Latest news with #Wichita-based
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New playground for kids of all abilities opens in south Wichita
The city of Wichita opened its first accessible playground on Wednesday, marking the first of a series of planned improvements to L.W. Clapp Memorial Park. At a ribbon-cutting late Wednesday morning, city leaders celebrated the opening of the playground and the installation of a piece of public art. 'This space is designated so that children of all abilities can play together side by side,' Reggie Davidson, Wichita Park and Recreation director, said. 'It's a place where everyone feels welcome, where every child belongs.' The art, a sculpture titled Voxel Clouds, was created by Brooklyn-based artist Osman Akan. Made up of steel and glass boxes, it is inspired by the video game Minecraft and by playgrounds of earlier decades, said Sonia Greteman, chair and creative director of the Greteman Group, a Wichita-based public arts consultant group that worked with the city. A dog park located on the other end of the park, which was supposed to open at the same time, remains closed to the public. It is littered with debris following flooding on Tuesday but city leaders said that after some cleanup, it will also open for use. Megan Lovely, the city's communications manager, said Wednesday afternoon that there is not yet an estimate for when it will open. The playground, dog park, sculpture and improved trails make up an initial phase of the city's upgrades to the park. The Wichita City Council approved the full scale $28 million plan in 2021. It includes restaurant and farmer's market spaces, a bandshell and an 'aviation hill' for spectators to watch planes flying to and from McConnell Air Force Base. This phase of the improvements cost about $6 million, according to the city's Capital Improvement Program. Clapp Park, formerly a golf course, is west of Oliver between Harry and Mount Vernon. Local residents and City Council member Mike Hoheisel, who represents District 3, where the park is located, said the area needed a safe place for kids to play. Jerry McGrew, a member of the District 3 advisory board who has lived across the street from the park for 25 years, said it was important to residents that the park remain a green space amid the improvements. 'This is what we need,' McGrew, a self-proclaimed 'nature lover,' said. McGrew said the area is 'a metropolis, all concrete and street lights.' 'But this is right in the middle of the city,' he said, praising the park's walking trails. 'It's comfortable, it's safe.' David Collier, another local resident, said he's excited to take his dog to the park when the dog park opens. 'I won't have to go all the way to a different dog park to have my dog enjoy the open spaces safely,' Collier said. Hoheisel said that part of the planning process involved consulting students at nearby Griffith and Colvin elementary schools. 'That's always great to bring the kids and the youth in and let them have some say in their playgrounds as well,' he said. 'Childhood is something we only get to experience once, and it is a fleeting experience. The memories made help develop us into who we become and what we give back to society as a whole. And every child should get a chance to enjoy being a child, especially when it comes to access to safe places to play.' Hoheisel said the city aims to increase the amount of accessible spaces for children, like the new playground. Previously, the only ADA-compliant playground in the area was at Sedgwick County Park. 'A parent on the south, north or east side shouldn't have to load up their child and drive over to the west side at Sedgwick County Park just so their child can play,' Hoheisel said. 'We're continuing to work on increasing accessibility to all residents in all areas, but it's appropriate that we celebrate the steps we make.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wichita Bar Association honors defense attorney for lifetime acheivement
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Criminal defense attorney Dan Monnat has been awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Wichita Bar Association, honoring nearly five decades of legal work that has garnered national attention and shaped high-profile criminal defense in Kansas and beyond. The award acknowledges sustained excellence in the legal profession, including ethical standards and contributions to justice. Monnat has practiced law in Kansas and Nebraska for nearly 50 years. Woman stabbed in north Wichita, second woman arrested 'The WBA represents more than 1,000 lawyers in the Wichita area, and I am beyond humbled by their selection of me to receive this honor,' Monnat said in a statement. 'We will always stand together, bound by our passion for this profession and our love of the Constitution.' Known for taking on controversial and high-stakes cases, Monnat has defended clients in matters ranging from murder and sex crime accusations to white-collar crime and constitutional challenges. Some of his most notable cases include: The acquittal of a nationally known late-term abortion provider The defense of a Catholic priest accused of sex crimes The defense of a man wrongfully suspected of being the BTK serial killer The acquittals of a local football coach accused of sexual misconduct The dismissal of charges after two hung juries in a Western Kansas murder case The complete acquittal of a Dodge City man accused of shaken baby murder Monnat co-founded the Wichita-based law firm Monnat & Spurrier in 1985. Earlier this year, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he is a former president. 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
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita historian says first American pope brings unique qualities
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Chicago-born Robert Prevost was introduced to the crowd in Vatican City as Pope Leo XIV. He is also a citizen of Peru and lived there for years, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He was a strong candidate to head the Catholic Church despite a long-standing taboo against a U.S. pope. KSN sat down with a historian in Wichita, who said he was shocked that a man, originally from Chicago, was selected as the leader of the Catholic Church. Wichita-based historian Ken Spurgeon calls this a day millions of Catholics won't soon forget. He said Pope Leo XIV has unique qualities that make him an interesting and promising selection. White smoke billowed, and cheers echoed, as an American cardinal was named pope for the first time in history. Local Catholics express hope, joy over Pope Leo XIV's election 'You think about 2,000 years, and there's never been an American, and here we are, 267 popes, and finally an American,' Spurgeon said. Spurgeon said Pope Leo XIV was not a frontrunner, but a healthy relationship with the late Pope Francis could have played a role. He said that even in tense times across the globe and with divided views of America, this move could be therapeutic. 'It's kind of an interesting time for an American to be chosen, sort of world spokesperson. Maybe time will tell on that,' Spurgeon said. 'It could be a wonderful thing, and it could be a great, even healing thing. I think it is great.' He believes picking the name, meaning lion, could play off the longevity and good feelings of Pope Leo XIII, as the pope, during an unheard-of quarter-century run, from 1878 to 1903. 'Is he selecting it because of the name or because of the history and legacy of Leo XIII? I mean, either would be great and interesting,' Spurgeon said. Pope Leo XIV has a backstory that Spurgeon said could make him the perfect fit. 'Thirty-something years working in South America and Peru, that's unique. I mean it's unique to have him be American, from Chicago, but it's unique to have someone who has spent 30 years in the mission field,' said Spurgeon. Spurgeon expects Pope Leo XIV to be very similar to Pope Francis. He thinks he will be more moderate and centrist. Spurgeon also believes Pope Leo XIV could be someone who can reach people from all walks of life. Time will tell the legacy of the first-ever American elected pope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spirit Aero first-quarter revenue falls amid slower Boeing production
(Reuters) -Aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems on Thursday reported a drop in first-quarter revenue, hurt by slower production across most programs at its key customer Boeing. Spirit said production on the Boeing 737 program was higher early in the first quarter of 2024 as it prepared for expected rate increases, which were later delayed. Boeing is in the process of acquiring Spirit, its Wichita-based former subsidiary, in a deal expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Last week, European planemaker Airbus finalized a deal to take over some Spirit plants as part of a carve-up of the struggling supplier with rival Boeing. Spirit posted a net loss of $613 million, or $5.21 per share, for the reported quarter, compared with a loss of $617 million, or $5.31 per share, a year earlier. The company reported a cash burn, a metric closely watched by investors, of $474 million, compared with $444 million, reported a year ago. Spirit said customer advances received in 2024 and 2025 have helped support operations, but warned there is no assurance it can secure further advances, repay existing ones on time, or obtain additional liquidity on acceptable terms. It said its management is also exploring additional steps to bolster liquidity, including seeking more customer advances and restructuring operations to improve efficiency and cut costs. Net revenues in the quarter through March fell 11% to $1.52 billion. Spirit did not provide an outlook for 2025 citing its pending merger with Boeing. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
01-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Spirit Aero first-quarter revenue falls amid slower Boeing production
May 1 (Reuters) - Aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems (SPR.N), opens new tab on Thursday reported a drop in first-quarter revenue, hurt by slower production across most programs at its key customer Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab. Spirit said production on the Boeing 737 program was higher early in the first quarter of 2024 as it prepared for expected rate increases, which were later delayed. Boeing is in the process of acquiring Spirit, its Wichita-based former subsidiary, in a deal expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Last week, European planemaker Airbus ( opens new tab finalized a deal to take over some Spirit plants as part of a carve-up of the struggling supplier with rival Boeing. Spirit posted a net loss of $613 million, or $5.21 per share, for the reported quarter, compared with a loss of $617 million, or $5.31 per share, a year earlier. The company reported a cash burn, a metric closely watched by investors, of $474 million, compared with $444 million, reported a year ago. Spirit said customer advances received in 2024 and 2025 have helped support operations, but warned there is no assurance it can secure further advances, repay existing ones on time, or obtain additional liquidity on acceptable terms. It said its management is also exploring additional steps to bolster liquidity, including seeking more customer advances and restructuring operations to improve efficiency and cut costs. Net revenues in the quarter through March fell 11% to $1.52 billion. Spirit did not provide an outlook for 2025 citing its pending merger with Boeing.
