Category: Top Right

In District 2 race, Lopez and Blubaugh disagree on property tax issues, and who’s to blame for higher taxes

September 30, 2024 | By Chance Swaim/The Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County Commission District 2 candidates Sarah Lopez, the Democratic incumbent, and Jeff Blubaugh, the Republican challenger, disagree about how the county should address affordable housing in Sedgwick County. But they both said they think county property taxes play a key role. Lopez said she plans to offer property tax relief by consolidating services offered […]

The Active Age welcomes new board members

September 26, 2024 | By The Active Age

Three new members have joined the board of directors of The Active Age newspaper. Steve Criser is one of the founders and owners of CGP Group, LLC, a tax and accounting firm. A Wichita native, he graduated from East High and Wichita State University. Criser jokes that a job he held during college — drawing […]

Renovations, security upgrades in store for elementary school turned emergency shelter

September 25, 2024 | By Matthew Kelly/The Wichita Eagle

For the first time in over 100 years, Park Elementary School did not welcome students and teachers back for another school year. Instead, the recently shuttered elementary in the heart of Midtown is set to reopen around Thanksgiving as an emergency winter shelter. The Wichita City Council last month finalized its $1 purchase of Park […]

County closes Swap & Shop during expansion

September 24, 2024 | By The Active Age

Sedgwick County is doubling the size of its Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 801 Stillwell and adding parking to the east side. According to a news release, the $1.9 million project is needed to handle growth in customer usage and to facilitate tours and school field trips in the future. Meantime, the facility’s Swap & […]

City urges residents to cut back on water usage, may impose more restrictions

September 20, 2024 | By The Active Age

As Wichita’s drought continues, the city said this week that it will step up enforcement of water use restrictions — including the levying of fines when warranted — and may discuss prohibiting all outdoor watering in the future. “All water customers are urged to continue to find ways to cut back on water usage,” a […]

Wichita puts $450 million bond issue on ballot

September 17, 2024 | By Suzanne Perez/KMUW

The Wichita school district will ask voters in February to approve a $450 million bond issue to finance school construction and other improvements — a plan leaders say will reduce the district’s overall footprint and make it more efficient. School board members voted 6-1 on Monday to hold a special election Feb. 25. It will […]

State to provide grants to unpaid dementia caregivers

September 16, 2024 | By The Active Age

The state of Kansas will begin this fall to provide $1,000 to unpaid caregiers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, it was announced today (Monday, Sept. 16). The Kansas Respite for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Program (K-RAD) will be overseen by Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) but managed and administered by […]

City may cite owners of short-term rentals for nuisance parties

September 9, 2024 | By Laura McMillan/KSN

The Wichita City Council has been looking for ways to prevent problems at short-term rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Should the property owner or just the renter be fined and possibly arrested? On Tuesday, council members approved an ordinance allowing law enforcement officers to shut down nuisance parties at short-term rental properties. The ordinance states […]

Orpheum to close for a year for major restoration; work to start in June 2025

September 5, 2024 | By The Active Age

Leaders of Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre on Wednesday announced its Second Century Campaign and plans to fully restore the interior of the historic venue. “We are proud to announce that the Second Century Campaign launched during our 100th anniversary (in 2022) is at 73 percent of its $9.5 million goal,” said Glen Nilsen, chairman of the […]

60 years after its last execution, is Kansas ready to carry out the death penalty again?

September 3, 2024 | By Joel Mathis The Journal

On the day after Valentine’s Day, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach went to the Capitol and made a surprising announcement to the media: Nearly 60 years after the state carried out its last execution – and almost exactly 30 years after its current death penalty law went into effect – Kansas might soon be ready […]

Remodeled Wichita Dollar General Offers Fresh Meat, Fruits and Vegetables

August 23, 2024 | By Bonita Gooch/Community Voice

If you live near 21st and Grove in the heart of Northeast Wichita, walked to your refrigerator and you needed just one fresh ingredient in preparation for your evening meal, too bad. The nearest store selling fresh meat and vegetables was 3 miles away. While 3 miles is an inconvenience for some, it’s nearly impossible for […]

How to track campaign finance reports in Sedgwick County

August 22, 2024 | By Trace Salzbrenner/The Beacon

Money drives politics, fueling the same question every election: Who’s trying to buy influence with their donations? But finding out who funds city or county races can be a challenge if you don’t know where or what to look for. Mark Skoglund, executive director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, said voters should look for […]

‘I get to keep my memories’: Tenant purchases home, former public housing unit

August 15, 2024 | By Loren Amelunke/The Sunflower

Above: Lawonder Markham stands on the porch of the home she raised her daughter in and now owns. Photo by Monique Bever/The Sunflower Lawonder Markham’s home is her comfort place — it’s where she raised her daughter, where she took care of her mother until she died and where she’s lived since 2003. But […]

City Council debates cuts or tax hikes as Wichita faces budget deficit in 2026

August 8, 2024 | By Trace Salzbrenner/The Beacon

TAKEAWAYS Wichita faces a looming budget shortfall, forcing the City Council to pick between raising taxes or cutting back services. “The city is facing challenges,” District 4 Council Member Dalton Glasscock said. “We’re thoughtfully weighing how we can still provide excellent service for our citizens.” City Manager Robert Layton suggested several cost-cutting measures for the […]

Volunteers needed to deliver Meals on Wheels

May 23, 2024 | By The Active Age

Senior Services, Inc. is experiencing extremely low volunteer numbers in its Meals on Wheels program due to the start of the vacation season. The program delivers approximately 800 lunch-time meals each weekday to homebound, isolated seniors. According to a news release, the program has experienced numerous open delivery routes each day for several weeks. Having […]

Sedgwick County firefighters urge wildfire prevention

March 22, 2024 | By The Active Age

Sedgwick County Fire District 1 (SCFD 1) is encouraging residents to take preventive measures to protect their property from the threat of wildfires. On Monday, March 25 at 11 a.m., Fire Marshal Brad Crisp and the crew of SCFD 1 Station #32, 7750 N. Wyandotte Way, Park City, will demonstrate several easy ways to reduce […]

Win a makeover with Bonnie Bing

March 1, 2024 | By Bonnie Bing

New season, new look. We won’t forget the frigid days of winter, but it’s time to enjoy warm spring breezes and sunny summer days. Are you ready for a new look? Well, ladies, here is your chance to get a new hair style and makeup tips that will make you feel brand new. And if […]

Play pickleball for The Active Age

January 30, 2024 | By The Active Age

The Active Age is looking for a pickleball team to represent us at Picklepalooza, to be held at Chicken N’ Pickle on Friday, June 21. (Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly gave the date as June 12). The event, which annually raises money for Senior Services, Inc. and the Alzheimer’s Association, allows […]

City of Wichita relaunches home repair program

January 11, 2024 | By The Active Age

The city of Wichita has revamped its Home Repair program and will open applications and the wait list on Feb. 1. The Home Repair program assists low- and moderate-income homeowners with critical home repairs to achieve two main goals: 1) Stabilize homeowners within their primary unit of residence, assisting with the goal of sustaining affordable […]

Site chosen for temporary emergency shelter in Wichita. Here’s where it will be

November 3, 2023 | By MATTHEW KELLY

After a month of searching, a temporary location for Wichita’s emergency winter shelter has been identified. The City Council will vote Tuesday on a $685,000 package to support a no-barrier 24/7 shelter for up to 250 people at 2220 E. 21st St., a city-owned property that used to house the Fundamental Learning Center. The facility […]

Wichita Journalism Collaborative launches joint coverage on housing issues

October 13, 2023 | By The Active Age

Housing prices in Wichita increased an average of 30% in 22 months. Sedgwick County’s rent has been up at least 8.5% since 2019. We all desire a place to call home, but is attainable quality housing too far out of reach for many Wichitans? Members of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative (WJC) see the housing disparities […]

15 years of early-morning workouts bind group

October 2, 2023 | By Amy Geiszler-Jones

More than just physical fitness motivates a group of Wichitans to hit the gym at 5:45 a.m. three days a week. They’ve found friendships and — whether they know it or not — maybe a boost of mental health wellness. The group’s members first came together in September 2008 when Steve Rainbolt, Wichita State University’s […]

Win tickets to Wichita Wurlitzer show

September 28, 2023 | By The Active Age

The Active Age is giving away two tickets to a Halloween-themed performance featuring the Wurlitzer pipe organ at Century II on Thursday, Oct. 12. The event starts with a dance at 7 p.m., followed by a showing of the classic silent movie, “The Phantom of the Operate” with live music by Clark Wilson on the […]

Senior Expo returns this month: PBS chief welcomes event as part of station makeover

September 1, 2023 | By Joe Stumpe

PBS Kansas chief Victor Hogstrom says there’s a simple reason why the public television station is bringing back the Senior Expo this month. “We knew it was a very popular event,” Hogstrom said. “Our audience is also that audience.” Hogstrom is all about audience engagement, and resurrecting the Expo is just one of many moves […]

Roof Work to Begin on Century II

August 29, 2023 | By The Active Age

After years of deferred maintenance, the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center will soon get a new roof structure and membrane to protect it from weather. According to a news release from the city, which owns the facility, the project is expected to begin next month and be completed in the spring of 2024. […]