🌱 Knife-Wielding Topeka Man Arrested + Shawnee Co. Approves Wage Hike

Good morning, friends! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Topeka Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A t-storm around in the a.m.. High: 89 Low: 62.
• Saturday: Clouds and sun. High: 86 Low: 63.

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Here are the top three stories today in Topeka:

1. Ricardo Martinez Jr., 54, of Topeka, has been arrested and is currently in custody after allegedly flashing a knife at police during a disturbance near Central Topeka. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, at the intersection of SW 6th and SW Orchard St. Martinez attempted to flee but was apprehended shortly afterward. He faces charges of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement officials, and a probation violation, with court appearances scheduled for May 18 and August 10. (WIBW)
2. During Thursday's Shawnee Co. Commissioners' meeting, an increase in wages for local union workers was approved. The Teamsters union requested a 9.7 percent scale increase for clerical workers and a three percent increase for corrections, health, parks, and public works employees. The wage increase will go into effect on Jul. 1, 2023. Additionally, commissioners approved a pavement project with Bettis Asphalt & Construction, Inc. at SW Nottingham Road and SW 33rd through 37th Street and deferred the discussion on new equipment at Chesney Park for two weeks. (WIBW)
3. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill that would provide $17.9 million each year for conservation efforts in Kansas, according to the Kansas Wildlife Federation. The bill, known as the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, aims to direct $1.4 billion to locally-led efforts to help at-risk species annually. Federally recognized tribal nations would share $97.5 million for the conservation of tribal lands each year. (WIBW)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Friday, May 12

• Game On! At The Edge, Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (3:00 PM)
• Chance Encounter Rocks The Barrel House At Happy Basset Barrel House (6:30 PM)

Saturday, May 13

• Mother's Day Little Leapers At Sky Zone Trampoline Park (10:00 AM)
• Elephant & Piggie's "We Are In A Play!" At Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Topeka Zoo welcomed a new Bornean orangutan on Thursday. Read more about "Kali" at the link. (WIBW)
• The Boys and Girls Club of Topeka was recently featured on the KSNT 27 News Morning show to discuss summer opportunities for teens and families in the community. For an annual fee of $20, parents can sign up their kids for summer camps. (KSNT News)
• Attention anglers: Jun. 3 and 4 are free fishing days across the state thanks to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. (KSNT News)

That's it for today. See you all soon for 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.