March 2021
There are many exciting things happing at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Later in this newsletter you will read more, but I wanted to let everyone know that the construction is almost complete on the new entrance to the zoo and we will have a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the new entrance and also to also celebrate the zoo’s 50th anniversary. Please come out and enjoy the number one tourist attraction in Kansas.

There has been a lot of news lately about vaccinations, testing and masks. We urge everyone to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. The process is very easy to schedule and the procedure at the old library is extremely efficient and friendly. Please do not wait to schedule your appointment, go to Sedgwickcounty.org to schedule the appointment.  

The County will be holding another hazardous waste disposal event in District 3 this summer. We have held it in Andale, Colwich, the Sedgwick County Extension Center and Garden Plain in the past. If anyone has a suggestion for the next event, please let me know.

In 2008, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery (CBOB) Act which established the Federal and State and Local CBOBs to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty. Fallen Deputy Robert Kunze III of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department was selected by then Attorney General Barr to receive the 2018 State and Local CBOB. We honored Deputy Kunze and his family at a presentation ceremony held at the Sedgewick County Law Enforcement Memorial on March 26th. We are very proud of the gallant actions of Deputy Kunze and every law enforcement officer in our nation.  
COVID-19 Report for March 31, 2021 
Comparing case counts from Monday to today:
  • The United States of America case count increased from 30,291,863 to 30,417,211 (+ 0.41 percent).
  • Today, the State of Kansas case count increased less than one percent, from 301,862 to 302,372. 
  • In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 45,653 to 45,746 (+ 0.20 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 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Monday through Friday. 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.
 
Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19 to learn more about the County’s response to COVID-19. 
COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available to People Age 16 and Older
Appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine are available for people aged 16 and older through the Sedgwick County Health Department. Schedule an appointment online at www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/schedule/ or schedule it over the phone by dialing (316) 660-1029.

So far, Sedgwick County has provided more than 134,000 doses of the vaccine to residents.

If you schedule an appointment between 9 – 11:45 a.m. at 223 S. Main (former Wichita Library) on Thursday, April 1, you will receive the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. All other dates and times will be Pfizer vaccine.

If a person with a severe medical risk has received medical advice to not go to a large vaccine clinic, such as the community vaccination site at 223 S. Main, please call SCHD at (316) 660-1029 to schedule an appointment for the drive-thru clinic.

Appointments are available at the following locations Monday through Saturday.
  • 223 S. Main | Former Wichita Central Library | Clinic for eligible people aged 16 and older
  • 777 E. Waterman | Wichita Transit Operations | Drive-thru clinic for eligible people aged 16 and older and who received medical advice to not to go to a large vaccine clinic or who have mobility difficulties

Vaccine Questions:
Contact your medical provider prior to receiving the vaccine if you have questions about how the vaccine may interact with your medical condition and medications you take.
 
Please continue to direct general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to (316) 660-1022; this line is not for scheduling appointments.
 
County Pledge:
As more vaccine is received, the Sedgwick County Health Department will vaccinate more people while following guidance from CDC, KDHE, and Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns. The vaccination schedule is designed to assure that all who want to be vaccinated will have that opportunity. The implementation of the vaccination schedule is dependent on the manufacturing and distribution schedule from vaccine providers. The County will not schedule more appointments than the vaccine available. Updated information is available at https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine-information/.  
Need Help with your Utility Bills? 
If you or someone you know needs help with utility payments from February’s extreme cold temperatures, there are resources available.
Diversify your Workforce with Project SEARCH
When people with disabilities are included in the workplace, everyone wins. Click here to learn about some of the ways that companies and organizations benefit from hiring people with disabilities.
 
If you are part of an organization that would like to become more diverse and inclusive, check out www.scprojectsearch.com to learn about opportunities to host interns with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or join our Business Advisory Council.
 
Also, be sure to mark your calendars for a reverse job fair with this year’s graduating class from April 1 through May 15.
Many individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are able to and would like to work. This month is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Please take the time to check out two locally owned businesses - MOXI Junction and Autism Avenue - who provide real world work experience to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
 
MOXI Junction is a coffeehouse started by a group of local mothers seeking employment for their children with intellectual/developmental disabilities post high school graduation. Check out their story here.
 
Autism Avenue is a gift shop that both creates trains and prepares individuals with autism to seek competitive employment through their Greater Expectations program. To learn more about the program, click here.
Have you met the Cutest New Addition at the Zoo?
On March 1, 2021, Black rhinoceros Bibi gave birth to a healthy baby boy. KJ, short for Klyde Jr, was a surprise to the animal care team since Bibi only showed signs she was pregnant last month. Rhinoceros generally have a 16-month gestational period.
 
KJ is significant not only for the survival of his endangered species, but also for the legacy of his father, Klyde, who passed away last September.
 
Keepers are now training KJ on crucial husbandry behaviors utilizing operant conditioning techniques that help the zoo’s animals participate in their own healthcare.

Photo courtesy of Sedgwick County Zoo.
Public Works Projects in District 3
Bridge replacement on 93rd N between 119th W and 135th W
  • Closed to traffic during construction
  • Work began November 16, 2020
  • Expected to reopen to traffic in Spring 2021

Bridge replacement on 37th N between 135th W and 151st W
  • Closed to traffic during construction
  • Work began in early March
  • Expected to reopen to traffic in May 2021

316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203