🌱 Topeka Man Arrested For Public Nudity + Callery Pear Tree Buy Back

Hello again, everybody! It's Friday in Topeka and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cloudy and windy. High: 84 Low: 54.
• Saturday: Cooler; a morning shower. High: 55 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories today in Topeka:

1. Topeka Police arrested 48-year-old Darren L. Pinick of Topeka for public nudity on Tuesday after they found him attempting to enter homes in the area of SW 21st and Indian Hills Road. Pinick tried to run when he saw law enforcement but was quickly apprehended. It is unclear at what point Pinick’s public nudity occurred, as officials have not specified. He was charged with interference with law enforcement, public nudity, lurking or prowling with intent to commit a crime, and a previous warrant. (WIBW)
2. Deep Roots KC, an organization that aims to increase native plant landscapes in the Midwest, will "buy back" Callery Pear trees in Topeka and replace them with a non-invasive species. Participants are required to register beforehand and choose their location following the instructions listed online. To see the full list of replacement trees and other details, click here. (WIBW)
3. After New York Mayor Eric Adams made comments belittling the position of the mayor of Topeka, 2,024 residents of New York City entered a contest to win a free trip for four to Topeka, Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka, said, "I’d like to express my gratitude for the thousands of New Yorkers who’ve expressed interest in Topeka and Kansas and want to learn more about our great capital city." The winner has been randomly chosen, but the name has not been made public yet because Visit Topeka is in the process of contacting that person. (Subscription: The Topeka-Capital Journal)

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Today and tomorrow in Topeka:

Friday, April 14

• Springtime Vendors Show At West Ridge Mall (All Day)
• Switch In Time: Let's Dance! At The Vinewood (7:30 PM)

Saturday, April 15

• Fat Dolsk At The Annual Railfest At Brass Rail Tavern (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Skye Joe Covers Up, 21, of Topeka, was arrested after attacking a woman. Covers Up was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, and disobeying a lawful police order. (WIBW)
• A Canadian woman competing in a specialty dog show in Topeka is searching for her runaway dog. Lorraine Burch said her whippet dog named Oola was startled by a slamming car door and slipped her collar. (WIBW)
• Topeka Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with Topeka Civic Theatre, will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic American musical "Oklahoma!" Check out "People Will Say We're In Love" on May 6. (Broadway World)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with a new 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.