Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri.

Meat processing company Tyson Foods released at least 371.7 million pounds of pollution into U.S. waterways between 2018 and 2022, according to a report released this week from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

It’s the first time Tyson’s individual impact on the environment has been examined in this way, said Omanjana Goswami, one of the study’s authors. She said one of the goals of this study was to help consumers understand how major food companies with deep market penetration affect the environment.

“Companies like Tyson Foods have a massive hold on our farming system,” she said. “If you’ve bought chicken at the supermarket or if you’ve eaten nuggets at McDonalds, you’ve most likely been a consumer of Tyson Foods. It’s really hard to avoid.”

The analysis examines publicly available data on discharges from Tyson’s plants that have a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Goswami said. It identifies 30 pollutants released including chloride, nitrogen, phosphorus and a handful of other metals.

“There’s a long laundry list of pollutants that Tyson releases every year,” Goswami said.

Of the 371.7 million pounds of pollutants released, the study finds nitrogen accounted for 34.2 million pounds and phosphorus accounted for 5.1 million pounds. Both of these nutrients can harm plant and animal life in waterways when found in excess .

On top of that, the majority of the pollutants released by Tyson in the five years the study examines were in the Midwestern states of Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri, she said. It’s a part of the country that already has excessive nitrogen and phosphorus running off from farms.

“You see a large part of the pollution is clustered around the Mississippi River Basin ,” Goswami said. “Eventually, a lot of this flows into the Mississippi River, which then finds its way to the Gulf of Mexico, which then has this massive hypoxic dead zone.”

The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has been a problem for decades . The overabundance of nutrients can starve aquatic life of oxygen, said Kelly McGinnis, executive director of the Mississippi River Network.

“Fish and things that can easily swim away are able to,” she said. “Shrimp and other invertebrates often aren’t.”

Upstream, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution can cause issues in local communities too, McGinnis said.

“If you live in a community that is having excessive nutrients, then your wastewater treatment plant is going to be working harder to treat that water,” she said.

Those who rely on well water may need to test it to ensure it’s safe to use, McGinnis said. Excessive nutrients in local waterways can also lead to harmful algal blooms, making them unsafe for recreation and even fatal for dogs, livestock and other animals , she added.

Likely an undercount

While the report from the Union of Concerned Scientists identified hundreds of millions of pounds of pollution by Tyson, it’s not a complete look at the whole meat industry, or even all of Tyson’s operations. Goswami explained that’s because they could not examine pollution data from smaller Tyson plants that don’t meet the threshold to require a NPDES permit from the EPA.

“Which means what they are releasing is going on unchecked in terms of both quantity of pollutants as well as category and type of pollutants,” she said. “And we are not able to capture that data.”

The EPA estimates about 300 of the 7,000 meat processing plants in the country need permits to discharge pollution, Goswami explained. She said because such a small number of plants are required to report, researchers are “looking at a scale of pollution whose ceiling we can’t quantify.”

McGinnis noted the report only examines meat processing facilities, which are one part of the meat supply chain.

“My mind could not help but make a connection to the concentrated animal feeding operations that are also operating in these same areas,” she said. “This report shows an astonishing impact on water quality by one company and it seems there’s so much deeper we can go.”

A Tyson spokesperson said the company constantly monitors the wastewater coming from its facilities and works with federal and state regulators and local municipalities when planning and designing their discharge systems.

“Tyson Food uses a robust management system to mitigate environmental risks and impact, and we strive to run our operations as responsible stewards of our natural resources,” the spokesperson said. “This report does not acknowledge our ongoing compliance with EPA regulations and certification by the Water Alliance for our strong water management practices.”

The report does note the $2 million criminal fine Tyson paid in 2018 for violating the Clean Water Act in Missouri and the $3 million settlement in 2021 over illegal wastewater discharge that killed hundreds of thousands of fish in Alabama. Tyson’s annual revenue in 2023 was more than $50 billion .

“When you’re able to have that kind of wealth concentrated in a company, they are not deterred by the fines that the current structure of the systems have in place,” McGinnis said. “We know there’s other large scale companies like Tyson.”

The EPA is updating its wastewater pollution regulations for meat processing industries , particularly setting new rules for nitrogen and phosphorus, Goswami said.

“We’ve known, historically and based on the agenda that these companies have of prioritizing profit, that they’re most likely going to push back on regulations like this,” she said.

McGinnis agrees there needs to be more regulations in place, but also argues large companies like Tyson need to shift how they consider and measure success.

“Climate change is only going to exacerbate the impacts of water pollution,” she said. “I think that means for a company like Tyson, are there other metrics of successful business besides just your profits?”

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Cooper's Landing, MO

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Whether your shoving off, pulling out, fuelling up, or just dropping in for a little visit, we have Missouri River boaters covered. Our full service marina offers a boat dock, concrete boat ramp, and the only fuel pump on the Missouri River between Saint Louis and Kansas City.

Boat Ramp Hours:

Sunday – Saturday, 9am-9pm. E-mail us or speak with the General store if you would like to use it outside of regular operating hours. Closed for special events.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1 (573) 657-1299

Boat Ramp Fees:

Our Boat Ramp is free to the public. However we do not allow boat trailer or truck parking on our lot. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Family of a Black teen who was shot after ringing the wrong doorbell files lawsuit against homeowner

FILE - Ralph Yarl looks at a badge that he received after walking at a brain injury awareness event, May 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The family of Yarl, a Black teenager who was shot when he mistakenly went to the wrong home in Kansas City, Mo., filed a lawsuit Monday, April 29, 2024, against the white 84-year-old homeowner, an attempt to pursue justice from the “driver’s seat” and put pressure on the criminal trial scheduled for later this year, the family’s attorney said. (KCTV via AP, File)

FILE - Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, April 19, 2023, in Liberty, Mo. The family of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who was shot when he mistakenly went to the wrong home in Kansas City, Mo., filed a lawsuit Monday, April 29, 2024, against Lester, the white 84-year-old homeowner, an attempt to pursue justice from the “driver’s seat” and put pressure on the criminal trial scheduled for later this year, the family’s attorney said. (KMBC via AP, Pool, File)

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The family of a Black teenager who was shot by a white homeowner when he mistakenly went to the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, address filed a lawsuit Monday, described by the family’s attorney as an attempt to put pressure on the criminal trial later this year.

The complaint, filed by Cleo Nagbe on behalf of her son, Ralph Yarl , alleges that Andrew Lester, 84, was negligent when he shot the 16-year-old without warning more than a year ago, on April 13. It states that Yarl suffered and sustained permanent injuries, as well as pain and suffering, as a direct result of Lester’s actions.

Lee Merritt, the family’s attorney, said the civil suit is to “give the family a chance to be in the driver’s seat in pursuing justice for Ralph” as the state’s criminal case against Lester unfolds.

Lester pleaded not guilty in September 2023. The trial was scheduled to begin more than a year later on October 7, 2024.

Lester’s attorney in the criminal case, Steve Salmon, said he is evaluating the civil complaint and will discuss it with Lester. He said at a preliminary hearing for the criminal case that Lester was acting in self-defense , terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night.

“The suit is based on what he has said,” Merritt told The Associated Press. “If he’s saying, ‘I mistakenly thought this person was a robber,’ we’re saying that’s negligence. You weren’t paying close enough attention. Everybody who rings your doorbell can’t be a robber.”

Yarl mixed up the street name of the house where he was sent to pick up his siblings. Yarl testified at the hearing that he rang the doorbell and then reached for the storm door as Lester opened the inner door. Lester told him, “Don’t come here ever again,” Yarl recalled.

He said he was shot in the head, the impact knocking him to the ground, and was then shot in the arm.

The case, which drew international attention, animated national debates about gun policies and race in America .

In a statement, Nagbe said the shooting “not only shattered our family but also exposed a critical gap in our societal fabric, where the safety of our children is jeopardized by reckless actions.”

The lawsuit also names the homeowner’s association, Highland Acres Homes Association, Inc., as a defendant. The association did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

Merritt said the family is aware the litigation might be delayed pending the outcome of the criminal case but wanted to still begin the process. He cited state law that allows the victim access to the criminal case records that has not yet been satisfied, as the prosecutor seeks clarification from the judge on the case’s gag order.

Yarl was “uniquely resilient” after the shooting, Merritt said, but “his resiliency has kind of grown into some impatience with being the person who was shot a year ago.”

“He doesn’t want to be that person,” Merritt said. “He wants to be an amazing band player, a good friend, a student, a rising college student.”

Buc-ee’s is scoping out a new location in Kansas City: Here’s what we know so far

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - QuikTrip and Casey’s beware- another fan-favorite gas station is looking to get in on a growing part of the KC metro.

Buc-ee’s is a supersized convenience store and gas station best known for its clean restrooms, large selection of food and merchandise, surplus of gas pumps and recognizable beaver mascot.

“The inside is like a small Target, honestly,” said Aleah McGehee. “They have décor, t-shirts, an amazing selection of candy, snacks, chips, gum, drinks, whatever you need when you’re on the road.”

The Texas-based chain just expanded to Missouri late last year, opening a location in Springfield in Dec. 2023.

Now, Kansas City has the potential to be Buc-ee’s first venture into Kansas.

On April 26, 2024, Buc-ee’s took the first step in acquiring land by filing a preliminary plat with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas

A preliminary plat is a document that a landowner must file with their city government if they want to divide their land into separate parcels. This ensures that all city regulations are being followed from the very beginning of a rezoning or development project.

Buc-ee’s preliminary plat asks the Unified Government for permission to rezone a 57-acre property just off I-70 from agricultural to commercial land.

“Buc-ee’s is just about the best gas station you can imagine,” said McGehee.

“Everyone that I know has been talking about it,” said Cody Hill. “It’s kind of like the word on the street.”

The land, which is owned by the Kansas Speedway, was appraised at $1.9 million this year, according to Wyandotte County property records.

If approved, Buc-ee’s would be required to file a final plat with the Unified Government.

The area near the Speedway has attracted considerable attention from developers over the last several years.

In March, a Mattel-themed amusement park was announced and is set to break ground later in 2025. The Chiefs and Royals have considered the area for their latest stadium relocation campaign , and a new Margaritaville Hotel is opening in 2025.

“I came from Jeff City. I think [adding a Buc-ee’s to Legends] would be amazing,” said Tavarius Richard. “I’d come just for that. I really would.”

KCTV5 reached out to Buc-ee’s and Wyandotte County for comment but has not yet heard back.

ALSO READ: Off to their best start in decade, Royals attendance remains below league average

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.

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