Press Releases

Topeka, KS- Around 1,000 area fourth graders, their teachers and parents and more than 100 volunteers are registered to attend the 20th Annual Make A Splash Topeka Water Festival at Garfield Park and Community Center Thursday, Sept. 12. This event runs from 9:30 a.m. until 2:05 p.m.
The festival, “Make a Splash Topeka Water Festival,” is part of a program in which festivals are scheduled annually in hundreds of locations around Kansas, the United States and internationally.
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an international, interdisciplinary, water science education program for formal and non-formal educators of K-12 students. The activities are correlated to the state standards and support what students are learning in school. The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, sponsor Project WET in Kansas.
“Water touches nearly every aspect of our lives. We use water to drink, brush our teeth, wash, cook, clean, grow food, produce energy and more. We depend on water not only to live, but for nearly everything we do. That makes conserving and preserving this vital natural resource essential,” said Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director. “We designed this event for fourth graders, because water is a topic that is often covered by teachers at this grade and this event supports students’ understandings of this amazing resource. Through the hard work of our many volunteers, the 1,000 fourth graders will participate in hands-on education activity stations and learn about a variety of water topics. Stations will teach students about how water gets from the river to their taps, how we can save water, how we can make sure water is clean and healthy for living things and even how to be safe when recreating on the water, to name just a few. By the end of this fun day, students have a better understanding of how important water is to our lives and what they can do to be good stewards of this shared resource.”
The event is offered free of charge to those who register in advance. Many classes are provided financial assistance with transportation costs.
Sponsors of the Topeka Water Festival include the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE); City of Topeka Utilities Department; Shawnee County Conservation District; Shawnee County Farm Bureau; Upper Wakarusa WRAPS, Middle Kansas WRAPS and Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams; Evergy Green Team; Goodyear Tire & Rubber; Jackson County Conservation District; Pottawatomie County Conservation District; Scott Holloman, CPA, LLC; Franklin County Conservation District; Topeka Audubon Society. Supporters include Arab Shrine Provost Guard Unit; Garfield Community Center and Park; Shawnee County Parks and Recreation; Kansas Department of Health & Environment/Bureau of Water, Watershed Mgt. Section; Kansas Water Office.
For information on KACEE programs, individuals may contact Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director, at 785-532-3322. For more information about the water festival, contact Molly Hadfield at 785-368-0991 or Laura Downey at 785-532-3322.

Around 375 area fourth graders, their teachers and parents and more than 75 volunteers are registered to attend the 21st Annual Make A Splash Topeka Water Festival at Garfield Park and Community Center Thursday, Sept. 23. This event runs from 9:30 a.m. until 2:05 p.m.

The festival, “Make a Splash Topeka Water Festival,” is part of a program in which festivals are scheduled annually in hundreds of locations around Kansas, the United States and internationally.

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an international, interdisciplinary, water science education program for formal and non-formal educators of K-12 students. The activities are correlated to the state standards and support what students are learning in school. The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, sponsor Project WET in Kansas.

“Water touches nearly every aspect of our lives.  We use water to drink, brush our teeth, wash, cook, clean, grow food, produce energy and more.  We depend on water not only to live, but for nearly everything we do.  That makes conserving and preserving this vital natural resource essential,” said Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director. “We designed this event for fourth graders, because water is a topic that is often covered by teachers at this grade and this event supports students’ learning about water and the ways in which humans impact our water, both good and bad.  Through the hard work of our many volunteers, area fourth graders will participate in hands-on education activity stations and learn about a variety of water topics. Stations will teach students about how water gets from the river to their taps, how we can save water, how we can make sure water is clean and healthy for living things and about storm drain systems, to name just a few. By the end of this fun day, students have a better understanding of how important water is to our lives and what they can do to be good stewards of this shared resource.”

The event is offered free of charge to those who register in advance. Many classes are provided financial assistance with transportation costs.  This year’s event has been scaled back as organizers put the health and safety of the students, teachers and volunteers first and foremost and have implemented several COVID protocols.  Masks are required at this event.

Sponsors of the Topeka Water Festival include the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE); City of Topeka Utilities Department; Shawnee County Conservation District; Evergy Green Team; Topeka Audubon Society; Franklin County Conservation District; Jackson County Conservation District; Scott Holloman, CPA, LLC. Supporters include Arab Shrine Provost Guard Unit; Garfield Community Center and Park; Shawnee County Parks and Recreation; Kansas Department of Health & Environment/Bureau of Water, Watershed Mgt. Section and HyVee.

For information on KACEE programs, individuals may contact Laura Downey, KACEE Executive Director, at 785-532-3322. For more information about the water festival, contact Molly Hadfield at 785-368-0991 or Laura Downey at 785-532-3322.

The City of Topeka Utilities Department started construction on the Ash Street Force Main project on April 15th and is scheduled to be completed in April of 2020. The original station was constructed in 1928 with an expansion occurring in 1972. The project consists of construction and installation of a new 48” diameter force main as well as upgrades to the Ash Street Pump Station’s existing pumps, gates, instrumentation and controls. There have been two failures in the existing force main, therefore this is a mandated rehabilitation project as part of the Consent Agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Citizens in the area of the Ash Street Pump Station were notified of the construction by mail this spring. An open house and informational presentation was held on January 24th. The site of construction will have several pieces of large equipment working in the area. The City of Topeka asks that citizens be cautious around the construction work zone. Please follow all temporary construction work zone traffic control which will include detours for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. For more information please contact City Wastewater Engineer Michelle Neiswender at 368-4251.

Case # 18-97201

On September 25, 2018 between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., this subject arrived at the Walgreens located at 1001 SW Topeka Blvd and then at the Walmart at 2630 SE California in what appears to be an Silver or Gold Nissan Altima. The subject allegedly committed criminal use of a financial card at both stores.  The cards were part of a theft that occurred at the University of Kansas St Francis Hospital, in which a wallet was stolen out of the purse of an employee on the same date (Sep. 25) within the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Note: The subject’s vehicle appears to be missing a hubcap on the passenger side rear wheel.

If you know who this individual is or have any information relating to this crime, please contact Detective Harrison at charrison@topeka.org.

You can also call Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007 to report anonymously. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

We need animal conservation heroes more than ever as the world is losing wildlife thousands of times faster than the natural extinction rate. A new public service announcement unveiled today by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) features four professionals who embody what it means to be a champion for wildlife and wild places. The winners of the AZA Find Our Wildlife Heroes contest, who star in the ad, share the unique paths they’ve pursued to help save endangered species. The full PSA and vignettes featuring each of the heroes may be viewed on AZA’s YouTube channel.

“The professional staff at AZA-accredited facilities are doing incredible work each day to educate and inspire the next generation of conservationists, provide exceptional care possible to the animals at their facilities, and working tirelessly in the field to save animals in nature,” said Dan Ashe, President and CEO of AZA. “Amanda, Donnie, Josh, and Rachael are representative of those thousands of professionals, and I believe America will enjoy getting to know them.”

Last fall, AZA invited members of its 233-accredited facilities to submit personal stories of their passion for animal care and conservation. Over 100 entries were received, highlighting the diverse work of professionals at AZA-accredited facilities and the love they have for their jobs.

After deliberation from a panel of judges, as well as a public voting period, four members from AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums were chosen as Our Wildlife Heroes. These four heroes represent professionals at AZA facilities who play a hands-on role in the care and conservation of animals:

• Amanda Hodo from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium – Amanda followed her dream to pursue aquatic biology and serves as a role model to the next generation of scientists through outreach to underserved communities.
• Donnie Alverson from San Diego Zoo Global – Donnie, a conservation researcher, is studying, breeding and reintroducing Hawaiian honeycreepers to ensure sustainable populations in the wild.
• Josh Lucas from Oklahoma City Zoo – Josh, a herpetologist, grew his childhood love of reptiles into a lifelong passion for caring for animals and traveled across the globe to help rescue endangered radiated tortoises from illegal wildlife trade.
• Rachael Rost from Topeka Zoo – Rachael, an educator, directly connects with thousands of students per year, engaging them in citizen science and inspiring conservation in the classroom.

More than 800,000 animals receive quality care at AZA-accredited organizations, which includes ensuring a diverse wildlife population for generations to come. Because of exceptional staff members like these heroes, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are uniquely suited to fight extinction through:
 Resources – They contributed $220 million in 2017 to field conservation, benefitting over 800 species worldwide.
 Research – They conducted over 1,000 animal care, health, and welfare projects in 2017.
 Recovery – They reintroduce extinct species such as the scimitar-horned oryx and the black-footed ferret and rehabilitate animals who cannot survive on their own.
 Education – They inspire nearly 200 million annual guests, in addition to the countless education and volunteer programs in their community.

The PSA encourages viewers also to be a hero for wildlife through five simple steps: Advocate, Volunteer, Donate, Share and Visit. Animal lovers can deepen their commitment to wildlife conservation by going to www.aza.org/joinus.

ABOUT AZA

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

Fall leaves are beautiful but when they fall on the ground in autumn they become a major source of litter throughout the treed areas of our community. If not removed, leaves are washed into storm water inlets during a rain or when snow and ice melts which can create clogs in the storm drains and put litter into the water supply.

The City of Topeka is responsible for sweeping our streets. In the fall, sweeping becomes much more burdensome than any other season due to the large amount of leaves.

To assist street sweeping crews, please do not rake piles of leaves or throw twigs and limbs into the street. What might take a two-sweeper crew one or two passes could turn into a five or six pass process. Twigs and larger limbs also can damage the equipment. The fewer limbs and twigs in the street, the less the chance of a breakdown, which would only slow the leaf removal process.

“We are seeking voluntary compliance,” said Jaci Vogel, Deputy Director of Public Works’ Operations, whose department is responsible for maintaining our streets. “While there are measures in our litter ordinance that outlines action to be taken against those who violate it, we would rather have voluntary compliance and have residents bag their leaves.” Vogel said crews would much rather spend their time picking up leaves as quickly as possible and not get bogged down in leaf piles swept into the street.

The purpose of removing leaves from streets is to keep them out of our waterways. Once leaves break down, they become sludge that can clog pipes. Clogged pipes can cause melting snow not to drain, which results in water at intersections freezing. In turn, the intersection can become dangerously slick.

“It is a big job to maintain streets without piles of leaves being added to our workload,” Vogel said. “Help us help you and your neighborhood be clean and safe.”

For more information, click on this link for a video about the City of Topeka’s leaf removal process. https://youtu.be/w3wWEAiscZo

 

The City of Topeka’s Chief of Staff, Bill Cochran, announced Thursday that he’s retiring from the City early December.

“After a combined 35 years of service to the City of Topeka, I will be retiring from the city come December 2^nd,” said Cochran. “With a new City Manager on board, I’m excited to be able to close my chapter with the city, and to be able to spend more time with my grandkids and family.”

“Bill is a dedicated public servant who served the Topeka community well for the last 35 years,” said Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade. “Bill stepped up and led our City in times of need, and he deserves this retirement and to be able to spend more time with family. I wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

Cochran’s retirement date is Friday, December 2, 2022. He had been serving as Topeka’s Chief of Staff since February 2021.

Wade does not plan to hire a new Chief of Staff.

 

Bill Cochran has been named as the Chief of Staff for City Manager Brent Trout. The Chief of Staff is a new position who will work as an assistant to the City Manager and perform a variety of duties to coordinate the administrative activities of the City Manager while also assisting with strategic focus and operations efficiencies to ensure optimal use of resources. Cochran will start his duties as Chief of Staff on February 22^nd.

“Today I am excited to announce that Bill Cochran has accepted my offer to return to the City of Topeka in a new role as my Chief of Staff.  Bill Cochran is someone that we all know as a dedicated public servant to the City of Topeka with 34 years of service in the Police Department,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Bill is a well-qualified person to fulfill this newly created position in our government structure.  In addition to his education and experience, Bill Cochran has strong community ties that will help facilitate the duties of his new role.”

Bill Cochran worked for the Topeka Police Department for 34 years including 3 years as Chief of Police. Cochran has worked in several capacities at the Topeka Police Department including homicide, traffic, patrol, field operations, and criminal investigations.

“I am very excited to continue my career in public service as the Chief of Staff to City Manager Trout. I am looking forward to starting this new phase of my career and continuing to serve the citizens of Topeka in my new role,” said Cochran.

Cochran has also served in the Army National Guard from February 1985 until he retired as a First Lieutenant in July of 2005. He was deployed for thirteen months in Iraq from January 2004 to February of 2005. Cochran received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in 1987 and his Masters of Business Administration from Friends University in 2010. Cochran is also a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command School. Cochran’s salary as Chief of Staff will be $125,000.

Bill Cochran will be continuing as Topeka’s permanent Police Chief effective immediately. He was named as the interim Police Chief on November 4th.

“After meeting with candidates, Bill rose up as the best candidate to be the Police Chief for the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Bill Cochran has done a wonderful job at the police department since starting as the interim Police Chief in November. I’m excited to see him continue the great work he has started and implement other innovative initiatives.”

Bill Cochran has worked with the Topeka Police Department for thirty one years, starting his service on July 13, 1987. Cochran has worked in several capacities at the Topeka Police Department including: homicide, traffic, patrol, field operations, and criminal investigations. Most recently Cochran has been serving as the Interim Police Chief.

“I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to serve the citizens of Topeka as the Chief of Police. I am also grateful that the Governing Body and City Manager have the faith in me to serve them in this capacity. The City of Topeka is my community and a community that I care dearly for,” said Cochran. “Serving as the Interim Police Chief over the past few months has given me the opportunity to initiate some changes within the Topeka Police Department. As the permanent chief I look forward to the opportunity to continue working on those changes.”

Cochran has also served in the Army National Guard from February 1985 until he retired as a First Lieutenant in July of 2005. He was deployed for thirteen months in Iraq from January 2004 to February of 2005. Cochran received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Washburn University in 1987 and his Masters of Business Administration from Friends University in 2010. Cochran is also a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command School. Cochran’s salary as Police Chief will be $135,500.

Bill Fiander, the City of Topeka’s Director of Planning and Development, announced Friday that he’s retiring from the City of Topeka and pursuing a new opportunity in the community. Fiander will join the staff at Washburn University as a faculty lecturer in the Political Science Department developing the public administration program and next generation of public sector leaders.

Fiander came to Topeka as the city’s first neighborhood planner, hired by former Topeka Mayor Joan Wagnon. He’s served in various leadership roles during his more than 25-year tenure, including the last 10 years as director of what is now the Planning and Development Department. Fiander oversaw growth of a department from 12 to 44 employees, which now encompass the city’s planning, zoning, building, and affordable housing functions.

“We are indebted to Bill for his incredible service to Topeka over the last two decades. Bill was a trailblazer who brought Topeka things such as our neighborhood health map, smart growth planning for infill and downtown development, greater citizen participation in new development projects, ‘complete streets’ for pedestrians and bicyclists, a new online permitting process, and community-wide design standards for commercial areas and signs. Bill is leaving big shoes to fill and while we will miss him at the city, I couldn’t be happier for him and our community with his new role,” said Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade.

“What a privilege it’s been answering the call to serve Topeka. It gave me everything a young planner dreamed of who wanted to make a difference in the plight of our central cities. There’s great peace not only looking back at how far we’ve come, but also looking ahead at where we can go with our next generation of planning, development, and housing professionals under the City Manager’s leadership. I’m honored to pass that torch while still answering a new, but similar call to serve,” said Fiander.

Fiander’s last date at the city will be January 13. Rhiannon Friedman, the city’s Director of Development and Economic Growth, will serve as the Interim Director of Planning and Development.