Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What really happened in Oakland’s sewage spill—and why officials say relax

Happening soon: Online to IRL on the Topeka Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 10th Patch AM
Wednesday December 10th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Topeka! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What really happened in Oakland’s sewage spill—and why officials say relax
  • Why Brookwood’s giant rooftop Santa went up later this year
  • How a Topeka teacher’s civics lesson reached Kansas education leaders

Also on today's calendar: Hayden Singers and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Topekafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Janet B.!

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Topekafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 45 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 57, low: 32.
  • Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, with a high of 41 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City of Topeka explains Oakland sewage spill and says no health risks (cjonline.com) — City utilities officials say a sewage overflow at Topeka’s Oakland Wastewater Treatment Plant sent treated sludge toward Poplar and Grant but was quickly contained and poses no health risk. Mechanical failures triggered the spill, and while the plant is back to normal, a city councilwoman is demanding clearer communication and access to state reports for Oakland residents.
   

2. ‘It brings back a piece of my 90s': Brookwood Santa is back in Topeka after vandalism fears (ksnt.com) — A beloved giant Santa display has finally returned to the Dillons at Brookwood Shopping Center in southwest Topeka after a short delay tied to vandalism concerns. Longtime Topekans say the rooftop Santa is a cherished 1990s-era holiday tradition, and residents can once again spot him above the store at 2815 SW 15th St.
   

3. Topeka social studies teacher shares award-winning civics lesson plan with KSDE (wibw.com) — A Topeka social studies teacher is gaining statewide attention for a civics lesson that helps students explore how U.S. citizenship laws have evolved and what it truly means to be American. Hope Street Academy’s Thomas Fulbright recently presented his nationally recognized curriculum to the Kansas State Board of Education and plans to bring the inquiry-based project to his Topeka classroom next spring.
   

4. Kansas Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 9, 2025 (cjonline.com) — If you bought a Kansas Lottery ticket, you can now check the Dec. 9 winning numbers and, if you’re lucky, claim any prize in person at the Kansas Lottery headquarters on North Kansas Avenue in Topeka. The article lists Mega Millions, Pick 3, 2 By 2, and Lucky for Life results, plus explains mail-in and in-person claiming options and prize limits.
   

5. Boeing returns to Kansas, finalizing $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems • Kansas Reflector (kansasreflector.com) — From Topeka, state officials are highlighting Boeing’s completed $4.7 billion acquisition of Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems, a move federal regulators approved with conditions to preserve competition with Airbus. The deal ties Kansas more tightly into Boeing’s commercial and defense supply chains and underscores Wichita’s role in the state’s export-driven manufacturing economy.
   

📸 Around Topeka

Feedback image
📸 Taken with my i phone a few years ago. I believe the tributary run off of Soldier creek at Garfield park....Ice beauty..... —Janet B. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Topeka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Thursday December 11
  • Online to IRL
    Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka
    5:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Topeka, KS, has been safely reunited with their family after 5 hours, 18 minutes. Message from Finder: If this is your dog… (Nextdoor College Hill)
  • Found 2 dogs running down nw 62nd street.
    1400 block I have safe for now . Please call me 785 -817-4358 UPDATE CHIPPED & BACK HOME (Nextdoor Seaman)
  • The J.M. Smucker Company posted a job opening for Packaging Production Technician in Topeka. Apply here.
  • Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Senior Shift Leader in Topeka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Topeka here.

Ok Topeka! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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