🌱 Alleged Kidnapping Arrest + Gage Park Mini-Train Back In Service

Hello again, everybody! I'm back with your new edition of the Topeka Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Let's get this day started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Clouds and sun; windy, warmer. High: 64 Low: 52.

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Here are the top three stories in Topeka today:

1. Konner E. Almaraz, 20, of Topeka, was arrested Monday after he allegedly kidnapped a woman, according to police. Topeka police officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 3700 block of SW 29th St. just before 11:00 a.m. and located Almaraz barricaded inside a home in the 3100 block of SW Gainsboro Rd. A police standoff occurred for about an hour before crisis negotiators were able to talk Almaraz into exiting the home and arresting him without incident. (WIBW)
2. The new electric Gage Park mini-train gave its first rides to raffle winners during a chilly Monday morning celebration. Free rides for everyone started on Tuesday, Mar. 14 and will continue through Sunday, Mar. 19, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The $650,o00 train will run along the same tracks placed in the 1960s for the original diesel-powered train. (WIBW)
3. There are a lot of details to be aware of if you're planning to attend or avoid Saturday's St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Streets will start to close around 9:00 a.m. with the parade kickoff at noon. The parade will move south down Kansas Avenue until it reaches Southwest 10th Avenue, and then it will turn west to the intersection of Southwest 10th Avenue and Southwest Jackson Street. The celebration will then head north on Southwest Jackson Street back up towards Southwest 4th Street, where it will end. (KSNT)

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Today in Topeka:

• Faith's 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off At Faith Lutheran Church (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• This evening is your final chance to have a say in the proposed changes to Topeka's utility rates. Starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Cyrus K. Holliday Building's first-floor conference room, this will be the third public meeting about the topic. (City of Topeka)
• Ten departments in Shawnee County are hiring to fill multiple positions for both full- and part-time jobs. A career expo happening on Thursday, Mar. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Shawnee County Health Department is your best chance to land an on-the-spot interview. (WIBW)
• Mark your calendar for Apr. 1 so you don't miss out on the Topeka Public Schools Surplus Auction. If you're looking to save some cash on, well, almost everything, this is a must-attend event. Seriously, click the link to check the full list of items on the auction block. (Topeka Public Schools via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you soon for your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.