A lapse in communication. That is how Sedgwick County leaders describe what happened one week ago, when a major water main broke, prompting a boil water advisory for Wichita and surrounding communities. On Thursday, Oct 7 at 1:32 p.m., the power went out at the water treatment plant causing pumps to shut down. Within minutes, the pumps were restarted but started to lose pressure. At 2 p.m., city crews found the water main break. Fifteen minutes later they notified the KDHE, then a boil advisory was issued at 3 p.m. The city held a press conference at 3:30 p.m. This is where county leaders take issue. City staff did not notify the county emergency manager until after 4 p.m. County leaders are now working on a way to keep everyone in the loop during emergencies.
Source: KSN-TV

Wichita Public Schools held a job fair Thursday, Oct. 14 in hopes of hiring substitute teachers, paras and custodians. Before the coronavirus pandemic, USD259 had around 1,000 substitutes. This year it is half that. Nearly 100 people showed up to the job fair today hoping to snag a position. “I like kids. I worked with kids for a while. I was a director of our nursery, I worked in pediatrics as a CNA,” said Heather Self, who applied for a position at the job fair. “I have teenagers at home, so it’s up my alley.”
Source: KSN-TV

The to-go cocktails and longer liquor store hours adopted in Kansas during the pandemic could live on after the virus threat has passed. But some lawmakers worry that additional changes sought by grocery chains and liquor companies could hurt small businesses and overwhelm state regulators. Changes approved during the 2021 legislative session included expanding the hours liquor stores could operate on Sundays and holidays and allowing the sale of to-go cocktails and drive-through drinks.
Source: KSN-TV

The city of Wichita said that they are conducting further testing on a 42-inch pipe that led to a failure and loss of pressure last week. The city was put under a boil advisory from Thursday afternoon to early Saturday morning before it was lifted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. During a press conference, Alan King, Wichita’s director of Public Works & Utilities, said the pipe had been replaced and the hole backfilled. However, the line hasn’t been put back into service. “The repaired section of pipe will be pressure tested, and we will put it at a very high pressure to see if it is able to hold,” said King.
Source: KSN-TV