A step back into the 80s kept a lot of the youngsters distracted from the usual rides at the Goddard Fall Festival. “With the retirement of one carnival they kinda consolidated into one so there’s only one carnival servicing Kansas but that leaves opportunity for festivals like ours to kinda branch out and bring in new opportunities,” said Angie Duntz, the President & CEO of the Goddard Chamber of Commerce. This was the reason there were no rides at this year’s festival and a couple of visitors were not happy about this. “Definitely miss the rides it adds the fun and enjoyment to everything so it gives you something to take up more time and it brings a lot of excitement for a lot of people,” said Wichita resident Emallie Somers.  Duntz said festivals are a means of tourism and economic development.  She adds they had to get innovative which is just what they did.
Source: KAKE – News

If you feel like you’ve seen more coyotes and foxes in the city lately, you’re not alone. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks says there’s been a big increase in reported sightings this year, so much so that it put a study in place to learn how to keep them safe as they continue to migrate to urban areas. It’s a story KAKE’s Eli Higgins learned about from personal experience. “Several months ago, a strange sound kept waking me up in the middle of the night, but all you could ever see were some weird eyeballs way back in the field across from my house,” Eli said. One morning, he finally found the culprit, and it wasn’t something you’d expect to see in the middle of the city – a family of three red foxes. Jon Beckman with the KDWP says he’s not the only one. “We wanted to get a handle on what was going on with those populations,” said Beckman. This year, Beckman says there have been so many reports of red foxes and coyotes in the city that the department started what’s called the Wichita Urban Coyote and Fox Project, and he needs our help.
Source: KAKE – News

Wilbur, the famous wildcat mascot for El Dorado High School has had many faces throughout his time. “There are 25 different faces for Wilbur the wildcat [throughout history],” said Kimberly Koop, the USD 490 director of community engagement and recruitment. But the inconsistencies with his figure will discontinue after this week, because last week District 490 announced a logo refresh. Many from the community are unhappy with the recent change. “It’s cold, stale, not something you want to fight for,” said Linette Liby, an El Dorado HS alumni. “I don’t understand why we have to change it for one thing. I’m happy with the logo we have,” said Sindi Sundgren, an El Dorado community member.  “It seemed a little colder than what we’re used to. A little bit more, I’ve heard a couple people say, robotic,” said Katlyn Utech, an El Dorado HS alumni. But it comes out of necessity according to the district, which says there is a need for visual unity and visual assets for the district with copyrights and mascot protections.
Source: KAKE – News