Kansas.com: Local

City Council to debate KenMar TIF district

BRENT D. WISTROM — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Potentially adding to a flurry of special tax districts, Wichita City Council members Tuesday set a public hearing for Aug. 12 to debate whether to help Wichita School Board member Kevass Harding redevelop the aging KenMar shopping center at 13th and Oliver.

It promises to be a lively debate.

Bob Weeks, an advocate for limited government, pressed the council to require the school board to vote on the issue to publicly disclose Harding's conflict of interest on the development. That's because the school board has veto authority on tax increment finance districts because such districts impact the flow of tax money that can be used for schools. The board doesn't have to take a vote unless they want to block the TIF, a move that hasn't yet happened.

"That's the problem with requiring someone to take negative action," said Weeks, who has been one of several Wichitans to criticize TIF districts.

Harding, a minister whose church is near the development, said he has disclosed his conflict to other board members and city officials. He said he would recuse himself if the school board debates the issue.

City Council approves hike in taxi fares

DION LEFLER — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

The Wichita City Council approved a 50 percent increase in cab fares Tuesday, but officials say it's not expected to happen overnight.

Depending on the price of fuel, it might take years for fares to reach the levels approved unanimously at Tuesday's council meeting, said Shirley Wilson of Wichita Transit, which oversees cab services citywide.

"Last time, it took(cab companies)12 years to reach the maximum," Wilson said.

The council last raised the cap on cab rates in 1996. The transit department reviews rates every few months and can allow increases as long as they don't exceed the cap, Wilson said.

The cap increase was requested by all three cab companies that serve the city -- ABC Taxi Cab Co., American Cab Co. and Best Cabs Inc.

Police: Man's death a homicide

HURST LAVIANA — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

A Wichita man was found dead in his Planeview home Tuesday, and police were investigating the case as the city's 14th homicide this year.

Deputy Chief Robert Lee said the body was found at about 3:40 p.m. in a duplex in the 3400 block of East Roseberry.

The duplex is about a block from where Deshonda Walker was fatally shot last week, but Lee said the cases did not appear to be connected.

Detectives on Tuesday were interviewing witnesses as crime scene investigators looked through the home for evidence. Lee said the case was being worked as a homicide, but he said a motive and cause of death were not immediately available.

He would not say who found the body. He could not provide the victim's name and age.

Adopt a cat for free Humane Society event aims to clear cage space

CARNEZ WILLIAMS — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

More than 300 cats and kittens are being held in cages meant for dogs, ferrets and birds at the Kansas Humane Society because there are not enough cat cages to contain them.

To help relieve some of the overflow, the Humane Society is hosting its annual Cat Independence Days beginning Saturday. Adult cats can be adopted for free and kittens can be adopted for $17.76 each.

"In July, when there are tons of them everywhere, it's hard to keep up," said Jennifer Campbell, the Humane Society's director of communications. "We need people to adopt."

This year the society has more cats up for adoption than ever.

Campbell said finding homes for that many cats can be a challenge, but it's been done before.

Effort for youth has mentoring, tutoring, football

CHRISTINA M. WOODS — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Community leaders have launched many efforts to boost academic achievement among black youths -- particularly boys.

The latest combines mentoring, tutoring and football -- and it could affect as many as 250 elementary- and middle-school boys.

From July 21 until Oct. 10, members of the Bulldogs Football League, a nonprofit organization that serves youths primarily in central-northeast Wichita, will undergo academic tutoring and character-building.

The deadline to register to volunteer is Thursday. Training for tutors starts this weekend.

But so far, only 10 adults have registered to participate.

Friends enjoy 'Perfect Body Workout'

KAREN SHIDELER — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

When April Wise volunteered to try out the "Women's Health Perfect Body Workout" fitness DVD, she promised that her dear friend and neighbor would try it, too.

Wise and Terretta Gerlach both work at Cessna Aircraft Co. in addition to being neighbors. Wise, 33, is in the warranty department; Gerlach, 26, is in the service center's quality assurance department.

Both are mothers with little time to work out. Gerlach recently had a baby; she also has a 16-month-old. Wise has a 10-year-old who kept an eye on the babies while the moms worked out.

Both women like the DVD, which features Amy Dixon and retails for $14.98, but they disagree on their ratings of it.

"I think a beginner could do it," says Gerlach.

Panel: Candidate can run in only one race

LORI YOUNT — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

A Democratic candidate for the State Board of Education seat that represents Wichita lost his battle Tuesday to remain on the ballot, meaning there will be no Aug. 5 primary for the position.

A three-member board of state officials decided 2-1 to uphold Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh's decision to drop Charles Wiggins from the District 8 race because he also filed for re-election as Minneha Township trustee.

With Wiggins out of the race, Democrat Walt Chappell will face Republican Dennis Hedke in the Nov. 4 general election.

Thornburgh and Attorney General Steve Six voted to keep Wiggins off the ballot. Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson cast the dissenting vote after almost two hours of testimony and discussion.

"I'm obviously disappointed in the outcome," Wiggins said Tuesday. "As reflected by the split decision, it was not an easy decision."

Wichita's municipal judges get 2% raise

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Wichita City Council members Tuesday unanimously agreed to give a 2 percent raise to all municipal judges.

The merit-based increases are retroactive to the third week of April.

Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp said the city's increasingly tight budget limited how much it could raise salaries.

-- Brent D. Wistrom

State panel holding town hall today

Police ask public to watch for metal theft

JENNIFER TORLINE — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Wichita police officers are asking residents for help to prevent metal thefts and find metal thieves, including those who stole catalytic converters from vehicles at the American Red Cross and a truck rental business over the weekend.

Thieves recently stole 11 converters from the American Red Cross at 1900 E. Douglas and five converters from a U-Haul business at 3710 W. McCormick. One converter was stolen from an RV at a business on West Kellogg.

Wichita police are investigating whether the thefts are related.

"We would like the citizens to help us with this because we can't be everywhere at once," police Lt. Darrell Atteberry said.

Atteberry said this weekend's thefts follow a nationwide rise of thieves stealing metal, including metals from catalytic converters, coils from home air-conditioning systems and manhole covers.

Trial to start in convenience store stabbing death

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Lawyers are expected to begin presenting evidence this morning in the first-degree murder trial of Cherish McCullough.

Jury selection extended through a second day Tuesday, as lawyers selected an alternate who will take over if one of the 12 jurors can't complete the trial.

McCullough has pleaded not guilty to stabbing 27-year-old LaShanda Callaway after an argument in a convenience store at 2601 N. Hillside.

The crime became notable for what happened after the stabbing. Reports were that store clerks, and customers, barely halted their activities to notice the wounded woman June 23, 2007. Callaway died the next day.

-- Ron Sylvester

Arena rises into skyline

DEB GRUVER — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:08 CDT

Intrust Bank Arena is beginning to take shape as 165 workers try to keep on schedule despite a rainy May and June.

The project has marked a milestone: "We started setting the upper seating on the north side of the arena," said Tom Dondlinger, president of Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co.

Weather has been a challenge, he said, "but once we got out of the ground, it hasn't had a long-term effect."

The arena is scheduled to open in January 2010. It is on schedule, said Dondlinger, whose company is working on the project along with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Hunt Construction Co. As partners on the project, the companies are called Dondlinger Construction/Hunt Construction, A Joint Venture.

Ron Holt, assistant manager for Sedgwick County and the county's point person on the arena, said he's grateful the arena is on schedule and on budget.

Fireworks send more than 30 to area hospitals

JENNIFER TORLINE — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

Local hospitals treated more than 30 people for fireworks-related injuries during the Fourth of July holiday.

Via Christi Regional Burn Center has treated 15 people for injuries linked to fireworks so far this year, said Joye Mock, house manager at Via Christi-St. Francis.

Via Christi spokeswoman Maria Loving said three of the 15 people were admitted to St. Francis with serious injuries.

Last year, Via Christi treated 13 people for fireworks injuries through July 8, Mock said.

Patients with injuries this year ranged from 4 to 47 years in age and from fair to critical condition.

Group works on plan to keep the homeless out of the cold

JOE RODRIGUEZ — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

An organization that advocates for the homeless is leading an effort to develop a plan for providing overflow housing for the homeless during the winter.

Advocates to End Chronic Homelessness will hold a meeting Wednesday -- and is inviting the public -- to talk about the plan. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway.

The advocacy group is planning for churches to serve as overflow shelters -- which are meant to offer additional shelter during the winter months, when the city's existing homeless shelters are often full.

Janis Cox, a chairwoman of the group, said four churches have already committed to serving as shelters. They are: First United Methodist; St. John's Episcopal; First Metropolitan Community; and St. Paul's United Methodist.

She said the group is still seeking other places that would open their doors as shelters.

City tallying funds spent on Salerno

BRENT D. WISTROM — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

The city said Monday that it had not tallied the total cost of interviewing, hiring and preparing to move Pat Salerno to Wichita as its new city manager.

But by late May the city had spent about $11,000 on the interview process, according to documents The Eagle received in an open records request.

The city spent about $4,100 on travel, food, beverages and other expenses for meetings and receptions related to Salerno's hiring during April and May, records show.

Charges from April 10 to May 19 include a party at the Wichita Art Museum where the city ordered appetizers and dessert from the museum's cafe for $16.50 per person.

The charges also include a $342 tab at Southwinds for steaks, salads and drinks for the candidate and his wife, Wichita's interim city manager and his wife, and Steve Martens and his wife.

Warrant issued in Planeview shooting

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Wichita police have issued a warrant for the arrest of 27-year-old Albert C. Thomas.

Thomas is suspected of shooting a woman last week, Lt. Ken Landwehr said at a news briefing Monday.

Deshonda Walker, 23, was shot just before 3 a.m. Wednesday in the 3400 block of East Munger. She died in her Ford Taurus.

Police reports said Walker was shot after asking someone to move a car in front of a relative's home.

Walker and Thomas had been lifelong friends, according to police reports.

Minor fitness

KAREN SHIDELER — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

TWO FITNESS CLUBS ARE OFFERING SPECIAL PROGRAMS THIS SUMMER FOR TEENS AND PRETEENS

Any other summer, you'd probably find Lily Dooman on her bike or at the pool. This year, she's at Genesis Health Clubs almost every day, working on strength and cardio so she'll be ready to manage the football team and to throw for the track team at Kapaun Mount Carmel, where she'll be a senior. She's among the teens and preteens you'll find in fitness clubs this summer, taking advantage of new programs at Genesis and at the Greater Wichita YMCA.

Genesis is offering free memberships to 13- through 17-year-olds this summer. The Y has added junior versions of group fitness classes for its members.

Both programs are an effort to get more young people interested in working out.

"We have definitely seen a need" for the group classes, says Rachel Stuhlsatz, metropolitan fitness and health director for the Y.

An Olympic-style contender, at age 4 ½

KAREN SHIDELER — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

A few days from now, 4 ½-year-old Janna Wagner of Wichita will join more than 2,000 other athletes for opening ceremonies at the U.S. Transplant Games.

The six-day event features Olympic-style competition, and Janna is scheduled to compete in swimming, bowling and the 50-yard dash.

Or, "she may get there, and it may be overwhelming," and the family will enjoy the rest of their vacation, says Janna's mom, Tammy Wagner.

The Wagners are participating in the games -- this year's are in Pittsburgh -- because Janna owes her life to a liver transplant.

Two kidney transplant recipients from the area also are to be at the games: Cathie Graham, 58, of Haysville, and Chris Green, 43, of Wichita. The three are part of the 25-member Mo-Kan team, from Missouri and Kansas.

Council considers raising cab fares

DION LEFLER — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

In the latest pinch caused by high gas prices, Wichita residents and visitors will likely end up paying about a third more for a taxi ride.

City staff is recommending that the City Council raise the cap on cab fares at its meeting Tuesday.

"Due to the increasing cost of gas, the three existing cab companies -- ABC Taxi Cab Co., American Cab Co. and Best Cabs Inc. --feel that new fares need to be established," said a report prepared by the staff of Wichita Transit.

The last fare increase was approved in 1996, when the price of gasoline was running about $1.30 a gallon. In recent months, the price has bounced around the $3.75 to $4 range.

The proposal to the council would increase the "flag drop" charge -- the starting fee for a cab ride -- from $2 to $3.

Brunches at Cowtown start Sunday

BECCY TANNER — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:32 CDT

Family meals are coming back to Old Cowtown Museum.

Beginning July 13, Truffles Catering will offer brunch to visitors at the living history museum.

Cost is $15 for adults, $11 for children 10 and younger. Hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Sunday.

The meal will be combined with admission to the museum and also includes live entertainment, ranging from gospel to country music.

Having restaurant-quality meals at affordable prices has been a long-range goal of both museum and city officials since a consultants' report in 2006 stressed the need.

Disasters sap some nonprofit resources

JOE RODRIGUEZ — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:42 CDT

Recent tornadoes, flooding and wind damage have caused major financial struggles for the two largest nonprofits that provide disaster relief to Kansas -- and led one to make an appeal to its donor base.

The disaster relief services of both nonprofits -- the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross -- are run by the regional and national offices. Neither of the nonprofits' local funds are affected, local spokespeople said.

But recent tornadoes in Kansas cities such as Chapman and Salina as well as the ongoing flooding throughout western Missouri have left the Salvation Army scrambling for money to help people in those disasters. It recently sent letters asking for help from Salvation Army supporters in the Wichita area.

Capt. Dan Jennings, divisional secretary for the Salvation Army, said they have not set a dollar amount.

"We know that we're going to need massive amounts," he said.