3-1-07 - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment toured some of the more unsightly portions of Wichita on Thursday. The Sunflower Community Action Group actually got the ball rolling for the visit. They toured the blight in northeast Wichita.

"Some of the properties have bed mattresses, couches and furniture out in the open," said Monty Shaw.

It's a problem the sunflower community action group took to Topeka last month. Thursday morning, KDHE officials were in Wichita to look over 26 problem spots the group identified in the northeast part of town.

But cleaning up will be a team effort. KDHE says that if it's an unattended property, they will pay 75% toward the cleanup, but only if the city picks up the remaining 25%.

Sunflower says now that the state has listened, they'll soon go to city hall.

KDHE says if someone is responsible for the property they will work with them first. Ff not, then they try to cooperate with local government.

The Thursday tour was only a fact-finding trip. Only after they take a look at that information will decisions be made.