🌻 Wichita Weekly (12/05)

Good morning, Wichita!

I hope everyone is staying healthy out there — seems like a cough is going around. We are surviving on antibiotics and steroids at our house…

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GETTING COLDER

Weather

Thursday - 12/05 - 37°/ 20° - 🌤️ Mostly Sunny

Friday - 12/06 - 48°/ 31° - 🌤️ Mostly Sunny

Saturday - 12/07 - 57°/ 40° - 🌤️ Mostly Sunny

Sunday - 12/08 - 58°/ 38° - 🌥️ Partly Cloudy

Source: KWCH

LIGHTS, TAXES, WATER BILLS

Local News

How Botanica puts on Illuminations holiday lights

• Botanica’s Illuminations began in the 1990s with hand-lit traditional luminaries. It takes three months, 10,000 hours and just under 2 million lights to put on one of the most popular Wichita holiday traditions.

• Illuminations will run from opening day on Nov. 29 through Jan. 4. 5:30-9:30 p.m.

• $16 non-member adults; $13 member adults, military and seniors; $10 ages 3-12; free for children 2 and under

• Link: Read more

Sedgwick County taxpayers won’t see property tax relief soon

• A public vote on lowering the property tax mill levy, originally planned in 2025, now likely won’t happen until 2026. Potential changes in local sales tax rates and Wichita school bond issues are taking priority as Sedgwick County evaluates budget cuts / increased support to arts, culture, and recreation programming.

• Link: Read more

Mayor Lily Wu did not violate any city ordinances

• The Wichita Ethics Board investigated a complaint by Fire Union President Ted Bush alleging that Mayor Lily Wu told Fire Chief Tammy Snow to lay off 42 firefighters. The Board found no violation of city ordinances after interviewing involved parties and reviewing a recorded conversation. The investigation concluded with conflicting statements, with Snow saying she may have "misspoke" about the conversation, and Mayor Wu maintaining her innocence while expressing appreciation for the Board’s approach.

• Link: Read more

Water bills for Wichita water customers to increase

• Wichita water and sewer customers can expect to see their bill continue to increase at higher than expected rates as the city’s new water treatment plant comes online. The city is now increasing water and sewer rates by more than 6% annually until 2030, before going back to 5% annual increases through 2034.

• Link: Read more

NEW HOMES, CLOSURES, DEVELOPMENT

Business News

Wichita home builder begins next phase of 97-home east-side community

• Nies Homes is set to complete the second phase of its Freestone residential development in northeast Wichita this spring, featuring custom estate home lots priced between $95,000 to $155,000. Despite a slow housing market due to higher interest rates, the company remains optimistic about future market conditions and continues to refine its home-building processes.

• Link: Read more

Jos. A Bank to close Bradley Fair store

• The chain’s last day in business in Wichita will be Dec. 11. “We just don’t get enough business here,” said manager Mercedes Gross. The chain’s sister company, Men’s Wearhouse, has two Wichita stores, and Gross said those are not closing.

• Link: Read more

Developer says construction should ramp up soon on $110M project

• EPC Real Estate Group is developing a $110 million mixed-use project next to Wichita's Riverfront Stadium, set to begin construction by end of 2024 and complete in 2026. The development will feature an eight-story hotel, luxury apartments, retail space, and a parking garage, with the company remaining optimistic about the project's potential and its contribution to the city's riverfront area. EPC has been working closely with the city and will be eligible for up to $11.3 million in tax financing.

• Link: Read more

Emporia city manager calls Tyson layoffs a major ‘setback’

• Tyson Foods is closing its meat processing facility in Emporia on February 14, 2025, which will result in more than 800 layoffs. The city manager described the closure as a "setback" for the community. Tyson is planning to consolidate operations in other locations and potentially absorb about a quarter of the employees elsewhere.

• Link: Read more

CHRISTMAS, POP-UP BARS, CONCERT

High-Graded Events

Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum

• December 6 / 7 / 13 / 14, 2024 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM

• $8 General Admission

• Celebrate the Christmas season in old-fashioned style during Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita. Sip on hot chocolate, apple cider or sarsaparilla while you step back in time listening to carolers and enjoying holiday activities with family and friends.

• Link: Learn more

12 Drinks of Christmas (21+ at The Exploration Place)

• December 6, 2024 - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

• (21+) $75 General Admission; $65 for Members

• Take a trip around the world with us, enjoying 12 different traditional holiday drinks. Guests will receive a passport to enjoy a special tasting from around the globe, which lets you explore all the museum’s exhibits, a delicious grazing table and more.

• Link: Learn more

Holiday Hideaway Pop-up Bar (21+ at Chicken N Pickle)

• Daily until Dec. 31 - until ~11:00 PM

• (21+) $5 for a reservation

• With lodge vibes, summit views and a cozy atmosphere, there will be enough holiday spirit to warm the heart of even the frostiest grinch at this nostalgic holiday pop-up. 11 different festive cocktails, beer, and more. Reservations include a charcuterie board and a delicious red pepper hummus dip with chips shareable for the table.

• Link: Learn more

Justin Timberlake - The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (at the INTRUST Bank Arena)

• December 6, 2024 - 7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

• $55+

• Throughout his career, he’s sold over 54 million albums and 63 million singles globally, and a further 70 million records as the lead vocalist of NSYNC. Justin has won ten GRAMMY Awards across the pop, dance and R&B genres

• Link: Learn more

ICE SKATING

Parents Corner

As winter approaches, families can find themselves hiding indoors. However, for those willing to brave the cold — and kids are rarely the ones to complain — ice skating can be something special, with tiny tots taking their their first wobbly steps on the ice while their older siblings go careening into the walls!

If that sounds like fun, a great place to check out is Chicken N Pickle’s ice rink (1240 N. Greenwich)! It is officially open and will remain so through February 2025! Don’t forget to bundle up!

More information on their website here.

Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 11am – 11pm

• Saturday / Sunday: 10am - 11pm

Costs:

• Skate Pass: $11

• Skate Rental: $4

• Children 3 and under: FREE

Group Options:

• Private Ice Pond Rental: Starting at $300 per hour

• Party Packages: Starting at $175 (includes skate passes, rentals, and more)

THE WICHITA CASTLE

Wichita History

Few sights in Wichita beg more questions than the towering, feudal-style mansion that stands watch over the Little Arkansas River. Its limestone walls and looming turret call the eye awkwardly, as if it were plucked from old-world Europe and planted haphazardly on the Kansas prairie.

One can easily find oneself asking — How the hell did that get here?

Well, it’s known as the Campbell Castle — or Morris Castle — or Crumm Castle — or The Castle Inn — and this is it's story.

…

Keep an eye out Tuesday next week for the rest of the story!

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Best,

The Wichita Weekly