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District IV Newsletter
from the
Office of Community Services
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MESSAGE FROM JEFF BLUBAUGH...
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THE CITY OF WICHITA
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The City of Wichita's mission is to provide an environment to protect the health, safety, and well being of all who live and work in the community. In directing policies and program toward that end, the City assumes a stewardship role to preserve the assets and natural resources entrusted to its growth, to assure equality of opportunity, and to contribute to the quality of life for all citizens.
The proposed budget includes maintaining current infrastructure (such as the Pawnee Street bridge over the Arkansas River that is occurring now), enhancements to current infrastructure, and expansion of infrastructure. This also includes freeway and Water Utilities infrastructure.
Other priority expenditures include Public Safety, Economic Development, Quality of Life (parks & athletic fields/stadiums), Airport utility funds, and Transit GO (General Obligation) Bonds.
The bottom line is that during the past year, we listened to those who gave us input and feedback, and now we are ready to implement many of your ideas. It doesn't happen overnight, but it is happening. So thank you for helping us make these necessary decisions. Wichita will continue to be a great city in which to live, work, and play!
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17 EMPLOYEES TAKE ON
THE WORLD, AND SPACE, AT....
It was a pleasure to have Stan Unruh, the Owner and President of Leading Edge Aerospace (LEA), and Ben Johnson, Vice President and Business Manager, show us around their facility on south Anna. And it was easy to get caught up in the excitement of all they are presently making and all they are planning to do in the near future. Thanks to their knowledge and expanding technology, this small but mighty company is competing and winning bids that could make your head spin. Their main expertise is in composite tooling backed by Leading Edge Fusion Technologies (LEFT) Tooling, and also offer tooling CNC machining, tooling jig & fixture, tooling composite, and a 3D laser inspection that is "in house" and "on site". But the most fun was being able to see their very large 3D printer and hearing how it operates. Deservingly, the Kansas Small Business Development Center awarded LEA the 2015 Existing Business of the Year! Below are photos that will show you just how amazing this technology is. So if you think that the sky is the limit, think again. The sky and beyond are just the beginning for Leading Edge Aerospace!
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Ben Johnson (right) is showcasing their 3D printer to Councilman Blubaugh (left)
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Ben Johnson is explaining the material used in a 3D printer at Leading Edge Aerospace
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A precision example of the Leading Edge Aerospace 3D printer
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A recent coveted award for manufacturing research and development for rotorcraft
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DISTRICT IV EVENTS & NEWS
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LOVE OR HATE, READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME!
The n
on-emergency number for fireworks and nuisance complaints during the 4th of July weekend is 316-290-1011
The non-emergency line will be staffed during the following times -
6:30 PM on Friday, July 1st through 3:00 AM on Saturday, July 2nd
6:30 PM Saturday, July 2nd through 3:00 AM on Sunday, July 3rd
6:30 PM on Sunday, July 3rd through 3:00 AM on Monday, July 4th
6:30 PM on Monday, July 4th through 3:00 AM on Tuesday, July 5th
Be kind to your neighbors who have pets, children, and/or have to work on these days. Not everyone gets to stay up and sleep in, so let's all be considerate of others.
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WICHITA'$ 2015 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
City of Wichita officials released local government's annual financial report,
showing good financial health, a strong reserve balance and sound management!
Specifically, City government's General Fund reflected an ending fund balance of $36.1 million; the reserve balance of the General Fund was 11.4% of the 2016 Adopted Budget, which exceeds the City's established minimum reserve level of 10% of budgeted expenditures for the following year.
Relatedly, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the City a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2014 fiscal year. The 2014 award represents the 42nd consecutive year that the City earned this award. And that's how it's done!!
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Friends University to offer new special education licensure program!
Friends University is launching a new licensure program available
as a specialization within the Master of Education degree. The licensure program, recently approved by the Kansas State Board of Education, prepares teachers with an existing teaching license to meet the growing need for special education teachers and complete the Kansas Department of Education licensure requirements.
The Special Education High Incidence (P-12) licensure program is designed for teachers who want to teach preschool through 12th-grade students with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities, mild or moderate mental retardation, communication disorders, and behavior or emotional disorders).
Teachers can complete special education licensure within one year by taking six core courses. They can then complete their master's degree in special education by taking 12 graduate workshop credits.
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What works? WICHITA WORKS!
Mayor Jeff Longwell recently announced that Wichita has been selected as 1 of 12 new cities to participate in
Bloomberg Philanthropies' What Work Cities initiative - one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to enhance the use of data and evidence in the public sector.
"Wichita is making leaps and bounds in terms of our efforts to utilize data to actively improve the lives of our citizens and best position ourselves for future growth," Longwell said. "This will help us streamline our efforts to engage citizens and research to identify what the next big opportunities are for Wichita."
Launched in April 2015, the initiative is now providing support to 39 cities in 25 states and will work with up to 100 mid-sized cities on a rolling basis through 2018.
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District IV Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District IV Advisory Board meets the
first Monday of the month at the Lional Alford Library, 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita KS 67217. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For a listing of the 2016 meeting schedule,
click here
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District IV's neighborhood associations,
click here
District IV and the City of Wichita are looking for board members! To see what's available,
click here
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DISTRICT IV FACEBOOK PAGE
Do you ever wonder what District IV is currently up to? Click
here to join the action, leave a request, or simply "like" our posts.
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BOOK A LIBRARIAN AT THE WICHITA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Get
free one-on-one technology help with computer, iPad or other tablets, a variety of software, searching and applying for jobs, downloading e-books, learning about social media and much more.
Call 316-261-8506 to set up a session at the Central Library or contact your local branch (Alford, Evergreen, Rockwell, and Westlink branches).
Reservations are required with at least one day advanced notice, and a library card in good standing is also needed.
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DISTRICT IV SAFETY REPORTS
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THE WICHITA POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS YOU COVERED!
District IV is covered by two WPD substations that are accessible Monday thru Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.
Patrol South is located at 211 E Pawnee, and their phone number is 350-3440. Patrol West is located at 661 N Elder, and their phone number is 350-3460.
You are free to walk in during those hours to record an incident report (minor traffic accidents, vandalism, larceny from your vehicle, stolen property, etc.) Of course if it is a more serious offense that requires an officer on site, please call 911 as they are able to dispatch officers to the scene.
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GET TO KNOW WICHITA POLICE CHIEF
GORDON RAMSAY
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The Wichita Parks Foundation will host Red, White & BOOM! 2016
Monday, July 4th
5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Downtown on the Hyatt Lawn,
the Lewis Street Bridge, and Water Street
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LIBRARY VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES
Kansas law requires you to re-register any time
you change
your name, address,
or party affiliation to vote!
Tuesday, July 5th: 2:00 - 5:00 pm - Maya Angelou NE Branch
Monday, July 25th: 4:00 - 7:00 pm - Alford Branch Library
Note: to vote in the primaries for State office,
you need to be registered by July 12th!
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KID POWER CAFE
FREE lunches this summer!
Kid Power has teamed up with Wichita Public Schools to be the mascot of the Federal Summer Food Program. Kansas is ranked 48 out of 50 states for participation. Since Kid Power Cares, Inc. was formed to help Give Kids the Power to Feel Great we think this community coalition with WPS will be an opportunity for the 50,000 students in the school district to have more knowledge about the program through a new name and logo. If you know of any children, ages 1 thru 18,
that need breakfast, lunch, or snack this summer, click
here
to view the list of sites that are safe places
to eat and socialize.
No paperwork needed
...just show up and have a nutritious summer!
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Click
here for the Wichita
Bicycle Master Plan
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Attend any Wichita Park & Recreation class, athletic league, or special event and take your best selfie! Follow@WichitaParkandRec on
Instagram
. Post your selfie using #ICTSummerSelfie. Be sure to check often and "like" your favorite photos. The photo with the most likes will be featured in the 2016 Fall Activities Guide. Winner will be notified on August 1st through
Instagram.
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Wichita's hub for arts
and entertainment is Downtown.
Read More
for a schedule of days and times of events!
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COMING SOON SO SAVE THE DATE!
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2016 BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COUNT
Volunteers are needed at several location on the following dates:
Thursday, September 22nd (5 - 7 pm)
Saturday, September 24th (noon - 2 pm)
The data collected during the count helps to estimate the number of people and locations people bicycle, walk and run. Once collected, the data is used to plan the location of future bicycle and pedestrian investments.
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DISTRICT IV STREET CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
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TO SEE
THE LATEST NEWS FROM KDOT ON WICHITA PROGRAMS, CLICK ON
WICHWAY
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MERIDIAN STREET CONSTRUCTION UPDATE!
The contractor is working as diligently as they can to repair potholes after each rain. This is an issue contractors have to mitigate with every project. The pavement in this area was obviously in bad condition already due to poor drainage that has existed in this area for years. The combination of heavy rainfall and all traffic driving on one side of the road makes it difficult for the patch material to stay in place, especially along the curb lane. We will continue to monitor the situation. The good news is the project is currently on schedule despite the rain. With some cooperation from mother nature, the first half of the road will be complete this fall, and traffic will be on new pavement.
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IF YOU SEE GRAFFITI OR ILLEGAL DUMPING, PLEASE SEND AN
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WICHITA IS A BEAUTIFUL CITY! LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY BY REPORTING NUISANCES SUCH AS THESE!
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Crime Stoppers encourages citizens to call if they have information about a felony crime, and wish to remain anonymous. This means that they have not directly contacted law enforcement. Crime Stoppers always encourages cooperation with law enforcement, but in those cases where citizens do not want to call police, they are encouraged to provide the information they have anonymously through Crime Stoppers by one of the following ways:
Call
(316) 267-2111 or 1-800-222-TIPS
Text
TIP217 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or
Report a tip online
here!
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TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST JOB FAIRS AND TRAINING COURSES, CLICK HERE.
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MORE COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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Home Improvement program has funding
available
for income qualified homeowners
The Housing and Community Services Department's Home Improvement Program now has funding available for interest-free, forgivable deferred payment loans of up to $5,000 for income-qualified (60% of median) owner-occupant homeowners. Loans are provided for emergency needs, such as furnaces, water heaters, sewer lines, water lines, electrical system repairs and plumbing repairs. Loans are also provided for minor home repair needs for senior citizens, age 62 and older. Property taxes must be current. Call 462-3713 for more information or to apply.
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WALKING REDUCES THE RISK OF DIABETES
Adults with diabetes who walk at least a mile per day are half as likely to die as those who are inactive. Walking improves blood-sugar levels. And the best part is that WALKING IS FREE!
The best way to start walking is...to begin. Place it high on your priority list. If you plan to do it "when everything else is done" you will never start because there is always something more to do. Set a specific time to walk. Find a way to make it fun. Do you have a friend you could walk with? Do you have a dog? Your vet would agree that your dog needs to walk also! Does your neighborhood have a park where you could walk? Maybe you prefer to listen to music or a book on tape. Doesn't matter how you do it...just walk!
Aim for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. But if you can't walk that long, start at 10-15 minutes. That will help you as well. Then try to increase your time.
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MID AMERICA ALL INDIAN CENTER
650 N Seneca, Wichita, KS
Saturday, July 23rd - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
FREE traveling exhibition that explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. This exhibit and health fair is FREE, open to the public and will feature a number of local organizations. Some of the FREE services that will be available will include:
- Back to school physicals
- Sports physicals
- School immunizations
- Dental screenings and cleanings
- Vision tests
- Giveaways, hands-on activities and more
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June 24
National Pralines Day (and now they even have spicy ones!)
June 25
National Catfish Day (hushpuppies and coleslaw on the side, right?)
June 26
National Beautician's Day (can we still use that word?)
June 27
National Sunglasses Day (protect your eyes from UV rays this summer!)
June 28
National Insurance Awareness Day (this day was created to review your coverage)
June 29
National Camera Day (we might have to change it to national cell phone day)
June 30
Social Media Day (#SMDay when tweeting)
July 01
National Postal Worker Day (leave a good treat in your mailbox)
Hop-a-Park Day (It is suggested that you visit the different parks in your area)
July 03
National Fried Clam Day (I can literally eat a pound of these)
July 04
HAPPY 240th BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!
JuLY 05
National Graham Cracker Day (May we have a glass of milk with this please?)
JuLY 06
National Fried Chicken Day (Nobody can beat your grandmother's fried chicken)
JuLY 07
National Father Daughter Take a Walk Day (A daughter always remembers)
JuLY 08
Collector Car Appreciation Day (Wish I had my 1969 Firebird back)
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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Online Reporting for
Animal Control Problems
Wichita Animal Control has launched an online form to report non-emergency animal control problems as part of an ongoing effort to improve services. The form can be accessed here.
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F
ind out about Park and Recreation SUMMER Classes by clicking here!
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DISTRICT IV
PLACES OF INTEREST
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3447 S. Meridian
Auburn Hills Golf Course 433 S. 135th St. West Tex Consolver Golf Course 1931 S. Tyler Pawnee Prairie Park 2625 S Tyler |
Click here to find up-to-date information
regarding street maintenance and street sweepers in your area.
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Sedgwick County Extension Building, 7001 W 21st St North
Saturday from 7 am until noon
Every week you can find produce, plants, meats, jams, salsas,
honey, baked goods and a variety of crafts.
SATELLITE MARKETS:
Green Acres Market- Tuesdays 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Derby Market - Saturdays 7:00 am - Noon
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-268-4197 |
City Hall, 455 N Main St.
Wichita, KS 67202
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