Community Corner

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

Spotted on the Topeka calendar: Free Youth Karate Classes

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Sunday September 20th Patch AM
Sunday September 20th Patch AM (keith H.)

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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📸 The Kansas Reining Horse Association is holding their annual Sunflower Slide Reining Championships September 18, 19, 20 in Domer Livestock arena at the Stormont Vail Events Center. —keith H. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

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💬 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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