Kansas Municipal News
McPherson Schools to begin partnership program
The Parents in Partnership program is about to begin at McPherson Schools. Throughout the school day, parents and grandparents will lend a helping hand. By showing students that education is important enough for them to attend school as well, Parents in Partnership aims to create more positive role models for students. Adding extra eyes and ears will also help to improve school safety and minimize bullying. The ultimate goal is to foster a genuine sense of partnership between families and the schools.
Source: McPherson Weekly News
Wichita, Sedgwick County trying again to get federal funding for flood project
Wichita and Sedgwick County are making another try at federal grant funding for a proposed flood control project. The Wichita City Council and the Sedgwick County Commission have approved letters of intent to apply for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its BRIC (Building Resilience in Communities) program. The city and county applied for the grant last fall but did not get approval for funding. They are making a new application under the Fiscal Year 2022 round of grants, which will have a total of almost $2.3 billion available for projects across the U.S.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
50th annual Walnut Valley Festival coming to Winfield
Crowds are set to descend on the Winfield Fairgrounds from Sept. 14-18 for the 50th annual Walnut Valley Festival, featuring 30-plus musical acts ranging from bluegrass to folk and more. Other highlights of the festival include a juried arts and crafts fair and a host of national and international contests, including the National Flat Pick Championships. Festival contests over the years have attracted contestants from all 50 states as well as a host of foreign countries (Australia, Sweden, Japan, etc.).
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Proposed zoning changes aim to ease child care shortages around county
Home day care facilities could enroll more children under proposed changes to the Wichita-Sedgwick County zoning code. This could mitigate child care shortages that some say are reaching crisis levels. “We’re only meeting 38% of the demand [for child care] in Sedgwick County,” said Tanya Bullock, program director at local nonprofit Child Start. “That means about 17,600 children under the age of 5 are potentially needing child care.”
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Sedgwick County Commission approves pay increase for Comcare to help recruit, retain staff
When you ask leaders at Comcare what their biggest issues has been over the last two years, they will say it has been keeping staff. Director of Quality and CCBHC Michelle Calvert says “It’s been incredibly difficult for us to retain staff, especially throughout the pandemic. At a certain time, throughout the pandemic, we were down about 42 percent of our staff.” The major reason why? “Pay is the overwhelming reason why staff have left us staff have said when they left.” The Sedgwick County Commission is fixing that. Wednesday It approved by a vote of 5-0 for a new pay scale for Comcare to better reflect its new classification as a certified community behavioral health clinic.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita Public Schools seeks approval of devices to detect guns, explosives
Terri Moses, the Director of Safety Services for Wichita public schools, said a new plan is being proposed to the school board on Monday, September 12. This new plan requires the purchase of automated screening devices that are, according to Moses, a step above standard metal detectors. They are designed to only detect firearms and explosives so students and staff would not have to take things out of their pockets or bags to be searched before entering the school.
Source: KAKE – News
Voters approve Quinter school bond, citywide sales tax
Voters in Quinter approved their school bond issue and a citywide sales tax to help pay for it. The bond issue passed 249-150, and the sales tax passed 152-88. The renovations include new HVAC systems, new lighting and a cafeteria expansion for the elementary school. The 1% sales tax increase will help pay for the $15.4 million bond to improve those facilities.
Source: KAKE – News
Backers have high hopes for planned disc golf course at Lenexa’s Black Hoof Park
Pickleball, move over. There’s a new contender for fastest growing sport that may soon dominate local park and recreation programs in Johnson County. Disc golf baskets have been popping up everywhere: Johnson County Park and Recreation District has three, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa has one and more can be found in Olathe and Prairie Village. Now Lenexa is building another disc golf course at the city’s Black Hoof Park that backers say could become a premier venue for tournaments and super fans.
Source: Prairie Village Post
City of Lawrence preps camp for people experiencing homelessness
The city’s Homeless Initiatives Division is funneling an estimated 150 to 200 people who are dispersed across town camping at public parks, wooded areas and the library, to the parcel of land behind Johnny’s Tavern to live in a city-run temporary shelter. “I would prefer to call it a support campsite,” said Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator. “It’s intended for us to have a space for individuals to go to that has amenities, portable restrooms, showers, and then we will also be there as well. It’s also a place that providers can go to, like one place to meet folks where they’re at, where we can bring … food resources and things like that.” How many people will stay at the city-sanctioned campsite is unknown, Wolsey said. The city will supply 10-by-10 tents, and campers who have larger tents will have to downsize so the city can fully utilize the space. Campers won’t be allowed to have storage tents or extra space to keep blankets, pillows or food that doesn’t fit into their tents.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Economist gives pessimistic 2023 outlook at Wichita forum
The chief economist for the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association struck a largely downbeat tone when it came to the U.S. economic outlook during a Wednesday presentation. “By and large this economy has been growing. But in 2023, my prediction will be very different: We’re headed for a recession next year,” said Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group, in a keynote address during Adams Brown’s inaugural construction forum at The Hudson. As for the depth of the forecasted downturn, Basu, who also serves as chief economic advisor to the Construction Financial Management Association, stressed it should be nothing like the Great Recession caused by 2007-08’s financial crisis, but he expects a “moderately-deep recession.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Derby Fire and Rescue to celebrate 70 years
A major milestone is quickly approaching for Derby Fire and Rescue, with the department getting set to celebrate “Seven Decades of Service” for its 70th anniversary in October. Going from fully volunteer to a paid department – and continuing to evolve – Derby Fire and Rescue has provided 70 years of continuous service in the community. In conjunction with that, the city, fire department and Derby Historical Museum are planning a special anniversary event to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. It will be hosted jointly at the museum and Hubbard Arts Center.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Bentley police chief attends conference in Washington, D.C.
Bentley Police Chief James “Tim” Bryan had a voice at the table representing small, rural police departments during the Leadership Institute to Combat Human Trafficking last week in Washington, D.C. The two-day conference was organized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Bryan is a lifetime member of the IACP and he once worked for the organization for four years when he lived in Washington, D.C. So I’ve been affiliated with them and they needed a small and rural representative at the table,” he said. He and the police chief from Alliance, Neb., (population 8,100) represented small cities alongside law enforcement leaders from big cities like Anaheim, San Jose, Seattle, Portland, Arlington, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Jackson and more.
Source: Harvey County Now
School locked down after report of mountain lion
Peabody-Burns elementary school was locked down about an hour Aug. 31 after Peabody resident Korie Hatton reported seeing a mountain lion near the school. “Please put your outside pets in and watch kids being outside,” Hatton posted on social media. “We just saw a mountain lion in our alley at our house at 310 E. 3rd St. I called the police department and the school, since they are across the street to let them know. The school was going to lock down any kids from going outside.” According to monitored police transmissions, Peabody Chief Bruce Burke and sheriff’s deputy Travis Wilson patrolled the area but found nothing.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Gavel Bashing Has Its Moment. ‘You Love That Thing, Don’t You?’
The wooden gavel may be best known as a symbol of the legal profession and a prop for reality show judges. But in these unruly times, the gavel has become an emblem of civic disorder. Footage from local government meetings shows vexed city, county and school board officials bashing their gavels, sometimes so hard they splinter, to enforce silence, parliamentary procedure and civil debate. Officials wielding the gavel call it a primitive but useful tool to gain control of the room when Robert’s Rules fly out the window. Those on the receiving end bristle at all the banging.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Counties shift to new system: Court cases, documents to be searchable online
District courts in 34 counties, including Reno County, will transition to the new Kansas eCourt centralized case management system starting next week. After the transition, the public will be able to look up court cases online, including getting access to view some documents, without fees or having to visit county courthouses. The system will allow visitors to search records of any court statewide that is on the system, which, after next week’s transition, will include about 95% of the courts in the state, officials said.
Source: Hutch News
Meet Lawrence’s new fire chief: He’s passionate about his profession, dogs, basketball and a new chapter in Kansas
Lawrence’s new fire chief has come a long way — from a region full of mountains to a Midwestern city known for one “mount” — and he’s excited for his next chapter. Rich Llewellyn was sworn in as Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical’s chief on Aug. 26, though he arrived two weeks prior after two 15-hour days of driving in a pickup truck with his wife and six dogs from Washington State. He is the permanent replacement for Chief Shaun Coffey, who retired in November. “It was quite the adventure getting out here,” Llewellyn said. “We got to town on a Tuesday. I started my new job on Wednesday.”
Source: LJWorld
Lawrence city leaders hear multiple perspectives about plan for city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness
Lawrence city leaders heard various perspectives about a plan to create a temporary city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness and to relocate people to that area. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the city’s strategic plan goal of “strong, welcoming neighborhoods,” which included updates on various efforts to address homelessness. Among them was the city’s plan to create a temporary campsite on a city-owned parcel of land in North Lawrence, located between the Johnny’s Tavern back parking lot and the levee trail, as well as future plans for a longer-term campsite.
Source: LJWorld
Voters in Pretty Prairie say no to $10 million bond – new windows and roofs will have to wait
After months of debate and meetings, on Tuesday, the residents of Pretty Prairie decided against the $10.4 million bond, with 277 voting no and 212 voting yes. The bond was to fix the roofs and exterior brick in all three school buildings, the elementary, middle and high school. With the funds, tall three schools would get new, energy efficient windows. Pretty Prairie Middle School would have also had their gymnasium renovated and some ceilings fixed.
Source: Hutch News
Topeka initiates contract talks with finalist for city manager; identity not revealed
Topeka’s mayor and city council have identified their top choice to be Topeka’s next city manager, but they’re not saying who it is. The mayor and council about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday voted 9-0, with Councilman Mike Lesser having just left the room, to direct Paul Bossert, of Kansas Personnel Services Inc., to begin contract negotiations with that finalist, whose name they didn’t reveal. Any vote to hire Topeka’s next city manager would need to take place during a public meeting. The mayor and council are scheduled to next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th, according to the city’s website.
Source: CJonline
Valley Center Moves Forward with First 3D-Printed Community in Kansas
On Tuesday evening, the City of Valley Center gave final approval for a 3D-printed community of homes. This will be the first in the State of Kansas and one of only a handful in the United States. Also announced at the meeting was the name of the community development – Sunflower Valley. According to CC3D, the development company, the name was chosen to honor Kansas and the City of Valley Center for being the first in the state and leading the way in the nation. … “We are excited to be moving forward with the City of Valley Center to bring the first community of 3D-printed homes to Kansas. 3D-printed homes can revolutionize the housing/construction industry by providing high-quality, cost-effective and sustainable housing options in less time than traditional builds,” said Eric Ross, CEO, CC3D. “We are looking forward to starting the process this fall and anticipate we will have homes available next year.”
Source: Valley Center
Pickleball or tennis? Wichita is asked to choose in dispute over public courts in park
The Wichita Park Board is calling for the city to convert two more tennis courts into pickleball courts in east Wichita, a year after turning down the proposal. The change of direction sets up a showdown at City Hall that leaves the Wichita City Council to choose between tennis, a popular sport that has been a staple of the city’s parks and recreation programming for decades, and pickleball, an upstart game that’s growing in popularity. At stake are two tennis courts at Edgemoor Park, one of two city-owned tennis facilities large enough to host tennis tournaments, high school and middle school practices, clinics and youth camps. The Wichita Park Board wants to replace them with six pickleball courts so picklers can have another place to play after dark.
Source: Wichita Eagle
‘Locomotive that we’ve seen coming’: How did KC area teacher shortage get this bad?
In Kansas City’s most affluent suburbs, where districts pay the highest salaries and traditionally have had an easier time recruiting teachers, schools have been struggling to ensure every classroom is staffed this fall. The Blue Valley school district in Johnson County — with among the highest starting teacher salaries in the metro at $46,000 — reported a high of 250 resignations and retirements this spring. The district started the school year short 90 paraprofessionals, said Eric Punswick, chief human resources officer. “It doesn’t matter what job it is right now in our district, the pools of applicants are much smaller than they were even 10 years ago,” Punswick said. “So when we post a job, we know we’re in competition with all of our neighbors, but also regionally, and with some virtual schools and other jobs out there that teachers are qualified for.”
Source: KC Star Local News
4-day weeks, virtual teachers: Staff shortage has KC schools taking desperate measures
With many positions still left empty weeks into the school year, several districts are scaling back operations and finding new ways to keep schools running, while trying to have a competitive edge to recruit and retain enough employees. Unable to fill enough teaching positions, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools partnered with a company to hire some virtual teachers from out of state, who are livestreaming lessons to classrooms of middle and high school students on their computers, while a staff member watches the kids in person.
Source: KC Star Local News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 6, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Hesston bond issue passes by a hair
Every vote mattered for the Hesston Bond issue, which passed by 11 votes. The Harvey County Canvassing Board (Randy Hague, Chip Westfall, Don Schroeder) certified the bond election and results at a (September) 6 meeting. At the meeting, the board made a determination on which of the 19 provisional ballots were eligible to be counted in the election under state statute. After the County Clerk’s Office tallied the accepted provisional ballots, the final count stood at 800 votes in favor of the bond issue and 789 against. “A vote this close shows how important it is to go vote,” Hague said. “We still had 50 percent of people that could go vote and that didn’t,” Westfall added.
Source: Harvey County Now
Overland Park new incentive program to recruit snow crews with cash
The city of Overland Park is launching a new incentive to recruit snow crews for the upcoming winter season. During the 2022-23 snow season, crews will receive some extra money for every winter weather event after which they help clear city streets. Overland Park will pay plow drivers on staff $150 per storm. Smaller truck drivers on staff will receive $100 per storm, and support staff will receive $50 per storm. This is in addition to regular pay, which starts at $18 per hour for maintenance workers, as well as any overtime. Plow drivers who work throughout the season will also receive a minimum $1,500 bonus as part of the city’s seasonal minimum incentive amount.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Shawnee Mission North turns 100 this week
Shawnee Mission North High School students, staff and alumni are set to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary over the course of three days later this week, which marks the official centenary for what is believed to be Johnson County’s oldest functioning high school. Known affectionately as “the Brick House,” SM North, which opened its doors as Shawnee Mission Rural High School in 1922, is the oldest high school still in operation in Johnson County, according to local experts.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Haysville USD 261 hosts new community retreat
Ahead of the 2022-2023 school year, Haysville Public Schools hosted a new community retreat at the start of August to share about how the district conducts its business. Roughly 80 people attended the retreat, held at Campus High School. Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson served as the keynote speaker for the event. He discussed the state’s education goals and how districts might implement them.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Residency requirements for City of Topeka employees amended
The Topeka City Council voted to change the residency requirements for employees of the capital city. City employees are now required to live in the state of Kansas while department directors and judges must live in Shawnee County. The city manager must live in Topeka as well. All employees are encouraged to live within the city limits. The city manager does have the ability to amend the requirement for the department directors to live within the county if the position becomes difficult to fill.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Johnson County adds $610K to hazardous waste recycling project
Johnson County will allocate additional funds toward creating a new hazardous waste recycling center. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHWF) project was approved by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) as part of the 2022 budget. The $3 million capital project will create a new hazardous waste recycling facility near U.S. 69 Highway in Overland Park. The county has operated the current HHWF in Mission for roughly 30 years. That site accepts, recycles and disposes of common household materials that cannot be thrown away with regular trash, including things like fluorescent light bulbs, aerosol cans and paint.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
We’re running out of water
Aquifers are being depleted by irrigation. Reservoirs are filling with settlement. Fertilizer runoff is contamination water and feeding toxic algae. Kansas water experts provided lawmakers a sobering overview of quantity and quality issues facing all areas of the state. While more money and bureaucratic reshuffling were floated as solutions, the Special Committee on Water left Topeka last week without a clear path forward for the 2023 Legislature. “I think it’s pretty clear: If we continue business as usual, it’s not going to end well,” said Jim Butler, a Kansas Geological Survey geohydrologist.
Source: Salina Journal
Honoring farmers in Haven
Understanding the backbone of Haven is in its agriculture. Jake Feil, who runs a goat operation, set out to beautify Main Street with a mural honoring the town’s farmers. Last week, the mural was completed, adding another large artwork to Main Street. “This mural pays homage to our local farmers and farming community,” Feil said.
Source: Hutch News
Andover YMCA Aiming for Spring 2024 Reopen After April Tornado
The Andover YMCA is set to reopen in 2024. The facility was heavily damaged after the April tornado, and officials say they have been working with insurance companies to determine what areas of the facility need to be rebuilt, and which need to be remodeled. Officials said the building’s administrative offices, locker rooms and lobby received the most significant damage most significant damage, but added that every other area in the building sustained damage of some kind. In the interim, Greater Wichita YMCA CEO Ronn McMahon said that many members have been using other YMCA locations, but the goal is to open the water park by next summer and they are aiming to open the Andover YMCA building sometime in the spring of 2024.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Dignitaries celebrate Cowley College centennial
Cowley College held a proclamation celebration Wednesday in the Robert Brown Theatre to recognize the 100th anniversary of the school, which marks the first official day of classes on Sept. 12, 1922. The event also shared the vision for the future Career and Technical Education Center to be built on the main campus in Arkansas City. Cowley government affairs liaison Jessica Lucas emceed Wednesday’s event. “You don’t reach 100 years of success without strong leaders, and Cowley College has certainly been richly blessed by a community of people that have dedicated themselves to supporting investments in the local community college,” Lucas said. “Those investments have resulted in life-changing educational opportunities for thousands of people, a feat made possible by the dedicated staff that has served the school for decades.”
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Jackson water crisis reminds City leaders of new water treatment facility’s importance
As the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi continues, so does construction on Wichita’s new water treatment facility. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said the situation down South is reminding him of the importance of the new plant. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration in Jackson this week. Residents there have been without clean drinking water after a water treatment facility failed due to deferred maintenance. “The expectation is for Wichita to be ahead of the curb when it comes to replacing infrastructure before that infrastructure causes deeper problems,” Whipple said. Wichita’s new facility will replace its old one. It is 80-years-old.
Source: KAKE – News
New Health Department Director named in Crawford Co.
There’s a new face behind public health in Southeast Kansas. Debra Anthony has been named the new health department director of Crawford County. Anthony has around 30 years of experience in the healthcare field. She was a part of the Crawford County EMS for 11 of those years. She is a registered nurse, with a degree from the University of Kansas, and experience in the ICU and hospice. Anthony has been a member of the health department for 11 years. She says she’s ready to take the lessons the department has learned over the COVID-19 pandemic to help improve Crawford County.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Calls to crisis line go up in Sedgwick County following 988 rollout
Calls routed to Sedgwick County’s crisis center via national suicide hotlines went up nearly 30% percent during the first month of the new 988 hotline. In mid-July, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line replaced the 10-digit national suicide prevention lifeline around the U.S. The goal of the new number is to provide a crisis line for mental health emergencies similar to 911. Calls to the 988 hotline are routed to local crisis centers, like Sedgwick County’s. In 2022, the center received 273 calls via the new hotline between July 16 and August 21. The prior year, the center received 211 calls from the old suicide hotline during the same time period.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Wastewater surveillance continues to inform COVID-19 surges in Kansas
Two years ago, scientists in Kansas and around the world found an interesting way to track the novel coronavirus: sewage water. By measuring the concentration of virus particles in flushed bowel movements, they are able to estimate how much of the virus was generally present in any given area. People infected with the coronavirus shed it through breathing, sneezing, coughing and in their stool. By measuring viral particles in the sewer system, known as wastewater surveillance, scientists can capture the total amount of virus present in large groups of people regardless of whether they had been tested.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Johnson County sheriff asks for more funding amid staffing crunch
The Johnson County manager’s office will reallocate ten full-time employees to the Sheriff’s office for the rest of this year as a temporary measure to address staffing shortages. Driving the news: County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson and county commissioners discussed ongoing staffing problems with Sheriff Calvin Hayden Thursday morning before signing off on a plan that would bring six retired officers, known as “blue coats,” and four civilians into the sheriff’s office to fill court security positions and corrections positions currently held by sworn deputies. But the shuffling will only be effective through the rest of this year and will not solve an ongoing shortage of deputies.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Butler Community College culinary arts program unveils new facility
The Butler Community College Foundation recently announced the opening of the Redler Institute of Culinary Arts in Andover with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in August. The new facility has two complete kitchens, flexible classroom and learning spaces, and an herb garden where students can gain hands-on experience growing herbs for cooking and baking. The new Redler Institute of Culinary Arts facility was made possible with lead donations from Scott and Betsy Redler, and Paul and Favia Jackson. Additional funding came from private donations and the Butler Foundation.
Source: Derby Informer
Shawnee Co. adopts program to connect residents and first responders
The Shawnee County Fire District #2 unveiled a new community program to allow residents to inform first responders of their needs before an emergency. The district has been collaborating with a technology partner Fire Due to release a program called Community Connect. The web application will allow residents and businesses to share information with the fire department easily. Residents will be able to get burn permits without visiting the fire station in person and also be able to verify the burn condition status online.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Former hospital site in Ark City could become housing
Real estate developers based in Kansas City have their eye on the vacant lot near Wilson Park in Arkansas City as the possible site of town houses and apartments. The City Commission is scheduled Tuesday to consider a memorandum of understanding with Consolidated Housing Services and Consolidated Development Partners to acquire the land and develop it. The spot is the former location of the old South Central Kansas Medical Center building, torn down in 2015. A report for commissioners says the proposed development would include 15 market-rate town homes and 40 apartments of mostly affordable units, meaning income restrictions, with some market-rate apartments included.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Municipal Bond Trends for September 2, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Micromansion: New solution to housing crisis comes from Kansas
A southeast Kansas native is developing new housing opportunities across the country. Columbus has become the testing site for this project. After facing problems finding her own home, Abby Nelson decided to take matters into her own hands. Now, her dream is slowly becoming a reality before her very eyes in her hometown, with the first Micromansion under construction right now. “This is our first standing it up, making sure it goes together right, making sure our instructions make sense that we would send to a builder,” said Abby Nelson, Micromansion Founder. For years Columbus native Abby Nelson has been trying to find a new approach to the current housing market prices. And now, her first Micromansion is coming together.
Source: KSNF/KODE
‘A hole in the ground’ and other quirky curiosities build up small Kansas towns
One day in 1973, The Wall Street Journal published a review of Kansas tourist attractions. It was not kind. “Kansas is trying to promote tourism,” the Journal noted, “but it really doesn’t have a heck of a lot to promote.” The column singled out the godfathers of Kansas roadside tourism — the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, the World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well in Greensburg and the folk art town of Lucas — for particular ridicule, with pause breaks in the spots where the Journal expected its audience to chuckle at Kansas’ expense. Local newspapers from Salina to Lawrence to Atchison responded swiftly and defensively, standing up for the state’s quirky attractions and the simpler-times spirit they represent.
Source: Wichita Eagle