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- 🌻 Wichita Weekly (01/08)
🌻 Wichita Weekly (01/08)
Will we ever get a water treatment plant?
Good morning, Wichita!
Please forward this email to someone!
I hope your New Year is off to a good start! I’ve managed to not step into a gym yet, but one of these days I’m going to kick of that resolution!
But, there is a lot going on in Wichita, so let’s dive straight in.
This Week’s Poll
Did you pick physical exercise or diet as your New Year Resolution? |
Last Week’s Poll Results
Are you going to vote FOR or AGAINST increased sales taxes in Wichita?
Wow - this poll got the most engagement, by far, of any poll — ever!
Yes: 7%
No: 93%
Comments:
“Lots of people try to avoid taxes. There will be people who buy more online than they would have because of this tax. Not only will local vendors suffer, the funds that would have been raised by this new tax will simply leave Wichita.“
“Having a more than doubled water bill is enough.”
“No sales tax on food”
Shoutouts
“Happy New Year, Sam and Bailey!“ - Tim S.
Want to share a shoutout? Scroll down to the golden box — all it takes is referring two locals! It helps me grow, too, so thank you!
COLDER WEEKEND
Weather
Thursday – 1/8 – 35°/60° – ⛈️ AM Thunderstorms
Friday – 1/9 – 27°/44° – 🌨️ Evening Wintry Mix
Saturday – 1/10 – 20°/45° – 🌤️ Mostly Sunny
Sunday – 1/11 – 26°/43° – ☀️ Sunny
Source: KWCH
WATER, MAPS, READICT
Local News
Wichita Unlikely to Get New Water Plant in 2026
Wichita’s new $574 million water treatment plant is unlikely to become operational in 2026 due to significant design flaws in the facility's clarifiers (large tanks that separate solids from water). Public Works Director Gary Janzen recently informed the City Council that these components will likely require a complete redesign and rebuild before the city can take ownership of the site.
While repairs are underway, residents will continue to receive water from the 86-year-old Main Water Treatment Plant in Riverside. Although the project faces a two-year delay, officials stated that Wichita Water Partners will be responsible for the repair costs, ensuring no additional financial burden falls on local ratepayers.
Link: Read more
Kansas Won’t Redraw Maps
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, announced that the state will not redraw its congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections due to a lack of legislative support to override a potential gubernatorial veto. This decision preserves the current 3rd Congressional District boundaries, ending a high-profile GOP effort to target the seat currently held by Democratic Representative Sharice Davids.
Link: Read more
Wichita Public Library launches ReadICT
The Wichita Public Library has launched its ReadICT 2026 challenge, inviting residents to read 12 books across 12 unique categories throughout the year. Participants can track their progress via the Beanstack app or a printed log to connect with fellow readers and enter monthly drawings for book-themed prizes.
Link: Read more
Is Genesis Clubs’ Wichita Ice Center disaster the tip of the iceberg?
Wichita recently approved a $219,000 settlement with Genesis Health Clubs following a failed partnership at the city-owned ice center that left taxpayers covering hundreds of thousands in unpaid debt and maintenance issues. The situation has prompted calls for a dedicated Office of Contract Enforcement to prevent similar "sweetheart deals" and ensure private partners fulfill their financial obligations to the city.
Link: Read more
BANKS, RECYCLE, HOMES
Business News
Equity Bank Complete Merger
Wichita’s only publicly traded bank, Equity Bank, has officially completed its $122.8 million merger with Omaha-based Frontier Bank, expanding its reach into Nebraska and growing its total assets to $7.9 billion. This move marks the 14th acquisition for the bank since 2015, reinforcing its position as one of the region's fastest-growing financial institutions and a key player in local commercial and SBA lending.
Link: Read more
Wichita-based metal recycling company acquired by KC business
Kansas City-based Scrap Management Industries has acquired Wichita’s Allmetal Recycling, a move that brings Allmetal’s 10 Kansas locations and 95 employees under regional ownership. Despite the acquisition, the company will maintain its local branding and leadership, ensuring continuity for its three Wichita facilities and existing industrial partnerships.
Link: Read more
Longtime Wichita homebuilder retires
After 32 years and over 1,300 homes built, Clint Miller is retiring and closing Miller Family Homes, a longtime staple of the Wichita residential construction market. The company’s final assets, including eight new builds in the Arvada neighborhood, will be liquidated via an online auction hosted by McCurdy Real Estate and Auction on February 3.
Link: Read more
Sluggish Wichita Hotel Market
While the national hotel sector has been sluggish, Wichita’s market remains resilient with revenue per available room holding steady and approximately $300 million in new hospitality projects currently in development. Local occupancy rates have dipped slightly to 60.7%, but the influx of new rooms suggests long-term confidence in the region's ability to attract business, sports, and leisure travel.
Link: Read more
MYSTERY, HORROR, ART
High-Graded Events
Friends of WAM Mini Used Book Sale
A mini book sale hosted by the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum featuring a wide selection of gently-used books of all genres. All proceeds benefit the museum’s events and programs.
Price: Free (bring money for books)
Dates: January 9, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Link: More Info
January Art Together
A free group art session at Mark Arts where participants can create art together — suitable for all experience levels.
Price: Free
Dates: January 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Link: More Info
Murder Mystery at the Museum
An interactive dinner and murder mystery event at the Kansas Aviation Museum, set as a “party like it’s 1999” theme where guests solve a staged crime with character clues and prizes.
Price: ~$50 per person
Dates: January 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Link: More Info
Water for Elephants
A Broadway-tour production of the acclaimed musical Water for Elephants, based on the bestselling novel
Price: ~$69–$180+
Dates: January 12–14, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm (all performances)
Link: More Info
Little Shop of Horrors
A classic musical with catchy tunes and a darkly comedic story about a man-eating plant, presented as part of a theater / film series at the Century II
Price: $100, for the entire year
Dates: January 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Link: More Info
HOSPITALS, FOOD, BOOKS
Social Media Trends
Rock Regional Hospital shutdown (here)
Love Southeast Carryout (here)
Wichita by EB Happy Hour (here)
ICTBooks and Pete the Cat (here)
What if Wichita was Upside Down? (here)
EMLER SWIM SCHOOL
Parents Corner
Year-Round Swim Lessons: Emler Swim School
Parents looking for swim lessons for children of any age may want to check out Emler Swim School, which has a location at 1800 N. Rock Road. Emler is a swim instruction program that has been operating nationally for about 50 years, and the Wichita site is a newer location. It is an indoor facility in Bradley Fair — who posted a video on Instagram showing it off.
Emler Swim School specializes in structured, year-round swim instruction using its SwimSure curriculum, which is designed to help students progress through clearly defined skill levels. Each level builds real safety and skills through proven teaching methods, using songs, games, and guided practice to try to keep the kids engaged and making steady progress.
There is a January discount going on now here for 40-50% off the first month.
Who Lessons Are For
Group lessons, with 4 students per teacher:
Infants (as young as 2 months, with a parent in the water)
Toddlers and preschoolers
School-age children
Teens and adults
Private lessons and skill clinics for those who prefer one-on-one instruction or targeted practice.
Schedule
Lessons are held in an indoor, heated pool, allowing for swimming year-round regardless of weather:
Monday–Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Closed Thursdays and Fridays
Cost
Lessons start at $27 per class, but there are discounts based on siblings / frequency / day of the week as well.
If you want to learn more, you can visit the website here or contact the school directly at (316) 400-6446.
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