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District III Newsletter from the
Office of Community Services
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The booklet is designed to provide you with important tips and information on a variety of community issues.
By working together, we can help prevent and solve crimes, improve and make neighborhoods safer, resolve conflicts and enhance our quality of life. You can download the booklet for future references HERE!
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2017-2018 School Year is Quickly Approaching!
Tuesday, August 22 is the first day of school for 6th graders & 9th graders. Wednesday, August 23rd is the first full day for all of Wichita-USD 259 students. Please be cautious for children walking to and from school. Remember to drive a little slower as the streets will be very busy during the morning and afternoon commute.
Hope everyone has a wonderful first day of school as well as a fabulous 2017-2018 school year!
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Wichita Transit and Wichita Public Schools
partnership expands ridership options
for students
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The Wichita Public Schools and Wichita Transit announce a partnership that will benefit students and families that attend middle and high schools, along with a pilot program that will benefit families at 7 schools who need transportation to school but don't qualify for school bus service.
Families of students in middle and high school will be able to purchase city bus passes for $20 per month (regular price $55). These passes will be available to any middle or high school student who shows their student ID when making a bus pass purchase. The passes allow the students unlimited access across Wichita served by Wichita Transit services.
Also new for the fall of 2017, for students who attend 7 schools, Wichita Transit will re-route specified routes twice a day to pick up students at designated bus stops. The city buses will drop off students at school in the morning and pick up students following dismissal. The schools participating in the pilot program are Coleman, Curtis, Hamilton and Robinson Middle Schools and East, North and West High Schools. The goal is to reach students who live under 2.5 miles from school and don't qualify for a school bus, but who may not have other transportation options to get to and from school.
Students will be able to ride the city bus for free until September 1 with a student ID. After September 1, the students can purchase a discounted bus pass for $20 per month.
More information about the new transportation option, including maps detailing the bus routes, will be shared with families at the pilot schools later in August.
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Kick-off the start of the 2017-2018 school year in style by partying with Wichita Park and Recreation at our Back to School Bash at OJ Watson Park, August 19! From 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., ride the train and pedal boats, jump in the bounce houses and play mini golf, when you check in and receive ride tickets!
The Mobile Recreation Station will be there with a variety of games for the entire family to play! Enjoy the kayaks on the water (rental fee will be charged) and cruise around our park on the water. What better way to enjoy a Saturday!
Barry the Bison will be on-sight, make sure to take a selfie with Barry and post to our Facebook page! We want to see all the fun you have at this awesome event!
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WICHITA ECLIPSE PARTY
AUGUST 21 - 11:30 AM - 3 PM
AT EXPLORATION PLACE
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Be part of this rare event - a total solar eclipse! In Wichita, the Earth will plunge into 90% darkness as the Moon travels between it and the Sun. In the Festival Plaza safely view the solar eclipse using special glasses (provided to the first 500 guests) or solar telescopes.
Plus enjoy fun activities! Find out exactly how and why solar and lunar eclipses occur, investigate the effects of gravity in the universe as you use orbiting objects, get the up-to-date number of exoplanets scientists have discovered, and take a look at some spectacular images from SOHO-NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. Please note: you can come and go at any time during this event!
Read More
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
10 AM - 3 PM - CENTRAL LIBRARY, 223 S MAIN
Prepare for the August 21st big eclipse with the library! Learn about our solar system, how the planets rotate around the Sun, and create a safe way to "view" the eclipse with us. We'll have supplies for you to make a very simple eclipse viewer, and samples of more complicated ones that you might want to make at home. Get the info on eclipse safety and prepare with us - drop by the Children's Room any time between 10 and 3 to discover more! For ages 5 and up.
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District III Advisory Board
The District III Advisory Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at the WATER Center, 101 E. Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67211. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
To find DAB III agenda and minutes click
here
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Stay up-to-date with news and events in our District.
Send us a message or request or simply "like" our post.
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MASTERS OF MYSTERY BOOK DISCUSSION
3447 S Meridian
Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
S
tarting a new life as the sheriff of a dried-out, broken-down border town in south Texas, Hackberry Holland is drawn into a murder investigation when nine dead prostitutes are dug up in the desert, forcing him to focus on something other than his own demons.
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COMING TO ALEY PARK ON
SEPTEMBER 7
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
1803 S SENECA
If you have never experienced Barry's Recreation Station, a service of our very own Parks & Recreation Department, you don't know what you have been missing. It's almost like watching a magic show unfold. The van pulls up, the doors are open, and all of a sudden there are games galore set up before your very eyes. And you don't even have to be a kid to participate! There is something for everyone, including our great instructors that can show you how to play each game, go over any rules, and the rest is up to you. There is something for all ages, and truly a fun experience.
Read More
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Ordinances & Helpful Information
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TALL GRASS AND WEEDS
Don't put up with your neighbor's lawn that has tall grass and weeds. Just pick up the phone and call
660-9220,
or email
brandywallace@sedgwick.gov
at MABCD to report any grass that has reached 12 inches in height.
According to Municipal Code 8.01.135: ....all property owners, representatives and tenants of property located within the city limits of Wichita, Kansas it is unlawful to allow the excessive growth of weeds, grass, and uncultivated plants. Excessive growth means more than twelve (12) inches in height. Violators will be subject to prosecution and assessment of cots for abatement of such violations.
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DO YOU KNOW THE TRASH CART ORDINANCES?
According to Wichita Municipal Code, Sec. 7.08.030 -
All residential trash containers shall be watertight, rodent-proof and fly-proof with lids or closures maintained in place.
All residential trash produced on each single-family dwelling premises shall be stored in the containers on the premises where produced and placed for convenient access by the solid waste collector. Containers shall be stored behind the front yard set back, except when placed on the curb for pickup on the day of collection.
(And further on... )
The occupant of each single-family dwelling shall arrange and pay directly, unless otherwise paid, for all of the residential trash produced on such premises to be collected by a solid waste collector at least once each week.
Would you like to know more about this ordinance?
Read More
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HOW TO BUILD A SAFER
NEIGHBORHOOD
Nextdoor.com is the free private social network for you, your neighbors and your community
. It's the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. I
t's free!
Thousands of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to
build happier, safer places to call home.
Click here
for more information.
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The benefits of organizing a neighborhood watch...
- More community involvement
- Builds strong bonds with neighbors
- Fewer incidents of opportunities to commit crimes
- Greater sense of security and reduces fear of crimes
- Enhances relationships with the police
To start a Neighborhood Watch or to obtain additional information, contact your Community Police Officer. Patrol South: 350-3440 Patrol East: 350-3420 |
 Suspicious ... If you see something odd or suspicious, please call 911 so an officer can check it out. |
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8 ways to protect your home from burglary
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1. Install a 3" deadbolt on exterior doors 2. Keep doors and windows locked 3. Keep garage doors locked and closed at all times 4. Always set security alarms and use security cameras 5. Reduce hiding places for burglars by trimming trees/bushes
away from windows and doors. 6. Keep exterior lights on at night or utilize motion detector lights 7. Put a bar in the track of sliding glass doors to help prevent them from being moved and lifted off the track 8. Don't keep spare keys hidden outside |
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Wichita Medical Loan Closet-Equipment & Supply Drive
Wichita Loan Closet is an organization that loans medical equipment at no cost to people who need it. This is a great benefit to individuals that cannot afford to rent or buy necessary equipment.
Please consider donating equipment and supplies that are no longer needed to Wichita Medical Loan Closet, so they can help others.
On
Saturday,
August 19, 2017 9 am to 1 pm at Dandurand Drugs
West
2233 N. Ridge Road, Wichita KS.
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Free Fall Gardening Classes
Every Monday in August, learn the tools you need to grow a fall garden. Master gardeners and other experts will present free programs at the Central Library on a variety of topics.
Each program is
FREE but registration is required
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SENIOR WEDNESDAYS
IN WICHITA
Senior Wednesdays are always fun and there is something different to do; someone new to meet. There are also many senior activity centers in Wichita and the surrounding areas, so be informed.
Be entertained.
Be active.
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KANSAS HOUSING WEATHERIZATION
Low-income families pay an average of 18-percent of their annual income for energy, compared with five-percent for other households. Weatherization services save customers an average of $358 annually. For every $1 invested in the program, weatherization returns $2.51 to the household and society. For the Wichita area, the State is having residents contact South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) at 316-262-7035. For more information: http://www.kshousingcorp.org/weatherization.aspx, or download the application here.
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JOIN THE CIRCLE
Learning Circles are educational courses for people to take in a social, peer classroom setting. They cover a range of interests. The sessions are lightly facilitated by library staff hosted at Wichita Public Library locations. Some programs may meet once while others may meet consecutively for several weeks. There are a wide variety of subjects, one of which will surely catch your interest.
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KANSAS GROWN FARMERS MARKETS
NOW EVEN MORE LOCATIONS!
Kansas Grown! Inc. is currently the largest grower-owned farmers' market in the state of Kansas with four locations in Sedgwick County and over 100 members. Their hard working members fill the markets with delicious local produce, meats, eggs, honey, breads, jams, jellies, salsas, unique artisan crafts and more. They are currently celebrating their 27th year with new special events scheduled throughout the year that you won't want to miss! For great foods and crafts, this should be on your calendar every week. For venue addresses and times,
read more.
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Pawnee Bridge over Arkansas River
The existing bridge will undergo structural repairs. The project will also include bike path improvements along the west side of the Arkansas River.
Traffic Impact: Pawnee is
OPEN at the Arkansas River
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Pawnee from Hydraulic to Grove
This project will widen Pawnee and Hydraulic to a five lane roadway with two lanes in each direction and a center two-way turn lane. The project will also construct drainage improvements along with sidewalk on both sides of Pawnee. The intersection at Hydraulic will be reconstructed to include left turn lanes on Hydraulic
Traffic Impact: Pawnee, Hydraulic, and SE Boulevard are restricted to one lane in each direction. Left turns are prohibited at Pawnee & Hydraulic, Pawnee & Southeast Boulevard, and WB Pawnee to SB I-135.
Estimated Completion: Fall 2017
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Employment, Educational & Volunteer Information
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Volunteer for your Neighborhood Clean-up
Now through the first Saturday of November, neighborhoods around the City of Wichita will be having their annual area clean-ups on Saturday mornings. To find out if you are having one in your area, contact your local Neighborhood Association or Home Owners Association (HOA). If you are interested in volunteering at a cleanup, contact Rebecca Fields, Community Services Representative with the City of Wichita, for more information at:
rfields@wichita.gov Let's keep our City looking it's best!
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Looking for things to do in Wichita? Checkout the variety of options
by clicking here!
or
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Wichita Public Library's new newsletter! You will be emailed about every other week with the latest releases, events and library news.
Sign up!
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Become part of the solution and tell us what's on your mind. Visit Activate Wichita today!
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Helpful Links & Information
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily
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City Council Agendas, Minutes and streaming video
link
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Don't miss out on the fun... Check-Out Park & Recreation Activities Guide
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CRIME STOPPERS OF WICHITA/SEDGWICK COUNTY
Still completely anonymous, tips submitted through the P3 mobile app, unlike SMS text tips, have no length limitations and allow images, video and documents to be uploaded with the tip. Anderson Software's sophisticated encryption processes obscure any and all identifying information and provides assured anonymity for tipsters.
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Don't be left in the
dark
If
you notice outages within
your neighborhood, fill out
Westar Energy's website
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GOT NEWS....
Want to show off, update or broadcast what's happening in your neighborhood, at your school or business in District III? Email your Community Service Representative Teia Wair @ twair@wichita.gov to have your news featured in a future District III newsletter....
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City of Wichita, Office of Community Services | 316-303-8030 |
2820 S. Roosevelt
Wichita, KS 67210
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