Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Topeka leaders are pressing Compass Datacenters for answers now
Make time for 1st Day of Pre-K on the Topeka Patch calendar
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:
- Why Topeka leaders are pressing Compass Datacenters for answers now
- How much have Topeka apartment rents really risen since last summer?
- North Topeka neighbors describe the terrifying storm that tore off roofs
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Keith H.!
Today's riddle: What do you call a snowman that is having a temper tantrum? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Topeka Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Topeka Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Topeka. 
- Monday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
- Tuesday: Strong t-storms, mainly later, temps: high: 92, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Topeka leaders wary of Compass Datacenters ties to AI surveillance (kansascity.com) — Topeka and Shawnee County officials are weighing a proposed Compass Datacenters project while fielding concerns about the company's past work on Israeli military surveillance. City leaders, including the mayor and several council members, emphasize transparency and a new moratorium as residents question whether any local data center could be used for surveillance in Topeka. 
• Topeka apartments \u200bfor rent saw slight price increases since last July (cjonline.com) — If you're renting in Topeka, expect slightly higher apartment listing prices than last July, with the overall median now around $900. One-bedrooms have dipped a bit year-over-year, while two-bedrooms ticked up, yet Topeka rents still sit well below both Kansas statewide and national medians, offering comparatively more affordable options for local renters.
• North Topeka residents lose roofs after Friday night storm (wibw.com) — North Topeka residents are cleaning up after a powerful Friday night storm ripped roofs off homes and left major damage upstairs where families sleep. Neighbors describe freight-train winds, scattered insulation and debris, and uncertainty over whether it was officially a tornado, but say the label doesn't matter when they're left without a roof.
📸 Around Topeka
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- 1st Day of Pre-K
Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614 - First Late Start Friday
Mceachron Elem Topeka, KS 66614 - IH Parent Information Night EC-2nd
Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
4:30 pm - Parent Information Night 3rd-5th
Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
5:00 pm - Parent Information Night
Farley Elementary Topeka, KS 66614
5:30 pm
Wednesday August 19
Friday August 21
Tuesday August 25
🗓 Events Nearby
- Future Farmers of America Meeting
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
7:55 am - 7-12th Grade Portraits
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
8:00 am - Watermelon Scrimmage
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake High School, PO Box 39, 200 E Lake St, Silver Lake\
8:00 am - Shakin The City →
The Woodshed Event Center, 1901 N Kansas Ave, Topeka
11:00 am - Silver Lake Education Foundation Night at QDOBA
Silver Lake USD 372 QDOBA Mexican Eats
4:00 pm - Parent Night →
Northern Hills Elementary Topeka, KS 66617
6:00 pm - No Preschool
Silver Lake USD 372 Silver Lake Grade School, 200 Rice Rd, Silver Lake, KS 66539
Wednesday August 19
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- LOST DOG: MISSING chihuahua, male, name: Nacho.
Approx. 7lbs, brown in color. Nacho escaped from his new house & is nowhere to be found. Please keep an eye out for this little brown chihuahua… (Nextdoor Ward Meade) - Finaly no more new Bradford pear trees...
about time https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/kansas-to-quarantine-invasive-callery-pear-trees-beginning-in-2027/ar-AA2a8ynU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531… (Nextdoor Pepper Tree Park)
- Hy-Vee posted a job opening for Meat Clerk in Topeka. Apply here.
- Oracle posted a job opening for Data Center Construction QA/QC Manager in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.
🗞 Nearby News
Lawrence
- Lawrence High student builds prototype to monitor river conditions in real time (lawrencekstimes.com)
- Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation to celebrate new Tree of Life mural (lawrencekstimes.com)
- About the Kansan (kansan.com)
Eudora
- Eudora declares 'Ethan Folks Day' to honor Special Olympics gold medalist (kctv5.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: A meltdown ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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