Sedgwick County seeking election workers
With the addition of 10 polling sites and the Aug. 4 primary election approaching, Sedgwick County is recruiting election workers.
“Being an election worker is a way to play an active role and important role in the community while earning extra money in the process,” Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said.
Election workers are required to be registered voters in the county or a 16- or 17-year-old who is otherwise eligible to vote except for not being of legal age. They must be available to work on election day between 5:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until all of the closing procedures have been completed.
Most election workers are paid $8.50 for both work and required training, plus mileage. Election supervising judges make $11 per hour.
If interested, call the Election Office at (316) 660-7119 or email electionworker@sedgwick.gov. You can also apply online at sedgwickcounty.org/elections.
In addition to the primary, there is a general election set for Nov. 4.
Donation to create Pope Leo Village here
An anonymous donor is making it possible for Wichita Habitat for Humanity to create a small neighborhood named in honor of Pope Leo, the first American-born pope. The gift will allow volunteers to transform eight formerly boarded-up public housing properties in north Wichita into Pope Leo Village. Construction is to begin this month on homes near 26th and Ash, one of which is seen at right. They will eventually be owned by eight local families who complete Habitat’s homeownership program, which requires them to work side by side with volunteers to build homes they will purchase with a 0% interest loan. The donation is allowing a total of 212 homes to be built in 18 cities. To learn more about the project, sign up to volunteer or make a donation, visit: wichitahabitat.org/popeleovillage.
Great Plains Nature Center closes until 2027
The Great Plains Nature Center closed June 19 and is expected to remain so until fall 2027 as major foundation repairs are completed. The center’s exhibit space and accessibility are also being improved.
The surrounding 282-acre Chisolm Creek Park remains open, and outdoor programming and some events will continue during the renovation. Visitors are urged to contact the center by calling 683-5499, emailing info@gpnc.org or visiting gpnc.org for details, and volunteers are encouraged to contact the center about opportunities.
GPNC opened in 2000 as a cooperative venture between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the City of Wichita Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center. Last year, 24,178 students from 121 schools took part in its educational programs.
Wicked Brew tour on tap
Wichita’s 2026 Wicked Brew Tour continues through the summer.
To take part, visit one of 29 participating microbreweries and coffeehouses (there’s also a cidery and kombucha maker) and pick up a Brew Tour passport. Once you’ve collected stamps from at 10 locations, you’re eligible for a Wicked Brew tour T-shirt while supplies last. You can find a list of participating vendors at visitwichita.com.
USD 259 holds open houses
Wichita Public Schools are hosting open houses at a variety of school buildings this summer to highlight what officials say are the district’s needs ahead of the $615 million school bond issue vote in November.
The open houses are being held form 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the following locations:
• July 7, Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School, 1045 High St.;
• July 14, Northwest High School, 1220 N. Tyler;
• July 21, Adams Elementary School, 1002 N. Oliver;
• July 28, Irving Elementary, 1642 N. Market;
•August 4, Future Ready Manufacturing Center at North High School, 1435 N. Waco.
More information about the bond issue can be found at www.wpsbond.org.
