March is Women’s History Month – a chance for us to highlight the incredible women who work for or have served Sedgwick County. Meet Betsy Gwin, Chloe La Combe and Peggy Meairs.

Betsy Gwin was the first woman elected to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) in 1990 and served until 2002.

She represented District 1. In 1991, she was elected as the Chair Pro Tem and then became the first woman to lead the BoCC as the Chair in 1992. Not only did she bring her confidence and sense of humor to the post, she also brought her aspirations of building and improving partnerships with other governments, agencies and businesses across Kansas.

Chloe La Combe works in Human Resources and is an axe-throwing enthusiast. Check out her story to learn more about her job, her passions and her thoughts on Women's History Month in the video below.

Peggy Meairs is breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated industry of construction. She is a Construction Inspector for our Public Works Department. Watch this video below as she shares her passion for the job and challenges as a woman in construction.

Visit our social platforms throughout the month to discover the many extraordinary women highlighted.

Daylight Saving Time

Don’t forget! Daylight Saving starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. Spring your clocks forward and prepare to lose an hour of sleep but gain an hour of sunlight. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors. Make sure you are replacing all smoke alarms every 10 years.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week

It's Severe Weather Preparedness Week - with a focus on family preparedness, the key to keeping you and your loved ones safe from storms. It's also important to recognize all kinds of dangerous storms, not just tornadoes. Lightning actually kills more people each year. Sedgwick County Emergency Management wants to help your family learn and prepare.

You can take a free severe weather safety class through Sedgwick County Emergency Management: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/media/66091/2024-severe-weather-class-flyer.pdf.

Click to watch the videos:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrAQMqs9N7w

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwz-S7RgXbQ

Early In-Person Voting

Advance in-person voting at the Election Office is underway! Head to the Sedgwick County Historic Courthouse now and make your voice heard. Early voting is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - so don't delay, vote today!

Severe weather season is almost here! Sedgwick County Emergency Management wants to help your family prepare now so you can stay safe. On March 12 and 13 join us for a FREE severe weather safety class exclusively for Sedgwick County residents.

For the full schedule, click: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/media/66091/2024-severe-weather-class-flyer.pdf.

The 2024 Presidential Preference Primary is nearly here! While the last day to submit an advance mail ballot application has passed, advance in-person voting has begun and the Presidential Primary Election Day is March 19.

Visit here to see the entire calendar of important events: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/elections/election-office-calendar-of-important-dates/.

The Kansas Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and the Drive to Zero (DTZ) Coalition are developing a new safety corridor program. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has established this in North Sedgwick County on I-135 and it is expected to improve safety through 2028.

A safety corridor is a section of highway selected for increased road user education, increased enforcement of traffic safety laws and consideration of engineering strategies. To learn more: https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.

EMPAC - Employee Assistance Program

Sedgwick County’s EAP program, EMPAC, can help. When you or a household member need trusted professional help, EMPAC, is just a phone call away. For more than 40 years, EMPAC has been helping employees thrive in their personal and professional lives by providing caring and compassionate support.

Free and confidential EMPAC services include 12 phone, video- or in-person sessions per year for personal and professional needs such as:

• Stress, depression, anxiety
• Family and parenting concerns
• Marital and relationship challenges
• Workplace conflicts
• Alcohol or drug dependency
• Grief and loss

Get started. Make your free appointment today. 316.265.9922 | 800.234.0630 | empac-eap.com