Featured Stories

This Week in Sedgwick County - April 17, 2024 

Board of County Commissioners

•  The BoCC approved the minutes from regular meetings on March 20, 2024, and April 3, 2024.
• Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring April 19, 2024, as Education and Sharing Day.
• The BoCC approved a proclamation declaring April 24, 2024, as Drug Endangered Children’s Day.
• Commissioners proclaimed April 6-12, 2024, as Week of the Young Child.
• The BoCC declared April 14-20, 2024, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
• Commissioners appointed Vaughn Fox to the Fifth District Citizens Advisory Board.
• The BoCC recognized graduates of the 2024 Project SEARCH program.
• Commissioners adopted the 2024 Federal Legislative Platform.
• The BoCC approved recommendations from the Board of Bids and Contracts’ meeting on April 11, 2024.
• Commissioners approved the consent agenda except Item Z: Plat, Young Estates Addition, District 5 – which was pulled and deferred to a later meeting.
• No binding action was taken in executive session.

 Governing Body of Fire District 1

 The Governing Body of Fire District 1 approved the minutes from regular meetings on March 3, March 20 and April 3, 2024.

 Upcoming Events

• The April burn ban is now in effect for Sedgwick County and prohibits most open burning, including trash fires, brush piles and lagoon burns. The ban is designed to protect the air quality, while farmers and ranchers conduct prescribed burns of pastureland with a permit. Residents can still use their barbecue grills, smokers and backyard fire pits. Check April Burn Ban | Sedgwick County, Kansas for more details.
• The 2024 Greater Wichita Housing Conference will focus on Homeless Engagement and Fair Housing. Sessions on Thursday, April 17, will be geared toward landlords, developers and homeless providers, while topics on Friday, April 18 will be for residents. The conference runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Century II Expo Hall. More information can be found at Wichita Housing Conference | Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center (century2.com).
• The Kansas Leadership Center is hosting Stories of Latino Entrepreneurship Journal Launch and Film Premiere Thursday, April 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 325 E. Douglas Ave. The evening of festivities includes a documentary screening featuring firsthand accounts of Latino entrepreneurs, live music, dance performances and free salsa dance lesson. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is encouraged. Learn more at Stories of Latino Entrepreneurship Journal Launch and Film Premiere | Kansas Leadership Center.
• Celebrate Earth Day with a Party for the Planet at the Sedgwick County Zoo Thursday, April 18, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. This environmental fair uses hands-on activities and interactive exhibits to show families how to protect the world we live in. For more information, visit Party for the Planet – Sedgwick County Zoo (scz.org).
• Join the Great Plains Nature Center staff and volunteers for the annual Spring Work Day in the Park Saturday, April 20 from 9-11 a.m. at 6232 E. 29^th North in Wichita. All ages and abilities are welcome to help clean up the trails and prepare Chisholm Creek Park for the warmer months ahead. No registration is required, and a free lunch of hot dogs or pizza is included, while supplies last. For more information, check out Upcoming Events - Great Plains Nature Center (gpnc.org).
• Travel back in time for medieval fun at the Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival April 20-21 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Sedgwick County Park. Enjoy jousts and jesters, knights and knaves, bagpipes and blacksmiths, pirates, fairies and fire breathers! To buy tickets, visit Online Ticket Purchasing For The Great Plains Renaissance Festival – Great Plains Renaissance Festival (greatplainsrenfest.com).
• The Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition (MHSAC) is hosting the Spring 2024 Community Update at Wichita South High School’s auditorium, 701 W. 33^rd S., Thursday, April 25, from 6-8 p.m. A panel discussion with providers will give valuable insight into handling mental health and substance abuse crises.

 Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/4IXGOIyWpi4?si=6D3Akn9D8jvEwkmU.