THE WICHITA BUZZ
Happy Friday! It’s February 24, and we’re here with our new recap of what’s taken place in Wichita over the past week.
With it being the first Friday of Lent, I bet the lines will be long today at Long John Silver’s.
Don’t be strangers. I’m here to listen to what’s going on. Send us stories you think will be great at wichitabyeb@gmail.com.
LOCAL STORIES
Park City vs. Goddard
The City of Park held a forum intended for city residents about a proposed STAR bonds district that could include baseball and softball fields. Then, in something out of a WWE script, Goddard city attorney Ryan Peck and Goddard Mayor Hunter Larkin arrived to oppose the project. Who knows what will come out of the situation, but I propose a wrestling tag team match at the Sedgwick County Fair between Goddard and Park City leaders. (More)
Regulations Change on Home Day Care Facilities
There’s been a shortage of everything in this world, including child care. I couldn’t tell you how many people reached out to me looking for childcare. With an estimated 299 home day care facilities in Wichita, the limit for children was 10. But thanks to a change, home-occupied day care facilities that have the designation of “Day Care, Limited” can now have 12 children. (More)
2500+ Jobs Coming To Town
Integra Technologies announced a new building which will hold their headquarters and production facility in Bel Aire. The semiconductor manufacturing plant is expected to bring 2,500 jobs to the area. Does anybody know if they need a dedicated blogger? (More)
THINGS TO LOVE
$1 Million Weight Room Renovation
The last time former Shocker Fred VanVleet was in Wichita, he mentioned improvements needed for the Koch Arena weight room. He’s now putting his money where his mouth is with a $250,000 donation to the $1 million project which will renovate the weight room. (More)
Ms. Pow Pow
A local teacher, LaShay Powell at Northeast Magnet, also known as Ms. Pow Pow, was awarded the Connected Cats Spirit of K-State Award. This award is given to recognize teachers who make positive impacts and encourage their students to thrive and grow. (More)
U.S. Crystal Growing Competition
College Hill Elementary School’s fifth-grade class placed top 10 in a U.S. Crystal Growing Competition. The class grew 20 crystals and sent the four best to the University of Buffalo to be judged in the K-8 category and one in the teacher category. Out of 166 entries, all four of the class’ crystals were recognized; they placed 10th in the K-8 quality category, 3rd in the teacher crystal category and received honorable mentions for their other two crystals. (More)
Local TikTok Goes Viral
A TikTok video filmed at the Dwight D. Eisenhower video about the short story dispenser from the Wichita Public Library has gone viral. Check it out:
@kimengineerswichita public library has the most delightful short story dispenser at the airport!♬ original sound – KimEngineers
LEARN
Turnpike Construction Starts Next Month
The Kansas Turnpike construction season will begin in March. This will include 13 new projects and five projects carried over from 2022 (More)
Appeal Your Property Tax
Some of you may see an increase in your property tax this year. Appraisals are going out in the mail next week, so get prepared. Sedgwick County Appraiser Matt Clark encourages homeowners who disagree with their value increase to appeal. (More)
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ETCETERA
> The KU School of Medicine received $2.5 million to expand mental-health focus with pediatrics program.
> High-end duplex development is coming to the outskirts of west Wichita.
> After 43 years, the Dean of University Libraries is retiring at Wichita State University.
> The Tropics exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo is finally back open after being closed for a year.
> Family carries on the legacy of Wichita North High basketball star.
> A new CEO has been named at the Kansas Humane Society.
Have you heard there’s a new calendar in Wichita displaying all the live music available in town? Check it out below!
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Why The Wichita Buzz? 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
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