Call Center Company in Wichita, KS

From the roaring crowd to squeaking sneakers on the hardwood, high school basketball is a beloved American pastime.

The sport's school roots date back to its 19th-century beginnings. After all, James Naismith invented basketball as a physical education activity. The concept of a state championship for high school basketball soon followed. Illinois, for example, held a state championship as early as 1908. Other states with early high school basketball championships include Indiana (first championship in 1911) and Wisconsin (1916).

Now, the sport is etched into the ethos of the American high school. Over 900,000 student athletes play on their high school basketball team, according to 2023-24 school year data compiled by the National Federation of State High School Associations. That figure represents over 18,000 schools competing across all 50 states, grinding out games in high school gyms on dark winter nights.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest rated Class of 2026 basketball recruits from Kansas using data from 247Sports. Athletes are ranked by their 247Sports Composite ranking.

#4. Gallagher Placide (PF)

- National rank: #114 (4 stars)

- Position rank: #21

- Offers: California, Mississippi State, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Wake Forest

- High school: Sunrise Christian (Wichita, KS)

#3. Gavin Placide (PF)

- National rank: #75 (4 stars)

- Position rank: #14

- Offers: California, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Saint Louis, San Francisco

- High school: Sunrise Christian (Wichita, KS)

#2. Aidan Chronister (SF)

- National rank: #50 (4 stars)

- Position rank: #19

- Offers: Missouri, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, College of Charleston

- High school: Sunrise Christian (Wichita, KS)

#1. Chidi Nwigwe (SF)

- National rank: #27 (4 stars)

- Position rank: #12

- Offers: Fordham, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma State

- High school: Sunrise Christian (Wichita, KS)

© Stacker Media, LLC.

While Wichita is still under drought watering restrictions due to Cheney Reservoir’s water levels, the city has been removed from official drought status due to the recent rainfall in south-central Kansas.

Not including the rain that fell June 12, the Wichita area has reported 4.49 inches of rain for the month at Eisenhower National Airport. For other parts of Wichita, rainfall totals vary.

“The west side of Wichita, where the airport is at ... didn’t get as much rain as the east side did a week ago or so when we had that heavy rain,” Robb Lawson, forecaster with the National Weather Service, said Thursday. “So they’re probably gonna be closer to somewhere close to six to seven inches for the month of June.”

Heavy rain fell across the city June 3, leading to flash flooding that in some places left stranded cars and flooded streets and basements. The official measurement at Eisenhower National Airport that day was 2.94 inches, while Beech Factory Airport saw 6.21 inches.

Sedgwick County has asked residents to report their flood damage through a state survey, and some may qualify for low-interest loans to cover repairs, depending on their damage.

“The State of Kansas created this dedicated reporting form to help Sedgwick and Butler Counties track the location and extent of storm damage and the resources needed to recover,” the county’s June 10 news release reads.

As of June 12, the city is sitting at 2.5 inches above average rainfall for the year, according to Lawson.

“A lot of that is because of the last two weeks,” he said.

On a brighter note, the forecaster said drier conditions are expected to move into the city, with rain chances mostly during the evening and night hours this weekend.

“We should start getting a drier pattern,” Lawson said. “We’re gonna have some chances overnight, like Saturday night, but those chances are pretty small right now.”

June, which has been cooler than usual, is also expected to start seeing warmer temperatures.

“We’ve had a cooler June where the average temperature, so far, [has been] about three degrees below [the normal] average temperature,” Lawson said. “We did hit 100 last year, [two] times in June. And we haven’t had anything close to that now.”

While the U.S. Drought Monitor has removed Wichita from drought distinction, Cheney Reservoir is sitting 3.96 feet below normal — 76.92% full. The lake was 62% full when the city first entered phase two of drought restrictions in August 2024.

The city of Wichita has previously said the watering restrictions are expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with some officials considering permanent watering restrictions. Currently, Wichita water customers can only water their lawn once a week.

Lawson said the northern part of the state is the only area is still experiencing drought conditions in Kansas.

“They have a moderate drought,” he said.

Here’s a look at the weather for the next several days, from the National Weather Service’s official forecast:

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Businesses located inside Towne West Mall have two weeks to find a new home. Superstar Sports shared the notice of termination with 12 News. The notice is effective immediately, and tells the store that the space it occupies must be vacated by 5 p.m. on June 30.

In March, Wichita Maple Company, LLC, bought the troubled mall along with the Baughman Company. The mall tenants said that from the beginning, they were told that the building would remain a mall and they would be able to stay. They said they were optimistic about the future until they were evicted from the property. Originally, they were given at least 30 days to a year to leave. Now, they have to move out in 19 days, and they said they’re shocked.

“We’ve called, we’ve texted, we’ve emailed, no responses. So, it’s frustrating,” said Carla Christenbury with C’s Scents.

Superstar Sports has been at the west Wichita mall for nearly 25 years and was hopeful that the change in ownership would be a move in the right direction. Now, he, like the others, is frustrated by the situation.

“Well, it’s a gut punch, is what it is,” said Superstar Sports Manager Sam Stuart. “You know, this whole ordeal has been shady, shady and very, very nontransparent.”

The Wichita Maple Company, LLC, and the Baughman Company requested a zoning change to redevelop the existing property with a manufacturing emphasis. 12 News sat down with the company, but Baughman said it was unwilling to say what the mall would be used for.

Over the past couple of years, while under the ownership of the Kohan Retail Investment Group, Towne West was plagued with power outages due to late utility payments and the departures of several tenants, including businesses and nonprofits, who were frustrated by the inconsistencies.

The Dillard’s Clearance Center, Boulevard Theaters and JCPenney are not included in the termination notices.

Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

A variety of Wichita restaurants have delivered strong results in recent 2025 health inspections. Notable spots like Bella Luna Cafe, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Pig In Pig Out BBQ stood out for their food safety practices. Unique local choices such as Bagatelle Bakery and Pokemoto also passed inspections, giving diners confidence in their cleanliness.

Popular chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Taco Bell showed consistent safety at multiple locations. With options from sushi bars to coffee shops, these establishments highlight Wichita’s commitment to safe, enjoyable dining.

A French favorite, a buffet, bars, schools, hotels and other local restaurants are on the list of places that passed health inspections this time. | Published March 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

In all, 54 restaurants, hotels and other businesses passed food safety or lodging inspections recently. | Published April 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

In all, 64 restaurants, hotels and other businesses in and around Wichita passed food safety or lodging inspections April 6-12. | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

In all, 69 restaurants, hotels and other businesses in and around Wichita passed food safety or lodging inspections April 20-26. | Published May 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

Seventy restaurants, hotels and other businesses in and around Wichita passed food safety or lodging inspections April 27 to May 3. | Published May 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amy Renee Leiker

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported and written by Amy Renee Leiker and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Jumbo’s Beef & Brew owner Kayson Chong quietly opened his new Plentibloom food hall inside the Ruffin Building at Douglas and Broadway earlier this week, wanting to give his employees a chance to practice their new jobs.

But on Monday, Plentibloom Market & Cafe — a “food hall” concept that brings several restaurants’ dishes together into one space — will officially open to the public.

The new business has taken over the cafe area on the walkway level of the glass-encased Ruffin Building at 100 N. Broadway. The space had operated as a cafeteria called Walk Way Cafe until the pandemic closed it in 2020.

Chong was offered a chance to take the space over and envisioned a setup where the hundreds of people who work in the building as well as members of the general public could find food from popular local restaurants in one space. The remodeled space works sort of like a small hospital cafeteria, where diners can visit different counters and order the dishes they want then pay at a common cash register on their way out.

Diners will be able to get the same burgers, onion rings and fries that Chong serves at Jumbo’s Beef & Brew, 3750 N. Woodlawn; as well as chicken and beef shawarma, hummus and tabouli from N&J Cafe, 5600 E. Lincoln; and healthy wraps from NuTree, a food concept by Plentibloom general manager Alex Mohr.

Chong also is making pizza by-the-slice, offering it from a rotating warmer. Plentibloom also offers its own build-your-own salad bar, fresh pastries and a coffee station.

Chong has recruited a dessert vendor: XO Desserts, 548 S. Oliver, that will provide cheesecake by the slice and other sweets. And an aspiring Venezuelan cook will use Plentiblom’s commercial kitchen to start serving things like arepas and empanadas.

Plentibloom also serves breakfast, and its offerings in the morning include an oatmeal bar with lots of toppings.

Its hours starting on Monday will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Diners can either take their food with them or stay and eat in the large dining area outside the cafe that’s overflowing with tables and chairs. Chong said he hopes his customers will be the hundreds of people who work in the Ruffin Building, which now is about 70% occupied, as well as the many apartment dwellers, hotel guests and medical students who are downtown during the week.

Outside customers can either walk into the building at street level and take the elevator up to the walkway level or park on the walkway level of the parking garage across Broadway from the building and take the sky bridge straight into the restaurant.

For more information, visit Plentibloom Market & Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.

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This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 5:03 AM.