Paul Johnson, a Kansas City, Kansas, letter carrier, recently won $100,000 in the Kansas Lottery’s $100,000 Crossword game. (Photo from Kansas Lottery)
The last month has been a wild ride for Paul Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas.
Johnson, a letter carrier, delivered through a polar vortex and huge temperature swings as Kansas dove right into spring. His crazy month ended in a ray of sunshine, though, as Johnson is now $100,000 richer after hitting the top prize in the $10 $100,000 Crossword.
“I didn’t realize at first how much I had won,” Johnson said. “I was on my way to the office and I knew I had won something but didn’t know how much. It wasn’t until I was leaving for my route that I took a second look and counted how many words I had.”
Johnson told his supervisor about his good luck, and went to put the ticket in a safe place at his father’s house while he finished his route for the day.
“I’m not exactly sure what my long-term plans are with the winnings yet,” Johnson said. “The first thing I’m going to do is pay off any debt I have. It’s going to be awesome to be debt-free. Other than that, I’m not a super extravagant guy. Mostly I’m excited to share my good fortune with my family.”
The winning ticket was sold at Fast Stop 12 at 945 S. 55th St. in Kansas City, Kansas. There are still two top prizes left in the $10 $100,000 Crossword instant scratch game, plus thousands in other prizes.
Players are invited to submit all their winning and non-winning tickets in the Kansas Lottery PlayOn® Players Loyalty program to earn points for drawing entries and a chance to win cash and other prizes. PlayOn® is a registered trademark of Pollard Banknote Limited used under license.
Wyandotte County is under a wind advisory until 6 p.m. today. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph. (National Weather Service graphic)Wyandotte County is under a slight risk for severe storms tonight. Rain and storms may move into the Wyandotte County area around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. tonight. Quarter-size hail is possible in places. There also is a possibility of flash flooding through Thursday. (National Weather Service graphic)The Wyandotte County area could receive more than 2 inches of rain tonight through Monday, with a possibility of flash flooding. (National Weather Service graphic)
Wyandotte County is under a wind advisory from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, and also, severe storms are possible tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
Very high fire weather danger is expected today, with dry conditions and south-southwest winds gusting as high as 47 mph, the weather service said. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle, and secure outdoor objects, the weather service advised.
Thunderstorms are expected this evening into Thursday, according to the weather service. There is a 70 percent chance of precipitation tonight, and a few strong to isolated severe storms with quarter-sized hail are possible.
Additional rainfall will be possible through the weekend, the weather service said.
Today, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 74, the weather service said. It will be breezy, with a south southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph increasing to 24 to 29 mph in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 47 mph.
Tonight, there is a 70 percent chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible, according to the weather service. Rain and storms may move into the area around 6 p.m. Showers are likely after midnight. The low will be around 42. It will be breezy, with a south southwest wind of 17 to 22 mph, becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the evening. Winds may gust as high as 31 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.
Thursday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers before 9 a.m., with a high near 60, the weather service said, and a north wind of 7 to 10 mph.
Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 39 and a north northeast wind of 6 mph, according to the weather service.
Friday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 55 with an east northeast wind of 7 to 13 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.
Friday night, there is a 70 percent chance of rain, with a low of 42, according to the weather service. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.
Saturday, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, with a high near 52, the weather service said.
Saturday night, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, with a low around 42, according to the weather service.
Sunday, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, with a high near 51, the weather service said.
Sunday night, there is a 70 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight, with a low of 38, according to the weather service.
Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high near 51, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 34, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high of 52, the weather service said.
Washington senior point guard Kyren Angelo was mobbed by teammates and cheerleaders celebrating the 52-47 victory over the Mill Valley Jaguars. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Tuesday evening’s 52-47 victory over the Mill Valley Jaguars will take the Washington Wildcats to the KSHSAA 5A state semi-finals in Emporia.
The quarter-final victory came after a pulse-pounding fourth quarter, where Washington held off a late Mill Valley charge. The Jaguars narrowed a 12-point lead to 2 in just a few minutes, but the Wildcats held strong and closed out the game with defense and timely baskets.
Washington senior guard Kyren Angelo was king of the court in the first quarter. Mill Valley’s 2-3 zone defense gave Angelo just enough space, and he made the most of it. He hit 4 three-point shots and was fouled on another, taking 3 more points at the free throw line.
Nathan Johnson provided early power inside, at one point dunking directly over a Mill Valley defender. Johnson left the game when he came down awkwardly on his ankle late in the first quarter. He appeared after the game on crutches, with the ankle heavily iced.
Mill Valley’s defense locked down on Angelo in the second quarter, but senior Trayon Grant took advantage by hitting two three-pointers of his own. Washington took a 41-27 advantage to the locker room.
In the third quarter, Washington slowed its offense. The clock burned, but the offense cooled as Mill Valley created turnovers off the Washington ball-handlers.
Mill Valley added a backcourt press in the fourth quarter, and the seemingly secure double-digit lead evaporated, down to 4 points with four minutes remaining. The Mill Valley crowd of about a hundred got louder and louder as the gap closed, echoing in the mostly empty field house.
Trayon Grant and Trayvon Foster hit key baskets to keep the Jaguars out of reach. Mill Valley had only one possession where it could have tied or taken the lead, but a Washington defensive stop put an end to it.
Angelo led all scorers with 19 points for the game, all but 2 in the opening quarter. Grant poured in 15 points, and Foster scored 8.
Washington (10-4) will face off against the 21-2 Maize Eagles. The semifinal match will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at White Auditorium in Emporia.
Angelo took a jump shot over a Mill Valley defender. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Johnson dunked the ball in the first quarter. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Washington senior Trayon Grant went up for a short-range jumper. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Nathan Johnson went straight to the basket through a double team. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Angelo looked for an outlet on the right wing. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Trayvon Foster drove to the basket. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Trayon Grant was fouled on his way to a layup. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
