Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Wichita “Hydration Homies” are keeping neighbors cool in brutal heat

And check out Viking Cruises Summer Savings at AAA Through Aug. 31 on the Wichita Patch calendar

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Monday August 31st Patch AM
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Good morning Wichita! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Wichita "Hydration Homies" are keeping neighbors cool in brutal heat
  • Sedgwick County court hands down long sentence in Wichita teen's overdose death
  • Why a federal deal is forcing a Wichita surgery center to be sold

Also on today's calendar: Viking Cruises Summer Savings at AAA Through Aug. 31 and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 104 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very hot, temps: high: 102, low: 77.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very hot, with a high of 103 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• All-volunteer group tries to keep free water close at hand for anyone in Wichita (kansas.com) — Wichita neighbors are banding together to keep free cold water within easy reach for anyone struggling with the heat, from downtown library visitors to unsheltered residents. Led by Wichita Hydration Homies organizer Maggie Gilmore, volunteers set up neighborhood "hydration stations" and make regular water runs, inviting anyone in the city to join the effort and help others stay safe in extreme temperatures.
   

• Prison for 15-year-old Kansas girl's drug overdose death (hayspost.com) — A Sedgwick County judge has sentenced 24-year-old Niklas Wiley to more than 27 years in prison for his role in the 2025 drug overdose death of 15-year-old Kennedy Herren in Wichita. Investigators say the teen died from a mix of cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and bromazolam after using drugs and alcohol at a Wichita home, where two other adults also face charges.
   

• FTC Forces Surgery Center Sales in $3.9 Billion Ascension Deal (mychesco.com) — A federal antitrust order tied to Ascension's $3.9 billion AmSurg deal will force the sale of an ambulatory surgery center in the Wichita area, along with centers in four other metro markets. The FTC says the divestitures are meant to keep outpatient surgery prices competitive and protect quality of care, while also requiring extra review of Ascension's future expansion near Wichita.
   

📸 Around Wichita

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Wichita

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Wichita Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday August 31
  • Board of Education Workshop - Needs Assessment →
    Derby Public Schools - Unified School District 260, 1550 E Walnut Grove Rd, Derby, KS 67037, USA
    5:30 pm
  • BOE Meeting - Special Meeting
    Valley Center Pub Sch USD 262 District Office - Board Room
    7:00 pm
    • Tuesday September 1
  • PTO/SITE COUNCIL MEETING
    Oaklawn Elem Wichita, KS 67216
    4:00 pm
  • JV/V Volleyball
    Campus High Haysville Hutchinson High School, 810 E 13th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501
    4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Well old dog doing fine.eating food drinking water.doesnt like taking his meds. Long story short, I have male care worker who has 3 kids 7 .6 and 3.he ran into bad spot no place to put down head.So gullible me allowed him to stay till he got caught
    up. And find a place. Anyway 6 yr old boy declaring old dog.I told him he can take care of him but he will be our dog. You have to see he fed daily… (Nextdoor Stanley/Aley)
  • Hi, I have a kitten that wandered into my garage and she is super sweet.
    She is super skinny and I believe she has an eye infection. From what i can see she doesn't have any fleas. I found out that she is litter trained… (Nextdoor Woodchuck)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Leader II - Recreation Centers 2026 in Wichita. Apply here.
  • Worldwide Flight Services posted a job opening for Ramp Agent in Wichita. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wichita here.

🗞 Nearby News

Derby

  • Monday classes at Derby elementary school canceled after kitchen fire (kansas.com)
  • Official: Manchester United announce youngster's transfer to Arsenal (ground.news)

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: A waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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