🌱 Duncan Addresses Concerns + Topeka High School's 100th Anniversary

Welcome back, Topeka. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 46 Low: 37.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning; cloudy. High: 47 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories in Topeka today:

1. Spencer Duncan, the representative for Topeka’s District 8, discussed the progress of several issues in the city in an interview with KSNT 27 News. Duncan provided updates on the pothole problem in Topeka and the city's experience with Sylver Consulting, a company that assessed the homeless crisis in Topeka by providing recommendations on how to address and fix the issue. (KSNT News)
2. Kansas House Democrats have proposed new legislation aimed at reducing the burden of property taxes for homeowners. The proposals include moving $54 million of the state's retail sales and compensating taxes from the general fund to county treasurers twice a year until 2027, increasing the property tax exemption for residential properties to $65,000, and proposing a constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by decreasing the appraisal amount for Kansas properties. The lawmakers hope to ease the burden on those with fixed incomes who may struggle to afford their homes due to rising property taxes. (KSNT)
3. The Topeka High School Band celebrated its 100th anniversary on Mar. 8. The band was established in late 1922, and the school plans to celebrate the milestone throughout the year. The band performed a commissioned piece called "The Carillon Calls," composed by Grace Baugher Dunlap, to honor the school and its traditions. (WIBW)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Friday, March 10

• Youth Art Month Exhibit - Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Computer & Gadget Help March - Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Discovery Spring Break: Catapults - Kansas Children's Discovery Center (2:00 PM)

Saturday, March 11

• Musical Storytime - Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Irish Folktales With Rosie Cutrer - Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Have a fun blast from the past with this photo of The Butter Krust sign from the 1950s compared with a photo from a few years ago – taken by a Topeka local! (Topeka History Geeks)
• Lions, tigers, and bears? No, thank you! We're excited to see Sarge, Liz, and Hope (the giraffes) at the zoo! You can now see the new, tallest residents up close and personal now at the Topeka Zoo! (Topeka Zoo)
• Spring has sprung at the Topeka Vendors Market with new items arriving this weekend! Get ready to shop 'til you drop with CC's Candle Shop and other vendors until tomorrow (Mar. 11). Join in on the spring shopping fun! (Erika Whightsil via Instagram)

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

— 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.