An armed suspect is deceased following an officer-involved shooting early Thursday morning in South Topeka.
On October 13, at around 12:40 a.m. officers from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to a home in the 4800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. on reports of a violent domestic incident. Information indicated that a suspect, who is known to the victim, was trying to break into the victim’s home. The suspect made entry, and barricaded himself inside the house.
A short time later, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, and officers quickly located him at the Kwik Shop at 4500 SW Topeka Blvd.
While at the Kwik Shop, the suspect, armed with a knife, attempted to steal a different vehicle, occupied by two adult females and a child. Multiple officers fired at the suspect. All involved officers and bystanders are uninjured. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate this incident. All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol.
The deceased individual is an adult male. The individual will not be identified until next of kin notifications have been made.
This is preliminary information, and additional updates are expected to come from the KBI.
The City of Topeka announced Thursday that it hired Rhiannon Friedman to serve as the City’s new Director of Development and Economic Growth. Friedman will transition from her current role as the President of Downtown Topeka, Inc., to the City later this fall, at a date to be determined.
The position, which will be housed within the City’s Planning and Development Department, is the first of its kind at the City. The role aims to make Topeka more development efficient, with equity at the core. Friedman’s work will focus on affordable housing expansion, incentive packages available to builders and developers, as well as increased communication in these areas.
Friedman has served as the President of Downtown Topeka, Inc. for the last two years. Her resume includes key positions at GO Topeka, a PR organization in Texas, the State of Kansas, and more. Friedman has a bachelor’s in political science and government from K-State. Earlier this year, she was selected as a 2022 International Downtown Association Fellow, becoming one of only 30 professionals to participate in the national program.
“I’m thrilled that Rhiannon will join the Topeka team later this fall. Rhiannon is a proven leader, who’s developed professional relationships with many of Topeka’s builders and developers. I know she will make the City more efficient in all economic development areas. What I want people to know is that this is a cooperative strategy to collectively better our community, and that it’s not a duplication of services, but rather a compliment of services. I’m excited that the City is able to expand upon its cherished partnership with the GTP, and I’m grateful that Matt and I both see this as a collective victory,” said Stephen Wade, Topeka’s City Manager.
“I’m extremely grateful for my time with the Greater Topeka Partnership over the last few years. Thanks to leadership from Matt and so many others, the experience allowed me to develop many strong relationships within our community. In this new role with the city, I look forward to driving new development and redevelopment that builds on the momentum we’re seeing. The innovation with this role is exciting, because it allows the city and the GTP to partner together even more, as we work to collectively better the community,” said Friedman, Director of Development and Economic Growth.
“Rhiannon has been outstanding to Topeka in so many ways and we will reap the benefits from her contributions for decades. Losing someone like her might normally seem like a nightmare but knowing she will be on Team Topeka with our partner at the City makes it more like a dream. I applaud Steve Wade for his vision in this hire and look forward to working hand in hand with Rhiannon and Steve going forward as we continue our momentum,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership.
The City of Topeka and Kansas Gas Service are partnering together to distribute 200 free weatherization kits to help Topekans prepare their homes for winter.
The kits will be distributed by appointment only on Thursday, October 20 at City Hall, located at 215 SE 7th St. in downtown Topeka.
“In anticipation of winter, Kansas Gas Service is proud to provide weatherization kits to our Topeka neighbors. Weatherizing your home helps you save money by saving energy, and it can also improve the comfort of your home,” said Lindsay Freeman, State Manager of Community Relations for Kansas Gas Service.
The weatherization kits are designed to reduce air leaks in homes, which is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort. Each kit includes:
- Two door sweeps
- Two rolls of foam weather seal
- One window kit
- One package of outlet sealers
- Energy saving tips
To schedule an appointment for a weatherization kit, please contact Monique Glaudeˊ, the City’s Director of Community Engagement at mglaude@topeka.org or 785-368-4470.
Topeka will soon be home to a new non-congregate shelter, and additional affordable housing options, the City of Topeka announced Monday. A non-congregate shelter, commonly known as a temporary shelter, provides rooms to individuals and families, and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement.
The projects are made possible by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP), which provided the City $1,754,961. HOME-ARP aims to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country. Topeka’s Governing Body approved the HOME-ARP funding on June 14, 2022 through the 2021 Amended Consolidated Action Plan. These dollars are not affiliated with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The City of Topeka sought requests for proposals (RFPs) for the shelter and affordable housing projects, and received 14 responses. The responses were then reviewed by an external review and ranking committee with expertise in grant writing, real estate or construction.
The City will award $1 million to YWCA of Northeast Kansas to fund the non-congregate shelter, and $754,961 to SENT, Inc. to fund new construction on three homes, and eight rehabilitations on homes for our most vulnerable citizens.
“We are so excited to add 11 new affordable housing options for Topekans. Additionally, being able to assist the YWCA in expanding their shelter is so needed and beneficial to those experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking or stalking. We all know domestic violence has been increasing across the nation. This grant will allow us to address that here in Topeka,” said Corrie Wright, the City’s Division Director of Housing Services.
All projects must fund and serve the qualifying population as outlined by HUD, which includes individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. HUD requires that all tenants and homeowners must have income levels of no more than 80% of the median household income, meaning a family of four can make no more than $66,150. City staff will review files to ensure compliance with HUD’s requirements.
The location of the shelter is not being disclosed for security purposes. The affordable housing projects will take place in Hi-Crest.
The City of Topeka and PC’s for People, an area technology refurbishing company, are partnering together to host a free digital e-cycle event.
The drive-thru event will take place on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the City Hall parking lot. City Hall is located in downtown Topeka at 215 SE 7th St.
During the event, area residents will have the opportunity to dispose of unused computers, while making a difference in the community. Recycled computers are refurbished and distributed back into the community to support equal access to technology for low-income families. If items are not reusable, PC’s for People will recycle every component, keeping millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.
Devices that are being accepted include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and tablets. The devices can be in working or non-working condition. After collection, PC’s for People will safely wipe all existing data from the donated computers. The computers will then be provided to individuals in Topeka who are in need of digital devices.
This event is a part of the City’s digital equity program, TSC – Get Digital. TSC – Get Digital is a coalition made up of community members and stakeholders who want to help close the digital divide in Topeka. The coalition hosted a similar collection event in April 2022, and to date, 497 computers have been donated back into the community.
Other electronic items can be disposed of at the Shawnee County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 131 NE 46th St. There is no charge for disposal with the exception of CRT TVs and monitors. For additional information, please contact the County at 785-286-4381.
The City of Topeka’s Street Division is launching its first ever contest to name one of its 72,000 pound snowplows.
The contest is open now through Friday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m. The contest rules are simple:
- One entry per adult or child
- Entries must be 15 characters or less, including spaces between words
Once the contest has closed, a three-member panel from the City’s Street Division will review and select their favorite entry. The author’s name and the winning entry will be announced on the City’s social media accounts, and through traditional media in mid-October.
The snow plow’s new name will be mounted on a metal sign and attached to the unit.
To enter the naming contest, visit the City’s website.
The City of Topeka, alongside the Greater Topeka Partnership, announced today that Schendel Lawn & Landscape signed on to serve as the presenting sponsor for a celebration honoring community efforts to beautify Topeka’s neighborhoods. The event will be held at downtown Topeka’s Evergy Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 12-2 p.m., featuring a food truck, music by DJ 151 Entertainment, and multiple family-friendly activities. The entire Topeka community is welcome to attend this event to help celebrate and recognize those who’ve contributed to the success and mission of the program.
Schendel Lawn & Landscape will host a raffle for attendees, with giveaway items expected to include two new lawn mowers, and a new string trimmer. The giveaway items were donated by Schendel Lawn & Landscape, Smitty’s Lawn & Garden, and DH Lawn & Garden Equipment. Additional giveaway items will be raffled off for adults and children.
“Schendel Lawn & Landscape is proud to sponsor this year’s inaugural ‘Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance’ celebration,” said Cassidy Roberson, Schendel’s director of customer experience. “We believe that a beautiful city begins with beautiful lawns. We are excited to partner with the City of Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership to empower more families across Topeka, by giving them the tools they need to elevate their residential lawns and landscapes.”
“We are so proud of the response to this program from our community,” said Karen Hiller, Topeka city council member representing District 1. “Our goal was to create an atmosphere where residents feel inspired to take responsibility for their properties and work together to address problems. We are thrilled to have Schendel Lawn & Landscape present this year’s end-of-season celebration. They are an incredible local business that makes our downtown landscaping the envy of communities across Kansas. I am so happy they are working with us to inspire the rest of Topeka to care equally for their own lawncare needs.”
“This truly is a game-changing initiative,” said Christina Valdivia-Alcala, city council member for District 2. “Growing up in Topeka, neighbors looked out for each other. When your neighbor struggled to keep up with their needs, they could count on you for help. This program reaches back to that legacy. I am very proud of our local partners, like Omni Circle Group, that have stepped up to offer support to our low- and moderate-income residents. It takes a community working together to truly become beautiful, and Topeka knows how to work together.”
“I applaud councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala for driving this program forward,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership. “They recognize that addressing blight often starts with a helping hand, not a condemning heart. Everyone wants the opportunity to live better and have pride in their home. Some people, due to age, infirmity, or limited resources, just don’t know where to begin. I am happy to say that journey begins in Topeka with neighbors helping neighbors. I look forward to celebrating those who participated this October at Evergy Plaza!”
About the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative:
Councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala kicked off the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative by hosting a series of public input sessions to hear directly from community members about their visions for local property maintenance. From there, the initiative blossomed into a program that aims to improve property conditions, reduce substandard housing, motivate property owners to care for their properties, and encourage investment in vacant and deteriorated properties. In the initiative’s first year, the City launched a community-led mowing program that operates in Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) areas.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact the GTP’s Bob Ross at Bob.Ross@TopekaPartnership.com or the City of Topeka’s Gretchen Spiker at GSpiker@Topeka.org.
The City of Topeka’s Governing Body selected Stephen Wade to serve as the next City Manager. Wade currently serves as the City’s Director of Administrative and Financial Services.
“Stephen’s experience in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, and his vision for equity in government are some of the many reasons we selected him to lead the City of Topeka as our next City Manager,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla.
Wade is a Shawnee Heights graduate and a Topeka resident. Prior to his role as the City’s Finance Director, he was the publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal.
Wade holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology.
He is currently working on an academic research project that calls for a greater emphasis on equity in municipal budgeting.
Wade currently serves on the board of directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, and he previously held board seats on Go Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve in this role in the place I truly call home. I’m excited to represent our more than 1,000 City employees as we work to collectively make Topeka a better place to live, work and play,” Wade said. “I’ve pledged to the Governing Body that we will work with all neighborhoods and community members to ensure an atmosphere of fairness and equity.”
Topeka’s Governing Body approved Wade’s contract at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting. The three-year contract includes Wade’s base salary, which will be $200,000.
Wade’s start date will be September 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.
On August 30, the City Manager finalists participated in interview panels with the Governing Body and community stakeholders. Wade was selected by the Governing Body out of a pool of more than 40 City Manager candidates from across the country. 13 candidates had ties to Kansas.
Sylvia Davis, a Deputy Director in the City’s Utilities Department was recently recognized with a national leadership award.
The honor, known as the “Women Who SPARK (WWS) Award,” is given by the Utility 2030 Collaborative (U2030). U2030 offers the awards program, which aims to close the gender gap in energy and utility innovation, by recognizing women for their innovation, leadership, and mentoring.
“Sylvia is a changemaker and leader here at the City of Topeka, and we couldn’t be more proud of her to receive this very impressive award,” said Interim City Manager Bill Cochran.
Davis was one of seven women across the country to be recognized.
List of award winners
Jody Allison, Algonquin Power & Utilities/Liberty
Maureen Bolen, Utegration
Sylvia Davis, City of Topeka, KS
Terri-Lynn Duque, ENMAX
Becky Ivester, SEMO Electric & GoSEMO Fiber
Jessica Mammel, Consumers Energy
Jessica Sutorus, City of Colton, CA
To learn more about U2030 and the WWS Awards Program, visit https://utility2030.org/page/awards.
The Topeka Police Department (TPD) will host two public input sessions in September to allow community members to learn more about the department’s training practices, and to provide individuals with the opportunity to give input.
At the sessions, TPD’s Training staff will present the current curriculum for the Basic Police Training Academy, as well as continuing education for veteran officers.
After the presentation, community members will be able to provide public comment and ask questions, with a limit of four minutes per person.
Public Input Sessions
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Washburn Tech East, 2014 SE Washington St.
Thursday, September 22, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Washburn University, 1700 SE College Ave., Henderson Room 112
The public input sessions aim to fulfill one of the recommendations listed in the Police and Community Special Committee’s report that Topeka’s Governing Body approved in July.
The sessions will be recorded and later uploaded to the City’s YouTube page.