Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Wichita’s pets stayed safe during the citywide boil water scare

Make time for Autumn Craft And Bake Sale on the Wichita Patch calendar

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Friday September 18th Patch AM
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Hi there, Wichita! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Wichita's pets stayed safe during the citywide boil water scare
  • Why Monday's attendance could cost Wichita schools thousands in funding
  • Why are so many Wichita adults struggling to read—and who's helping?

Also on today's calendar: Autumn Craft And Bake Sale and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Hot, with a high of 97 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 98, low: 70.
  • Sunday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, with a high of 80 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Wichita animal shelters feared water shortages. Then donations began pouring in (kansas.com) — Wichita animal shelters scrambled to secure safe water for dozens of pets during the city's boil advisory, but rapid donations from residents and local businesses quickly filled the gap. Groups like Beauties & Beasts and the Kansas Humane Society say community support, including big deliveries from House of Schwan and Lowe's, is now keeping animals hydrated and operations going.
   

2. Next week's USD 259 census will dictate state funding for Wichita's schools, students (kwch.com) — Wichita families are being urged to get kids to school on Monday, when USD 259's official headcount will determine next year's state funding for local classrooms. Because one day's attendance largely sets the district's budget, each absence could mean lost dollars as enrollment continues to decline across Sedgwick County.
   

3. 1 in 5 Wichita residents are functionally illiterate, new initiative aims to change that (ksn.com) — A new initiative from the Wichita Journalism Collaborative is spotlighting how widespread reading struggles are in Wichita, where an estimated one in five adults is functionally illiterate. Local partners like the Wichita Public Library and Phillips Fundamental Learning Center are using hands-on events to show residents the challenges of low literacy and connect them with free support and learning resources.
   

4. Wichita football practices back to normal Friday; Area schools still under boil advisory (ksn.com) — Wichita's boil water advisory has been lifted in time for Friday night football, allowing practices and games in Wichita Public Schools to proceed as usual. Several nearby communities that rely on Wichita's water system, including Valley Center and Derby, must still use bottled or alternative water sources while they await test results, affecting school athletes' hydration plans.
   

5. Wichita protesters raise privacy concerns over Flock cameras (ksn.com) — Wichita residents gathered downtown across from City Hall to protest the police department's growing use of Flock license plate cameras, arguing they threaten privacy and could be misused. Demonstrators hope to influence upcoming elections, while Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says the technology can help investigations but must be tightly limited and carry strict penalties for abuse.
   

📸 Around Wichita

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Luna has been returned.
    Thanks to everyone for helping to find my baby. My husky Luna got away from my invisiblthis morning. I live in CrestLakes division off central. … (Nextdoor Crest Lake)
  • Another shot of inside the Fourth National Bank building.
    An engineering marvel. Never get tired of looking at its beauty. (Nextdoor West)
  • Lexima posted a job opening for Breakfast Attendant - Holiday Inn Express Northeast Wichita Kansas in Wichita. Apply here.
  • HCA Healthcare posted a job opening for Medical Office Specialist in Wichita. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wichita here.

Ok Wichita! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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