🌱 Large House Fire Erupts + $1.7 Million Bridge Repair Set To Begin

Hello, everybody! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 92 Low: 70.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 97 Low: 76.

Here are the top three stories in Topeka today:

1. On Saturday, Jul. 8, law enforcement had to battle a very large house fire that could be seen for miles across the city. According to Shawnee County Dispatch, the Sheriff's Office, Mission Township Fire Department, and other emergency crews responded to the incident just before 8:30 p.m. and took more than two hours to get the fire under control. There has been no confirmation on what caused the fire as of the time of publication, but luckily no occupants were injured. (WIBW)
2. The Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log confirmed that a motorcyclist has been hospitalized after an accident occurred in Shawnee County on Friday, Jul. 7. According to reports, the 44-year-old driver was heading westbound on U.S. 24 Highway when they attempted to pass another vehicle on the left and ended up crashing after the second vehicle went to make a left turn at the same time. The motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital after suffering minor injuries and authorities confirmed that they were not wearing a helmet. (WIBW)
3. On Monday, Jul. 10, Kansas' Department of Transportation (KDOT) is ready to begin their $1.7 million bridge repair project on I-470 in Topeka. According to KDOT officials, the construction will extend through 29th Street to Burlington Rd., and lanes will likely be reduced to one lane while repairs are being made on the highway. In preparation of the construction, motorists should expect slight delays to take place while commuting to and from work this upcoming week. (WIBW)

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Today in Topeka:

Monday, July 10

• Topeka Zoo Talk at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Late last month, a former wide receiver at Washburn University passed away due to medical complications. The boy's family shared his story through a GoFundMe page, and says he was preparing to begin the season as a paid strength coach with the University of Illinois. (KSNT)
• Earlier this weekend, the Topeka Youth Project hosted an open house at its new offices at Westridge Mall. Their honored guest was Dr. Walker Menninger and the entire event focused on encouraging youngsters to reengage with the community. (KSNT)
• On Saturday, Jul. 8, Evergy Plaza hosted a 'Mini-Jamaica' celebration, which is a part of its Fiesta Topeka kickoff. The celebration gave residents and local community members a little taste into the food that's coming to the city in a couple of weeks. (WIBW)

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• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Oakland Community Center (July 12)
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Alrighty, you're all good 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.