Wednesday, April 9th, 2025

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Good morning, Wichita. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 9th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed a healthy baby girl chimpanzee named Kyansa, born via a planned C-section to mother Mahale. Kyansa is named after a peak in Tanzania — caretakers observed strong bonding as she and her mother reunited 14 hours after surgery. KWCH
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A Wichita man, Gordon Pierce III, 37, was charged with stealing and damaging a historic 1794 cannon from the Spanish-American War Memorial in Central Riverside Park after police found the 800‑pound weapon chopped into pieces at a home in the 2000 block of N. Woodland — the charges include theft of property worth over $100,000 and criminal damage exceeding $5,000, his bond is set at $200,000 and he is scheduled to return to court on April 21. KSN
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Parents in Wichita are anxious as the school district plans to close four elementary schools—L'Ouverture Career Exploration and Technology Magnet, Pleasant Valley, Woodland and OK—next academic year. FOX Kansas
ENERGY NEWS
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GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council approved a design contract for a new fire station at Pawnee and Maize Road and plans to replace two stations at Central and Elder and Lincoln and Rock Road, with a project cost of about $1.58 million and a bid set once designs finish. The council also approved more than $8.2 million in new equipment for the fire department—this includes 2 new aerial fire apparatus scheduled for delivery in about 45 months along with ladders, chainsaws, thermal imaging devices, radios and breathing apparatus. KNSS
- ➤ Today at noon, Sedgwick County Commission Chair Ryan Baty will break ground at Meridian and MacArthur in southwest Wichita for a new $110 million state-run mental health hospital with 104 beds — local and state officials will attend as the project allocates half its beds for acute cases and the remainder for evaluations to speed up court processes. KNSS
- ➤ The Wichita City Council began the search for a new City Manager by approving plans next Tuesday to hire an outside consultant; the council will gather public input and form a search committee to review candidates. The new hire is expected to be secured before current manager Robert Layton retires at the end of the year (official details are still pending). KNSS
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Nelson’s Kitchen was voted Wichita’s Most Liked Wings after outlasting 31 local restaurants, food trucks and popups in a Facebook contest — the final 24-hour matchup pitted it against O’Brien’s — and emerged as the clear winner. The restaurant is located at 1712 E. Morris St. and welcomes local visitors to try its wings. Wichita By E.B.
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Wichita Wind Surge played their home opener on Tuesday night at Equity Bank Park, renamed from Riverfront Stadium, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Fans enjoyed a postgame fireworks show as the team, led by new manager Brian Dinkleman and top prospect Walker Jenkins, began a six-game homestand after losing their opening series in Springfield, Mo. KWCH
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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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Lyla Sage - Wild and Wrangled Release Party
5-7 p.m. — Watermark Books & Cafe — Tickets required — Celebrate the launch of 'Wild and Wrangled' with themed drinks, games, and a chance to win prizes.
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Beginner Chair Yoga at Club Hope
10:30-11:30 a.m. — Club Hope Fitness — Free for cancer survivors, $10 drop-in — Experience gentle chair yoga to enhance strength, balance, and mental wellness.
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Spring Home Transition Workshop
6-8 p.m. — Traditions Home — Registration required — Learn how to refresh your home for the spring season with expert Megan McGraw.
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Taylor Swift Music Bingo
7-9 p.m. — White Crow Cider Company — Free for paying customers — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo as you jam to the hits of Taylor Swift and win prizes.
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Late Night with A Band In Kansas
8 PM — Brickyard — $15 — Get ready for a high-energy party featuring the biggest hits from the early 2000s to today.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

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