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🌱 Patch AM: What sentence could this ex-Topeka corrections officer receive in November?

Also check out Oktoberfest on the Topeka Patch calendar

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Good morning Topeka! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What sentence could this ex-Topeka corrections officer receive in November?
  • What charges does the suspect face in the fatal Lake Shawnee crash?
  • How Washburn players brought big-game energy to Topeka kids' clinic

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

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 72 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 70, low: 48.
  • Saturday: Sunny and comfortable, with a high of 71 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ex-corrections officer in Topeka pleads guilty to soliciting girl (cjonline.com) — A former Topeka corrections officer has pleaded guilty to indecent solicitation of a child after allegedly soliciting sex from a 15-year-old inmate at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. He accepted a plea deal that dropped a related charge, and sentencing in Shawnee County District Court is set for Nov. 13, with guidelines suggesting probation if he has no prior felonies.
   

2. Man charged with murder in Topeka hit-and-run crash death (kansas.com) — Topeka readers are learning more about charges against a 27-year-old local man accused in a Sept. 23 hit-and-run that killed 14-year-old pedestrian Joshua Solis near Lake Shawnee. Prosecutors filed multiple serious counts, including reckless second-degree murder and DUI-related manslaughter, as the community rallies around the teen's family through an online fundraiser.
   

3. Washburn WBB holds youth clinic at Topeka Boys and Girls Club (wibw.com) — Young athletes in Topeka just got hands-on coaching from Washburn University's women's basketball team during a free clinic at the Boys & Girls Club on 27th Street. Players and coaches used the preseason break to teach skills, emphasize leadership, and strengthen ties with local families, with a few men's team members also joining in before both squads start play in November.
   

4. Kansas lawmakers working to clean up 'burdensome' application process for SNAP, Medicaid (ksnt.com) — In Topeka lawmakers met at the Statehouse to tackle the confusing, 32-page application process for SNAP and Medicaid that's delaying benefits for struggling families. They're exploring staffing boosts, better training, and a simplified four-page form, with ideas from outside experts likely to feed into legislation when the 2027 session begins.
   

5. North Carolina energy company holds open house for proposed battery energy system (wibw.com) — In Topeka, residents just heard details about a proposed 270-megawatt battery energy storage system planned near the old Tecumseh coal plant, a $350 million investment that could bolster the regional power grid by 2030. The North Carolina-based developer is fielding questions from neighbors and coordinating early with local fire departments as the project remains in its proposal stage.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • If you're on 31st and Humboldt and you're missing a chicken, she was carried by my dog down to our house.
    I tried my best to catch her but she's managed to find a safe hiding spot! I'm not good at catching things but if you'd like to grab her yourself,… (Nextdoor Highland)
  • Found this male English Mastiff/Bullmastiff near Lake Shawnee, around 29th & Granger in Topeka.
    He approached us as we were working in our yard. He is very friendly and appears to be well cared for. We gave him some water and currently have him… (Nextdoor Shawnee Lake)
  • Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Senior Shift Leader in Topeka. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Online Order Filling Team Supervisor 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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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