From the desk of Lavonta Williams

This program provides assistance to homeowners to update and preserve their property with a fresh coat of paint. The paint is free and homeowners can choose the color of paint from a wide selection. The paint is available between April 1 and September 15. To qualify for the free paint:

1. The house must be located within the City of Wichita.
2. Eligible household income must not exceed eighty percent (80%) of median income.  2016 Federal Income Limits
3. The house must be owner-occupied, and real estate taxes must be paid current.
4. The owner must apply the paint to the structure within six months of receiving it.
5. Senior citizens, 62 years of age or older, may qualify for labor grants, provided they are owner-occupants and provided funding is available.

In order to keep you informed about important issues in your community, Westar Energy will be initiating another phase of work improving/upgrading transmission lines in the northeast section of the City.  These improvements are a part of a continued effort to improve service delivery and help reduce/eliminate electrical outages. 

The transmission line work will be done along 17th Street from Oliver to Woodlawn and Woodlawn to Rock Road.  Westar, through agreement with the City, will be moving their easement approximately 10 feet to the south along the Redbud Trail. City staff have met to discuss what trees will be impacted as a result of this move.  It has been determined that a small number of low value volunteer trees (Red Cedar and Siberian Elm) may either be trimmed or removed during this process. The alternative plan considered increases the easement to the North which would severely impact a great number of trees and negatively affect most adjacent private properties. 

As Wichita State University and the surrounding communities grow, their need for energy grows. Westar Energy has identified transmission projects that are needed to ensure the campus, surrounding neighbors, and all of Wichita has plenty of reliable electricity. The line being upgraded along 17th street will improve service to the university and surrounding area.

 

New power line standards require Westar to utilize wider easements than when the line was originally built, so Westar is purchasing nine homes on 17th near Oliver. Six of the homes are ready for demolition, pending a historical review by the city. These homes are slated for removal later this month.  The remaining three homes are still in the process of being acquired. Once the homes are removed, entry drives and driveways will also be removed. We will plant grass and fix any curbs, sidewalks and gutters along the roadway to match the existing curb and gutter.

 

Residents may observe contractors who are "potholing," which allows us to ensure we know where underground utilities are in the area and don't interrupt service. Construction of the transmission line is scheduled to begin in January and is scheduled to be in service in June 2017. 

The Wichita Summer Reading Program has begun! Sign your children up for the Wichita Public Library's program to challenge them to read throughout the summer. And new this year, you can sign up and track your child's reading progress online at http://www.wichitalibrary.org/summerreading .  Be sure to also check out the Library's event calendar for the dozens of programs designed to keep your kids learning and entertained.

Voter Registration Drives:

Kansas law requires you to re-register any time you change your name, address, or party affiliation. To vote in the primaries for state office, you need to be registered by July 12. Get registered at the Library! First-time Kansas registrants will need proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate or US passport. A full list is available at www.voteks.org. These events are co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters. 

Check out what's happening 

FREE Summer lunch and snack is hosted at Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center for children and teens ages 1-18. Lunch is from 12:15-12:45 & Snack is from 4:15-4:45.

Resume building, resume reviews, job search tools and 1-on-1 assistance is available at Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center. Please call 303-8016 to schedule an appointment.   Click here for job daily job postings.

Want To Own a Safe, Affordable Home?

 

Then come to  an informational meeting with Wichita Habitat for Humanity and learn mo re!  A meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at Habitat's offices at 130 E. Murdock, between Main and Market streets.  Please RSVP to Katharine at 269-0755 or [email protected] .

Summer Concerts at Bradley Fair

For the 17th consecutive year, the Bradley Fair Summer Concerts will help people stretch the weekends with Thursday night concerts. Concert guests can make the most of their weekends by starting with Thursday evenings at Bradley Fair. Guests will hear national and regional Jazz musicians while enjoying the beautiful venue overlooking Bradley Fair Lake. This season features five musical performances.

 

Co-sponsored by B98-FM and iHeart Media, the concerts will be held June 2 - 30, 2016. At the June 30th concert we will Celebrate America with a spectacular fireworks display following the concert. The concerts are held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the Bradley Fair Plaza. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating. Soft drinks and cocktails by Newport Grill are available for purchase at the concerts.

Click Here for Concert Schedule

• Training is Free:  we will work around your schedule and we provide continuing education to make sure volunteers are up to date as things in the world of Medicaid changes.
• Schedules are flexible: we ask for 3-10 hours weekly, but this can be tailored to fit any need.  Only have 2 hours?  No problem!  Want to work 16 hours?  No problem!
• Volunteers are needed in Wichita, Olathe, and Kansas City
• Application and background checks are required.
• Face to face meetings are by appointment as well- great for direct consumer experience!