Commissioner David Dennis’ decision not to seek reelection to the Sedgwick County Commission has created an opportunity in District 3. Candidates Celeste Racette, the driving force behind the Save Century II movement, and Stephanie Wise, a commercial real estate broker, have stepped up to seize that opportunity. Voters in rural western Sedgwick County, Goddard and […]
Sedgwick County
Posted inWichita
Jeff Blubaugh challenges Sarah Lopez for District 2 Sedgwick County Commission seat
Sarah Lopez faces her first challenger as District 2 Sedgwick County commissioner. Her opponent, Jeff Blubaugh, returns to the political arena just months after his term on the Wichita City Council ended. Residents in southwestern Wichita, Haysville and Clearwater will cast their vote for either Lopez, a Democrat, or Blubaugh, a Republican. Advance voting will […]
Posted inLocal Government
A resident’s guide to reporting potholes, busted streetlights and other problems in Wichita
Imagine you’re driving down Douglas Avenue and hit a pothole that wasn’t there last week. Or you’re walking your dog one evening and notice a streetlight is out or someone dumped some tires on the side of the road. You can be part of the solution. “Just because residents see a pothole or community issue […]
Posted inEducation
Wichita schools are adapting to help more English learners succeed
Ana Lopez arrived in Wichita from northern Mexico, knowing only a few English words. Unable to talk with classmates or understand her teachers, she started out at Curtis Middle School feeling shy, nervous and frightened. Then, Wichita Public Schools placed her in an intensive language class with only one other English learner. “My teacher,” Lopez […]
Posted inElections
How to track political contributions in Sedgwick County
Money drives politics, fueling the same question every election: Who’s trying to buy influence with their donations? But finding out who funds city or county races can be a challenge if you don’t know where or what to look for. Mark Skoglund, executive director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, said voters should look for […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why 35,000 Sedgwick County residents will be paying more for internet next month
Jamie Nix regularly sees people turning to the internet to help them answer the most critical questions in their lives. “I’ve had people come to the library with a brand new medical diagnosis,” said Nix, Wichita’s director of libraries. “They are just wanting to use the computer to learn more about what it is.” A […]
Posted inHousing
A new email course helps first-time homebuyers thrive in Wichita’s tight housing market
March tends to mark an uptick in homebuying activity in the Wichita area, with sales typically peaking in May, June, July and August. With housing in shorter supply, buying a home in the Wichita area looks different these days than it did even just five years ago. Listings are down, and there are fewer sales. […]
Posted inKansas State Government, Local Government
Trains can block intersections for hours. Neither Kansas nor Wichita can do much about it
While many people headed out for a date on Valentine’s Day, others were stuck behind the wheels of their cars — waiting and then waiting longer. Along Broadway Street from 21st to 37th streets, a train sat on the tracks unmoving. The railroad crossing signals rang for hours. Drivers had to choose between making a […]
Posted inHousing, Local Government, Wichita Journalism Collaborative
Will Sedgwick County homeowners see tax appraisals increase again? Here’s what to expect
Takeaways: Sixty percent of Sedgwick County homeowners will see higher tax appraisals when notices are mailed out March 1. Despite the bad news for three in five residential property owners, it’s actually the lowest proportion of appraisal increases since 2018. Appraisals went up for 80% of homeowners in 2023 and 88% in 2022. This year, […]
Posted inHealth, Local Government
Wichita is getting a new psychiatric hospital amid fears it’ll be too small
Kansas sits on the verge of building its first new state mental hospital in more than a century, even as officials acknowledge the original plans may not meet the region’s needs. The $40 million 50-bed facility planned for a spot at Meridian Avenue and MacArthur Road in southwest Wichita is planned for completion in 2026 […]