Vol. 2, Issue 9                                       September 2018
Neighbors,
 
I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful Autumn weather! Things are busy at the county as we continue to prepare for the November elections. Please make sure you’re registered to vote as there is still time. You can visit ksvotes.org to either check your registration or to register to vote.

I can’t begin to express the gratitude all county employees feel from the community for your outpouring of support in the tragic loss of Deputy Sheriff Kunze. Our community has been truly wonderful in your support of our entire Sheriff’s department as well as the Kunze family – THANK YOU!
 
Finally in District 2 news we have started the bid process for the Pedestrian Bridge for South Meridian at 63 rd Street. This has long been a priority for the city of Haysville and Sedgwick County and this project was selected as the last federal funded new project for our region for 2018. I hope to see construction early next year.
 
As always, it’s an honor to represent you. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
 
For Sedgwick County,
 
Michael O’Donnell
How to Prepare for Disasters
After watching the destruction from Hurricane Florence, it is fitting that September is National Preparedness Month. Sedgwick County Emergency Management recommends following some basic steps to ensure that you, your family, and your pets survive in the event of a disaster.

Make a Plan - Involve your family members in developing a plan, then remember to post the plan somewhere everyone can see the details. Discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, hazardous materials spills, floods and other emergencies. Talk about the ways in which you will respond to each situation. Identify two ways out of each room in your home. Talk about where your family will meet if you have to evacuate. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1.

Build a Disaster Kit – This kit should include a three day supply of food and water for every family member, a complete change of clothes and footwear for each person, battery operated/ non-electronic tools and supplies, and a first aid kit. Include copies of your important documents like birth certificates, social security cards, and insurance information. Don’t forget about your pets and their needs!

Stay Informed – In emergency situations such as severe weather, flooding, and other disasters, Sedgwick County Emergency Management will be able to report information and developments to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This information will be posted to the  Emergency Log. NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, and social media are other methods to help you stay informed. Be sure to like and follow Sedgwick County to get up to date information about local government and emergencies in our area! 

More details about emergency preparedness can be found on our  website. 
Regional Forensic Science Center Celebrates Forensic Science Week 
This year staff at the Regional Forensic Science Center celebrated National Forensic Science Week with various activities. Forensic Science Week recognizes the critical role forensic science plays in public outreach, crime prevention, and the overall criminal justice system. This type of analysis dramatically improves the investigation of criminal activity leading to the exoneration of the innocent and the prosecution of the guilty.

Crime scene investigators, forensic examiners, forensic scientists, and technicians provide unbiased, accurate, and reliable analyses of evidence for a number of different area law enforcement agencies.

Photos below show employees representing Sedgwick County at a career fair at Johnson County’s Crime Lab, staff enjoying an ice cream social, and conducting their research. Forensic Science Week was Sept. 16 to 22, 2018. 
Evening Reporting Center Serving Area Youth
The Evening Reporting Center (ERC) at Juvenile Field Services is funded through Reinvestment and Regional Grants provided by the State of Kansas Department of Corrections - Juvenile Services. The ERC offers effective community-based options to youth who were formerly sent to out-of-home placements for programming.   The Regional Grant partners are Butler, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harvey, McPherson, and Sumner counties.        

Programming began on May 1st, 2018 and has served 121 youth. Currently, the ERC serves approximately 30-35 youth per day, Tuesday thru Friday after school and evenings. On Saturdays youth work on community service projects with an average attendance of 10-15 youth.  Youth have provided 296.5 hours of supervised community service work at various community parks and venues throughout Sedgwick County.

Programming includes groups that address anger management, trauma, job skills, inpatient substance treatment, girl empowerment, multi-systemic therapy, decision-making, moral reconation therapy, independent living training and parenting education.  

At this time, the ERC has successfully graduated 15 youth.  
EMS Post 8 Ready for Service
Sedgwick County EMS reopened EMS Post 8 at 501 E. 53 rd St. North in Park City on Sept. 20. It originally came into service in 1991 as a combined Sedgwick County Fire Station and EMS Post. Sedgwick County Fire District 1 vacated their portion of the building in 2008 when Fire Station 32 was completed.

The repair project consisted of exterior and interior work including a new roof, window repairs, painting, and correcting drainage. Interior remodel work was done to service and deploy EMS apparatuses; in the future it will house a four person crew. There were also ADA upgrades installed as part of the County’s ADA transition plan.

Hanney and Associates were selected as the architect for the project. The remodel began on May 7, 2018 and Compton Construction Services, LLC completed all contract work on August 25, 2018. The project’s budget was $427,219.
Office of the Medical Director to Open Soon
Crews continue to work on the Kellogg/ I-235 interchange rebuild. This first phase is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Update on Kellogg/ 235 interchange
Project updates can be found at www.235kelloggcentral.com and include:

  • A full closure of the interior lanes of the interchange is planned for a weekend in early October to replace the bridge approaches over the Wichita – Valley Center Floodway, eastbound and westbound US 54 bridges, plus remove bridge construction forms over US 54 and I-235 lanes of traffic. 
Projects in District 2
NovaChip Asphalt Overlays on select county roads
  • Construction expected to occur through mid-October
  • Roads open to traffic but expect delays
Celebrating Retirements
A few long-time County employees were recognized for their dedication and service to the organization recently. County Appraiser Mike Borchard retired on Sept. 1 after 30 years of service to the organization. Scott Hadley, EMS Director, retired on Sept. 17 after 29 years with Sedgwick County EMS as well. Eula West, the County’s Public Relation and Information Clerk, was recognized for her 49 years of service. 

Interim assignments for the Appraiser and EMS Director have been announced. Mark Clark and Dennis Mauk will fill those roles. 
Local Monument Gets its Annual Cleaning
Did you notice the scaffolding around the Sedgwick County Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument recently? It receives a very careful and thoughtful restoration every year by experts trained to keep such historic monuments protected from age and elements. 

In 2016 the Liberty statue was repaired and placed back atop the monument after being removed in 2013 due to a crack in its base. The monument was built in 1913 in memory of the Union Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War.
Know the Signs – Get Help:
National Suicide Prevention Week Recognized in Sedgwick County
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition shared its 2017 annual report with the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners. The report stated that in 2017, there were 96 deaths by suicide in Sedgwick County, 60 percent of deaths had a known history of mental illness, and 23 percent of deaths were veterans.

National Suicide Prevention Week was celebrated Sept. 9 to 15, 2018. Coalition members spent Monday, Sept. 10, handing out information about suicide prevention at various community locations.

In the United States, one person dies by suicide every 12 minutes; in Sedgwick County, someone dies by suicide every four days. The Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 at 316-660-7500.
County Participates in Chili Cook-off with The Kitchen
This year Sedgwick County partnered with The Kitchen for the 2018 Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cook-Off. Staffed dished out the restaurant’s new chili to event-goers on Saturday, Sept. 22. 
Sedgwick County Names Director of Strategic Communications
Sedgwick County is pleased to announce the selection of Van Williams as Director of Strategic Communications. His first day with Sedgwick County was Monday, Sept. 24.

Williams joins the organization with decades of governmental communications and journalism experience, most recently serving as Public Information Officer for the City of Wichita. He is a graduate of Wichita State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration. Williams is a noted community leader as well, founding Real Men Real Heroes and River City Hoops.
As the top outdoor family attraction in the State, the mission of the Sedgwick County Zoo is to inspire discovery, appreciation, and respect for animals and nature. It is home to 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species. The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit is the third largest elephant habitat in the United States. 
Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, inspires a deeper interest in science through creative and fun experiences for people of all ages. Through its permanent and travelling exhibits, education programs, Digital Dome Theater films and special events, visitors can enjoy learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For example, the all-new, 5,100 square foot Design Build Fly exhibit celebrates our community’s aviation industry. Visitors encounter dozens of hands-on activities that focus on manufacturing and engineering to reveal what happens behind-the-scenes in our aircraft plants.   
The Kansas African American Museum endeavors to make the Kansas African American experience resonant with EVERY Kansan. Located in the venerable Calvary Baptist Church, visitors may expand their knowledge and understanding of the Kansas African American story. 
Residents and visitors can gain an understanding of our community and cultural heritage at the Wichita – Sedgwick County Historical Museum. By collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials which reflect the area’s heritage visitors can experience different facets that shaped the community we live in today.  
County Information
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203

Contact Strategic Communications Director:
Van Williams, 316-660-9370
525 N. Main, Ste 315, Wichita, KS 67203 
 
Contact Public Information Officer:
Kate Flavin, 316-660-9370
525 N. Main, Ste 315, Wichita, KS 67203