General News in the 316

[Kung Wu]

Derby continues to make an effort to be more than just a sleepy little suburb and hopefully it pays off and inspires more surrounding towns to think outside of the box a bit and be more.

WBJ - Derby city council approves final STAR bond project phase

Wow, Derby is going to exploit all the snaggle-toothed, one-eyed, hillbillies in Mulvane by setting up a destination spot specifically for them. A progressive and devious sure-fire money maker for Derby. Well done!

[SubGod22]

Wow, Derby is going to exploit all the snaggle-toothed, one-eyed, hillbillies in Mulvane by setting up a destination spot specifically for them. A progressive and devious sure-fire money maker for Derby. Well done!

I hope we don't have any Mulvane posters on here. It could get ugly.

[Kung Wu]

Come on guys, I'm kidding.

This will attract the snaggle-toothed, one-eyed, hillbillies from ALL OVER, not just Mulvane.

[Kung Wu]

I hope we don't have any Mulvane posters on here. It could get ugly.

No worries Mulvane is the Arkansas of the Wichita Metro Area -- meaning they can't read.

[shocktown]

Isn't Mulvane to Derby what Haysville is to Wichita?

[SubGod22]

Does anyone know anything about Paris Baguette? We apparently have one opening on 21st street near the Andy's that is located a little east of Webb. No official open date, but looks like it'll be in the next three to four months.

Three to six months after the east Wichita bakery cafe opens, Issa said he and Touffaha will look at advancing plans for a west-side location.

The international bakery cafe chain — which came to this country in 2005 after being founded more than 30 years ago in South Korea — has been boosting its U.S. presence in recent years, including a push in the middle part of the country. The Wichita location will be the company's first in Kansas.

Curious as to what to actually expect from a French bakery and how successful it will be. They sound very optimistic that it'll play well in that area.

[ventichai]

Does anyone know anything about Paris Baguette? We apparently have one opening on 21st street near the Andy's that is located a little east of Webb. No official open date, but looks like it'll be in the next three to four months.



Curious as to what to actually expect from a French bakery and how successful it will be. They sound very optimistic that it'll play well in that area.

I’ve had them abroad, and if it’s anything like it was before, it’ll be a nice addition! Nothing spectacular, but fresh

[Kung Wu]

Of course it will do well there. That's right in the middle of Wichita's snobbery class -- they'll do or buy anything to impress others.

[Kung Wu]

I should cross post that in the east side vs best side thread.

[SubGod22]

This article could have went in the sports betting thread as well.

WBJ - Under new sports betting laws, Ruffin poised to reopen Wichita Greyhound Park with historical horse racing

The bipartisan bill, which authorizes wagering on sporting events in Kansas online and at state-owned casinos or up to 50 other locations, passed both the House and Senate in late April. The legislation includes a provision that would allow historical horse race machines at Wichita Greyhound Park, which has been closed since 2007.

"That'd be nice, it'd be nice to do," Ruffin said of the reopening. "It'd employ quite a few people, so it' going to be a positive thing."

.....

Historical horse racing allows gamblers to place bets on terminal machines before the replay of a randomly selected horse race that has already happened. No identifying information, such as where and when the race was run and which horses and jockeys participated, are revealed, only the past performance.

The games are designed to mimic pari-mutuel betting, which revolves around picking horses that will compete in future races.

Gambling experts say it's a workaround to using slot machines in places where they are illegal. Historical horse racing, or instant racing, has become good business for racetracks around the country, including at Churchill Downs in downtown Louisville, Ky., turning the facilities into "racinos."

"They're not in Vegas, but they're all over the country, they're starting to pop up," Ruffin said.

Not my thing, but it's something different if it survives the coming lawsuits that are guaranteed to take place.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - SHIELDED FOR GROWTH: Wichita leaders see promise in cybersecurity

One of the nation’s fastest-growing industries is finding a fast foothold in Wichita.

The city in the past year has attracted cybersecurity companies from both coasts, attracted by the cost and availability of talent, and the growth of industry resources locally.

And with data security taking on heightened importance in the post-pandemic age of remote work and differentiating resources already in play, local stakeholders see the industry as potentially emerging as one of Wichita’s best opportunities at economic diversification.

I've heard talks about this in the past and it looks like Wichita is making progress in it. Local offices were opened last year by a DC based company, Millennium Corp., as well as Cali based Novacoast Inc. Sounds like both were landed because the Greater Wichita Partnership reached out to sell the benefits and talents of Wichita. Cybersecurity programs at WSU, Friends and BCC don't hurt. McConnell AFB also has a focus on cybersecurity and played a big role in attracting both.

It sounds as if this is definitely an area that Wichita can exploit to grow and carve out a specialized piece in a growing industry.

[SubGod22]

KWCH - Kansas Star Casino suing state over the historical horse race portion of the sports betting bill

This happened quicker than I expected.

[Shockm]

KWCH - Kansas Star Casino suing state over the historical horse race portion of the sports betting bill

This happened quicker than I expected.

I thought this "threat" from the Abilene State Rep. that wrote up the bill, was interesting. The Casino wants the 25 Million payout from the state for violating the contract, but their contract is up in 2026.

The lawsuit’s defendants are the state, the lottery and the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates the state casinos.

Lottery Executive Director Stephen Durrell said he wasn’t aware of the lawsuit and couldn’t respond. The racing commission, the governor’s office and the company that owns Wichita Greyhound Park did not immediately return telephone or email messages seeking comment.

But state Rep. John Barker, an Abilene Republican who helped draft the final version of the law, said there’s a difference of opinion over whether the historic horse racing machines are slots and, “I guess we will not know for sure” until the Kansas Supreme Court rules.

“It’s a separate part of that bill, so I would think maybe the sports betting could go forward,” he said.

Then, Barker noted that Boyd’s contract expires near the end of 2026, and, “They’ve got a few things to lose, too.”

[SubGod22]

KAKE - Benefit concert for Andover tornado relief

On Sunday, May 22, a dozen musical groups are donating their talents. From 1 to 7 p.m., people can listen to the artists at the historic Augusta Theatre, and with the purchase of a ticket, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to those affected by the storm.

.....


Tickets for the concert are $20. Music artists participating include:

• Big Fat Fun
• Pastor Mike & the Demon Slayers Blues Band
• Savanna Chestnut
• Chronic Audio
• Tequila Ridge
• Big Red Horse
• Terry Henry and Mike Pritchard
• Epic
• Dangie
• Colton Kro
• Kota Lewis
• Whitnie Means

The Artichoke Food Truck and Forkin’ Farm Food Truck will also be there with food to purchase. For event and ticket information, go to the Augusta Historic Theatre's website by clicking here.

I'm only kind of familiar with a couple of these, but it's a nice gesture and hopefully they raise a fair amount of funds.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Exploration Place plans to compete for bigger traveling exhibits with $20k tourism grant

Adam Smith, Exploration Place president, said the $20,000 grant will be used to refurbish the museum's traveling exhibit gallery, which he said is often passed over for major national touring events because of its size and because it's not outfitted to support the newest trends.

"It's been really rare that our space has been able to accommodate those blockbuster exhibits, and so part of what this whole change is going to do for us is just gives us more of a more of a chance of bringing those to Wichita," Smith said.

He said most of the popular traveling exhibits are looking for 8,000 to 10,000 square feet; Exploration Place only has 7,500 square feet. Part of the funding will go toward the demolition of a staircase and a mezzanine within the gallery that Smith says is currently taking up too much room, bringing the total space to about 12,000 square feet.

Sounds like a much needed upgrade to the space to attract exhibits that will draw even more people. They reference the Van Gogh exhibit that has been a huge hit all over the country, and one I would absolutely go to, that needs more space, tech and electrical supply.