THE WICHITA BUZZ
Happy Friday! It’s January 27, and we’re here with our new recap of what’s taken place in Wichita over the past week.
If you’re curious as to why it’s called The Wichita Buzz, let’s bring up the idea of civic journalism also known as public journalism. A major component of public journalism seeks to treat readers and community members as participants. Writers are to view events from the citizen’s perspective rather than that of the media. One of the fathers of public journalism is W. Davis “Buzz” Merritt Jr. who happened to be a former editor of The Wichita Eagle.
I believe in sharing stories as if I’m speaking with friends. Telling them through the eyes of someone who considers themselves part of the general public. And with that, The Wichita Buzz is a nod to public journalism and to Merritt.
The Wichita Buzz is split into three major parts. Love. Laugh. Learn.
We will be sharing stories that will make you love our city, laugh at ourselves and learn about things in our home. It covers not just Wichita, but the surrounding area.
Don’t be strangers. I’m here to listen about what’s going on. Send us stories you think will be great at wichitabyeb@gmail.com.
LOVE
Shocker Nation 1300+ Miles Away
When it comes to fan loyalty, Rod and Pam Alston just might be the most dedicated Shockers fans in the country.
The couple resides in Oakland, CA, but manage to fly to Wichita, KS to catch every home game. You read that right. They take the Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to Denver to Wichita.
So far this year, they’ve only missed one game this season but have made every other game. That’s something I can appreciate and love. Regardless of your allegiance to whatever team, that’s dedication. (More)
A Buzzer Beater Make The Wichita Buzz
In some more feel good sports moments, we looked to Newton High School senior Ivan Guara.
Guara is a star player in the Tri-County Basketball League, which is dedicated to students who have disabilities. When you think of SportsCenter Top 10 Moments as it pertains to basketball, you think of posterizing dunks, deep range threes and game winning buzzer beaters. The latter is exactly what Guara did during a game between Newton and Wellington when he nailed a half-court buzzer beater to win the game. (More)
LAUGH
God, Oh Goddard
Why is it anytime something in or around Wichita makes a national site, it’s more often than not something that makes you shake your head?
That’s what happened when Goddard, KS made some national sites when Hunter Larkin once again became mayor of Goddard. All this after, he stepped down in May 2022. In less than a day, what was described by some as a coup took place. Mayor Larry Zimmerman was ousted, Larkin was voted in as mayor again, two people were appointed to seats on the council, the city administrator was fired, and an assistant city administrator pretty much said, “Screw this I’m out” without directly saying that.
A Facebook group was started called For Goddard’s Sake.
It’s quite the story and something I thought I’d only see on a television show. When I first heard about it, I was cracking up and thinking WTF. You can’t script this folks, but from reading more about what happened, maybe it was! (More)
Shockers Fall To 3-5 in the Conference
The Men’s Shocker Basketball Team gave up yet another double-digit lead, this time to Tulane. Only this time, they weren’t able to pull it out as they lost 95-90 in overtime. I am usually upset following a loss, but after many heartbreakers this season, I just laugh. (More)
Wet Floor Sign Shortage Hits Wichita
If you happen to see someone selling a wet floor sign on the Internet, watch out, as it may be the one stolen from the Pumphouse. (Watch)
LEARN
Wichita’s Homeless Veteran Population Not Improving
The military veteran support organization, Passageways, says the population of local veterans in-need hasn’t improved. While the national trend has seen an increase, the opposite is happening here in Wichita. (More)
Stay Away from Southbound I-135 at the North Junction
KDOT announced there will be an adjacent bridge demolition on Saturday, Jan. 28. They will close southbound I-135 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the North Junction. The closure will be at westbound K-254 and southbound I-235. Traffic will be detoured onto southbound I-235 to Broadway to northbound I-235 to southbound I-135. (More)
Don’t Do Food Reviews With Fish From the Arkansas River
If you catch any bottom-feeding fish like buffaloes, carps, catfishes, sturgeons, and suckers or even shellfish from Kansas waters, DO. NOT. EAT. IT. You have better chances with eating Taco Bell. (More)
Looking to Get Off the State’s Drug Registry List
If you just happen to be one of the readers on the State’s Drug Registry List, I have some good news to share! Kansas Legal Services and the Wichita Bar Association are offering potentially free help to people who want to be removed from the list. ACT NOW, though, since you must sign up by Jan. 27, then attend an in-person clinic on Feb. 3. (More)
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ETCETERA
> K-96 expanding from four lanes to six lanes.
> Kansas man buys the Goonies house.
> Community Meeting takes place Tuesday, Jan. 31 on Mid-America All Indian Museum Parking
> New artwork revealed for the 2023 Wichita Riverfest. Insert button price complainers.
> Fiber internet to possibly reach 10,000 more Wichitans by 2024.
> The Weekend Forecast a.k.a. Sunday will SUCK!
> The Bomb Squad makes a visit to Derby High School.
> $50 million to fund projects under the (BASE) grant program. You can apply by Tuesday, Jan. 31
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THE WICHITA BUZZ
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