Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much does your Shawnee County school superintendent really make?
Also check out PTO Movie Night on the Topeka Patch calendar
Good day Topeka! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How much does your Shawnee County school superintendent really make?
- What we know so far about the deadly East Topeka shooting
- What a 14‑month Topeka Boulevard overhaul means for your commute
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Renae H.!
Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 88 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Humid with periods of sun, temps: high: 90, low: 62.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 87 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. How much Shawnee County's 5 school superintendents are paid (kansascity.com) — If you live in Topeka or Shawnee County, your school leaders' paychecks are sizable: Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson can earn nearly $280,000 next school year, slightly more than Auburn-Washburn's Kathleen Collier. The story breaks down salaries, bonuses, and stipends for all five Shawnee County superintendents so residents can see how each district compensates its top administrator. 
2. One Dead After Overnight Shooting in East Topeka; Police Investigating (thisistopeka.com) — Police are investigating a homicide after a person was found dead early Sunday in East Topeka near the 2300 block of SE 23rd Street. Detectives have not yet released the victim's name or any suspect information, and they're asking anyone with tips to contact Topeka Police or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers as the case develops.
3. Businesses share concerns over Topeka Boulevard closure (wibw.com) — Topeka drivers and business owners along SW Topeka Boulevard face a 14‑month utility and road upgrade starting September 2026, with traffic reduced to one lane each way. City officials say the disruptive work will replace aging water, sewer, and storm systems plus key traffic signals, aiming to extend the boulevard's life 15 years and underground lines for decades.
4. Salute Our Heroes: Topeka teacher brings ocean science lessons back from NOAA program (wibw.com) — A Topeka USD 501 teacher just returned from 12 days at sea with NOAA's Teacher at Sea program and is now weaving hands-on ocean science into lessons for English learners at Jardine Middle School. Her experience studying thousands of scallops and working alongside scientists is helping local students build background knowledge, confidence, and curiosity, and she'll soon share insights with educators statewide.
5. How to take a public health approach to violence in Topeka (kansascity.com) — Community groups in Topeka are treating gun violence like a public health crisis, focusing on hotspots such as Central Park and east and southeast Topeka. Through the Capital Peace Project, YWCA staff and partners host neighborhood pop‑ups, share food and resources, and use data-driven "violence interrupters" to rebuild trust, address poverty, and interrupt cycles of shootings citywide.
📸 Around Topeka
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- PTO Movie Night
Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614
5:30 pm
Friday August 28
🗓 Events Nearby
- 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 - 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 - Grade School Fall Gym Use Meeting
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539
5:30 pm - Junior High Kick Off Meeting
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
7:40 am - High School Varsity Girls Golf
Silver Lake USD 372 Forbes Golf Course, 700 SW Capehart Rd, Topeka, KS 66619, USA
1:00 pm - Kindergarten Parent Night →
North Fairview Topeka, KS 66617
6:00 pm - Parent Info Night
Pauline South Intermediate Wakarusa, KS 66546
6:30 pm - Popcorn Friday! →
North Fairview Topeka, KS 66617
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
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
- Sorry folks - this somehow double posted!!!
He was taken to HELPING HANDS on Sunday after they opened - contact HHS for updates. Dog was wandering around in Knollwood - west of Burlingame RD… (Nextdoor Knollwood) - Someone posted this guy on Topeka Lost and Found page on Facebook.
Please contact the original poster if he belongs to you. I bet someone is missing this buddy! (Nextdoor Woodvalley Watchers)
- City of Topeka Kansas posted a job opening for Water Utility Worker - Water Treatment Plant in Topeka. Apply here.
- Highmark Health posted a job opening for Manager Risk and Quality Assurance 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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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