Local governments shouldn’t operate without their community’s input. So, how can you bring an issue to the City Council? Who represents what? Where can a Wichitan stay updated on their council member’s agenda? The Wichita Beacon has put together a guide on the members of City Council, how to contact them and where to follow […]
City of Wichita
Posted inLocal Government
What is the future of Airbnb rentals in Wichita? It’s starting to come into focus.
Denny Marlin was out of town when the shooting happened at an Airbnb rental near his home in Crown Heights last April. When he returned home after a weekend away, a pall hung in the air. One person — 20 year-old Elijah Davis — died as a result of the shooting. Three others were injured. […]
Posted inLocal Government
The secret sauce behind Wichita’s success in distributing emergency housing vouchers
At the grocery store, pick up barbecue sauce, a jar of spaghetti sauce, elbow noodles and a chicken breast — without the bone. When you get home, boil water for noodles and add some barbecue sauce to the pot, for flavor. Fry your chicken. Pour the noodles into a bowl. Add chicken. Add spaghetti sauce. […]
Posted inLea en Español, Local Government
¿Son las carreteras sin pavimentar de Wichita un problema de equidad? The Wichita Beacon analiza las carreteras sin pavimentar por código postal
Durante años, los residentes de Wichita han luchado contra el polvo y los baches que vienen con las 84 millas de calles sin pavimentar de la ciudad en vecindarios establecidos. Eso se debe en gran parte a que Wichita históricamente utilizó una política de páguelo usted mismo: para pavimentar una calle en un vecindario ya […]
Posted inLocal Government
Are Wichita’s unpaved roads an equity issue? The Wichita Beacon analyzes unpaved roads by ZIP code
For years, Wichita residents have battled the dust and bumpiness that come with the city’s 84 miles of unpaved roads in established neighborhoods. That’s largely because Wichita historically used a pay-it-yourself policy — to pave a road in an already-built neighborhood, at least 51% of property owners on a street have to petition the city and […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita joins other Midwestern cities in moving away from public housing
Public housing in Wichita is coming to an end. In late January, the Wichita Housing Authority announced plans to sell its 352 single-family public homes. And last September, the authority closed on a deal to convert its 226 other public housing units, which are apartments for seniors, into Section 8 housing. Section 8 units receive […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita rolls out a new ‘Forum’ for feedback to more easily engage with residents
Many Wichita golfers are not pleased with the city of Wichita’s proposal to hire a private management firm to oversee city golf courses. As happened in the debate over privatizing management for Century II, a multitude of citizens spoke out in protest. But this time, Wichitans had a new tool to express their concerns. Starting […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘It’s an equity issue’: Wichita has no plan for its 84 miles of unpaved roads
The streets of the Orchard Breeze neighborhood are where Dan Warren grew up. They’re where he rode his bike growing up. Where he tossed the morning news into driveways on his paper route. Warren, 67, still lives on the streets of the west Wichita neighborhood. But instead of loving those streets, he fears them — and […]
Posted inLea en Español, Local Government
‘Es un problema de equidad’: Wichita no tiene un plan para sus 84 millas de caminos sin pavimentar
Las calles del vecindario de Orchard Breeze son donde creció Dan Warren. En esas calles montaba su bicicleta mientras crecía. Donde tiraba el periodico con las noticias de la mañana. Warren, de 67 años, todavía vive en las calles del vecindario oeste de Wichita. Pero en lugar de amar esas calles, las teme y teme […]
Posted inCivic Engagement
The Beacon is hiring: Paid positions involve working with community
How well does local news serve you and your community? What information sources do you trust, and why? What do you wish people understood about your life and your community? We want to know. The Wichita Beacon wants to learn how people in Wichita get the news and information they need. We’re hiring Community Representatives […]