🌱 Patch AM: Why Topeka’s data center moratorium isn’t going away just yet

Hello again Topeka! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Topeka's data center moratorium isn't going away just yet
• Topeka man gets 10-year sentence in southeast shooting case
• Which new trail funding could change how you get around near Topeka?

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Keith H.!

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 85 and low of 66 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 91, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
• Saturday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, with a high of 89 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Topeka City Council presses Compass Data Centers, Evergy during special meeting (wibw.com) — Topeka city leaders pressed Compass Data Centers and Evergy in a special meeting about how proposed data centers could affect local utilities, reliability, and who pays for upgrades. With a moratorium on new data centers still in place, council members and residents say many transparency questions remain, and they're urging Compass to engage directly with everyday Topekans before any next steps.
   

• Topeka man receives 10 year prison sentence for aggravated battery (wibw.com) — A Topeka man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for an aggravated battery shooting that happened last November in southeast Topeka. Local prosecutors and Topeka Police were credited for their work, and the defendant will move from Shawnee County custody to the state prison system, followed by two years of post-release supervision.
   

• Fort Scott's Buck Run Gets $1.45M KDOT Grant (fortscott.biz) — From Topeka, state leaders just awarded $37.2 million for 33 active-transportation projects, including a major $2.09 million boost to extend the Landon Trail toward Shawnee Heights. The funding will improve sidewalks, Safe Routes to School, and trails in communities across Kansas, potentially expanding safer biking and walking options for residents who travel into or around the Topeka area.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday August 21
• First Late Start Friday
  Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
Tuesday August 25
• IH Parent Information Night EC-2nd
  Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
  4:30 pm
• Parent Information Night 3rd-5th
  Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
  5:00 pm
• Parent Information Night
  Farley Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
  5:30 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 21
• 7-12th Grade Portraits
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
  8:00 am
Saturday August 22
• Watermelon Scrimmage
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
  8:00 am
• Shakin The City →
  The Woodshed Event Center, 1901 N Kansas Ave, Topeka
  11:00 am
Tuesday August 25
• Silver Lake Education Foundation Night at QDOBA
  Silver Lake USD 372 QDOBA Mexican Eats
  4:00 pm
• Parent Night →
  Northern Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66617
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
• No Preschool
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539
• Preschool Screening
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake, KS 66539
• Future Farmers of America Fall Area Meeting
  Silver Lake USD 372 Oskaloosa High School, 404 Park St, Oskaloosa, KS 66066, USA
  9:00 am

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Good night Topeka Kansas.
  Sunset and moonrise August 18th 2026. Off the Sunga creek trail. #Topeka #sunset #moonrise (Nextdoor East Topeka North)
• The Red Carpet delivery is a Godsend for me as my disabilities have left me homebound.
  The gals bring me books I want to checkout and recommend books for me to read. I would not have the opportunity to read any longer if this service… (Nextdoor Westboro)

• Jason's Deli posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Topeka. Apply here.
• TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for FT-Sales Associate - Outside Lawn And Garden-Opening in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lawrence

• Sponsored: The Lawrence Art Guild's Art in the Park (kcstudio.org)
• Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Aug. 18, 2026 (lawrencekstimes.com)
• City Commission approves west Lawrence annexation for Beacon Landing development (lawrencekstimes.com)

Baldwin City

• A look at the proposed property tax rates in Douglas County, including the 'Frugal 14' that are planning revenue neutral amounts (ljworld.com)

Ok Topeka! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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