🌱 Patch AM: Authorities identify 75-year-old Topeka man killed in SW Burnett fire

Cheers Topeka! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Authorities identify 75-year-old Topeka man killed in SW Burnett fire
• Why Topeka's high court tossed three convictions over a $20 fee
• How Topeka-based regulators helped Kansans recover $29 million from insurers

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

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 89 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, temps: high: 82, low: 66.
• Monday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 88 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man found dead after house fire identified as Topekan, 75 (cjonline.com) — Authorities have identified the man found dead after an Aug. 2 house fire on SW Burnett Road as 75-year-old Stephen E. May of Topeka. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze, found no other occupants or injuries, and say the cause remains undetermined as multiple Topeka and state agencies continue their review.
   

2. Kansas Supreme Court reverses convictions for failure to pay $20 administrative fee (kmuw.org) — From its Topeka chambers, the Kansas Supreme Court has thrown out three convictions against a Wyandotte County man who failed to pay a $20 offender registration fee, sharply questioning the law's fairness and due process. Justices split on whether the statute itself is constitutional, but agreed procedural missteps and indigency concerns meant the case could not stand.
   

3. Kansas insurance department assists with $29M in consumer recoveries, a 147% increase • Kansas Reflector (kansasreflector.com) — State insurance officials based in Topeka report recovering $29.2 million for Kansas policyholders in 2025, more than doubling the prior year's total. The Kansas Department of Insurance says most complaints involved claims handling, especially auto and homeowners coverage, and stresses that written complaints from residents are key to holding insurers accountable under state law.
   

4. Phillips Pipeline Co. (I-70 & 57th St Leak Site) Public Comment period (ks.gov) — Topeka residents can review contamination cleanup plans at KDHE's Jackson Street offices while the state takes public comments on a Phillips Pipeline leak site near I-70 and 57th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. A 15-day comment period runs August 25–September 9, with options to submit feedback online, by email, mail, or in person.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

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
Friday August 28
• PTO Movie Night
  Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
  5:30 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

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
• Preschool Screening
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake, KS 66539
• No Preschool
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, 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
• Grade School Fall Gym Use Meeting
  Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539
  5:30 pm

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

• Sunrise on the shunga creek Trail this morning.
  Using my cell this morning. My other cameras are fighting with me. That still won't keep me from capturing the start of this wonderful day. … (Nextdoor East Topeka North)
• BUYING vintage stereo equipment!
  Amps, pre amps, receivers, speakers, turntables,records, ect! Because of the excess of spam calls please send me a personal message for my phone… (Nextdoor NW Rochester Rd)

• Pat Plumbing Heating & Air posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Topeka. Apply here.
• QC Holdings-LendNation posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.

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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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