🌱 Possible Passenger Rail System + Evergy's Rate Increase Request

Hey, friends. It's Monday in Topeka and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny. High: 80 Low: 55.
• Tuesday: A stray afternoon shower. High: 85 Low: 60.

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Here are the top three stories in Topeka today:

1. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is seeking a federal grant of $500,000 to study the feasibility of establishing a passenger rail system from Topeka to Independence, Missouri, as well as connecting the Kansas City International Airport to cities like Olathe, Kansas. The study would take at least a year to complete and is not directly linked to the 2026 World Cup. KCATA CEO Frank White III believes that leveraging the attention brought by major events in Kansas City could help support the project, but it would require significant support from local leaders and federal funding to proceed. (Fox 4 News)
2. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled three public hearings in July 2023 to discuss Evergy's recent rate increase request. The application seeks a monthly rate increase of $14.24 for Evergy Central customers and $3.47 for Evergy Metro customers. The public hearings will take place in Topeka, Overland Park, and Wichita, providing an opportunity for Evergy customers in various areas to learn more and share their comments on the proposed rate increase. (Salina Post)
3. Law enforcement has provided additional details about a shooting that occurred at Victoria's Bar in South Topeka. The incident involved a 41-year-old man engaged in a verbal altercation with members of the Hell's Lovers Motorcycle Club, resulting in multiple shots being fired at vehicles. One driver, a 35-year-old male, sustained multiple gunshot wounds but managed to escape and was later treated at a local hospital. Another individual, who was not involved in the original fight, allegedly opened fire on one of the vehicles and was subsequently arrested along with six others. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. (KSNT)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Monday, May 22:

• Building Readers: Baby Bookworms At Shawnee County Library (9:30 AM)
• Computer And Gadget Help At Shawnee Public Library (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, May 23:

• Topeka Job Fair At Crestview Community Center (12:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• All 10 track and field teams from the Topeka area have successfully qualified athletes for the upcoming state meet in Wichita. The state meet will be held at Cessna Stadium at Wichita State University, and athletes from the Topeka-area schools will be participating in all classes. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
• Jardine Elementary School in Topeka organized the 2nd annual Steps for Stegman 5K run/walk to raise awareness for ALS. The event included a timed and untimed 5K, a one-mile fun run for children, a virtual 5K, and various family activities like food trucks and a bouncy house. The funds raised from the event, along with donations received throughout the school year, are donated to the ALS Association Mid-America Chapter. (WIBW)
• A Topeka man, Caleb Conway, was arrested for a crash that occurred near Rossville in 2022, resulting in the death of 11-year-old Bella Conway. Conway's charges include failure to stop at an accident, involuntary manslaughter while under the influence, driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, and failure to maintain a lane. He had his first court appearance in Shawnee County District Court on Friday, May 19 and is currently held in jail on a $101,500 bond. (KSNT)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with another 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.