Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week: May 19-25, 2008
The week before Memorial Day has been designated as
National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. The goal of the
recognition is to highlight the importance of healthy swimming behaviors in
preventing recreational water illnesses (RWIs). State and local health
departments across the country investigated more RWI outbreaks in 2007 than
ever before. This upsurge is being driven by an increase in the number of
RWI outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium (“Crypto”), a chlorine resistant
parasite, and is primarily associated with treated recreational water
venues, such as pools and water parks. This was the case for Sedgwick County
pools last year: seventy-five confirmed cases of Crypto were identified in
2007, compared to seven in the previous four years.
The Sedgwick County Health Department and Sedgwick
County Code staff have partnered with leaders from cities throughout
Sedgwick County to come up with an educational campaign regarding RWIs. They
have created laminated posters to post at pools as well as flyers for pool
operators. To request a laminated poster, please call 316-660-7345. You can
download the pool operator flyer by clicking
here.
Sedgwick County Data Book
The Sedgwick County Health Department announces the
first Sedgwick County Health Department Data Book.
The data book contains information about leading health indicators; birth
and death statistics; disease rates; and demographic information. The
purpose of the data book is to provide community organizations, agencies, coalitions and
residents with measures of health that will support new and continued
efforts to improve the health of Sedgwick County. For additional information, please contact
Sonja Armbruster, 660-7335.
National Women's Health Week is This Week
The Sedgwick County Health Department is celebrating National Women's Health
Week (NWHW), which kicked off on Mother's Day, May 11, and will be celebrated
until May 17, 2008. The purpose of National
Women’s Health Week is to call attention to the importance of women's health.
The theme for National Women's Health Week 2008 is "It's Your Time: Get
Inspired. Get Healthy." The Sedgwick County Health Department supports this
theme and encourages women to take the following steps to improve their health:
- Exercise your mind and body
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat more fruits and veggies
- Do your monthly self-breast exam
- Get regular dental and physical check-ups
- Be good to yourself – balance work, home
and play
Click here
to see the women's services offered by the Sedgwick County Health Department.
EMS Week in Sedgwick County
National EMS Week is May 19 - 25. The week reminds us to thank Sedgwick
County EMS workers for their dedication to public safety.
Emergency medical service is a vital public service, and the members of
emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those
in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The members of Sedgwick County
EMS engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing
education to enhance their lifesaving skills. Access to quality emergency
care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who
experience sudden illness or injury.
This also is a good time to remind ourselves of the proper road etiquette when
an emergency vehicle is approaching: Safely slow down, move to the side of the
road if possible and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass before proceeding.
Public Notice
Sedgwick County Parks has filed an application for permit to appropriate water
for beneficial use, identified as File No. 47,006, with the Division of Water
Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture. The application proposes the
appropriation of 10 acre-feet of groundwater to be diverted at the maximum rate
of 35 gallons per minute from a groundwater well for irrigation and recreational
use. The proposed groundwater well will be located in the northwest
quarter of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter (NW1/4 SW 1/4 NE 1/4)
of Section 10, Township 27 South, Range 1 West, Sedgwick County, Kansas.
This is a proposed project sponsored by the Rotary Club for a playground and
fountain within the park property.
Anyone with existing wells in the immediate vicinity of the proposed point of
diversion is invited to submit written comments regarding Application, File No.
47,006. Persons submitting comments should specifically indicate their
interest in the proposed appropriation. Comments regarding the application
will be accepted through June 20, 2008.
Written comments or questions regarding the application may be directed to the
Office of the Chief Engineer, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of
Agriculture, 109 SW 9th St., Second Floor, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1283. If
you would like more information concerning this application, you also may
contact Erin McGrogan, environmental scientist, in the permits unit of the Water
Appropriation Program at 785-296-2684.
Consumer Warning Alert from District Attorney Nola Tedesco Foulston
District Attorney Nola Tedesco Foulston is alerting consumers to current
solicitations involving property deeds. The Sedgwick County Register of
Deeds Bill Meek has reported that several Sedgwick County consumers have
received direct mailings from an out-of-state company that offers to procure an
“official or certified copy” of a deed from the local Register of Deeds for a
fee of $69.50. This letter was not initiated or approved by the Register
of Deeds, nor does it reflect truthful information regarding the attainment of
deeds. If you have received one of these solicitations, you are encouraged
to contact the District Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Division intake line at
316.660.3653. Click here to read
further information about this solicitation.
Walk at Work - Wednesday, May 21
Walk at Work will be held this year on Wednesday,
May 21, which coincides with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. The
Health Department encourages employers to motivate employees to take time to
"walk at work" during a break or lunch hour. A registration form will be posted
on this site (www.sedgwickcounty.org) the day of the event. Individuals should
register their participation after they walk. The online registration form will
request minimal contact information so that participants are eligible for prize
drawings.
Businesses interested in participating in "Walk at Work," as well as those
interested in receiving free promotional posters and buttons, should contact
Lauren Scafe at lscafe@sedgwick.gov or
316-660-7198. Businesses not interested in promotional materials, but who would
still like to participate in a company walk on May 21st, are encouraged to do so
and register their walk on the County Web site.
Individuals who work in the downtown area are invited to join County employees
in guided 1-2- and 3-mile walks. The downtown guided walks will start in front
of the Courthouse (525 N Main) and begin at noon.
Cover the Uninsured
Affordable health care is essential for all
Sedgwick County citizens. According to the Kansas Health Insurance Survey,
approximately 11.5% of Sedgwick County residents are uninsured – that’s nearly
55,000 of our neighbors, friends and family members. However, the impact of this
problem does not affect only those individuals; it also affects businesses and
our entire health care system.
It is important to education the public on the large number of Sedgwick County
residents who do not have health insurance and make
it easier for those individuals to navigate the systems and find programs that are
available in our community. The Sedgwick County Health Department’s Center for
Health Equity is one of the many organizations working to provide information
about community initiatives aiming to “cover the uninsured.”
Teens for Jeans
Teens for Jeans, a national campaign empowering young people to take action
about teen homelessness has helped COMCARE of Sedgwick County distribute 241
pairs of gently used jeans to homeless teens in our community.
Environmental
Tip
Spring clean your garages and utility closets and take old paint,
cleaners, vehicle fluids, garden chemicals and compact fluorescent
light bulbs to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 801
Stillwell in Wichita for proper disposal.
Click here for more easy ways to make a difference in our environment.
Kids' Zoobilee at the Sedgwick County Zoo
From 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, laughter and smiles will fill the air
for an evening of tasty treats, games, tons of fun and a parade to end the
evening. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance for $15 per
person. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $17. Children age three and
under do not need a ticket. Purchase tickets online or call 316-660-WILD (9453).
Severe Weather Awareness
If you've lived in Kansas long, you know all too well how severe
spring weather can impact our area. Emergency Management
reminds the citizens of Sedgwick County to take precautions now to be prepared
in the event of an emergency.
Here is a list of things you can do to be prepared when severe weather strikes:
-
Have a radio with a backup
battery. If the weather looks bad, take it along!
-
Know where your closest,
safest shelter (safe room, basement, etc.) is located.
-
Prepare an emergency kit (flashlight, radio with batteries, water, shoes and
blankets) for your home and your car.
-
Visit the
Emergency Management Web site for more
tips and a video about "Wicked
Weather."
Sedgwick County Emergency Management
is offering a severe weather safety program to help residents prepare for the
storm season. All classes meet at 7 p.m. except the Mulvane Fire Station
location, which will meet at 9 a.m.
Click here for a
complete list of classes and locations. For more information,
contact Jackie Kegley at 660-5959 or
jkegley@sedgwick.gov.
Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
For the last year and a half, the Sedgwick
County Task Force to End Chronic Homelessness (TECH) has researched
homelessness in our community. After identifying and understanding
the problem, the TECH has developed a plan to end chronic homelessness.
Please visit our
Task Force
to End Chronic Homelessness Web site for more
information and to view the plan.
The INTRUST Bank Arena
The Board of
Sedgwick County Commissioners approved proposals for naming rights for
the new arena in downtown Wichita at their regular meeting on January 9,
2008. Sedgwick County will receive $14.75 million for naming rights at the
arena. The approved proposals came from INTRUST Bank for naming rights
for the new “INTRUST Bank Arena” ($8.75 million); Cessna Aircraft
Company for the naming rights for the Plaza ($3 million); and Spirit
AeroSystems ($3 million) for naming of the Concourse. For more
information on the new facility please visit our
INTRUST Bank Arena Web site.
Digital TV Conversion
Beginning Tuesday, January 8, millions of $40 government-issued coupons will
become available to help citizens purchase a converter box for their older
television sets that might not work after the switch from analog to digital
broadcasting. Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a
box, but viewers who rely on antennas, for example, will need to purchase a
converter box before February 18, 2009. To request a coupon, visit
www.dtv2009.gov or contact the 24-hour
hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
Sedgwick County Prescription Drug Card -- FREE!
The Sedgwick County Prescription Discount Card can
save you money on many of your prescription
purchases! Any County resident without
prescription coverage can use this program. Even if
you have insurance for prescription drugs, you may still benefit from the discount card, since it
may save you money on prescription drugs your
existing plan does not cover. Cards can be picked up
at the following locations:
Catholic Charities,
437 N. Topeka -- 264-8344
County Health Department, 2716 W. Central --
660-7300
Division of Human Services, 635 N.
Main -- 660-7670
Social and Rehabilitation Services, 230 E.
Williams -- 337-6314
United Way of The
Plains, 245 N. Water -- 267-1321
Click
here for a listing of participating pharmacies.
Adobe Acrobat Reader Required
Try this Healthy Recipe!
Need an idea for a healthy recipe to make for yourself or your family?
Visit the Health Department's
nutrition page
to find a recipe for
Angel Hair Pasta with Scallops in Spicy Tomato
Sauce . With less than
300 calories per serving,
this recipe is good for the whole family!
Keeping You Informed
If you weren't able to attend or watch the last Board of County Commission
meeting, you can watch a full video or read a brief overview.
Sedgwick County Advisory Board Meetings
Want more information on when and where Sedgwick County Advisory Board Meetings are held? Visit
the new Advisory Board Meetings page to view meeting schedules, locations and minutes.
Members Rule at the Sedgwick County Zoo
Why is the Sedgwick County Zoo rated the #1 outdoor family
tourist attraction in Kansas? MEMBERS KNOW!
What's the scoop on the latest Zoo exhibits? MEMBERS
SEE THEM FIRST!
How is it that admission to your Zoo plus more than a hundred
other zoos around the country is absolutely free? MEMBERS SAVE!
Free admission,
free guest passes, sneak previews, newsletters, celebrations and discounts on
learning programs - plus more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different
species, all live, up close, and personal. That's why MEMBERS BELONG!
Isn't it time you experience the Zoo the way
members do?
Become a Passport Member at Exploration Place
Now's the time to become a member of Exploration Place so you can check out all the new exhibits, shows,
programs and more coming up this year. As a member of Exploration Place,
you will experience one full year of extraordinary exhibits, innovative
programs and exciting events.
Click here for more information or
to join, or call 266-4281.
Commissioners Corner - "Around the County"
Want to find out what is happening in the community? Visit
"Around
the County" where you can see photos of the Sedgwick
County Commissioners taking part in various community
activities, watch videos of the commissioners discussing current topics and read
Second District Commissioner Tim Norton's
"A Word in Edgewise"
column.
Stay Connected to Sedgwick County...Sign up for e-News!
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updates! Subscribe to our FREE e-News and we'll send you updates
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All you have to do is enter your email address under Subscribe in the left hand
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Click here
to view a sample of e-News.
Click here for a complete list of County news releases.
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