🌱 DOT Open House Tomorrow + Seaman HS Student Wins Grant

Hi all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Follow along for everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 73 Low: 52.
• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 75 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories today in Topeka:

1. Tomorrow (May 4), the City of Topeka and the Kansas Department of Transportation are hosting an open house for the public to learn more about the I-70/Polk-Quincy viaduct replacement project. This event will take place at the Cyrus K. Holliday building from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This is a "come-and-go" style event, and officials will be on hand to answer questions about anticipated timelines, design plans, and expected detours. The project is set to widen I-70 to six lanes from Macvicar Avenue to Topeka Boulevard, with construction expected to begin in early 2025. (WIBW)
2. Topeka JUMP, a local nonprofit organization, held its annual Nehemiah Action Assembly which brought together faith-based organizations in the city to discuss affordable housing and mental health. JUMP leaders shared that the Topeka City Council has allocated over $250,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and JUMP will continue to meet with the council on how to apply those funds. JUMP leaders also proposed that Valeo Behavior Health apply for programs that would allow it to get Crisis Intervention Certified beds, which can help people in need avoid going to a hospital or jail. (KSNT)
3. A junior at Seaman High School has won a grant to provide free period products in the school's bathrooms. Kate Eckert decided to take action after noticing that other schools in the region offer free menstrual products, but not her own school. To address the situation, she applied for a $2,000 grant from Stay785, which will allow her to bring Aunt Flow dispensers to five of the school's 10 bathrooms. Eckert cited studies that show school attendance and performance increase when students who need them have access to menstrual products. She aims to expand the program to other local schools. (The Topeka Capital-Journal)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Wednesday, May 3

• 2023 Career Fair At Stormont Vail Event Center (9:00 AM)
• Nick Chiles And The Topeka Plaindealer At Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Accessibility Discussion At Kansas Children's Discovery Center (7:00 PM)

Thursday, May 4

• Paint Sip Sing! At Studio 62 (4:00 PM)
• Zoo Animals Live At Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tomorrow, there will be a Senior Resource Fair at Fairlawn Plaza Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is hosted by Topeka Area Continuity of Care and is free to attend. There will be more than 30 vendors present to cover topics such as home health care and senior living. (WIBW)
• The 2023 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is coming up, and the Topeka Police Department needs your help to win! This friendly competition between the police and Topeka Fire Department will take place on May 22, and the public is invited to donate blood and cast their vote. To schedule an appointment in advance, visit this link and use code: Topeka. (Topeka Police Department via Facebook)
• Shawnee County Parks and Recreation has announced an upcoming Dairy Farm Exploration on May 15 at the Dornwood Park Trailhead. The hike will include lessons about the history of the farm and activities like turning over rocks to find insects and amphibians. Visit this link to learn more or register. (Shawnee County Parks + Recreation via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you around.

— 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.