McPherson Schools to begin partnership program

8 Thursday, September 8

McPherson Schools to begin partnership program

info2022-09-08T07:13:56-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

Wichita, Sedgwick County trying again to get federal funding for flood project

info2022-09-08T07:13:00-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

50th annual Walnut Valley Festival coming to Winfield

info2022-09-08T07:12:24-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

Proposed zoning changes aim to ease child care shortages around county

info2022-09-08T07:11:46-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

Sedgwick County Commission approves pay increase for Comcare to help recruit, retain staff

info2022-09-08T03:03:07-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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 [...]

8 Thursday, September 8

Wichita Public Schools seeks approval of devices to detect guns, explosives

info2022-09-09T07:12:23-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

Voters approve Quinter school bond, citywide sales tax

info2022-09-08T02:56:49-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

Backers have high hopes for planned disc golf course at Lenexa’s Black Hoof Park

info2022-09-08T07:08:36-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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

8 Thursday, September 8

City of Lawrence preps camp for people experiencing homelessness

info2022-09-08T07:10:39-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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 [...]

8 Thursday, September 8

Economist gives pessimistic 2023 outlook at Wichita forum

info2022-09-08T07:11:07-05:00September 8th, 2022|

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 [...]