Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why COMCARE expects more crisis calls in Wichita after the holidays

Coming up on the Wichita Patch calendar: Bring in the new year with our band "Triple Play".

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Tuesday December 30th Patch AM
Tuesday December 30th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Wichita! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why COMCARE expects more crisis calls in Wichita after the holidays
  • How a basement visit in south Wichita turned deadly
  • How two Wichita friends are warming up unhoused neighbors this winter

Also on today's calendar: Bring in the new year with our band "Triple Play". and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Wichitafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Wichitafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Sunshine, with a high of 50 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 54, low: 29.
  • Thursday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 48 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Sedgwick County COMCARE shares 2025 stats, prepares for post-holiday crisis calls (kwch.com) — COMCARE’s Wichita-based crisis line has already handled over 42,000 calls in 2025 and expects a surge as the holidays end, when local suicide risk historically climbs. Leaders urge Wichita and Sedgwick County residents to watch for warning signs in loved ones and remind everyone they can call 988 or COMCARE’s 24/7 crisis line at 316-660-7500 for immediate help.
   

2. 18-year-old charged with murder in friend's shooting death in Wichita (kansas.com) — Wichita police say an 18-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a friend was fatally shot while they handled guns in a south Wichita basement. Officers responded Dec. 23 to a home on South Eisenhower Court, where the victim later died from his injuries. Authorities report the suspect allegedly pointed one of the firearms at the victim and fired.
   

3. Friends launch winter drive to help local unhoused community stay warm (ksn.com) — Wichita residents Adriana and Chrissy are collecting blankets, coats, gloves, and other warm items to help unhoused neighbors stay warm, with initial donations going out on New Year’s Eve. They hope to turn this into a monthly coat drive and are inviting locals to contribute by phone or email. It’s a direct way for Wichita community members to support vulnerable residents this winter.
   

4. After the gifts, the bills: local expert says holiday overspending leaves many struggling (kwch.com) — Wichita residents facing post-holiday credit card bills are getting practical advice from a Newman University financial expert on how to stop overspending and start rebuilding savings. Local voices share how they’re recovering now and planning smarter for Valentine’s Day and next year’s holidays, emphasizing budgeting, using savings carefully, and even rethinking gift traditions.
   

5. Train museum just shy of $50,000 restoration goal (ksn.com) — Wichita’s Great Plains Transportation Museum is just short of its $50,000 goal to repair unexpected rust damage on historic Santa Fe locomotive 93. After grit blasting exposed hidden problems, donors from Wichita and beyond stepped up with major and small gifts. The museum aims to finish the restoration in 2026 and display the engine in fresh paint downtown.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Wichita PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 27, 2025 in Wichita, KS 67216 near Elmhurst and Oaklawn Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor South Area)
  • Neighborhood Safety Alert - Anna & Maple ⚠️
    Just wanted to warn everyone driving near the intersection of Anna and Maple. While driving with my daughters yesterday, our back passenger window… (Nextdoor Orchard Breeze)
  • Textron posted a job opening for SkillBridge Military Intern - Aircraft Assembler in Wichita. Apply here.
  • Occidental Petroleum Corp.(Oxy) posted a job opening for Production Superintendent 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: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Wichita