Park City, KS Events and More

Merle’s Place could soon be under new ownership by a familiar face in Wichita

Earlier this year, one of my favorite sandwich shops in town, Merle’s Place, announced they were looking to sell the building and business. The restaurant and bar located at 440 N. Seneca has a rich history dating back to the 1930s before rebranding to what we know of it today as Merle’s Place in 1966.

Wichita, KS · 23h

KSN News

Meetings planned to discuss possible changes to Wichita’s Canal Route

KDOT is conducting a study that will look at existing infrastructure, traffic operations, safety and other transportation needs along the corridor.

Wichita Eagle

What's the outlook for safety improvements at this U.S. 54 intersection outside Wichita?

At 9:19 a.m. on Oct. 27, a Goddard resident sent a text expressing concerns about the intersection of U.S. 54 and 215th Street West. Before that morning was over, 68-year-old Wichita resident Bradley Alan Voran would be pronounced dead after being involved in a two-vehicle accident at that very intersection, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report. Residential and commercial growth have led to increased safety concerns in recent years. “The city of Goddard shares concerns regarding the safety of the 215th and U.S. 54 intersection and others such as the 199th and U.S. 54 intersection,” said Goddard City Manager Craig Crossette, in an email to The Eagle. Development of the new Trail’s End subdivision , southeast of the 215th Street West and U.S. 54 intersection, has added vehicle and school bus traffic to the area. And more homes are still being built. Additionally, PrairieLand Partners recently confirmed that it has purchased 26.2 acres near that intersection to build a John Deere dealership , where customers will go to service or purchase tractors, combines, sprayers and applicator equipment, planters, seeders, excavators, backhoes and loaders, among other things. That intersection is also home to a Dillons Distribution Center, which has hundreds

Goddard, KS · 1d

Wichita Eagle

Wichita restaurant owner had decided he'd have to close. Then things changed.

The owner of a Wichita Hawaiian restaurant who recently decided he’d have to close his business has changed his mind. Mike Brotemarkle, the owner of Sharky’s Island Bites at 8918 W. 21st St., had even notified his landlord that he’d be out of the space by Dec. 1. But earlier this week, he told the landlord he’d decided to stay. It all started when Brotemarkle received a cease-and-desist letter from a restaurant based on the West Coast called Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar saying that the Sharky’s Island Bites name was too similar to its trademarked name and that it created brand confusion. The California-based Uncle Sharkii chain, which has several locations across the country, recently partnered with Walmart and is planning to open versions of its restaurants in some stores across the country. It already has opened restaurants inside two Walmarts in Texas. Brotemarkle said that he found himself faced with a decision: fight the lawsuit, close Sharky’s and open it under a different name, or close the restaurant entirely. The first two options, he’d decided, would be too expensive. But Brotemarkle said that his lawyer recently discovered that Uncle Sharkii had let its trademark lapse. Though the chain is

Wichita Eagle

Wichita restaurant was about to get a second rebrand. Now it's just plain closed.

The restaurant space on the northeast corner of Central and Maize has gone through a bit of an identity crisis over the past couple of years. After operating for years as a Planet Sub, the space at 10330 W. Central was taken over by local restaurateur Johnny Chandra and some partners, who opened it in January 2025 as a dual-concept fried chicken and boba restaurant called Crispy & Co/HaneBe. Then, in March, the owners renamed the restaurant Zen Bento and began serving bento boxes with choices such as spicy pork bulgogi, udon noodles, Chinese sweet-and-spicy chicken, and General Tso’s chicken. But in August, Zen Bento closed, and a sign posted on the door said the restaurant was closed for remodeling and would be rebranded as a sushi bar. Those plans are now off, Chandra said. “We decided not to reopen with the new concept because we weren’t able to find a partner to run it,” he said. Now, the 2,360-square-foot space is listed for lease with Landmark Commercial Real Estate . Chandra and his partners have opened several other restaurants in Wichita over the past eight years, starting with Tuptim Thai, 2121 N. Rock Road, in October 2018 and followed

KSN News

New owners reopen west Wichita Japanese steakhouse seized by state

A Japanese restaurant in Wichita that was seized due to unpaid taxes is back open.

Wichita, KS · 17h

Wichita Eagle

Mold, bugs in liquor, expired medicine & more at Wichita KS restaurants, hotel

Bugs in liquor bottles, mold, flies, expired medicine for sale, leaky sinks, dirty conditions, candy that wasn’t labeled properly, food that wasn’t stored at safe temperatures and more are among violations state inspectors discovered during recent food safety and lodging inspections in the Wichita area. Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Seven restaurants, hotels and other businesses were non-compliant with state regulations Nov. 1-7. Inspectors found few or no violations that week at more than 70 other locations deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules. Kansas Department of Agriculture inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other health risks. Locations can fail if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that can’t be fixed right away. Violations are common. Most of the time, they’re corrected in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately include serving food that’s more than a week old, employees mishandling ingredients and dirty kitchens. Issues that may take longer to correct include pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems. It’s rare, but a business may be temporarily shut down over violations. Locations that

Wichita, KS · 4h

KWCH.com

“Any donation, no matter the amount, will help”: Fundraiser organized to support family of student found dead at Newman

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Nearly a week after the death of Newman University student McKenzie Rohr, the community has set up a GoFundMe to support her family. “This sudden loss has left them carrying an unimaginable emotional burden, and support is needed to help them through the difficult days ahead,” the GoFundMe page says.

Wichita, KS · 14h

WLBT

‘A lot of people knew her’: 18-year-old college freshman found dead in her dorm room

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - A first-year student-athlete has been found dead in her dorm room over the weekend at Newman University. According to the university, a resident found 18-year-old McKenzie Rohr, a member of Newman’s new track and field team, in her room on Sunday. First responders were...

Wichita, KS · 3d

Wichita Eagle

ICYMI: Bel Aire plans a $13M project on 45th Street from Oliver to Woodlawn

The city of Bel Aire is preparing for major road reconstruction on 45th Street that will widen the roadway and add a two-lane roundabout. The work is expected to begin after the ongoing Woodlawn project wraps up. FULL STORY: Wichita suburb plans $13M road construction project that includes a roundabout Here are key takeaways: The project: Crews will rebuild 45th Street from Oliver to Woodlawn, expanding it from two lanes to three and adding curbs, gutters, a storm sewer, two sidewalks and a two-lane roundabout at 45th and Oliver. Cost and timeline: Funding was approved in 2022 at an estimated $13.7 million, though that figure could change as plans are updated. The construction bid date is set for October 2027. Water main work comes first: The council recently approved a $119,903 design contract amendment with Garver to relocate portions of the water main. That relocation is expected to be complete in July 2027. Why the wait: Bel Aire city engineer Anne Stephens said the city wanted to avoid overlap with the Woodlawn project to limit the inconvenience to residents. The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the

Bel Aire, KS · 23h

KSN News

Kansan’s secret CIA mission declassified after 61 years

For one Kansas veteran, a classified military mission kept much of his service private for more than six decades.

fastfoodclub.com

Seven Old Kansas Supper Clubs Where Dinner Still Feels Like A Night Out In 7

Some dinners are just meals, and some still feel like an event worth dressing up for. Across Kansas, a handful of old-school supper spots keep that spirit going with hand-cut steaks, platters of fried chicken, live music, and dining rooms that have barely changed in decades. These are the places...

swosuathletics.com

Men’s Basketball Ready for 2026-27 Season

Wichita, Kan. (Fugate Gymnasium) SWOSU Hoops will open the 2026-27 season this weekend at the GAC/MIAA Challenge in Wichita, Kan. The Bulldogs will face host Newman on Friday before quickly turning their attention to Missouri Southern for an afternoon tipoff on Saturday. Last season, the Dawgs split the weekend against...

publisher · 13.8K followers

Country Herald

Kansas Snow Squalls: Topeka, KS Drivers Face Whiteout Risks

Kansas drivers should prepare for blowing snow, icy pavement and rapidly changing visibility.

Topeka, KS · 6h

kmuw.org

From east to West, Wichita restaurants are moving, opening and closing

If you’re the type of person who gets regular cravings for Angelo’s Wich-Italian style pizzas and pasta dishes, it’s time to start planning ahead. The restaurant is finally ready to move to its bigger location. It will operate at 5900 E. Central only through Saturday. After that, it will close so owners can relocate it to the restaurant space at 550 N. Rock Road where restaurants like The Grape, Ernie Biggs and Dempsey’s Burger Pub have previously operated. The owners have said that the restaurant will be closed for a minimum of seven to 10 days while the move is happening, so now is the time to start stocking up on take-and-bake dishes.

KSN News

Goodwill celebrates opening of downtown Wichita location

The new store near Douglas and St. Francis offers a variety of items, including clothing, accessories, household goods and furniture.

Wichita Eagle

partner publisher · 40.1K followers

State sues developers of Derby Shores project because ‘it has not been built'

Journalists have asked a lot of questions about the numerous false starts and delays at Derby Shores — part of a state-financed STAR bond district — and now the Kansas Department of Commerce wants answers. “More than four years after the project was approved and bonds were sold, it has not been built,” the state said in a lawsuit filed this month in Sedgwick County District Court . “Announced opening dates have come and gone.” The suit is against Derby Destination Development , a team consisting of Dave Murfin, Rick Worner and Rodney Steven II. Security Bank of Kansas City , the trustee on the project, and the city of Derby also are named. “It is going to take action by the developer to move things forward,” said Derby city manager Kiel Mangus. None of the developers returned calls for comment on Wednesday. A Commerce spokesman said no one was available to comment Wednesday, and neither of the department’s two Morris Laing attorneys returned calls for comment. Mangus said the city is still analyzing what’s in the lawsuit. “We haven’t fully been able to evaluate all the things in the suit, so that’s what we’re going through right now,” he

Derby, KS · 2d

The Coconut Mama

The 3 most beloved Kansas restaurants that recently closed – one lasted 52 years

After an earlier round of Kansas restaurant closures mixed national chains with neighborhood favorites, three more locally rooted dining rooms have served their final meals. Their runs ranged from less…

Wichita, KS · 3d

KAKE TV

Concrete dust issues for residents

Riverside man pursues lawsuit one year after concrete dust covered his neighborhood. A man in Wichita's Riverside neighborhood is suing a construction company after he says the company's work forced him to move because of dangerous dust.