Topeka
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Police seek tips after woman found dead near downtown Topeka

Also check out No School- Labor Day on the Topeka Patch calendar

Friday September 4th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Topeka? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Police seek tips after woman found dead near downtown Topeka
  • What led to Thursday's tense SWAT standoff in downtown Topeka?
  • What Topekans should know after Town and Country's food line closes

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 97 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and hot, temps: high: 98, low: 72.
  • Sunday: Hot with a stray thunderstorm, with a high of 98 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Topeka police investigate woman's death near downtown (cjonline.com) — Police are investigating the death of a woman found unresponsive Wednesday night in the 600 block of SW Tyler Street, just west of downtown Topeka. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and no further details have been released. Anyone with information is urged to contact Topeka police or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers, where anonymous tips are accepted.
   

2. Police take man into custody after standoff in downtown Topeka (cjonline.com) — Police took a man into custody Thursday afternoon after a lengthy standoff near SW 7th and Jackson in downtown Topeka, where residents were urged to avoid the area. A SWAT vehicle, drone, and police dog were deployed before the man surrendered. The Topeka Police Department says the scene remains under active investigation and more details will be released later.
   

3. Town and Country Christian Church food distribution line holds final pickup (wibw.com) — Town and Country Christian Church's long-running drive-through food distribution in Topeka held its final pickup Thursday, ending a service that regularly helped 150 to 300 households. Volunteers worry about neighbors who relied on walking or biking there, but emphasize that Topekans can still find free groceries through other pantries and Harvesters-listed distributions around the city.
   

4. Kansas school district allowing students to stay home during hot weather (ksn.com) — Topeka Public Schools USD 501 is allowing families to keep students home with excused absences during an intense heat wave, while schools remain open for those needing services. The district is moving recess and PE indoors, adjusting air conditioning schedules, and shifting outdoor practices to cooler hours. Families are urged to notify schools of absences and consider driving children if possible.
   

5. Kansas Lottery Pick 3, 2 By 2 winning numbers for Sept. 3, 2026 (cjonline.com) — If you bought Kansas Lottery tickets, here are the Pick 3, 2 By 2, and Millionaire for Life winning numbers from Sept. 3, plus how to claim prizes. Larger wins must be mailed in or redeemed at Kansas Lottery headquarters at 128 N Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka, which handles payouts of any size on weekdays.
   

📸 Around Topeka

Subscribe

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 Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Monday September 7
  • No School- Labor Day
    Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
  • Tuesday September 8
  • McEachron Book Fair
    Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
  • PTO Meeting
    Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
    5:30 pm

📣 Topeka 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

    Friday September 4
  • High School Football
    Silver Lake USD 372 St Marys High School, 601 E Lasley St, St Marys, KS 66536, USA
    7:00 pm
  • Saturday September 5
  • Junior High and High School Cross Country
    Silver Lake USD 372 Cotton O'Neil Kanza Park, 2660 SW 3rd St, Topeka, KS 66606, US
    9:30 am
  • Monday September 7
  • Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
    Silver Lake USD 372 400 E Pottawatomie St, Silver Lake, KS 66539, USA
  • Junior High Volleyball
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    4:30 pm
  • High School Junior Varsity Football
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    5:30 pm
  • Tuesday September 8
  • High School Varsity Girls Golf
    Silver Lake USD 372 Lamont Hill Golf Club, 22975 KS-368, Vassar, KS 66543, USA
    1:00 pm
  • High School Junior Varsity Girls Golf
    Silver Lake USD 372 TopCITYGolf at GreatLIFE North, 350 NE US 24 HWY, Topeka, KS 66
    3:00 pm
  • High School Volleyball Triangular
    Silver Lake USD 372 Rossville Junior-Senior High School, 800 Main St, Rossville, KS
    5:00 pm
  • Wednesday September 9
  • Junior High 8B Volleyball Tournament
    Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
    3:30 pm

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My mom passed away and we had her funeral yesterday.
    I want to give a shoutout to Topeka. We had a long procession of cars on the drive to the cemetery. People pulled over and stopped not one car passed… (Nextdoor Central Highland Park)
  • I am looking for any stained glass crafters who might want free glass.
    It is time for me to get rid of the extra glass I have accumulated over the years. (Nextdoor Oakwood Hills)
  • Spencer's posted a job opening for Store Manager - Spencer's in Topeka. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Customer Service Supervisor Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr 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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 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

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Topeka Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information