🌱 Topeka Local Dies In Crash + Stormont Vail Health Accreditation

Hi all. I'm back with your new edition of the Topeka Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Breezy and cooler. High: 48 Low: 19.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 32 Low: 18.

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Here are the top three stories in Topeka today:

1. A Topeka man has died after a single-vehicle crash north of the city. The accident is said to have occurred when Ramirez failed to negotiate a curve and his vehicle veered into the northbound ditch, went airborne over a private drive, and rolled several times. Ramirez was wearing his seatbelt, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. (WIBW)
2. There is a possibility that water rates in Topeka could go up for residents and business owners. The current rate is $6.06 per one thousand gallons for single-family homes and $4.48 for commercial buildings, but the cost of chemicals and lime to soften the water has increased, leading to the need for a rate increase. The purpose of the increase would be to fix dilapidated water mains in the city, but the city council won't take action until around April. (KSNT News)
3. Stormont Vail Health in Kansas has been designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, according to the hospital. The recognition comes as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program, which designates healthcare providers that deliver safe and effective cardiac care with quality standards that lead to better health outcomes. To achieve Blue Distinction Center status, healthcare facilities must demonstrate expertise in delivering cardiac care for percutaneous coronary interventions, coronary artery bypass grafts, and aortic valve replacements. (WIBW)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Friday, March 17

• Youth Art Month Exhibit At Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (9:00 AM)
• After School Snack At Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (3:15 PM)

Saturday, March 18

• Topeka St. Patrick’s Day Parade At Kansas Ave From 1st To 10th (9:00 AM)
• Harp Roundtable At Topeka And Shawnee County Public Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A local Topeka woman, Cindy Miller, tells The Topeka Capital-Journal about her favorite parts of the city of 68 years. (The Topeka Capital-Journal)
• Valentine's Day was extra sweet as Boys and Girls Club students bonded with seniors at Oakley Place in Topeka over cookies and cards. The heartwarming experience left a lasting impression, with students already eager for another visit to learn and listen from their new friends. (WIBW)
• Topeka’s newest leather shop, Mingus Leather Studio and Gifts, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Mar. 14 after being open for nearly three months. Shop owner and lead artisan Doug Mingus started leatherworking as a way to destress from overworking in ministry and fell in love with the craft, leading him to build a shop to share his artistry with others and provide access to long-lasting, quality leather goods. (WIBW)

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.