Community

The Wichita Fire Department is reminding residents to change their smoke alarm batteries at the same time they change their clocks for daylight saving time Sunday.

Wichita Fire Captain Stuart Bevis says a functioning smoke alarm is one of the most vital pieces of equipment in your home.

A new, or not so new, weekly newspaper hits Wichita streets Thursday. F5 returns after a six year hiatus under the direction of founder Mike Marlett.

Marlett says he decided to start the paper back up again after constantly hearing from people that missed it.

“I met some young, successful guys with their own businesses and their own money to invest,” he says. “They had brand loyalty and they wanted it back.

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.

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.