Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Topeka’s new 2027 budget cuts affect your services?

Coming up: Autumn Craft And Bake Sale on the Topeka Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (keith H.)

Hey hey Topeka! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Topeka's new 2027 budget cuts affect your services?
  • How Topeka's Capitol Christmas Tree keeps Kansas history shining bright
  • How a Topeka choir ended up on a global festival stage

Also on today's calendar: Autumn Craft And Bake Sale and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Keith H.!

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the a.m., with a high of 88 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, temps: high: 94, low: 72.
  • Friday: Sunny and toasty conditions, with a high of 93 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Topeka City Council approves 2027 budget, seeing $10 million in cuts (wibw.com) — Topeka's 2027 city budget is now approved, holding taxes and the mill levy flat while cutting about $10 million to keep finances balanced. Public safety still receives 70% of funding, but the city is ending its SRO contract with USD 501 and exploring new revenue options, including possible sales taxes that could go to voters in coming months.
   

2. Capitol Christmas Tree in Topeka: Ornament Contest and Local Highlights (news-usa.today) — Holiday traditions at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka spotlight locally crafted ornaments and an ongoing Capitol Christmas Tree contest that draw on regional history. The piece explains how Topeka-based historians and artists, including figures like Jacqueline McGuire, use coal camp murals and handcrafted decorations to preserve working-class stories and connect Kansans through shared heritage.
   

3. Topeka-based choir to represent Kansas at international music festival (wibw.com) — A Topeka-based ensemble, Sonus Chamber Choir, has been chosen to represent both Kansas and the United States at next summer's Montana International Choral Festival. The group plans a Montana tour around the event and is asking local supporters to help meet a $75,000 fundraising goal to make the trip possible.
   

4. 4-H providing Kansas youth with work experience (wibw.com) — Local 4-H members spent Tuesday at the Casey's on N. Kansas Avenue in Topeka, getting hands-on experience with what a day working in retail is really like. The visit is part of a broader 4-H and Casey's partnership that helps rural Kansas youth build job skills while raising funds to support youth development programs nationwide.
   

5. Kansas Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for Sept. 15, 2026 (cjonline.com) — Kansas Lottery players can now check the Sept. 15 Mega Millions, Pick 3, 2 By 2, and Millionaire for Life winning numbers, along with guidance on claiming prizes. Larger winnings can be redeemed by mail or in person at Kansas Lottery headquarters on N. Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka.
   

📸 Around Topeka

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📸 The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office hosted the 4th annual K-9 Games Sunday afternoon in Landon Arena at the Stormont Vail Events Center. —keith H. Like

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Maybe She Isn't Gone.
    Maybe She's Tired. Chronic illness does not just take physical strength. Sometimes it quietly takes pieces of your personality too. This is about… (Nextdoor 35th & Meriden)
  • I made it out of surgery today.
    My wife has been taking care of me today.Genstler Eye Center was very efficient today. (Nextdoor East Topeka North)
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Materials Clerk Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Topeka. Apply here.
  • Olive Garden posted a job opening for Server 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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