General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

More North Junction closures that could impact your weekend travels.

KSN - More closures announced at Wichita's North Junction

The northbound I-235 exit to northbound I-135 will be closed today from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for bridge construction.

On Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m., the northbound I-135 exit to southbound I-235 and the westbound K-254 exit to southbound I-135 will close until late Sunday the 17th.

[SubGod22]

News Ghana - Joseph Awinongya Jr. In Wichita For 2022 Junior Olympics

13x USA National Champion Joseph Awinongya is already in Wichita, Kansas for the 2022 edition of the Junior Olympics. He will take his first fight on Wednesday July 13 at exactly 6:00pm ET (11:00pm GMT) against Pryce Sparrow who represents Kentucky.

Sparrow edged Caferro Duran from Montana out of the competition on all five judge’s scorecards.

Apparently this kid is pretty good.

Also didn't know that USA Boxing is celebrating its 50th.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Local organization launches water for the homeless program

“What we’re trying to do is, we’ve asked locations around Wichita to be free water locations, so we’ve either recruited locations or identified existing locations,” said Olivia Sailors, Coordinator for the Alliance of Overlooked Individuals.

Research has shown that locally, members of the homeless community are forced to walk three to four blocks to find water or a public restroom.

“Unhoused individuals are 200 times more likely to die from heat-related emergencies, so they need to be hydrated is super important in Wichita and beyond, so the more that we can expand access to water, the safer our community is going to be,” said Sailors.

I don't focus on the homeless cause as one of my things, but it does sound like Wichita as a whole has been doing better at making attempts to assist. I know the WPD has a program or a unit or task force or something that has a strong homeless focus to try and reach out and help them. I know I've seen the portable shower that some cities have that allow the homeless to clean up from time to time. Providing not just free water, but cold free water is another nice step in assisting the population. I do wish I could recall the names of the first two aspects I mentioned.

We always wish more could be done, but it's not a cheap fix and some people can only be helped to a point. Some of the homeless have simply fallen on hard times and are doing what they can to survive and others have mental issues that simply prevent them for seeking or receiving what they need to better their situation. There's no one cause, but seeing the community, in different forms, take steps to do something to help is encouraging. I know it's not unique to Wichita, but it's still nice to see.

[SubGod22]

Another top concert announced for Intrust Bank Arena.

KSN - Keith Urban, Tyler Hubbard, Ingrid Andress coming to Intrust in September

Keith Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian musician, singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his work in country music. He has won four Grammy Awards, 13 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, three American Music Awards (AMAs), two People’s Choice Awards, and has celebrated nine consecutive gold, platinum, or multi-platinum albums.

Tyler Hubbard is an American singer, songwriter and musician best known as the lead singer of Flordia Georgia Line, a Nashville-based country duo. He has spent the last decade traveling and performing, and now he is ready to tackle the next phase of his career, performing his new solo music around the country.
.....
Ingrid Andress is an American country music singer and songwriter from Colorado. She is also a 3x GRAMMY nominee, including Best New Artist, a 4x ACM Award nominee, 3x CMA Award nominee, and a 2x Country Music Television (CMT) Award nominee. Andress is currently sitting in the Top 20 on country radio with her gold-certified single “Wishful Drinking,” featuring Sam Hunt.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Tech N9ne and Blane Howard to play Kansas State Fair

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne and country artist Blane Howard have been added to the lineup at the Kansas State Fair.

The two artists will play on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Chiefs mascot KC Wolf and the Kansas City Chiefs drumline “Rumble” will also appear during what officials call the “Kansas City Chiefs Red Friday Rally.”

Both artists share a love for the Kansas City Chiefs, with Tech N9ne’s song Red Kingdon and Howard’s Run It Back.

Known acts are in the link, of note for me anyway are Gabriel Iglesias on Sept. 11, TobyMac on Sept. 14 and Great White and Quiet Riot on Sept. 15, along with Tech N9ne being on the 16th.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Hamburger chain says it has out-of-the-box ambitions for Wichita

A large national chain is coming back to Wichita, and it's not White Castle

Van Ingram, vice president of franchise recruitment at the national fast-food hamburger chain, told the Wichita Business Journal on Wednesday the company's goal is to open 20 to 25 locations within the next five years in the metro area and is seeking franchisees.

If that seems bold, Ingram agrees. For perspective, there are roughly two dozen McDonald's franchises in the immediate Wichita area today.

"It's aggressive," Ingram said of the plan.

But he said Jack in the Box is confident in its assessment of the market after it recently relaunched its franchise development program.

I can't recall ever eating here when it was in Wichita, but I was insanely little at the time. Did eat at one in Vegas 15 or so years ago. It was okay, but nothing special. This announcement also comes at a time when the metro area is expecting to see some Whataburgers pop up in the next year or so. I'm sure Wichita will allow a chain like this to thrive even with the insane amount of competition already established and another big name player moving in as well.

[SubGod22]

I've also seen reported on FB that the COW is preparing to spend $18M on renovating CII. This news will spark a debate pretty much anywhere as there are many who want to save CII at any cost and those who fully believe it needs to be wiped off the face of the earth and something better built in its place.

And as I type that, I come across this KSN - Millions proposed for Century II improvements in the city budget

Millions proposed for Century II


Many residents who have pushed for change at Century II are approaching the proposed budget with cautious optimism.

“Getting that public input really has shown support for Century II, and people want us to maintain the asset to the highest level that it can,” Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said.

The City of Wichita is proposing $6.5 million dollars towards major improvements for the iconic Wichita landmark. Those improvements include $1 million towards fire alarm system upgrades and $5 million towards a roof replacement project.

“The priority is the roof because the roof is peeling,” Celeste Racette with Save Century II said.

Racette says $26 million dollars slated for CIP improvements fell through in 2010. While she says this latest budgetary move of $6.5 million dollars is the best approach for now, she fears it could suffer a similar fate.

“If they do these improvements, I’ll be thrilled, but I wouldn’t be surprised if next year, it drops off the CIP,” Racette said.

Despite this, others like Mayor Whipple and City Councilman Jeff Blubaugh both say they’re confident the budget will be approved as planned.

“We’ve got to preserve the investment that we have right now,” Blubaugh said. “To do something different is going to be hundreds of millions of dollars. I don’t think it’s the type of thing that can wait for another year.”

The City of Wichita is encouraging public input on the budget. Three public hearings will take place August 4, August 16, & August 23. For more information, click here.

There's also a breakdown for plans in the 22-23 budget as well as a 10 year outlook.

Performing Arts deserve better. Wichita deserves better. We need something new for each and if we do manage that, I'm not sure what the hell they plan for CII. If they plan to keep CII for both, it holds Wichita back and we fall even further behind other regional cities that would be our competition for a lot of things. We aren't much competition now, and if we stick with CII as our go to, things will only get worse.

[WstateU]

WBJ - Hamburger chain says it has out-of-the-box ambitions for Wichita

A large national chain is coming back to Wichita, and it's not White Castle



I can't recall ever eating here when it was in Wichita, but I was insanely little at the time. Did eat at one in Vegas 15 or so years ago. It was okay, but nothing special. This announcement also comes at a time when the metro area is expecting to see some Whataburgers pop up in the next year or so. I'm sure Wichita will allow a chain like this to thrive even with the insane amount of competition already established and another big name player moving in as well.

20-25 area locations... damn, that's a lot of Jack's.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

WBJ - Hamburger chain says it has out-of-the-box ambitions for Wichita

A large national chain is coming back to Wichita, and it's not White Castle



I can't recall ever eating here when it was in Wichita, but I was insanely little at the time. Did eat at one in Vegas 15 or so years ago. It was okay, but nothing special. This announcement also comes at a time when the metro area is expecting to see some Whataburgers pop up in the next year or so. I'm sure Wichita will allow a chain like this to thrive even with the insane amount of competition already established and another big name player moving in as well.

Your assessment is spot on. Their HQ is here in San Diego and there are a ton of them. Their model is to sort of saturate the market. It's ok but not going to blow you away. Lot's of variety on the menu and quirky marketing and special promotions. Good late night spot after having a few pops. They also have acquired Qdoba.

[SubGod22]

20-25 area locations... damn, that's a lot of Jack's.

I believe the article stated that there are around 24 McD's in the immediate Wichita area. Not sure how that differs from the metro, as I'm sure there are more than that.

[SubGod22]

Your assessment is spot on. Their HQ is here in San Diego and there are a ton of them. Their model is to sort of saturate the market. It's ok but not going to blow you away. Lot's of variety on the menu and quirky marketing and special promotions. Good late night spot after having a few pops. They also have acquired Qdoba.

I have seen a lot of people comment about their tacos online. I know I've seen commercials with their creepy mascot in the past.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

I have seen a lot of people comment about their tacos online. I know I've seen commercials with their creepy mascot in the past.

The tiny tacos and spicy tiny tacos are pretty legit for a late night snack for sure.

[SubGod22]

Large new development planned for an area off of US54 between Wichita and Andover. Sounds like it'll contain single family and multi-family homes as well as business development near 54 and 159th/County Line Rd. The group behind this project is the same group that did The Waterfront.

WBJ - Developers behind The Waterfront get MAPC approval on new plan

While MAPC documents noted potential commercial development on parcels 1 and 2 — which are closest to the 159th and U.S. 54 intersection — of the six parcels designated on the property, the PUD plan also stated market conditions will dictate what type of development would begin first on the land.

Stephen Clark II, vice president of development at Clark Investment Group, said in emailed comments that developers "anticipate this project will be primarily residential."

"While the market will ultimately determine how it develops, the point here is neighbors can expect a quality project," he said. "We execute similar developments all over the country, which have been well-received."
.....

• On the south and west sides of Parcel 4 (on the southwest portion of the property that is near residential neighborhoods) there would be a 200-foot buffer where only single-family homes would potentially be built. No multi-family units would be within that buffer;
• Hedgerows will be preserved on the south and west sides of Parcel 4 and Parcel 1.

[Ted Lasso's Neighbor]

Just posting this as a followup to the talk about the NBC tournament. I found an article online from February 2022 that mentioned the schedule a little - https://amp.kansas.com/sports/other-...258028463.html

Neither side were willing to discuss the specifics of why they were unable to reach an agreement for this summer, but NBC World Series tournament director Kevin Jenks and Wichita Wind Surge CEO Jordan Kobritz said this year’s decision is not a final one moving forward.

“We weren’t able to come to an agreeable situation,” Jenks told The Eagle. “It’s unfortunate. In 2021, playing downtown was great for our teams and for the NBC and everyone involved. We had been having conversations, but we had to do the best situation for the NBC World Series. Things change, though. We’re not closing the door on returning to Riverfront Stadium. There’s always an opportunity for us to return, but it’s just not going to happen this year.”

“It’s not going to work out for 2022, but we both reserve the right to get together again and see what 2023 and beyond looks like,” Kobritz said to The Eagle.

IMO, it could be a good thing for WSU to host this year. The teams are usually college kids, so it'd give WSU a chance to show off the baseball stadium and the complex to college kids. Maybe some are interested in transferring at some point and would be impressed by the complex and WSU's baseball history, or would tell younger guys about WSU. Hopefully the new AD is making it a top priority to making WSU looking good during the week.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

WBJ - Hamburger chain says it has out-of-the-box ambitions for Wichita

A large national chain is coming back to Wichita, and it's not White Castle



I can't recall ever eating here when it was in Wichita, but I was insanely little at the time. Did eat at one in Vegas 15 or so years ago. It was okay, but nothing special. This announcement also comes at a time when the metro area is expecting to see some Whataburgers pop up in the next year or so. I'm sure Wichita will allow a chain like this to thrive even with the insane amount of competition already established and another big name player moving in as well.

Whataburger and JitB are both 24 hour places. They probably got same details at same time and put same plans in place in the same locations. We have both here in Louisiana. Choices are good when you don’t have Renee’s.