Latest news with #Riverfest
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cyclists from Wichita's sister city in Mexico arrive after 1,500-mile journey for Riverfest
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A group of bicyclists from Tlalnepantla, Mexico—Wichita's sister city—arrived in town Wednesday after completing a grueling 1,500-mile ride just in time for Riverfest celebrations. The cross-country journey took 13 days to complete. For one of the riders, this marks his 16th visit to the Air Capital—an annual tradition rooted in friendship and international connection. Wichita lands more flights this summer 'He was the creator of sister cities, and he planned the world of love and companionship and friendship among all the cities of the world,' the rider said, paying tribute to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 'And I think that nowadays it is more important than ever to keep all those thoughts in mind.' The group will spend the next five days in Wichita, taking part in Riverfest activities before heading back home—this time, by truck. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ten counties could lose Meals on Wheels programs
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Elk County is one of ten counties that could lose access to Meals on Wheels and Friendship Meal programs come July. Those programs provide vital food and check-ins for vulnerable homebound seniors. The potential loss is impacting people in Howard, a small town in Elk County. Wichita police boost security as Riverfest kicks off downtown Three years ago, Kate Raber was diagnosed with dementia. That's about the same time her family got her started on friendship meals. 'She needs a good solid, at least one solid meal a day,' said Gleneva Winn, Raber's sister. Kate also needs someone to check in on her. It's volunteer Jean Parsons who does it. 'This is my happiness, really. I just get attached to everybody,' Parsons said. 'The good Lord wants me to help people, so I'm helping people.' Parsons drives around every day, hand-delivering more than a dozen meals to seniors. 'You're in and out talking to people and checking on people, which is what I like,' Parsons said. 'To know that they're well.' Parsons is a lifeline to the outside world, helping seniors stuck inside their homes access the needed services. 'One of the biggest concerns is how many elderly and disabled residents fall through the cracks if we lost this program, because they don't like reaching out or asking for help and they're not being checked on regularly except through our volunteers who are delivering the meal,' said Brandi Mast, associate director of the Elk County Community Foundation. The Elk County Community Foundation is trying to find ways to keep the program going. Regardless, it's a scramble. 'I hope and pray that we do not lose friendship meals, that's just it,' Winn said. 'It's important.' If things don't work out, vulnerable seniors will be the ones to pay the price. The Elk County Community Foundation is looking at ways to get friendship meals funded locally. Everfull did not give KSN an interview, but did say they were depending on either more donations or help from the state to move forward. There are some existing food programs from the Elk County Community Foundation. The Feed Elk County Fund was established to help expand access to food. 'Anyone can donate to it, and what it's used for is to help purchase food for the give-and-take food boxes we've been working on establishing throughout the county,' Mast said. 'Moline and Granola have theirs up and running already.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita police boost security as Riverfest kicks off downtown
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — As Riverfest prepares to welcome thousands downtown starting Friday, Wichita police are ramping up security to keep festivalgoers safe during the nine-day event. The Wichita Police Department says it will deploy a full range of resources, including its SWAT team, bomb squad, K-9 units, drones, mounted officers, and traffic patrols. Spotters will also monitor crowds from elevated positions, while drones will help track activity from above. 19-year-old charged with murder of pregnant Wichita woman 'We're going to have SWAT down there, we're going to have the bomb squad down there, K-9's, the drones, the mounted unit, traffic officers—so everything we can do to provide as much security as we can and to make everyone feel as safe and as comfortable as they can down there,' said WPD Lieutenant Stephanie Neal. Neal said officers are prepared for a variety of scenarios, including those that have become increasingly common at large gatherings worldwide. 'Given the climate and everything that's happening not only in the United States but across the world—where people are driving through crowds at events, there are active shooters at events—we try to plan as much as we can and as best as we can in the event any of those events would occur here,' she said. Police emphasize that public awareness remains key. 'If they do see something that makes them uncomfortable, that they think is suspicious… we encourage them to go report that to a police officer so we can address that,' Neal said. Riverfest attendees should expect to pass through metal detectors at the gates to both the main festival area and the carnival. No weapons or pocketknives will be allowed inside the event footprint, and backpacks and wagons will be subject to search. 'Keep your weapons at home… Don't leave any valuables in your car, especially not in plain sight,' Neal warned. Many of the officers working at Riverfest are doing so on an off-duty, overtime basis, paid for by the festival. Neal noted this helps maintain regular police coverage for the rest of the city during the event. 'So officers sign up and they get assigned to those positions… We try not to pull from any on-duty officers because we don't want to use resources that should go to the rest of the community,' she said. Neal had one final message for festivalgoers: 'Just have fun and stay safe out there.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Century II spire to be relit for first time in years
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita's skyline is about to get an addition with the lighting of the Century II spire. It has been nearly 10 years since the last time the community saw it with lights. The lighting will happen on Sunday, June 1, during the Riverfest's 'I Choose Wichita' evening events. 'Lighting the Century II spire after nearly a decade is a powerful symbol of unity and celebration,' BreAnna Monk, Wichita Festivals president and CEO, said in a news release. 'It's an honor to mark the moment at Family Movie Night — a bright reminder of Wichita's spirit.' Load of trouble: Trooper catches risky haul near Emporia Century II General Manager John Hale said people have been asking about the spire. 'Century II's blue roof and lighted spire were a familiar part of Wichita and people have often asked me if or when it would be lit again,' he said. 'I was glad to hear that the City of Wichita was working on a solution and that it was successful.' The lighting comes just a year after the completion of Century II's new roof. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Downtown Wichita plan seeks input
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — What should downtown Wichita look like in 10 years? City residents will have a chance to weigh in as a new phase of planning kicks off this summer, with public events designed to turn ideas into change. The effort is part of Phase 2 of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan, a community-driven vision led by Downtown Wichita, in partnership with the Greater Wichita Partnership and global design firm Sasaki. Organizers say the next steps will build on input from more than 500 Wichitans who participated in Phase 1 last year. More tornadoes and fewer meteorologists make a dangerous mix that worries officials Public input so far has focused on making downtown more walkable, diverse in housing, rich in culture, and better connected to the Arkansas River. The community is being asked to help shape the design concepts that could define the next decade. Two public events are scheduled: June 1: Riverfest Pop-Up — From 1 to 6 p.m., the Action Plan team will host a booth at Riverfest where visitors can learn more and share feedback. June 2: Open House at TempleLive — Residents are invited to attend from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wichita Scottish Rite to explore early design ideas and contribute directly to the planning process. A detailed summary of Phase 1 feedback and additional updates are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
