Milt Radford

New Boeing Wing Opens At Kansas Aviation Museum

Milt Radford — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:42:40 +0000

The Kansas Aviation Museum opens the new Boeing Science, Math and History Learning Center in southeast Wichita Saturday.

The hands-on education experience is designed for students to work individually or in groups. The learning center has been five years in the making and features four learning stations with computers that will run interactive programs on things like flight and weather conditions.

Sequestration Could Affect Wichita Meals On Wheels Program

Milt Radford — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:20:10 +0000

More than 800 Wichita seniors are fed a hot lunch on weekdays as part of Meals on Wheels. Federal sequestration could reduce funding for the program but not the bond that forms between volunteers and clients.

Nancy Hindle, 90, lives alone in a west Wichita apartment; she has been a widow the past three years. She has family in the area helping her with daily needs, but cooking a meal is a difficult task.

"I got so I couldn't put things together," says Hindle. "I have arthritis real bad. I don't ever use my oven if I'm by myself."

It's Your First And Last Chance To See This Comet

Milt Radford — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:37:37 +0000

A comet named Pan-STARRS is visiting our part of the solar system and will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere for a couple of weeks.

The comet was discovered in June 2011 by a team of observers in Hawaii while doing a routine sweep of the sky and they named the comet after the telescope they were using.

Greg Novacek, director of the Lake Afton Observatory, says hopeful observers should look west.

Robotics Competition Draws Hundreds, Encourages STEM Education

Milt Radford — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:05:19 +0000

A group of students met Saturday at Wichita State University for the 13th annual Mindstorms Challenge, a Lego robotics competition. The challenge is designed to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math, while promoting teamwork.

The theme for the event was “The WuShock, an Unexpected Journey” with teams like The Bilbot Baggins of Andovershire.

Senior Services To Hold 31st Annual Job Fair

Milt Radford — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:19:28 +0000

Investment losses in recent years and higher prescription drug prices are forcing many seniors to continue employment or return to work. That’s according to Laurel Alkire, the executive director for Senior Services of Wichita.

“We saw last year about 800 applicants come through looking for work," she says.

"I believe we placed about 560 of those, so our placement rate is pretty high."

The 31st annual Senior Employment Job Fair for workers 55 and older will be on March 19. The application deadline to attend is March 15.

Spring Break Lunch Program Expands

Milt Radford — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:17:26 +0000

Partners for Wichita and the Kansas Food Bank are teaming again this year to provide meals on weekdays between March 14 and the 22 in their “Filling the Gap – Lunches for Kids” program.

Volunteers expect to serve about 3,500 meals at 14 locations during spring break for public schools in Wichita. That’s roughly double the number served last year.

“We’re aware that about 24 percent of the children in our area are at risk of hunger," says Pastor Sally Fahrenthold, who helped coordinate the program.

National Weather Service Is Looking For Storm Spotters

Milt Radford — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:15:48 +0000

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week for the state of Kansas, the National Weather Service is offering a storm spotter training class Tuesday night in Wichita.

Spring is the most active tornado season in Kansas.

Mission Of Mercy Returns To Wichita Area

Milt Radford — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:29:39 +0000

Nearly 2,000 people took advantage of the Kansas Mission of Mercy last weekend, receiving free dental care at the Kansas Pavilions.

KMUW's Milt Radford reports that both patients and volunteers were grateful to participate.

Brownback Praises Wichita's Water Plan

Milt Radford — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:01:35 +0000

The Wichita Public Works and Water Utility staff made a presentation of their drought plan Friday to Gov. Sam Brownback's Drought Response Team.

The presentation in Topeka was a condensed version of the plan they presented to the Wichita City Council last Tuesday.

Gov. Brownback praised the Wichita plan and says it's a model that should be shared with other communities in Kansas.

The plan includes alternatives for reducing water demand and increasing water supply to address both the current drought and future needs.

Mission Of Mercy Expects Turnout Of Thousands

Milt Radford — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0000

More than 2,000 people are expected to take advantage of free dental work Friday and Saturday at the Kansas Coliseum Pavilions.

The Kansas Mission of Mercy has returned to Wichita for the first time since 2006. Back then, 1900 people took advantage of an estimated $1 million of free dental care including cleanings, fillings and extractions.