Schneider Supporters Rally Behind Him
Schneider Supporters Rally Behind Him Save Email Print
Posted: 7:53 PM Jan 8, 2008
Last Updated: 7:53 PM Jan 8, 2008
Reporter: Chris Sadeghi
Email Address: chris.sadeghi@kake.com

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Patients of a local doctor facing a federal indictment accused of over-prescribing pain medication - come out in his support Tuesday, and ask the state to keep Dr. Stephen Schneider's Haysville clinic open.

Martin Beatty, a patient of Dr. Schneider says, "I wasn't comfortable with the options of surgery or long-term care using steroids." He went to Dr. Schneider for help.

As did many, many others. Those patients are now wondering what the doctor's possible indictment means for them.

" People in pain who are on pain treament are in a terrible precarious position, and if they lose their pain care, they can literally die.
says Siobhan Reynolds of the Pain Relief Network.

The question of whether Dr. Schneider's medical license will be revoked will be decided next week.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 11, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Did he give you antibiotics for the infection? This is none of my business, so if you don't feel comfortable answering, then please don't. But, do you take anything like Xanax, Ativan, Valium, or Klonopin for your anxiety? If so, the withdrawals from any of those, or a combination of those, can be life threatening. No way should you just run out of a benzodiazepine (the list above) and attempt to tolerate the withdrawal. Since the doctor agreed to see you, you now have a doctor-patient relationship and he is responsible for you until you see another physician for those same issues. If he lets you suffer withdrawal from your pain meds, that is cruel and unneccessary, but not life threatening. If he allows you to run out of the benzos, that is malpractice, in my opinion. If I were you, I would call his nurse and tell her you are afraid to run out of the benzos because you have heard it can cause seizures and possibly death to just quit taking them. Write down the date and .

Posted by: l.d. Location: ks on Feb 4, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Not only are we all going to have to try and live with the vchronic pain as we all must have tried or wouldnt have went for help to begine with. those who abuse or use for other reasons make it hard for us that really need it. And has anyone thought about how sick you will get , i did my researchand we could die from this ,,frankly im scared an i didnt just go there for my neck and back pain ,they were my family doc as well.I have to much to live for and the meds helped me to to live some what of a quality life,i have 2 grand children.and 2 kids,grown up but there my kids ,how am i gonna be there for them ,if i not here.Please someone step up and help us that need the care,And i was left hanging on other health issues that need attention now.staff infection ,dont know how i got it ,from a hospital visiting? know ifeal,and i believe limp nodes that or something that isnt right nad it scares me they might be tumors.any help would be app.thanks hope?

Posted by: A Location: wichita on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I suffer from pain that will never go away w/out surgery. I can't afford to pay for an operation and can't even find an ins. company willing to cover my back. Now, with the DEA and other authorities playing doctor, it is extremely difficult for me to find any type of pain management. Legitimate doctors are to afraid to prescribe any medications to help. I don't use pills to get high and take great offense to people calling Schneider "a licensed drug dealer." If you do some research, Schneider was simply following procedure and titrating his patients dosages as their tolerance increased. This is all part of normal opioid pain management. The ones who overdosed and died had to have abused the medication. The addicts were lying to obtain their medication. It is not right to put a doctor in jail for doing exactly what he was trained to do. Blame to addicts and cons for their own mistakes. For anyone who unkowingly got addicted to pain killers, some advice: Research meds before u take them

Posted by: Me Location: wichita on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:13 PM
IN RESPONSE TO ANNE'S COMMENT, "As a recovering prescription pill addict, I know that Dr. Schneider is completely guilty. I myself have gone to his clinic and received a prescription for Xanax as well as Lortabs. I was able to obtain these by "claiming" panic attacks and pain. It was very easy to do at this clinic. Most of the time when I went in, I was able to talk to the Dr. or PA in 10 min and walk out with a script. He needs to be closed down...for good." LISTEN TO YOURSELF. YOU ADMIT THAT YOU LIED AND "'CLAIMED'" TO HAVE PAIN AND PANIC ATTACKS TO OBTAIN PILLS AND FEED YOUR ADDICTION. YOU SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL INSTEAD FOR DEFRAUDING A MEDICAL PROFFESSIONAL IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE! YOU ARE THE LAW-BREAKING, CON-ARTIST, DRUG ADDICT. TO ALL OTHERS WHO BLAME DR. SCHNEIDER FOR "ADDICTING" PATIENTS TO PAIN PILLS: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DOCTORS TO TREAT PAIN. IF PATIENTS CHOOSE TO ABUSE THIS TREATMENT THEN THEY ARE SOLELY AT FAULT FOR THEIR ADDICTION.

Posted by: Me Location: Wichita on Jan 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Its funny how the cost of pills on the street have sky-rocketed since the closing of the clinic... Get it? Helloooo

Posted by: P Location: Wichita on Jan 13, 2008 at 09:51 AM
A hearing is set for the patients to defend their addiction is what is comes down too. Too bad the ex- patients, like myself that (followed the doctors orders) won't come forward and rally to keep the clinic closed. Long term care of over prescribed pain meds that turned people into addicts and ruined their lives. I'm still under going psychotherapy and psychiatric care because of my trust in following the doctors orders.. Its sad to say that it took the officals long enough to catch on. Hopefully the patients that are left will open their eyes and find a good doctor that will help them with the pain and addiction that Schneider left them with.

Posted by: C Location: Wichita on Jan 12, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Reply to haysville resident---nobody ever said to take motrin for gall stone etc....but you are talking stupid when you say people are gonna die...because they already are and its BECAUSE people like you (probably) think you need lortab for minor injuries or for that time when you hurt your back 30 years ago. There are many other good even great doctors in this community...heres some advice...go see one. Look at the numbers, many and I many many more people have died from your dr's treatment with increasing narcotic pain medications. Maybe you should take this as a blessing he will be convicted before you were another tally to the death list!!!

Posted by: Jamie Sitzes Location: Wichita on Jan 11, 2008 at 10:20 PM
i have a problem with they way thing's are with dr schneider if it was not for him i might not be here he is the one who found out that i needed a histerectomy and has took care of my migrians. not only with pain med. but for the the love and care he give's to all!!! he can not open people's mouth to make them take pain meds so there for he has done no wrong !!! they all need to leave him out of there problem's so people just like to try to get rich!! and this is one of the ways they are doing. and if you tell other doctors you'r a schneidre patient they will not!!! see you. so please free a good doctor

Posted by: k Location: east ict on Jan 10, 2008 at 08:34 PM
hmmm..was it 53 have died....so if this clinic is closed....thousands...will die??? give me a break h town resident.... heck..there are other clincs in this town that will feed lortab ita...ks....i mean wichita ks ...half of the people builting airplanes are on loratab....dee dee dee

Posted by: haysville Resident Location: haysville on Jan 10, 2008 at 02:59 PM
So appearently none of ya'll have had severe back pain. Gall stones,enlarged spleen need surgery but can't afford it. Any takers. All of you don't understand that some of us do really hurt. You think it is so easy to just sit there and mock and complain. Do any of you realize how many deaths there is going to be if his clinic is shut down. you don't like the doc then don't go. Keep the clinic open with another doc in there that will help these people with their addictions. Don't just leave them hanging. 90% of these people will DIE or go CRAZY. Just remember how you feel now next time you have surgery or brake a bone and don't have anything but motrin. Then come back tell us to grow up and deal with the pain.

Posted by: C Location: Wichita on Jan 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM
I work in the medical field and I do believe in treating pain BUT I do NOT believe in the people that addict themselves by wanting the "quick fix" to simple problems/injuries. Those people can take tylenol or motrin or just realize that sometimes you do stub a toe etc. and deal with the pain like a normal person. Again I do believe in treating pain for say a broken bone etc. but not for those people (few or many) who waste medical professionals time for outragious reasons. Dr. Schneider just happened to be a doctor willing to allow his patients to become/stay addicted to narcotic pain medications instead of telling them to grow up and deal with some pain!!!

Posted by: Jesus Location: OZ on Jan 9, 2008 at 10:51 PM
After Dr Schneider; the people with chronic pain will suffer the most. They will not be able to get their medications from another doctor because now they are marked. Doctors are afraid to prescribe pain medications because they can easily become targets themselves and end up in jail. There is no objective medical test that can prove or disprove that a person is having pain. (If there is please post it). Everyone criticizing the good Dr Schneider has something to gain: either attorney fees, cash settlements, relief of guilt for not looking after their loved ones, or a political motive. All are bottom feeders just like the "drug addicts" that you loathe.

Posted by: Real People Real Pain Location: Wichita on Jan 9, 2008 at 08:31 PM
If you lie to the Dr to get pain meds, then YOU are the guilty party not the Dr who tried to help you Anne. Take responsiblity for your own decisions. You sought out the meds, bought the meds, and you swallowed those pills. You should be in JAIL not the Dr. who was compassionate enough to want to help you. Accept responsiblity for your actions - grow up! If you have never lived with chronic pain, then you have no idea what it is like and how hard it is to find a Dr willing to help you. Stop judging others and try a little compassion for those in pain - who knows one day it could be you or someone you love and then you will see how hard it really is!

Posted by: k Location: east ict on Jan 9, 2008 at 04:30 PM
what happened to Anne is exactley what my ex wife was doing and she was a patient of the doc's too....she could go 7 days a week get her pills..or have a panic attack and get jus about anything.....he is nothing more than a licensed drug dealer!! period

Posted by: Are You Surprised? Location: Wichita on Jan 9, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I for one am not at all surprised that Schneiders patients support him. He got them addicted and now supplies their drugs. Of course they don't want him in jail so they can continue to receive tons of narcotics

Posted by: CHRIS Location: WICHITA on Jan 9, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I POSTED A COMMENT ON ANOTHER BLOG ABOUT SCHNEIDER, HE JUST KEPT GIVIN MY UNCLE PAIN MEDS, HE WENT TO A DIF DOC AFTER 3/MOS OF SCHEIDER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE HIM & FOUND OUT HE HAD CANCER.....MY UNCLE DIED THIS MORNING...

Posted by: Anne Location: Wichita on Jan 9, 2008 at 11:47 AM
As a recovering prescription pill addict, I know that Dr. Schneider is completely guilty. I myself have gone to his clinic and received a prescription for Xanax as well as Lortabs. I was able to obtain these by "claiming" panic attacks and pain. It was very easy to do at this clinic. Most of the time when I went in, I was able to talk to the Dr. or PA in 10 min and walk out with a script. He needs to be closed down...for good.

Posted by: car 54 Location: where are you on Jan 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM
kathy its notthe ones that where legit in getting the meds from this dr. that got him in trouble its the drug dealers and abusers he was dealing to that had no need for the meds other than to make money opr get high that got him.

Posted by: Kathy on Jan 9, 2008 at 08:18 AM
I have never been to see Dr. Schneider, but as a person that has lifetime chronic pain that is an daily issue, I appreciate a Dr. willing to listen to that issue. He should not be facing a trial but applauded for helping people with real problems. Of course there are drug seekers out there, but there are also people like me that suffer extreme pain and there is nothing short of pain medication that helps. Aspirin is like drinking water to us. So shame on you. Do people die because they did the wrong thing, yes they do. But the Dr. helping them should not be held accountable. The families are looking for someone to blame when there is no one.

Posted by: john holmes Location: burden on Jan 9, 2008 at 06:23 AM
wow next time wichita takes down a drug dealer on the street corner. Are his addicts going to rally around him in the same way? Using a worthless petition asking to leave him be. These people must not have found another dealer that can continue to help carry out there demise.

Posted by: Brandon Location: wichita on Jan 8, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I really agree with the state to close this medical facility. I have heard from many people the live in the hasville area for a long time what has been going on with that clinic. And i strongly disagree with Siobhan Reynolds from the Pain Relief Network. Is that even certified medical corporaton? There are how many hundreds of Dr.'s in the hasville wichita and derby area? If people are on pain medications to keep them from dieing anyother Dr. should have no reason not to see what is wrong with the and deny them suitable treatment, as in medication form. They aren't going to die just because they don't get pills from one dr. and if it comes to the point that they are going to stick up for the Dr. anymore that by ordinary means i would check to see if those patients have any police records of Possesion and intent to distribute. That Dr. if he is truly over prescribing he is aiding in drug dealing. But that is just one mans oppinion.

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    Showcased Comments
    Fire Department: Fireworks Are Illegal In Most Of Sedgwick County
    • Posted By: Park city looked like the first Iraq war last night!!! It was spectacular,the whole sky was lit up waaayyyy into the night in ALL neighborhoods...like it is EVERY year and did not have ONE incident of a feild or house fire! Sorry you people in Wichita did not get to enjoy! If you're good...we might let you come and see us shoot them next year...but thats only if you're good..kiddys.
    • Posted By: StacyThese guidelines are good. However, I'm new to Wichita and I have to say I'm shocked at how many people shoot off fireworks in the city proper and in parking lots of businesses andapartment buildings (like the one I live in). If it's illegal to do this, why on earth is it so commonplace? I was in the military for a few years, about 3 of which were spent in a lot of different areas of the continental U.S., not to mention the nearly 18 years I grew up in mosly Montana. I never before have seen an entire city with so many amateur fireworks displays inside of city limits. Law enforcement, why aren't you enforcing anything?
    • Posted By: AnonymousI agree with Frankie although the sedgwick county fire department says they only enforce the law, they pushed for the fireworks ban. I believe the original was in 1978. I know it was after bottle rockets were made illegal in Kansas. I wish government would quit trying to protect us from ourselves, we need protection from them. I'm sure our tax dollars paid for the signs, putting them up, and then for taking them down stuck all over! KAKE needs to go through it's archives and find the original ban the sedgwick county commissioners signed and also read the constitution it says that we have the right to celebrate our independance with fireworks. For those complaining about fires in rural areas I've lived out in rural sedgwick for over 50 years and the instance of a house or wheatfield fire being caused by fireworks is pretty uncommon. It's a sparsely populated area unlike city living and fireworks tend to go up not shoot out for miles. Farmers intentionally light the stubble after harvest!
    • Posted By: FirefighterFireworks were banned in Sedgwick County in 1978. Why? There weren't enough firefighters and equipment to go around. Calls were waiting for a response. Firefighters came to work at 7:00 and didn't see their station until the following morning. There were was much damage to fire equipment. The County department had a tank truck roll. This type of response had been occuring for several years. This doesn't even speak to the damage to stuctures, possesions and the persons that where injured. The departments and civic leaders said enough,and fireworks were banned. Some of you say we are unamerican. Far from the truth. You have asked us to watch after you and assist in the time of need. Sometimes that means prevetion instead of action. I love fireworks as much as the next person. Fireworks have slowly made it back into many communities. If everyone can prove they have self control and caution when using fireworks then, they may come back everywhere. Stay safe this 4th.
    • Posted By: AnonymousI guess I'm one of the hundreds of others that did not realize ALL FIREWORKS WERE ILLEGAL! (At least For those of us living outside a city limits in sedgwick county). I knew that while some cities Belle Plaine, Clearwater, Haysville, etc.. chose to allow BIG STUFF (the aerials) Wichita did not. The 78' fireworks ban was for the BIG STUFF!! The unincorporated areas had to follow sedgwick county's allowable fireworks same as the city of wichita chose to do. What year did they sneak in NO FIREWORKS AT ALL OF ANY TYPE for unincorporated sedgwick county?? It wasn't in the original ban. Living outside the city limits of any town, even when ALL FIREWORKS were allowed there were no fireworks stands out here, and the news was saying buy where you live, I called the no fire number for the sedgwick county fire department and asked where we should buy fire works that would be legal and I was told in wichita city limits. This is unconstitutional, prejudiced and segregates rural sedgwick county!!!!
    • Posted By: George WashingtonThis is all silly. I am going outside to set off Fireworks.
    • Posted By: SusanOk, I will expect everyone who is upset to show up at the next Sedgwick County council meeting. If you don't even at least call your councilman, than you should not complain.
    • Posted By: ShaunI think that people in the county needs to remember that this day is to celebrate or freedom as a country!!! China gave us fireworks to help US and a COUNRTY celebrate. To me this is UNAMERICAN!!! Yes, i agree that the big ones that can set major fires sould probly not be shot in rural areas. And all though this law don't affect me personally, it still does as I am a soldier and an American. I am proud of my country. Even if I could only shoot off fountains or what ever I still think that is better than nothing. As long as the person shooting them off is doing it on a concrete surface I don't see why they can't have small fireworks!!!!!
    • Posted By: donald otnesMy daughter called me at 10:15 pm on July 2, 2009. She had people setting off fireworks in her housing district. The kids were firing off the ones that sound like a bomb going off. Are people that stupid to let kids have fireworks that could blow up and take a hand off or even there face.
    • Posted By: miss americaMy family is apparently among the wild, irresponsible rednecks in unincorporated Sedgwick county that have shot off fireworks every year on the 4th since I was a baby. It's true there is a need to protect farmers' wheatfields, so I can understand why the county might ban the big fireworks that fly up in the air, and bottle rockets, etc. But, why shouldn't we be able to at least set off the smaller fireworks, such as fountains, that are less dangerous? Why are our families denied the privilege of celebrating the 4th in a safe, fun way just because we live in the unincorporated areas? This fireworks ban on the 4th needs to be loosened up. It's really not fair.
    • Posted By: aThink about this people! Fireworks are loud and anoying! I am so sick of people setting them off late at night while we are trying to sleep! My baby is being kept up by fireworks because people set them off at two in the morning!Please just think about where you are setting them off like close to houses and apartment buildings. Those are not good places to be doing them!
    • Posted By: Firefighters daughterFor those who think that firefighters just "sit around" you obviously have no idea what these people do. Just looking at the 4th, I can recall as a child how we all wondered if my dad would get to finish his hamburger before being called out to yet another of the many fires he went on that day . The work they do isn't restricted to a summer holiday. Think about the gear they wear...heavy coats, boots, air tanks, even on 100 degree days. Take a walk in their boots and face the fires, car accidents, tornado/storms, floods, and other emergencies they must face with courage, calm, and strength in order to save lives and property. As for "washing the truck" and other maintenance that must be done, do you want a rusted out, broken hosed truck showing up at your house because they DIDN't do those things? I hope they do get a chance to relax, eat, sleep, etc. between the emergencies they must face. I want a well rested and ready fire fighter showing up at my house should I ever need one
    • Posted By: rebeccahey does anyone know if the little boy that went into QT has been found? I know this isn't the topic but I just wanted to know.
    • Posted By: h: I believe that fireworks like Black Cats can be used in Derby as well as Wichita (it's been a long time since I've done any here so I wouldn't definitely know). But they might be setting off something bigger like an M50. The main problems they've had is with the ones that burst into showers of colored balls and sparks like we see in the big displays, roman candles, M80s and the ones that spray out sparks. The Eagle Beacon, last year, said that a good rule of thumb is if they shoot out sparks more than about 6 feet from the device then they are probably illegal.
    • Posted By: hwell they are sure shooting them in derby and we're in sedgwick county either they are not banned or the police in derby are not doing anything about the ones that are shooting off fireworks already. Frankly I'm sick of it, the neighborhood kids are shooting them off close to my property and my dogs are having fits, a call to the local police dpt says nothing they can do....so if they are banned in sedgwick county then they should be banned in derby and the derby police dpt needs to start enforcing the ban, if they aren't banned in derby then they need to be, there are other ways of having a good time on the 4th of July without having to endanger your yard, my yard, your life!!!!
    • Posted By: If everyone was a responible person that means for their self and for the one's that have children, then we wouldn't have had these laws made.The population is so high now that the fire departments are on overload because of the people that will not take responsiblity for their actions.And as far as the fire department setting around!!! Let your house be on fire and then have to wait because these people are not at their work area's because you think they are setting around.I would hate for them to be kept busy 24/7. What would happen to our town without them if that were the case.Already the street that I live on is littered with trash from fire works because people are not responsibly.(not all)
    • Posted By: DI completely agree with Anonymous at 9:26. Linda, unless you've been living under a rock, it's been well known for years that fireworks are illegal in the city limits. They make the same announcements every year. They don't sell the "big" illegal fireworks in the city but everyone still goes out of city limits to buy them and then come back home and shoot them off out in the neighborhood streets. I've seen fireworks in my neighborhood that would rival the ones at riverfest and Lawrence Dumont stadium and they aren't legal in the city.
    • Posted By: Cliff: That's true but when they are burned off purposely there are fire control measures in place. When someone sets a fire with fireworks they tend to run away and then it gets out of control. Like I said, I've missed work because of people who do this. The reason why they made them illegal in Sedgwick County to begin with is because most people here are not responsible enough to use them safely. And Linda: They've been telling people every year that they are illegal. Most people just don't pay attention. And they only selll fireworks in Wichita that you can set off in Wichita. That's why they've always said "Shoot them where you buy them".
    • Posted By: RodI'm with 'Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 08:08 AM'... Helps us Obama! We need you to protect us from ourselves! ALL PRAISE OBAMA!!!
    • Posted By: LindaOk, for one I think if they were illegal, than why didn't we know about it along time ago. I bet that the majority of the people that lives in Wichita didn't know this, and I think it is not right to start enforcing it NOW, I mean come on the main reason why people shoot of fireworks is for the kids entertainment, Also if its going to be illegal than why on earth should selling fireworks at the stands not be? People see the signs that fireworks are illegal, but when they are driving around wichita and see firework stands it just tempts them that much more. So I think its not right.
    • Posted By: cliffanonomous at 8;08, fireworks are a tradition on the fourth of july. and the "tinderbox "harvesed wheat fields are usually burnt off this time of year anyway even without fireworks.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket Roger: What makes you think being American means you should have the right to set off explosives? For the idiots who think they need to have fireworks: how many of you have to call into work and tell your boss you can't come in because some moron set fire to your house or yard? What about when they go outside the city & set them off in newly harvested wheat fields that are nothing more than tinderboxes at this time of year? Every year for the past six years I've lost pay because idiots cannot control themselves or the fires they set.
    • Posted By: donits really sad,,,,we are not hardly even "independent" anymore,,,the government has "used" up all are rights,,,,,like the ol' saying goes though "just be glad your not getting ALL the government you pay for",,,,,period, end of sentence !!!!
    • Posted By: Anonymous who is coming down on firefighters and their "lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals" has no clue what firefighters do and how many calls many of the stations get,though many are medical. Firefighters are not exactly unpatriotic joy-squelchers, but they are supposed to educate the general public about fire safety. If you even understood all the job entailed you wouldn't talk like that.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket RogerWhen I lived in a town just north of wichita,we were able to shoot fireworks ALL day long for a week..Park City allows fireworks ALL day long for week,NO problems in either town! We celebrate the 4th like americans in these towns! The people that made fireworks illegal in Wichita and hate the fireworks are ALL UNAMERICAN! Go hide in you're basements and shake like a coward..the M80's are coming!
    • Posted By: We need two things immediately. One, a petition to remove this descriminatory 1978 law against residents of the county, and secondly, another petition to remove the authors of this law if they are still in office, and any other person in authority that supports it. I'll drive any distance to sign those petitions. Our tax dollars were used to print and post these signs and will also be used again to remove them, and patrol neighborhoods looking for little kids shooting ladyfinger firecrackers. This travesty of the use of our tax dollars must be exposed with those that have attacked Independence Day.
    • Posted By: BobEnforce the law! Many firewoks are dangerous, destructive, and disturbing--especially to pets.
    • Posted By: I never knew there were so many un-educated people around the state. It even says in the text of the story, that the fire department is not going to be doing extra patrolling, due to staffing. People are very careless with their fireworks in the "uncorperated" area's of the county. You add wind, and some dry wood, or brush.. And you cause a very dangerous situation, and put those "poorly staffed" fire deparments that respond in danger. ****If you live in a town/city in "sedgwick County".. you need to check your local laws. The no fireworks law - is for "uncorprated" - aka *NOT IN CITY LIMITS*
    • Posted By: MichelleCan't we come to a compromise? Make them illigal everyday of the year, except the 4th? I agree with the ones on here that said we are celebrating our FREEDOM! This is what the USA is about. Hotdogs, baseball and fireworks! 8-)
    • Posted By: Kristy"But many like Sedgwick County Resident Michael Dixson don't plan on breaking the law." Seriously - someone who writes for a news station should be familiar with proper grammar usage.
    • Posted By: How ironic it is that it's Independance Day however; they tell you that you can't fire off any fireworks.....at least any that are worth paying money for. Yes, we're slowly on our way to becoming a communist country. I miss Archie Bunker!
    • Posted By: Why even celebrate??? Pretty sad when Amerians can't participate in the tradation and celebration of America's Indepandance. I feel for you rual Sedwick County people. Sedwick County SUCKS!!
    • Posted By: TimThe Fire Department IS NOT encouraging people to call 911 every time they see people shooting fireworks, this will create an unnecessary strain on the 911 system. The problem is being worked on and will take time to get things all straightened out. If you have an emergency or a problem that warrants calling 911 by all means call 911. What is not needed is a call to 911 every time you see someone shooting a firecracker.
    • Posted By: The fire departments are going out of their way with NO FIREWORKS signs just because they don't want to have to work any more than they have to. Little fire here and there disrupts their lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals!
    • Posted By: topperat one time you couldn't shoot fire works in dodge, now that we can the 2nd through the 5th i think. i havent heard of more fires or whatever it is you think is going to happen if you were to allow.. its the 4th of july, and you stoping people from celebrating. thats dumb if you ask me. besides, people are going to shoot them off no matter what you do.
    • Posted By: FrankieThe Fire Department says it only enforces the law against fireworks in Sedgwick County, but I've lived here since 1938 and I remember that it was the Sedgwick County Fire Department that pushed for the County Commissioners to pass the illegal fireworks law.
    • Posted By: anoymousIt is a little confusing, because Park City has fireworks tents all over, but I thought Bel Aire and Park City were actually their own "cities", and not part of unincorporated Sedgwick County. And they are allowed in Goddard,I checked out the website. I wish there was a central list posted where they are legal/illegal, because I do think there is confusion about this, especially when I thought I heard people in Bel Aire saying they purchased permits in the past. Can anyone elaborate?
    • Posted By: DebbyIf they are illegal why are they sold in the city where they are illegal?
    • Posted By: Isn't it funny how it's called Independance Day but yet big brother wants to tell us we can't shoot fireworks? Screw you big brother!! I'm firing mine off!!
    • Posted By: ElmerI saw on the news that you are asking the neighbors to report the people who are using fireworks to the police. Hitler did the same thing when enforcing his laws. Are we coming closer to socialist government, or are you just trying to create a community that is untenable due to loss of trust in neighbors? I can't believe we are repeating history again.
    • Posted By: bobi think the county is forgetting what we are celebrating, our independence. so they should let us shoot them where you buy them.
    • Posted By: JustinLand of the Free, My hind end. Restrictions yes, understandable. But, all out ban? This is not the America I fought for!!!!! Maybe before long we won't have any independence to celebrate!!! And I'm sure the fire fighters are just having to do what there told. Heck, most of them love fire or they wouldn't be doing there job.
    • Posted By: "fire dept only enforces the law" im sure they had a say in how it was created. thats like saying police dont have a quota when writing tickets when im sure they do. how else are police measured when trying for promotions and raises--its by how many tickets they write, how many crimes they solve, ect. people are gonna shoot off fireworks and worry bout what happens later because this is the one time in the year that we get to do so! plus it helps celebrate america's birthday !!
    • Posted By: MikeaI sure wish there was something we could do about the rednecks who insist on setting off the big heavy skybursts in our neighborhood at 1am every night. Fireworks should be illegal inside the city. Loud car radios are, and fireworks are more dangerous.
    • Posted By: BobOk maybe this is a stupid question, but what is unincorporated Sedgwick County? What is meant by that?
    • Posted By: AJ SimkatuEveryone knows that fireworks that go up in the sky are illegal, even in the city of Wichita. The problem is that nobody cares. Most people think the ban is a ridiculous overreaction to a small problem. People are sick of the nanny state telling us what we can and can't do with our own lives and property. What's next, ban skydiving, skiing, riding dirt bikes, mountain climbing? The government needs to mind its own business and stay out of ours.