Category: Local Interest

Orpheum Theatre selling its “infamous” seats

May 27, 2025 | By The Active Age

They’ve been complained about for years, but are the seats at the Orpheum Theatre a keepsake? The theatre’s supporters hope so. They’re holding a sale of the seats and other items ahead of the theater being shut down for a year-long renovation. The “Seat Week” fundraiser starts today at the theater. According to a news […]

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Multi-Agency Center is now Second Light. First executive director sought

| By The Active Age

Wichita’s new center for homeless services has a new name: Second Light. Now it’s looking for its first executive director. Located in the former Park Elementary School at 1025 N. Main, the shelter and service hub has previously been known as the Multi-Agency Center. “We are excited to give this transformational project the name it deserves,” Steve […]

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Suspect arrested in pregnant woman’s slaying

May 25, 2025 | By The Active Age

A pregnant Wichita woman was slain early Sunday morning, police said. The victim was identified as Naomi Oglesby, 20. Doctors were able to delivery her infant, who is receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit of a local hospital. A suspect in the case has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Despite the […]

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Ribbons to be cut for new and remodeled dog parks

May 12, 2025 | By The Active Age

The City of Wichita Park and Recreation Department is holding ribbon cuttings for one new dog park and one remodeled one this week. Council Members and Park staff will discuss features of the dog parks before the ribbon cuttings. Here’s the schedule: K-9 Rooster Dog Park, 2127 N. Meridian: 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12 Members […]

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Music, dance and more at grand opening of Westlink Branch Library

May 9, 2025 | By Tammara Fogle

The Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, will hold a grand opening for the public on Saturday, May 10. According to a news release, the branch reopened to the public in March after major construction and interior remodeling to expand the overall footprint of the location and reimagine the use of space to meet the demands […]

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Sedgwick County stops DEI programs

| By Tammara Fogle

Sedgwick County has stopped all programs and services with DEI goals, according to a news release. The move came after the county received a letter from the U.S. Department of Transportation warning that, by order of President Trump, the county needs to halt any diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or else risk losing federal grant […]

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Public exposed to measles, Sedgwick County says

May 8, 2025 | By Tammara Fogle

The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child. SCHD investigates measles cases and informs the public when they could be at risk for exposure. To prevent further spread of the disease, SCHD is asking anyone who visited the below location during the times listed to monitor for […]

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Fatal stabbing downtown investigated

| By Tammara Fogle

Wichita police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the downtown area. Just after 12:30 p.m., 911 dispatchers received multiple calls about a stabbing near Third and Topeka. Officers responded and found a 55-year-old man with a stab wound. An officer provided immediate first aid before Sedgwick […]

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Measles case in Sedgwick County confirmed

May 7, 2025 | By The Active Age

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Sedgwick County Health Department report a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated child between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, according to a news release. The last measles case identified in Sedgwick County was in 2017. Sedgwick County will hold a press […]

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Sedgwick County Commission, Wichita City Council to meet together

April 28, 2025 | By The Active Age

Sedgwick County Commissioners will attend a meeting with the Wichita City Council on Tuesday to discuss the following topics: Opioid Settlement Fund Strategic Plan Blue Ribbon Committee, Shared Services Legislative Issues The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the 1st Floor Board Room at Wichita City Hall, 455 N. […]

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WSU to give Shocker Priority Points for student-athlete support

| By The Active Age

Donors to Wichita State’s athletic roster resources (NIL and Revenue Share) will earn Shocker Priority Points, the school announced Monday. Shocker Athletics will retroactively award priority points associated with name, image and likeness giving beginning July 1, 2021, rewarding donors for their support. Moving forward, donors can continue supporting student-athletes through Revenue Share giving by […]

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City giving away low-flow shower heads in response to drought

April 17, 2025 | By The Active Age

City of Wichita water customers can pick up a free low-flow shower head and/or sink aerator while supplies last at the City Hall information desk, one of our Wichita Public Library locations, or a City of Wichita neighborhood resource center. According to a news release, low-flow shower heads could save families up to 8,000 gallons […]

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The Active Age nabs press association honors

April 10, 2025 | By Tammara Fogle

The Active Age won several awards in the 2025 Kansas Press Association contest, including first and second place in the column writing category for publications in the largest circulation category. Ted Blankenship won first place in column writing for his “It’s Not Serious” column, while Diana Breit Wolfe won second place for her “Dear Reader” […]

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Prescribed burns planned for Sedgwick County Park on Monday, April 7

April 4, 2025 | By Tammara Fogle

Sedgwick County Fire District 1 plans to conduct prescribed burns from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 7, weather permitting. According to a news release, the park and zoo will remain open to the public, but barricades along walking paths and other areas will keep visitors away from the burn sites. Likewise, SCFD1 will […]

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Sedgwick County to offer free tire disposal April 10-12

| By Tammara Fogle

Sedgwick County Environmental Resources is hosting a free waste tire collection April 10-12, 2025, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at its West Yard, 4701 S. West St. According to a news release, this event is open to residents, farmers and local governmental agencies. Tires will not be accepted from businesses. For safety reasons, anyone using a […]

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Sedgwick County to offer free measles vaccinations Saturday

April 2, 2025 | By The Active Age

Sedgwick County will offer free measles vaccinations this Saturday, April 5, according to a news release noting that the county has no reported cases of measles at this time. The county Health Department is “is responding proactively to a measles outbreak in other parts of Kansas and the nation,” the release states. As part of […]

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City Manager Bob Layton to retire at end of 2025

| By The Active Age

Wichita City Manager Robert Layton announced Wednesday that he would retire at the end of 2025, after more than 16 years on the job. Layton, who was hired in 2009, has worked under four Wichita mayors and 21 different City Council members. “Earlier today, I informed the Mayor and City Council of my plans to […]

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Man charged with vandalizing Tesla in Wichita

March 28, 2025 | By The Active Age

A 30-year-old man has been charged with intentionally damaging a Tesla Model X, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office said Friday.  There have been numerous reports of Teslas being vandalized across the United States by opponents of Tesla majority owner Elon Musk, a top advisor to President Trump.  The Tesla here was damaged March 20, […]

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Westlink branch reopens after long remodel

March 25, 2025 | By Laura McMillan/KSN

What was once the busiest branch library in Wichita may regain that title. The Wichita Public Library has reopened the Westlink Branch after an almost two-year remodeling project. The library at 8515 Bekemeyer, near Central and Tyler, has doubled in size, adding community meeting rooms, more study spaces, a drive-up window, an expanded children’s room, […]

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Basement and foundation repair business pays penalties

March 18, 2025 | By The Active Age

 A $42,047 consent judgment was entered in Sedgwick County District Court against the owner of a basement and foundation repair business and the business itself for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable acts under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). According to a news release, the matter was investigated by the Office of the District Attorney […]

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Free colon cancer screening kits available

March 3, 2025 | By The Active Age

  Via Christi’s Cancer Outreach and Risk Assessment program is again offering colorectal screening kits, while supplies last, at no cost to anyone 45 and older. Those whose stool samples test positive for blood are followed up by a nurse navigator and, if they need and cannot afford a colonoscopy, funding is available through a […]

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