Wichita-area Splash Park Reopens after Illness Outbreak
GODDARD, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita-area splash park that closed after an illness outbreak has been allowed to reopen. Sedgwick County health officials said the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard has exceeded health recommendations and could reopen this weekend. The splash park closed June 18th after several people became ill with bacterial infections. The approval to reopen comes after the facility made several changes and after testing done on July 21st and an inspection on July 16th. Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns told the park in a letter on Friday that the health department is satisfied the park meets all requirements and there is no risk of infection.
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Two Killed, Five Injured in Van Crash near Newton
NEWTON, Kan. (AP) — Newton police say two people died and five others were injured when a van they were in went off an interstate. The crash occurred yesterday (SAT) morning near Newton when the van went off Interstate 135 between two bridges, down an embankment and hit a bridge pillar. Police said it’s unclear why the van left the road. Seven adults were in the 16-passenger van. Two people died at the scene, two were critically injured and three others were seriously injured. The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
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Strike at Frito-Lay Ends as Union Members Ratify Contract
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Union workers are expected to return to work tomorrow (MON) at the FritoLay plant in Topeka. That’s after union members ratified a new two-year contract Friday, ending a three week strike. The contract gives union workers at the plant a 4% pay raise over two years and guarantees employees at least one day off a week. Union workers went on strike July 5th, complaining of forced overtime and a lack of pay raises in recent years. Workers said they were often required to work back-to-back days of 12-hour shifts, with only eight hours between. Employees are expected to return to work tomorrow (MON). They said the shifts were was caused by a severe shortage of workers at the plant.
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KU Coach Bill Self Isolating after Testing Positive for COVID-19
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP/KPR) — University of Kansas basketball coach Bill Self says he is in isolation this weekend after testing positive for COVID-19. Self is one of a growing number of so-called “breakthrough infections” of COVID-19 among people who are fully vaccinated. He said in a statement Friday on the school’s Twitter account that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will isolate at his home in Lawrence. Self was tested after feeling minor symptoms on Thursday as he was preparing to travel to watch recruits at various tournaments. He said two tests confirmed that he has the virus. Self said he believes he would be feeling much worse if he had not been vaccinated, and encouraged people to get the vaccine.