Latest news with #Riverfest


Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Limerick city's €9m street works scrutinised after €40k spent scrubbing stains in 2025
Today at 04:00 Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that five deep cleans have been carried out on O'Connell Street this year, at a cost of approximately €8,000 each, bringing the total spend to over €40,000. The information came in response to a question submitted by Labour Councillor Joe Leddin, who asked what plans were in place to replant flower beds and clean street furniture on O'Connell Street, similar to the flower displays on the city's bridges. In a written response, Liam Browne, Senior Executive Engineer with the Roads, Traffic and Cleansing section, said: 'The Cleansing Section cleans paving on O'Connell Street on a daily basis. Occasionally deep cleans are carried out by contractor depending on the need to do so and the availability of funding.' He noted that a surge in major city events had prompted the cleanings. 'Due to the large number of major events in the City recently, namely Riverfest, The Great Limerick Run and three Munster Hurling Championship matches, five deep cleans have been carried out on the pavement and street furniture on O'Connell Street,' stated Mr Browne. Each deep clean costs approximately €8,000, amounting to a total of €40,000 spent to date in 2025. Cllr Leddin spoke of concerns regarding the long-term cost and effectiveness of such cleaning with the Irish Independent, in particular, underlying issues with the materials used: 'Having spent €9 million on resurfacing and public realm works, the quality of the paving in my view is not durable for streets, as oil and grease stains are impossible to remove, hence the question, how much are we spending. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook 'These issues in terms of product use and durability are decided by engineers, with councillors left dealing with the practical day-to-day issues,' he added. On the topic of planting, Aidan Finn, Senior Executive with the Environment and Climate Action department, said flower baskets had been refreshed on Limerick's bridges before the June Bank Holiday, with other planting ongoing. 'A new City Gardener has been appointed recently and she will concentrate on the City Centre including Arthur's Quay Park, O'Connell Street and William Street,' Mr Finn said. 'The flower beds on O'Connell Street, Pery Square and the O'Connell Monument will be completed in the near future.' Related topics Jasmin Griffin
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Midweek fireworks show set for Riverfest
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Riverfest will add some midweek sparkle to the Wichita skyline Wednesday night with a fireworks show. The display is scheduled to begin around 10:45 p.m. and will launch from the rooftops of the Garvey Buildings at 200 and 300 W. Douglas Ave. Organizers recommend Kennedy Plaza and areas along Douglas Street as the best spots to catch the show. Wichita Southeast High probe shows possible grade tampering; principal replaced The rooftop show, sponsored by Fidelity Bank, is part of Riverfest's weeklong lineup of events, which runs through June 7. Officials remind attendees to follow all safety guidelines and stay behind posted barriers. Rooftop access is prohibited to the public. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wichita metro area under flood warning. Here's how much rain has fallen, forecast
Drivers in the Wichita metro area are being asked to take caution Tuesday afternoon after heavy rainfall flooded streets and intersections. Shortly after 5 p.m., the Kansas Department of Transportation said drivers on Kellogg in Wichita should 'be aware that flooding has impacted multiple ramps in eastbound and westbound directions.' No ramps were closed, but KDOT said conditions could change rapidly. Just before 5, the National Weather service issued an updated flood warning effective until 11 p.m. for Wichita, Derby, El Dorado, Andover, Haysville, Augusta, Park City, Valley Center, Bel Aire, Goddard, Rose Hill, Maize, Towanda, Colwich, Benton, Kechi and Eastborough. The weather service initially issued at flood warning at 10 a.m. and later added a flash flood warning for southeastern Sedgwick County until 5:45 p.m. 'At 133 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 4inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for along and east of I-135 in downtown Wichita into East Wichita. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!' the warning said. Areas that could have flash flooding include Wichita, Andover, Haysville, Bel Aire, Eastborough, east Wichita, McConnell Air Force Base, northeast Wichita, south Wichita, Jabara Airport and Oaklawn. In late morning, Valley Center Police chief Lloyd Newman said that officers and firefighters were out responding to stalled cars, and that a majority of the city's streets were flooded. He urged residents to not go out in their vehicles. 'Water's backed up on probably a majority of our streets, certainly on the east side of town,' Newman said over the phone. 'I think the storm drains are just having trouble keeping up with this amount of rain.' Over the past 12 hours, Valley Center had received 4.37 inches of rainfall, with 3.24 inches of that picked up over a three-hour period, National Weather Service Wichita meteorologist William Iwasko said at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. During the same time period, Wichita saw 0.96 inches of rainfall and minimal flooding. Just southeast of Valley Center, Park City closed off Broadway in front of 81 Speedway and south of 77th street because of high water, the city said in a social media post. 'Please be aware of the high water throughout the city, and do not drive into it,' the city said. Wednesday should offer a break from the rain with a sunny high between 73 and 77 degrees. Off-and-on chances for showers and thunderstorms will persist Thursday and into the weekend, but Iwakso said the heaviest rainfall was expected to end Tuesday. 'Tomorrow [Wednesday] during the daylight hours will be beautiful,' Iwasko said. Riverfest delayed Tuesday's events and activities due to the weather, but is updating festival-goers on its social platforms.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cyclists from Wichita's sister city in Mexico arrive after 1,500-mile journey for Riverfest
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A group of bicyclists from Tlalnepantla, Mexico—Wichita's sister city—arrived in town Wednesday after completing a grueling 1,500-mile ride just in time for Riverfest celebrations. The cross-country journey took 13 days to complete. For one of the riders, this marks his 16th visit to the Air Capital—an annual tradition rooted in friendship and international connection. Wichita lands more flights this summer 'He was the creator of sister cities, and he planned the world of love and companionship and friendship among all the cities of the world,' the rider said, paying tribute to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 'And I think that nowadays it is more important than ever to keep all those thoughts in mind.' The group will spend the next five days in Wichita, taking part in Riverfest activities before heading back home—this time, by truck. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ten counties could lose Meals on Wheels programs
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Elk County is one of ten counties that could lose access to Meals on Wheels and Friendship Meal programs come July. Those programs provide vital food and check-ins for vulnerable homebound seniors. The potential loss is impacting people in Howard, a small town in Elk County. Wichita police boost security as Riverfest kicks off downtown Three years ago, Kate Raber was diagnosed with dementia. That's about the same time her family got her started on friendship meals. 'She needs a good solid, at least one solid meal a day,' said Gleneva Winn, Raber's sister. Kate also needs someone to check in on her. It's volunteer Jean Parsons who does it. 'This is my happiness, really. I just get attached to everybody,' Parsons said. 'The good Lord wants me to help people, so I'm helping people.' Parsons drives around every day, hand-delivering more than a dozen meals to seniors. 'You're in and out talking to people and checking on people, which is what I like,' Parsons said. 'To know that they're well.' Parsons is a lifeline to the outside world, helping seniors stuck inside their homes access the needed services. 'One of the biggest concerns is how many elderly and disabled residents fall through the cracks if we lost this program, because they don't like reaching out or asking for help and they're not being checked on regularly except through our volunteers who are delivering the meal,' said Brandi Mast, associate director of the Elk County Community Foundation. The Elk County Community Foundation is trying to find ways to keep the program going. Regardless, it's a scramble. 'I hope and pray that we do not lose friendship meals, that's just it,' Winn said. 'It's important.' If things don't work out, vulnerable seniors will be the ones to pay the price. The Elk County Community Foundation is looking at ways to get friendship meals funded locally. Everfull did not give KSN an interview, but did say they were depending on either more donations or help from the state to move forward. There are some existing food programs from the Elk County Community Foundation. The Feed Elk County Fund was established to help expand access to food. 'Anyone can donate to it, and what it's used for is to help purchase food for the give-and-take food boxes we've been working on establishing throughout the county,' Mast said. 'Moline and Granola have theirs up and running already.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.