Sedgwick County

A wanted Sedgwick County felon has been arrested in Oregon. Authorities arrested Kevin Davis Wednesday during a large drug bust in rural home outside Boring. Investigators found an elaborate video surveillance system protecting an illegal marijuana growing operation. Officers seized 84 marijuana plants, two stolen guns and cash during a search warrant. Street value of the drug was estimated at $250,000. A tip to the Clackamas County task force led to the investigation. The 37-year-old was wanted by the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Check your mail boxes. 25,000 people in Sedgwick county and Wichita will get a new survey to fill out. The results may help lawmakers decide where to spend billions of your tax dollars. The survey is nine pages long and has 99 different questions. It covers areas like transportation needs, economic development, various public investments and your willingness to pay for those services. "This is their opportunity for their voice to get heard and for them to control what the priorities are," said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.

The director of the Sedgwick County Health Department says Wichita area hospitals are near capacity dealing with influenza. Claudia Blackburn gave a flu update to Sedgwick County commissioners Wednesday morning. She says Kansas and Sedgwick County are seeing high flu activity right now. Blackburn says area hospitals report many patients with respiratory viruses like flu, and emergency rooms have seen an increase in visits for flu-like symptoms. Data from Via Christi laboratories show a large increase in positive tests for influenza.

Rural Sedgwick County residents are on alert after a string of recent burglaries. This week, investigators released a video they hope will help bring an end to the thefts. A homeowner's surveillance camera captured video of a stranger trying to get into their home. The house is locked, but the man peers inside then walks away. When the people who live there got home, they found their house was broken into and some of their things were missing. Neighbors Jessie and Jennifer Brown say they're surprised by all of the recent burglaries.

Is your Christmas tree drying up?  Instead of tossing it in the trash, recycle it. Sedgwick County is offering free Christmas tree recycling now through January 21st.  There are several drop off locations throughout the county.  You can drop off your tree and pick up free mulch. Click here for a link of drop off locations

Sedgwick County commissioners have talked about closing it. But first, commissioners want to find out if the state can help. On Thursday, commissioners toured the Judge Riddell Boys Ranch for troubled youth. The county considered closing the ranch earlier this year because of the costs it takes to operate. The state covers some of its operating costs, but its funding hasn't gone up in six years. There is hope funding can be allocating during the upcoming legislative session which begins in January.

Sedgwick County deputies are investigating a fatal accident.  A vehicle hit a pedestrian near the intersection of 55th St. S. and 167th W. just before 9:30 Tuesday night. Investigators say a man and woman were walking their dog. The driver apparently didn't see the couple. The woman and the dog died. The woman's name has not been released.

The Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County has been awarded accreditation by the National Children's Alliance. Executive Director Diana Schunn made the announcement Tuesday morning.  She says the accreditation is the culmination of an extensive four-year process.  She says the accreditation is the highest level of membership with the National Children's Alliance. The Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County (CACSC) was founded in 2008 as a centralized resource for victims and families of child abuse.  The center says it serves nearly 2,500 children each year.

The preliminary asessment by Kansas Election Director Brad Bryant suggests changes in managerial technique and better training may benefit the Sedgwick County election office. Secretary of State Kris Kobach sent a team from his office to Wichita Tuesday afternoon. They met with Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman for two hours to discuss why it took so long for the election office to report returns in both the August primary and general election. "Our office was aware (of the late reporting in the primary)

People whouse a card to pay property taxes in Sedgwick County can expect a new fee. Friday Sedgwick County Commissioners voted 3-to-2 in favor of the new fees. The fees are designed to offset how much the county pays to handle card transactions. Starting Nov. 19, if you use a credit card to pay Sedgwick County property taxes you will be charged a fee of two percent. If you use a debit card, you will be charged a fee of $3.95. County officials plan to do an audit after three months to make sure the county is only covering its costs, and no making extra money from the fees.