Now that summer is in full swing and we are getting back to our normal pre-COVID lives, I hope you are able to take advantage of all the exciting things happening in Sedgwick County!
Camps are a big part of summer at Exploration Place. This year, the museum offered its largest scholarship opportunity in history, reserving 144 needs-based spots for local children to attend free of charge! This summer that included working with the WPD Community Intervention Officer, who wanted to help a struggling family. Thanks to the program and this officer, 2 children aged 8 and 6 are able to spend 4 entire weeks at Exploration Places camps! My own son has had the time of his life working on STEM projects at camp!
In addition to the regular Exploration Place exhibits, visitors this summer can enjoy two new blockbuster traveling exhibits: PAW Patrol: Adventure Play and Monster Fish! The summer movie in the giant screen dome theater was selected by an online poll of Exploration Place members. Australia's Great Wild North takes viewers on an epic journey through some of the wildest landscapes on earth.
Starting July 1, Exploration Place will be participating in an exciting new program called "Sunflower Summer" with the Kansas Department of Education. This program gives free admission to museums, zoos and historic landmarks through August 15. Exploration Place is also a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission from Memorial Day to Labor Day for military families.
Sedgwick County Zoo is celebrating its 50th birthday this year! If you haven’t been to see the new entrance and gift shop, I highly suggest you do! My children and I are so looking forward to the opening of the Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek closer to the end of the summer. This exhibit will combine all Asian cats into one exhibit area and will more than double the square footage of the existing Tiger Trek!
Haysville News:
Road Construction on North Main Street in Haysville
- Work began in April.
- The bid for the North Main Street Project from Grand Avenue to the Wichita-Valley Center Floodway Bridge is $1,336,496.
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Includes complete road reconstruction, sidewalk improvements, as well as the addition of a flashing crosswalk.
- Will addresses longtime flooding challenges.
- Completion is expected by late summer.
CDBG Funds Awarded for Sunset Fields in Haysville
- Kansas Department of Commerce approved the Sunset Fields Community Development Block Grant, the grant award is $342,000.
- Total project cost is $943,995.
- Will address inadequate drainage along with new asphalt pavement.
- Project is anticipated to being in late summer.
Angel of Hope Memorial Completed
- Angel of Hope Memorial was officially unveiled on December 6th, 2020.
- Located in Haysville’s new Dorner Park.
- A tribute to families who have experienced the loss of a child of any age.
- Only one in the state of Kansas.
Haysville’s Annual 4th of July celebration in Riggs Park
Saturday, July 3rd
- 9:00 am: Independence Day Parade
- 10:00 am: OK Kids Fishing Derby
- 11:00 am: Hot Dogs in the Park for kids
- 11:15 am: Red, White & Water Games
Sunday, July 4th
- 11:30 am: Raft Races at the Pool
- 1:00 pm: Water Carnival at the Pool
- 6:00 pm: Food Court Open
- 7:15 pm: Citizen of the Year Award
- 7:30 pm: Concert, Sister Sarah Tree
- 9:45 pm: Fireworks (approximate time)
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COVID-19 Report for June 30, 2021 |
Comparing case counts from Monday to today:
- The United States of America case count increased from 33,631,532 to 33,658,635 (+ 0.08 percent).
- The State of Kansas case count increased from 317,651 to 318,106 (+ 0.14 percent).
- In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 48,826 to 48,902 (+ 0.16 percent).
The Sedgwick County Health Department offers no-cost sampling at Sunflower Shelter at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st Street. Walk-ins are welcome Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please enter off 13th Street.
The Health Department takes a nasal, oral, or saliva sample to send to a lab for COVID-19 PCR testing. Results are generally available within 18 to 36 hours. The results of the virus test show whether a person has a current infection. This is not an antibody test.
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COVID-19 Walk-in Sampling Closed for Independence Day |
The Sedgwick County Health Department no-cost COVID-19 walk-in sampling at Sedgwick County Park will be closed Monday, July 5 for Independence Day. Normal hours of operation will resume Tuesday, July 6. |
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COVID-19 Vaccination Update |
Beginning the week of July 5, the community vaccine clinic at 223 S. Main will be walk-in only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and no vaccine clinic appointments will be available on the Sedgwick County website.
Beginning Wednesday, July 7, people going to the community vaccine clinic should plan to bring a quarter for the parking meter.
The last day of the drive-thru vaccination clinic at Wichita Transit Operations, 777 E. Waterman was Thursday, June 24. Sedgwick County Health Department is no longer operating at that location due to decreased demand for the drive-thru.
Sedgwick County Health Department offers the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine at multiple locations across Sedgwick County. The Pfizer vaccine is available to people age 12 and older; the J&J vaccine is available to people age 18 or older.
The Health Department offers the following no-cost, walk-in vaccine clinic options:
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Main Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202
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Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff
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Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome
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Event Clinics are where SCHD offers vaccine during an event. Businesses planning events can contact SCHD by email at SCHDCovidVaccine@sedgwick.gov
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Stay Safe Over the Holiday |
In order to ensure everyone has a safe holiday, residents should be aware of regulation on fireworks sales and discharges in Sedgwick County municipalities and unincorporated areas. This information is available at www.sedgwickcounty.org/fire.
Sedgwick County Fire District 1 urges residents to stay safe over the holiday with the following tips:
- Small children should not handle fireworks; even sparklers can be harmful if mishandled.
- Older children and young adults should be monitored by an adult when handling fireworks.
- Follow the directions on packages closely.
- Always keep a bucket of water and a water hose nearby.
- Keep fireworks away from dry grass, hay, trees, and all structures.
- Try to light fireworks on gravel, concrete, or a hard surface that will not ignite.
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Non-Emergency Line Active during July 4 Holiday |
The Sedgwick County Courthouse and Sedgwick County offices will be closed Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. Emergency services are available by dialing or texting 9-1-1.
The Sedgwick County Emergency Communications’ non-emergency phone line, 316-290-1011, will be available during the following hours:
- 6 p.m. July 1 through 3 a.m. July 2
- 6 p.m. July 2 through 3 a.m. July 3
- 6 p.m. July 3 through 3 a.m. July 4
- 6 p.m. July 4 through 3 a.m. July 5
This line functions as an alternative to 9-1-1 and is meant to receive calls for non-emergency nuisances that do not pose a threat to life or property; examples include complaints pertaining to parties, excess noise, fireworks, etc. It was established to prevent an influx of nuisance calls that can block emergency calls from reaching a call taker; the non-emergency line is activated during times of historically high call volumes and as otherwise needed. If someone calls 9-1-1 with a non-emergency nuisance complaint, he or she will be transferred to the non-emergency line.
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Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes this Summer |
Fight the bite this summer and protect yourself against mosquitoes. Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) suggest following the three D’s to avoid mosquito bites this summer. Drain standing water; the insects breed in standing water. Use mosquito dunks or mosquito-eating fish in ponds and stagnant water. Use insect repellent that contains DEET; this offers the best protection against mosquito bites. Dress appropriately: wear loose-fitting clothing when outdoor, especially at dawn and dusk when the insects are most active.
The SCHD is offering no cost mosquito dunks to help protect you and your family from bites this summer. The SCHD asks that you be 18 or older and provide your ZIP code for tracking. For more information or to request dunks call them at (316) 660-7300.
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Sedgwick County Zoo Celebrates 50 Years! |
The Sedgwick County Zoo recently held a grand opening and ribbon cutting to reveal and celebrate the new entrance and gift shop. The Zoo also announced their plans to celebrate turning 50 years old! Head to Sedgwick County Zoo’s Facebook Page to stay up-to-date on new information and announcements.
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The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise. These important procedures are depleting the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types, especially type O and those giving platelets are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients. For information on a blood drive near you, go to RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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Airxcel Expands Workforce in Wichita |
On June 2, Airxcel - a local advanced manufacturing company - announced plans to expand capacity and grow its workforce at its Wichita facility. Airxcel is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of branded products for the global recreation vehicle (RV) and specialty HVAC markets.
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Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Opens New Fire Station |
In late May, a ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the new Fire Station 31 located in Andale. Firefighters began using the facility shortly after the opening. The project was completed in nine months, costing more than $2.2 million dollars. The new space will help serve the Andale community well into the future.
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Department of Corrections Celebrates Evening Reporting Center Graduates |
Since The Parent Project's inception in the County in 2019, the focus has been to provide assistance to families with youth in the juvenile justice system to be engaged and effective in parenting and support. Graduation from this program means individuals have joined the ranks of other proud Evening Reporting Center: Youth Graduation - Parent Project graduates.
Congratulations to the graduates for completing the program!
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Public Works Projects in District 2 |
Bridge replacements on 103rd S between 119th W and Hoover.
- Closed to traffic during construction
- Work began on April 29, 2021
- Project includes the replacement of two structures
- Structure between 119th W and 103rd W reopened June 22, 2021
- Structure between Ridge and Hoover expected to reopen to traffic in late summer 2021
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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