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| Keep Officer Brian Arterburn in your prayers |
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from the
Office of Community Services
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MESSAGE FROM JEFF BLUBAUGH...
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PAWNEE PRAIRIE PARK UPDATE
We continue to make strides in planning and designing for more activities in Pawnee Prairie Park, the largest municipal park in the City of Wichita. For those of you that have not been there, this park can be easily accessed from south Tyler Road at an entrance just south of Tex Consolver Golf Course. It's abundant with trails that take you through wooded areas, along creeks, and out onto prairie grass fields. It has become a favorite destination for local equestrians. Yet over the past 40 years, new housing developments have sprung up all along the west side of this park and few amenities are offered to these residents. Yesterday, a new committee met that is helping to design new changes for the park that will continue to offer trails specifically for hikers and equestrians, but will now incorporate a family playground area as well as bike paths that will help connect our city to the Prairie Sunset Trail, Air Capitol Memorial Park (a mountain bike trail park), and will eventually hook up to a new path in the planning that will connect with the Delano & Downtown areas. The small committee was thoughtfully selected and consists of 3 equestrians, 2 nearby residents, and 2 experts in multiple fitness activities. Many good and passionate ideas were shared, and the plan is going back to the drawing board for revisions. After the committee has a chance to review these changes, we will share the revised plan with everyone so we can move forward in making Pawnee Prairie Park the unique and multi-purpose destination that we know it can be.
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KANSAS MASONIC HOME
402 S MARTINSON
WICHITA, KS
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Councilman Blubaugh, along with Mayor Jeff Longwell, and other honorees had the opportunity to visit with Hervey Wright III, Director of Development and Fraternal Relations, of the Kansas Masonic Home. This lovely campus of noticeably white buildings and red tile roofs has become a Wichita landmark that begins at the intersection of Seneca and Maple streets.
Its history goes back nearly 120 years. Today, set on fifteen acres of historical Wichita land it is an expanded, renovated and award-winning, senior community opening its doors to all. They offer independent living as well as special needs care and rehabilitation services. Otherwise, it's a great location for all senior living due to it's central location and realm of healthcare. Much of the interior is like visiting a resort hotel without losing that feeling of being in your own comfy home.
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Councilman Blubaugh visits with Director Hervey Wright III on the grounds of the Kansas Masonic Home
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A local resident checking out the Hall of History at the Kansas Masonic Home
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The Kansas Masonic Home at Seneca and Maple is now a striking complex of beautiful buildings surrounded by trees and gardens.
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DISTRICT IV EVENTS & NEWS
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WEST STREET CLOSED UNDER KELLOGG THIS SATURDAY!
Scheduled for Saturday, March 4 from 7 am until 5 pm, a bridge deck pour on the EB US 54 bridge over West St. requires West Street under US 54 to be CLOSED Saturday, 7 am - 5 pm.
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The Mulberry Tree at the Kansas Masonic Home and the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail? What's that about?
On February 28th, the committee for the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail held homage to a 200 year old mulberry tree located on the north side of the Kansas Masonic Home (KMH). According to records, logs, and diaries, the cattle drivers coming up from Texas would stop south of Wichita (near Peck, KS), and from there they could spot the huge mulberry tree in Delano. This landmark was important in that they would often stay put for several days and let the cattle rest and fatten up before the final day of driving the cattle into Wichita to load on trains headed to market. Following the tree dedication there was a reception inside KMH and tours where the guides would tell the history of the Kansas Masonic Home. The finale was held in the auditorium of KMH where Wichita's foremost authority on history and professor at Wichita State University, Dr. Jay M. Price, spoke about his findings on how the Chisholm Trail helped to form the City of Wichita and, well, the rest is history!
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L to R: Hoyt Hillman, CM Jeff Blubaugh, Mayor Jeff Longwell, Mary Lou Rivers, and other Chisholm Trail committee members, under one huge mulberry tree.
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Councilman Blubaugh addresses the crowd and relays a story about his grandparents (as children) could see the dust of the cattle driven by their sod home in Harper County, Kansas
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A new marker memorializes the mulberry tree that was an important landmark for the cattle drivers of the Chisholm Trail.
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Councilman Blubaugh gives a big thumbs up for the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail mascot.
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A large crowd gathers in the KMH auditorium to hear more about the history of the Chisholm Trail
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Dr. Jay M. Price signing his book on the Chisholm Trail and the Birth of Wichita
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AND WHILE YOU ARE IN DELANO FOR THE PARADE....
DON'T FORGET YOUR 2ND SATURDAY SHOPPING BAG
Saturday, March 11th is the next 2nd Saturday in Wichita. Click here to find out the latest bargains and exclusive deals!
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Are you tired of renting? Find out how you can own a home
Come to a meeting at Wichita Habitat for Humanity and find out how you can become a homeowner. We have meetings at 5:30 p.m. on March 15 and April 12. We will have a meeting on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m. A meeting in Spanish also will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25. Meetings are held at our offices at 130 E. Murdock St., between Main and Market streets. Please RSVP to Katharine at 316-269-0755 or
Katharine@wichitahabitat.org
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HOW TO GET RID OF THOSE
UNWANTED NEWSPAPERS
The City of Wichita has recently received a large number of complaints regarding the free Wichita Eagle publications that are distributed to households that do not subscribe to the newspaper. Residents who do not want the publications, or who want to report vacant properties where the flyers are piling up should contact the Wichita Eagle by calling 268-6209
or by e-mailing
csrequest@wichitaeagle.com.
If there are areas where old publications have become a littering issue and need to be picked up, please contact Distribution Services Manager Keith Hansen at
khansen@wichitaeagle.com
or 268-6558.
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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 2017 meeting schedule,
click here
To find DAB IV agendas and minutes
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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DISTRICT IV SAFETY REPORTS
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Wichita Report app
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WANT TO REPORT POTHOLES OR OTHER STREET ISSUES?
THERE'S A FREE APP FOR THAT!
Or are you tired of electronics? Then contact the City of Wichita the old fashioned way. Simply pick up your phone and dial 942-4482 to get connected to the correct department/person. This number is operational from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
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Don't be left in the
dark
If
you notice outages within
your neighborhood, fill out
Westar Energy's website
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Severe Weather Awareness Week
Severe Weather Awareness Week this year runs from March 5-11, with the
statewide tornado drill scheduled for Tuesday, March 7th at 10:00 AM. Please note that we will not have our normal siren test at noon on Monday that week, but will instead plan to sound them at 10:00 Tuesday. If the weather doesn't cooperate for the Tuesday test, the backup date is March 9.
The Severe Weather Awareness Week packet produced by the National Weather Service can be found by
clicking here. It contains a lot of great information about what we went through last year, and how to be prepared for it this year.
As reported in the Wichita Eagle, one local private weather enterprise issued their spring severe weather outlook over the weekend that said, in part, the severe weather season across the Great Plains could start in March this year because the dominant weather pattern of the winter appears poised to linger into spring. They are referring to the record number of heavy storms moving into California this winter which, as they move east, will be interacting with increasingly warm, moist air coming up from the Gulf of Mexico.
Stay alert and be prepared!
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PLAN NOW FOR SPRING BREAK
MARCH 17th thru MARCH 19TH
There are interesting programs at all Wichita Public Libraries for your children to have fun (and learn). But just tell the kids they get to go have a good time. Click
here to find out programs, times, locations, and if registration is required. Doing so will give YOU a much deserved break!
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2017 2nd ANNUAL WBC
MARATHON/RELAY MARATHON
The course will stick to the Wichita bike paths as much as possible for the safety of all the runners.
On the morning of Sunday, March 12th, the race will be kick off at 8 am at Wichita Brewing Company (WBC) West. The first leg will run to Central and Mt. Caramel. The second leg will run to McLean and St. Paul. The third leg will run to Exploration place the south bridge of the Keeper of the Plains. The fourth leg will run to Pawnee and St. Francis. The fifth leg will run to George Washington and Oliver. The last leg will bring it home to WBC East. They will have water at each interchange and in between the interchanges as well, and will stop timing after 6 hours. With a paid entry fee, each runner will get a shirt, a participation medal, meal ticket, and 2 beer tickets. WBC will have a post run party located after the finish line just outside WBC East. Also at the post run festivities they will announce winners in their respective categories. The categories are as posted: Top 3 Individual Men, Top 3 Individual Women, Top relay team of only men, top relay team of only women, top 3 relay of mixed teams of men and women(need one woman), then for the adventurous, best costume/team costumes. To register, sign up
HERE.
The money they raise is given to the Kansas Food Bank. From the 1st race, $5200 was donated to the Kansas Food Bank (KFB), whose mission is to provide comprehensive and compassionate HungerCare whenever and wherever it is needed to safeguard the health, well-being and productivity of food-insecure Kansas families and their children, as well as senior citizens, the homeless and the chronically ill and impoverished among us.
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| The Gun and Knife Show, March 18th & 19th |
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| March 24th, 25th, and 26th |
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IN PERSON
- Certified volunteers will prepare your taxes and even help you get tax credits you are eligible for putting more money back in your pocket.
- Services are offered by appointment. Locations across Wichita and in Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley and Marion counties
- For more info and to find a location near you:
2-1-1 is United Way's toll-free 24-hour information line.
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ONLINE
- Visit myfreetaxes.com to file your taxes online for free
- It's easy, safe, and secure!
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SENIOR SERVICES IN DELANO
Senior Wednesdays are great, but...
Did you know that the building in Delano at 200 S Walnut has activities, exercise classes, a quilting club, pool tournaments, grand slam bridge, and so much more going on every week.
To see the ongoing activities that are too numerous to mention here, click on the photo to the right. You will be in for a treat!
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COMING SOON SO SAVE THE DATE!
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Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport has a magazine just for you travelers.
Check it out!
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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 east side of Meridian is now underway and halfway completed, but remember that Harry is still closed at Meridian for all west bound traffic. Kudos to Greg Baalman, City of Wichita, for keeping this project on course and looking forward to May 2017!
Traffic Impact:
Meridian is complete on the west side, and the east side to Harry is almost completed. Hang in there everyone. The end is in sight!
KDOT - I-235 & Kellogg (U.S. 54) Interchange
- Because the NB I-235 Ramp to WB US 54 is CLOSED until Saturday, the detour for SB I-235 to WB US 54 is temporarily: Exit at EB US 54, exit again at Meridian then go under US 54 to the Ramp to WB US 54. NEW
- Scheduled for Saturday, March 4 from 7 am until 5 pm, a bridge deck pour on the EB US 54 bridge over West St. requires West Street under US 54 to be CLOSED Saturday, 7 am - 5 pm. NEW
The first phase of the Kellogg/I-235 Interchange rebuild (dubbed the Red Project) began on November 10. Improvements include a one-lane flyover ramp for NB I-235 to WB US 54, A two lane flyover ramp for SB I-235 to EB U.S. 54, Removal of loop ramps in the SW & NE quadrants, loop ramp for EB US 54 to NB I-235 (SE quadrant) will be reconstructed, US 54 bridge over West St. will be widened to accommodate new auxiliary lanes from I-235. Auxiliary lanes on I-235 constructed from US 54 to Central Ave. NB I-235 ramp to EB US 54 braided with the new ramp lanes from SB I-235 to EB US 54.
Traffic Impact:
Southbound I-235 ramp to WB US 54 is CLOSED - for up to one year. An official signed detour uses SB I-235 to K-42, then NB on I-235 to WB US 54 ramp. The West St. Entrance Ramp to EB US 54 is closed. West St. traffic from Irving to Taft is single lane each direction. Saturday, December 10, West St. at US 54 will be closed (7am - 7pm) to install bridge beams over West St. Bridge widening on I-235 above Maple St. continues and traffic on Maple is reduced to one lane in each direction. Elder St. at Maple is closed for reconstruction of a short section of Elder. Bridge work at US 54 & Hoover continues and Hoover is closed under US 54. The new West St. ramp to WB US 54 is open. KDOT Contact is Tom Hein - hein@ksdot.org
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TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST JOB FAIRS AND TRAINING COURSES, CLICK HERE.
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KANSASWORKS helps with job seekers, employers, training/education, and resources.
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Classes will be from April 10 to May 25, weekdays, Monday through Thursday. Call KANSEL at 263-9620 for more information.
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H2O Care Fund
The City of Wichita recognizes that there are many residents who are struggling during these difficult economic times, especially during the holidays. This voluntary program provides a simple way to directly help others. Even small donations can add up and provide a way for people to maintain their water service. There are three ways to help, and you can find out how by filling out the City of Wichita H2O Care Fund Program Donation Form here.
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MORE COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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The Pawnee Street Bridge at the Arkansas River
(Photograph courtesy of Don McManamey)
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The PAWNEE STREET BRIDGE AT THE ARKANSAS RIVER
District IV resident and Advisory Board Member, Don McManamey, was kind enough to send us a photo he took this week of the (de)construction at the Pawnee bridge. Last summer there was a delay while everyone patiently waited for the swallows to quit nesting under the bridge, and then when the construction began the engineers realized that the damage was more extensive than first discovered. As we can see from the photo, there's still plenty to be done on this important structure. I know it's been a major inconvenience for those that live and work near here, but better this than a sudden collapse. Hang in there everyone!
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March 3rd
March 4th
March 5th
Curious? Click here to see what was going on in history on this day.
March 6th
National Dentist's Day (One person you never want mad at you)
March 7th
National Pancake Day (Be sure to cheer for the runners in Liberal, KS)
March 8th
National Peanut Cluster Day (My father always celebrates this day!)
March 9th
National Get Over it Day (great advice)
March 10th
National Pack Your Lunch Day
March 12th
National Girl Scout Day (buy lots of cookies for the campers)
March 13th
National Good Samaritan Day
March 14th
March 15th
National Shoe the World Day
March 16th
March 17th
St. Patrick's Day (TGIF and don't drink and drive!)
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DISTRICT IV PLACES
OF INTEREST
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MORE
HELPFUL LINKS
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3447 S. Meridian
433 S. 135th St. West
1931 S. Tyler
2625 S Tyler
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City Council Agendas, Minutes and streaming video
link
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Click
here to find up-to-date information
regarding street maintenance and street sweepers in your area.
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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 WINTER Classes by clicking here!
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I
CT SOS is a project-based human trafficking organization that acts as a liaison between specific local professional groups who work with trafficked youth and the Wichita volunteers who seek ways to be involved in finding solutions to fight sex trafficking. You can help in so many ways. For additional information, read more.
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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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