Daily
Wichita
Friday, April 4th, 2025
Good morning, Wichita. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 4th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A Wichita woman, Maria Montoya, was named one of the top three finalists in a national competition that honors community heroes who help pets. She has worked for years to support local animal welfare—she already won $5,000 and voting to award a $10,000 donation to aid her program ends on April 16th. KWCH
- ➤ The former Park Elementary School in Wichita became a 24/7 shelter for people experiencing homelessness on Tuesday. Nonprofit HumanKind Ministries Inc. and the MAC Board signed six-month deals with over a dozen service groups to provide shelter, food, and health services (through Sept. 30) as construction continues. KSN
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ The U.S. Department of Justice said former Burns police chief Joel Womochil pleaded guilty to child sexual exploitation charges and faces 60 years in federal prison—other co-defendants, including a 33-year-old man from Seneca, were sentenced to 30 years for producing and distributing child abuse material. KWCH
- ➤ Wichita police arrested a 37-year-old man for stealing the historic bronze cannon from the Spanish-American War Memorial in Central Riverside Park after finding it significantly damaged in a home on the 2000 block of North Woodland—he will be booked into Sedgwick County Jail on charges of felony theft, vandalism, meth possession and outstanding warrants. KWCH
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sixty years ago in 1965, The Forum at 231 S. Water Street hosted its final show— a sell-out Grand Ole Opry event presented by promoter Hap Peebles with top acts like Hank Snow, Wanda Jackson, Roy Clark, and The Plainsmen Quartet, ticket prices of 50¢ to $2, and over 4,500 fans in attendance. After that night, the building was used one more time as a polling location before closing permanently and being dismantled—making way for the Century II Convention Center. KNSS
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Open burning is prohibited across Wichita and 15 other counties in April to protect air quality and public health under a state burn ban. The Wichita Fire Department suspended all burn permits and plans to resume them on May 1 if winds remain under 15 miles per hour—residents should review local rules for outdoor fires. KSN
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday on Capitol Hill and detailed how the company replaced executives and increased training and audits after last year’s 737 Max issues—moves aimed at boosting safety and trust in its planes. He told Senator Jerry Moran that Boeing is investing significant money to acquire Spirit AeroSystems and will keep work in Wichita. KSN
- ➤ Today, Wichita City Council said it will search nationwide for a new city manager—after Robert Layton retires on December 31 following more than 16 years of service—and Mayor Lily Wu invited residents to share their views on the upcoming leadership changes. KWCH
- ➤ Repeated floods and sewage back-ups in a Wichita apartment near Hydraulic and Kellogg raised health hazards — a June inspection issued a violation notice though the required repairs were never completed. City officials explained that most housing code issues are handled voluntarily — leaving landlords, especially out-of-state ones, rarely fined. The Voice
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Engineering Expo 2025
9 AM – 3 PM — Bob Brown Expo Hall — Free admission — Celebrate STEM with hands-on activities for kids K-8 including lava lamps and slime.
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Paleface Swiss Event
7-8:30 p.m. — WAVE — Click for details — Experience Paleface Swiss live at WAVE in Wichita.
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Chair Yoga at Haysville Senior Center
10:00 – 10:45 AM — Haysville Senior Center — Free for members — Enjoy gentle chair yoga that enhances mobility and fosters community.
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Posture Improvement Course
9:00-10:15 AM — Club Hope Fitness — $183 — Focus on building strength, flexibility, and better posture in a supportive environment.
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Beginner Chair Yoga Session
10:30-11:30 a.m. — Club Hope Fitness — Free for cancer survivors; $10 for others — Enjoy a gentle class focusing on strength and resilience tailored for all abilities.
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Foundations of Yoga Class
5-6 PM — Maize Recreation Commission — $5 drop-in fee — Perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their yoga skills through gentle movements and breathwork.
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Chair Yoga at Park City Senior Center
9:30-10:15 a.m. — Park City Senior Center — Free for members — Experience stress relief and increased mobility through supportive chair yoga practices.
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20th Annual Spring Great Plains Renaissance Festival
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Sedgwick County Park — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate Wichita's spring tradition with jousts, acrobatics, and lively performances.
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Golden Girls - The Laughs Continue
3:00 – 4:30 PM — Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center — Starting at $35 — Enjoy an outrageous new comedy featuring your favorite Golden Girls tackling modern dilemmas.
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Chair Yoga at Haysville Senior Center
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. — Haysville Senior Center — Free for members — Enjoy a supportive chair yoga practice enhancing strength, flexibility, and community.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Daily Wichita is a community newsletter sharing current events in Wichita, Kansas. Our mission is to make local news more accessible, highlight extraordinary people across the Wichita community, and support local organizations. If you like Daily Wichita, you can support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Wichita.
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