Mold Remediation in Wichita, KS

A national watchdog organization recently released its fall 2024 hospital safety grades rating Wichita hospitals on multiple safety metrics including infections, hospital staff, practices to prevent errors and more.

Grades can range from A to F, but all Wichita hospitals got either an A or a B. Two Wichita hospitals got lower grades compared to their spring scores, while one hospital saw an improved score.

Looking at the entire state of Kansas, the state ranked 31st in hospital safety, with 25.8% of hospitals getting an A grade. The state with the most A hospitals is Utah, where 60.7% of hospitals earned the top grade.

Leapfrog’s scores are to “educate consumers and purchasers about the safety and quality of healthcare facilities in their community so they can choose the best place for their care,” according to its website.

Leapfrog comes up with the grades by analyzing data provided by the hospitals and national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and other supplemental data sources. The organization works under the oversight of a panel made up of experts from Harvard University, John Hopkins University School of Nursing, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University and more to develop the methodology in scoring.

For more information on your hospital’s performance in other aspects, like patient satisfaction and treatment effectiveness, search the facility’s name on the Medicare website’s care to compare. In addition, U.S. News and World Report releases rankings based on hospitals’ performance in a variety of medical specialties and common procedures.

Here’s what to know about how Wichita hospitals scored on the fall Leapfrog ratings.

The latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are out today! See how your hospital scored on #PatientSafety: https://t.co/5vng8zwH85 pic.twitter.com/dFbgdHKu0X

— The Leapfrog Group (@LeapfrogGroup) November 15, 2024

14800 St. Teresa St.

Leapfrog fall 2024 grade: B

Spring 2024 grade: B

Fall 2023 grade: C

St. Teresa scored below average on five different topics across three categories.

In the infections category, St. Teresa scored below average in C. diff infection, infection in the urinary tract and sepsis infection after surgery. In the practices to prevent errors category, the hospital scored below average in communication about medicines. In the staffing category, the hospital scored below average in nursing and bedside care for patients.

St. Teresa scored above average on 13 topics across five categories.

“We are prioritizing targeted improvements and focusing on areas where we can make the most impact. While the Leapfrog Group’s assessment is one of several valuable perspectives on performance, we appreciate their insights and are committed to achieving measurable progress by the next review period,” an Ascension Via Christi spokesperson told The Eagle about all of its hospitals.

2610 N. Woodlawn Blvd.

Leapfrog fall 2024 grade: B

Spring 2024 grade: A

Fall 2023 grade: A

Wesley Woodlawn scored below average on eight topics across two different categories.

In the practices to prevent errors category, the hospital scored below average in communication about medicines, communication about discharge and staff work together to prevent errors. In the staffing category, the hospital scored below average in effective leadership to prevent errors, nursing and bedside care for patients, specially trained doctors care for ICU patients, communication with doctors and responsiveness with hospital staff.

Wesley Woodlawn scored above average in 15 different topics across four categories.

The Eagle reached out to Wesley Healthcare for a statement on its hospitals’ safety scores but has not yet received a response.

Leapfrog fall 2024 grade: B

Spring 2024 grade: A

Fall 2023 grade: A

St. Joseph scored below average in five topics across three different categories.

In the infections category, St. Joseph scored below average on treating MRSA infections. In the safety problems category, the hospital scored below average on patient falls and injuries, falls causing broken hips and collapsed lung. In the staffing category, the hospital scored below average on nursing and bedside care for patients.

The hospital scored above average on 16 topics across all categories.

550 N. Hillside St.

Leapfrog fall 2024 grade: A

Spring 2024 grade: B

Fall 2023 grade: A

The hospital scored below average on seven topics across two different categories.

When it comes to practices to prevent errors, the hospital scored below average in communication about medicines, communication about discharge and staff working together to prevent errors. In the staffing section, Wesley Medical Center scored below average in effective leadership to prevent errors, nursing and bedside care for patients, communication with doctors and responsiveness with hospital staff.

The hospital scored above average in 19 topics across five categories.

929 St. Francis

Leapfrog fall 2024 grade: A

Spring 2024 grade: A

Fall 2023 grade: A

This hospital scored below average on six topics in two different categories.

In the safety problem category, St. Francis scored below average in patient falls and injuries, falls causing broken hips, and collapsed lungs. In the staffing category, the hospital scored below average in nursing and bedside care for patients.

The hospital scored above average on 15 different topics across all five categories.

“These results are a reflection of the dedication and skill of our caregivers who prioritize safe, compassionate care for all and underscore our successes and areas of growth as we continue to fulfill our Mission of providing high-quality care,” a Via Christi spokesperson said. “Patient safety remains central to our Mission, and we are actively implementing strengthened safety protocols and quality measures to enhance our care.”

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) -A business that’s been a staple for entertainment in east Wichita for nearly three decades is closing for good. The owners of All Star Adventures closed its doors and locked its gates due to what they say was a lease agreement in which they had no control.

All Star Adventures, built in 1995 near Central and Webb, offered a large indoor arcade and outdoor entertainment options, including several amusement rides, batting cages, a go-cart track, and a golf driving range. The company, operating the east side business, as well as All Star Sports in west Wichita, said the closure isn’t due to a lack of customers.

“Our intention was always to renew (the lease). It wasn’t an option listed to us because the seller was selling the whole property for redevelopment, so we didn’t get the option to renew, but we wanted to,” said All Star Adventures and Sports Wichita General Manager Stacie White We didn’t realize the land owner was going to sell the property to somebody else, so once it was sold completely, then our lease was ending, because we were out.”

Management with All Star Adventures now is on to the moving process.

“We’ve started to sell some of the property. We’ve started to sell some of the rides and some of the equipment inside, so there are some people in the community that know that it’s being sold,” White said.

While disappointed with the closure at the east Wichita location, the managers at All Star Sports across town near 21st and Tyler say business is still set to roll.

“Soley due to losing our lease,” White said about the All Star Adventures closure in east Wichita.”

She said both parks have done well.

“There’s nothing else like it in Wichita, that’s why we’re so sad to see the east one go,” White said. “It wasn’t our decision, but definitely the west one is up and going and you can come visit us here.”

White said All Star Sports in west Wichita is secured with a long-term lease.

“So the west location will be up and operating for a long time to come,” she said.

White said some of the east Wichita attractions will make their home at All Star Sports across town.

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

WICHITA, Kan. (NEWS RELEASE) - Due to fan demand, CREED has extended their sold-out The Summer of ’99 Tour with 23 additional dates. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will stop in Wichita at INTRUST Bank Arena on July 29, 2025 with special guests Daughtry and Mammoth WVH.

When it kicked off in 2024, The Summer of ’99 Tour quickly became “one of the most anticipated tours of the summer” (USA Today) and “one of the hottest rock tickets of the year” (Billboard) for a return that “may be something this industry has never seen” (Pollstar). To date, CREED’s Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips have performed over 60 sold-out concerts throughout North America, selling over 800,000 tickets and breaking venue records in multiple markets.

“Thirty years in, it’s been a blessing to pick up right where we left off with longtime fans and to meet the next generation for the first time. It’s been an incredible ride, and we aren’t done, so here’s to a ‘Summer’ that never ends. We’ll see you on the road,” states Scott Stapp.

CREED will close out 2024 with shows in Las Vegas, NV (Dec. 30 & Dec. 31) and their newly announced dates in 2025 will follow their already sold-out Summer of ’99 and Beyond cruise sailing April 9 – April 13 from Miami to Nassau with Sevendust, Hoobastank, Lit, Hinder, Fuel and more. Also in April, the band - whose audience has included fans of mainstream, rock, and country for over 25 years - will perform at Stagecoach.

For more information on all CREED tour dates as well as the opportunity to purchase entry into Mark Tremonti’s guitar clinic can be found at creed.com.

TICKETS: Tickets for the tour will be available for Artist Presale starting Wednesday, December 11 at 10:00am local time. Additional presales will run ahead of the general on-sale that is scheduled for Friday, December 13 at 10:00am local time. Presale registration is now open through creed.os.fan/presaleaccess. Tickets can be purchased online at selectaseat.com, by phone at 855-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.

VIP: Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, on-stage viewing opportunity, Meet & Greet and photo op with CREED, access to the pre-show soundcheck party with members of CREED, exclusive merch pack & more. VIP package contents vary based on offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

Connect with CREED at:

Website: https://creed.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Creed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialcreedpage/

X: https://twitter.com/Creed

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creed/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@creedband

About CREED:

The GRAMMY® and American Music Award-winning CREED formed in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1994. The more than one billion streams between “Higher,” “My Sacrifice,” “One Last Breath,” “With Arms Wide Open,” and “My Own Prison” on Spotify alone is a testament to the band’s enduring power. Nearly 30 years after CREED’s formation, the ubiquitous anthems composed by singer Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti, performed for millions of fans around the world together with drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall, are part of modern rock and alternative’s DNA. My Own Prison (1997) is one of the late 20th century’s biggest debuts. Human Clay (1999) and Weathered (2001) both entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1. Full Circle (2009), released after a hiatus, bowed at No. 1 on the Top Rock, Hard Rock, and Alternative charts and No. 2 on the Billboard 200. With more than 53 million albums sold worldwide, CREED stands alongside iconic bands like Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica as one of an elite few hard rock outfits to earn RIAA Diamond-certified status, for more than 11 million sales of Human Clay in the United States. After an eleven-year hiatus, Creed officially reunited in July 2023 and announced that they would be headlining two different Summer of '99 cruise festivals in April 2024 which resulted in immediate sell-outs. The band embarked on a tour of over 60 dates in 2024 across North America that resulted in countless record-breaking performances and has propelled Creed into the mainstream consciousness once again.

Chicken blood leaking on cheese, roach infestations, moldy foods and raw meat stored on dirty shelves are among violations Kansas Department of Agriculture inspectors discovered during recent local food safety and lodging inspections.

Every week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. From Nov. 24 to Nov. 30, nine Wichita-area restaurants, stores, hotels and other businesses that serve or sell food or rent rooms to the public made the non-compliant list.

Inspectors found few or no violations at more than 30 others deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules. You can see a list of those entities here.

Inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other public health risks. Violations are common.

Businesses can fail if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that can’t be fixed right away. Most of the time, they correct issues in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately are serving food that’s more than a week old, employees mishandling food and dirty kitchen conditions.

But sometimes issues might take days or weeks to correct, like pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems. It’s rare, but a business may temporarily shut down over violations.

Places that fail are usually reinspected within 10 days.

The list in this story was compiled on Dec. 4 using information available from the state on that date. It only contains entities in Sedgwick County, but you can search food and lodging inspection results elsewhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.

Afghan Halal Market, 1044 S. Oliver in Wichita — Thirteen violations on Nov. 26 during a routine inspection. Violations include several foods that don’t have business information or their common names on their labels in English, ingredients and allergens weren’t listed on some labels, raw beef stored over cooked beef and chicken hot dogs, raw meats stored without protection from contamination, boxes of produce stored on the floor, no test strips for chlorine sanitizer, raw ground beef and raw chicken weren’t cold enough in a display cold case, raw meat was stored directly on a dusty and dirty shelf in the walk-in cooler, no sanitizer available, moldy taro and cucumbers. Next inspection: Dec. 6.

Best Western Plus Wichita West Airport Inn, 3800 W. Kellogg Drive in Wichita — Two violations on Nov. 27 during a follow-up inspection. Violations include raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat pastries and fruits, live and dead roaches seen in the kitchen. Next inspection: Dec. 7.

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport, 2098 S. Airport Road in Wichita — Five violations on Nov. 25 during a modified complaint inspection. Violations include no state-approved plan for vacuum packaging raw Italian sausage and cooked sausage and chicken, no state-approved plan for cooking chicken sous-vide, cooked chicken wasn’t labeled with its preparation date, no paper towels at hand-washing sink, cooked pasta and Italian sausage didn’t have the correct preparation dates on them, cooked chicken wasn’t labeled with its preparation date. Next inspection: Dec. 10.

Joy Tea, 11414 E. Central, Suite 100 in Wichita — Six violations on Nov. 26 during a routine inspection. Violations include no written plan for cleaning up vomiting or diarrhea incidents, boba pearls not held at the proper temperature, several commercially prepared foods including coconut milk and cream cheese spread weren’t labeled with the dates their packages were opened, no soap at hand-washing sink, several foods made at the restaurant including waffle batter and milk tea weren’t labeled with their preparation dates, no food thermometers on site. Next inspection: Dec. 6.

Local Flavor, 5400 E. Central in Wichita — Ten violations on Nov. 26 during a routine inspection. Violations include posole in hot holding not kept at a high-enough temperature, several kitchen utensils including cutting boards and knives weren’t cleaned often enough, no sanitizer in dishwashing machine, no written plan for cleaning up vomiting or diarrhea incidents, dead fruit flies in bottles of Kentucky Gentleman and Jim Beam, several foods in refrigeration including ribs and raw fish weren’t kept cold enough, no verifiable employee illness policy in place, dessert chimichangas and rice weren’t labeled with their preparation dates, dirty meat slicer, no consumer advisory on the menu warning customers of the risks of eating undercooked burgers and eggs. Next inspection: Dec. 6.

McDonald’s, 1645 S. Webb in Wichita — Four violations on Nov. 25 during a routine inspection. Violations include raw bacon stored above ready-to-eat sausage gravy, build-up of dried ice cream on ice cream machine, shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes weren’t kept cold enough, leaking backflow prevention device at mop sink. Next inspection: Dec. 5.

Royal Lodge, 320 E. Kellogg in Wichita — Four violations on Nov. 26 during a modified complaint inspection. Violations include pest activity that the owner knew about but didn’t immediately report to the state, adult roach on the wall in the bathroom of one room, smoke alarm was missing batteries and didn’t work, the motel was renting a room infested with pests. Next inspection: Dec. 6.

Smash Bros (mobile vendor/food truck), 9809 W. Par Lane in Wichita — Seven violations on Nov. 26 during its first operational inspection after licensing. Violations include no test strips for dish sanitizer, no food probe thermometer, unlabeled chemical bottles, raw hamburger thawing at room temperature, hand-washing sink blocked by a tote and bag of onions, hand-washing sink filled with tubs and bottles, raw hamburger stored above commercial sauces, no water available at hand-washing sink. Next inspection: Dec. 6.

Wyndham Garden Wichita Downtown, 221 E. Kellogg in Wichita — Eight violations on Nov. 27 during a routine inspection. Violations include no test strips for chlorine sanitizer used in dishwashing machine, dirty knives and can opener, dirty pans and dough rolling pin, cream cheese and butter were stored at room temperature, bag of raw chicken leaking blood was stored on top of a case of bagged shredded cheese, no paper towels at hand-washing sinks, waffle mix was stored at room temperature but wasn’t labeled with the time it was taken out of refrigeration, no staff was around when the breakfast buffet was open, molded black olives. Next inspection: Dec. 7.

If you see problems at a food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint.

To notify the state about unsavory or questionable conditions anywhere that serves or sells food to the public, email kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767. You can also file a complaint at www.foodsafetykansas.org.

To report an illness you think was caused by a restaurant, food or event where food was served, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317 or www.foodsafetykansas.org.

Complaints about conditions at hotels and motels can be submitted at www.agriculture.ks.gov/public-resources/comments-complaints/lodging-complaint.

For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Note: Sometimes addresses listed — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — are not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly for specific service locations.

The violation summaries were compiled and drafted with the help of AI tools. They were fact-checked for accuracy and edited by Wichita Eagle journalists.

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Home/Firefighting/Fire Department Leadership

Chance Swaim – The Wichita Eagle

At the center of the controversy is a federal grant that pays the salaries of 42 firefighters and is set to expire in spring 2026, the same year the city estimates it will have a multimillion dollar shortfall. Snow told Bush during a private conversation that Wu had told her to lay off the firefighters funded under the SAFER grant program and rehire them later using funds from another federal grant.

Bush recorded the conversation and turned it over to the Wichita Ethics Board to determine whether Wu violated a city ordinance that prohibits elected officials from unilaterally meddling in the hiring and firing of city employees without a council vote.

The ethics board cleared Wu in the case after Snow and Wu denied that the mayor directed the fire chief to lay off 42 firefighters, which would have been a violation of the ethics policy. Instead, the board found, Wu had discussed it with Snow as a budgeting idea that was ultimately abandoned.

Bush said he chose to release the audio of his conversation with Snow after Wu accused him of lying, bullying and “sowing division in our community.”

“I filed the complaint to get the truth,” Bush said in an interview. “I had no reason to believe Chief Tammy Snow lied to me when she told me Mayor Wu told her she needed to lay off 42 firefighters.”

Now, Bush said, he’s not sure what to believe. In a news release Thursday night, he wrote, “It seems to me that the question that should be asked now is was Chief Tammy Snow lying then or is she lying now?”

“I believe that Mayor Wu has been consistent in her denials and, if I were her, I’d be angry right now, too,” Bush wrote. “However, I believe that her anger is misplaced. Mayor Wu is right, this was not a misunderstanding. These actions undermine the trust and faith firefighters must have in their Chief. The series of events that led us to today are frankly appalling. I would ask for Mayor Wu to join us in asking for a clear answer — why did Chief Tammy Snow claim that Mayor Wu came into her office and said ‘I need to lay off the 42 firefighters from the Safer Grant?’

“The question must be asked, if Mayor Wu never suggested or intended on laying off Wichita Firefighters, where did this come from,” Bush wrote. “Was it Chief Snow’s suggestion or was it City Manager Bob Layton’s suggestion?”

Snow issued a written statement on Thursday night through city spokesperson Megan Lovely, apologizing for the misunderstanding.

“As the Chief of the City’s Fire Department, my first, last, and always responsibility and focus is the safety of every Wichita resident and the welfare of the brave men and women who honorably serve the City and the department,” Snow wrote. “This makes my disappointment in this misunderstanding that much more personally difficult.”

“In a private conversation among colleagues, I reiterated my continued support for all of the men and women of the department. I was clearly not as direct as I should have been regarding the conversation between Mayor Wu and me as she never instructed me to do anything. I’m sorry that Ted (Bush) misinterpreted my immense support for the department as anything untoward. My intention was to have a transparent and candid discussion with union leadership as we ensure we are well-positioned to serve the community at the highest level possible.

“For that I apologize to Mayor Wu and the community for in any way causing a distraction from anything other than the Wichita Fire Department’s laser focus on keeping Wichita safe.”

The recording from September shows Snow and Bush discussing staffing troubles within the Wichita Fire Department and a proposal to eliminate 42 firefighter positions funded by a federal SAFER Grant and then rehire them with funding from a new federal grant.

“I don’t know what the mayor’s issue with that is,” Snow can be heard saying in the recording.

“She’s not stupid,” Bush said in response. “She gets rid of 42 fire positions, she’ll get smashed.” Bush clarified in an interview that he meant politically smashed.

“That’s what I told her,” Snow responded. “I said, look. I said, I can do whatever you tell me to do — because she came in, she goes, ‘You need to lay off the 42 firefighters from the SAFER Grant.'”

Snow told Bush in the recording that she then pushed back against Wu’s demand but said “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do, but I owe it to you as a department director to tell you the repercussions.”

Snow said if Wichita provided the firefighters with layoff notices, they would likely have to return $10.2 million in federal money they received for the grant program. Then the city would likely be unsuccessful in getting new grant funding after failing to meet the requirements of the first grant.

“You cannot turn money back in on a grant and ever expect the federal government to fund you again,” Snow said in the recording. “… So I told her that, and she didn’t like what I had to say, and so she went right upstairs to Bob (Layton) and pretty soon I get a phone call from him wanting me to give him the specifics. So I give him the specifics, and that’s when they backed away from it.”

“And then your help,” Snow said, referencing the Firefighters’ Union. “You guys helped at the budget thing. But they’re back. It’s back on the budget thing.”

Wichita (KS) Mayor Cleared in Ethics Probe Over ‘Budgeting Idea’ to Lay Off 42 Firefighters

Wichita Fire Union Accuses Mayor of Ordering Firefighter Layoffs

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