🌱 Patch AM: Why are more homeless Topekans dying, and what can change?

Good morning Topeka! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why are more homeless Topekans dying, and what can change?
• Injury crash on I-470 is snarling Topeka's west-side commute
• See where Topekans can cash in Kansas Lottery winnings today

Also on today's calendar: Oktoberfest a Community Event and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.
• Monday: A morning shower in spots, temps: high: 72, low: 56.
• Tuesday: Cloudy and less humid, with a high of 67 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 'We miss them' as Topeka homeless deaths rise (kansas.com) — Rising deaths among Topeka's unsheltered residents are alarming local advocates, who have tracked 37 losses in the Moving Ahead Partnership community since 2022. Former Topeka Rescue Mission director Barry Feaker and others describe grief, a new annual Remembrance Day, and concerns that camp closures and unstable policies are leaving people less safe while calling for better mental health, addiction, and housing responses.
   

• Traffic Hazard at Topeka Blvd and Turnpike Interchange (news-usa.today) — An injury crash on I-470 westbound between Gage and Fairlawn is slowing traffic on Topeka's busy western bypass and affecting nearby streets like Wanamaker and 21st. Emergency crews are on scene, and officials urge Topeka drivers to use real-time maps or state transit feeds to find alternate routes until the area clears.
   

• Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Sept. 19, 2026 (cjonline.com) — If you bought a Kansas Lottery ticket in Topeka or anywhere in the state, you can now check the Sept. 19 winning numbers for Powerball, Pick 3, and other games. Winners of larger prizes are directed to claim at Kansas Lottery headquarters on N Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka, open weekdays.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday September 21
• Free Youth Karate Classes →
  Professional Martial Arts, 1900 SW Clay Street, Topeka

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday September 21
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Training in Topeka, KS →
  420 SE 6th St, Topeka
• Cardio Sculpt →
  Center for Integrative Health, 5423 SW 7th St, Topeka
  12:00 pm
• Trivia Night - FREE TO PLAY - League Returns Oct 5th →
  Happy Basset Barrel House, Topeka
  1:00 pm
• Brews & Brains - LEAGUE FINALE NIGHT →
  Happy Basset Barrel House, Topeka
  1:00 pm
• Barre Fusion →
  Center for Integrative Health, 5423 SW 7th St, Topeka
  5:30 pm
• Sticks and String →
  Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st Street, Topeka
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 22
• Restorative Yoga →
  Center for Integrative Health, 5423 SW 7th St, Topeka
  12:15 pm
Saturday October 3
• Oktoberfest a Community Event →
  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 3526 SW Wanamaker Rd
  9:00 am
• Oktoberfest →
  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3625 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka
  10:00 am
• Oktoberfest, a Community Event →
  3625 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka
  10:00 am
Thursday October 8
• Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
  Dillard's, 1791 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka
  10:00 am

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

• The Woodshed is not where we expect to be celebrating our 25th anniversary but here we are.
  Topeka has only been home for five years but it is starting to feel like home. Saturday we will be celebrating 25 years of life well lived. We have… (Nextdoor East Topeka North)
• So I found a kitten I believe the momma cat abandoned it.
  It unfortunately has a crooked tail. I can't keep it and I would love to give it a caring home it's a black kitten. Message me if you would like the… (Nextdoor Forest Hills)

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Backroom, Cleaning, Prepping. Earn up to $16 per hour in Topeka. Apply here.
• Vincit Group posted a job opening for Sanitation Team Member - Kansas Locations in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lawrence

• The Raven Book Store's bestsellers for Sept. 1-18, 2026 (Sponsored post) (lawrencekstimes.com)
• Beyond Bottled Water: EPA Showcases Technology That Provides Safe Drinking Water to Disaster-Hit Areas (epa.gov)
• Group paves way for improved Douglas County birth outcomes through policy, data and patient care (lawrencekstimes.com)

Baldwin City

• See which high school football teams were victorious this week: scores around KC (kansascity.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: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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