Latest news with #Topekan
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Murder charge filed after death of 35-year-old Topeka man
Context: The above video initially aired on June 1, 2025. TOPEKA (KSNT) – Prosecutors have filed a charge against a local man accused of killing a Topekan in 2022. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced on this week that his office is charging Kayden M. Smith, 22, of Topeka with murder in the second degree. This comes after police arrested him for the second time in connection to the death of 35-year-old Dustin Clayton in 2022. Topeka Police Department (TPD) officers were called around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022 to the 500 block of Southwest Lane regarding reports of a shooting. Officers arriving at the scene found Clayton dead from a gunshot wound. 'A part of my soul was stolen from me': Emotions run high as Dana Chandler is sentenced in 2002 double-murder case The TPD later arrested Smith in connection to Clayton's death on a charge of first-degree murder in 2022. Officers would arrest him for the second time on a charge of second-degree murder on June 2, 2025 For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A fourth candidate for mayor has entered the race. Now there will be a primary
A fourth Topeka mayoral candidate has entered the race, which will now require a primary election. Topeka cabinet worker Gabriel Killman, 22, has filed to run for mayor. "Growing up in Topeka, when you're going through high school, the main goal for most people is to move out of Topeka," Killman said. "They go to college, get a job somewhere else, and not stay here. They're worried about getting stuck here or living here most of their life, and it's kind of sad to see. So, I definitely want to bring enjoyment back to Topeka." Killman is a born and raised Topekan, arm wrestling enthusiast and the youngest mayoral candidate Topeka has ever seen. He said he gained his interest in politics from long talks with his father growing up. "I've definitely tried to become more partisan in all of my ideas, but it's just something me and him connected to when I was younger, and it's something that's always kind of stuck with me," Killman said. "Then seeing how politics can actually affect people's day-to-day lives, especially in local politics." While he hasn't had much experience in city government because of his age, Killman said it gives him a way to appeal to younger residents while still getting along with older Topekans. "I'm up to date on current events because I am on social media," Killman said. "I know how to connect with the younger generations and the older generations. I'm energetic. I love to be out there." Currently, Michael Padilla serves as Topeka's mayor. However, he announced in February that he would not seek a reelection. Since then, three other candidates have announced they're running: City Council member Spencer Duncan, local medical professional Chad Fay and local property developer Henry McClure. Killman said he wants the city to better communicate with the public and be more accessible. "There's so much you could improve on (in Topeka)," Killman said. "First, would probably be community outreach. I'd want members in the community to know what's going on here. Looking up things for being mayor was very difficult. It's hard to find local information." Killman went on to say that with more open communication, it would lead to better voter registration and community participation. He said Topeka's second main issue is a lack of term limits. "Probably my second biggest issue would be term limits," Killman said. "I would definitely like for the City Council and the mayor both to have term limits. It keeps people honest. It keeps people working on time and on a schedule. I think it levels the playing field. I think candidates that have been in for four terms would be much easier to get fifth term than somebody who's new and running, just because people are comfortable with that. I'd like it to be easier." Killman said road conditions are a main issue in Topeka. "Most people can just tell by driving day to day that the roads aren't that good," Killman said. "(You're) hitting potholes and messing with your suspension." He said he'd like to be more efficient with road repairs. "Getting the City of Topeka fixing roads quicker, and maybe spreading out the jobs you're doing instead of just one area, where people have to take massive detours," Killman said. Killman went on to say he also would like Topeka to take more responsibility for sidewalk repair. Currently, Topeka offers to pay half of the repair costs for sidewalks on people's properties. "It's a city-owned sidewalk," Killman said. "You can't change it. You can't get rid of it. You had no choice in it being there. It can be very expensive to fix, and you can be held viable for something you don't own. I'd like for that cost to brought back to the city, to save homeowners." Killman said Topekan's should vote for him "I think the community of Topeka should vote for me because I will make things cleaner," Killman said. "I'll make things smoother. I'll get things done faster. I'll make us feel like a community again." This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What Topeka issues does mayoral candidate Gabriel Killman want to fix?
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
TPD arrest late-night aggravated battery suspect
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka Police arrested a 25-year-old Topekan following reports of a battered person in North Topeka late Friday night. Before 11 p.m. On April 4, Officers responded to the 600 block of North Kansas Avenue on reports of a person on the ground who had been battered, according to Lt. D. Eubanks with TPD. Upon arrival, officers located a subject with life-threatening injuries caused by blunt force trauma. The subject was taken to an area hospital. As a result of investigation a 25-year-old suspect from Topeka was transported to the Shawnee County Department of corrections for the following charges: Attempted murder in the 1st degree Kidnapping, in the flight or commission of any crime Aggravated battery; knowingly use weapon to cause great bodily harm/disfigure/death The Topeka Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to email telltpd@ or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas leaders celebrate kickoff of construction of Topeka's viaduct project
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will finally be willing to drive on Interstate 70 in the area of downtown Topeka's Polk-Quincy viaduct once the current elevated stretch of highway is replaced, she said Friday. A Topekan since 1987, Kelly has made a point to detour around the viaduct because "it scared me to death," she said at groundbreaking ceremonies held Friday for the project on the top floor of the nearby Townsite Tower, 120 S.E. 6th. Kelly joined Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla and four other officials on the tower's 16th floor to celebrate the project — for which work recently began — by turning shovelfuls of dirt, which had been brought to that floor. "This is something that I didn't think I'd see in my lifetime, to be honest with you," said Padilla, who is 76. Friday's 2 p.m. ceremony came at a time when the National Weather Service reported winds in Topeka were gusting at up to 58 mph. "Who's thankful we're inside today?" asked Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed while holding up a hand. Reed quipped that Friday's event would be "kind of a fake groundbreaking but there will be dirt moving." Friday's speakers were Kelly; Reed; Padilla; Shawnee County Commission Chairman Aaron Mays; and Mike Schirmer, executive vice president and chief business officer for Topeka-based Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc. "We've been wishing for years that this would happen and it's nice to finally see it come to fruition," said Mays. The $239 million state project is being carried out by Bettis Koss Construction, a joint venture between Bettis and Koss Construction Co., both of Topeka. Topeka's city government is additionally paying an estimated $27 million to finance utility relocation work needed to prepare for the project. After brief comments, Friday's five speakers were joined in turning shovelfuls of dirt by Mike Rinehart, district engineer for KDOT's District 1 in northeast Kansas. Officials with Topeka's city government since at least 2006 have sought to replace and realign the viaduct, an aging, elevated four-lane segment of I-70 that runs between S.W. Polk and S.E. Quincy streets. The viaduct project will rebuild 2.5 miles of I-70 between roughly S.W. MacVicar Avenue and S.E. 6th Avenue. During this year's construction season, KDOT will focus on widening I-70 and building the new viaduct, said Kate Craft, a spokeswoman for KDOT. Plans call for I-70 to then be shut down for six months in late 2026 and early 2027 in the area involved, Reed said. Total project completion is expected in late 2027. The project kicks off after an extended property acquisition process, which included requiring the relocation of two charities, Let's Help and the Topeka office for Harvesters, the Community Food Network. KDOT has finished acquiring all properties it needs but one, for which an oral agreement has been reached but not finalized, Craft said. One building in the area involved, at 124 S.W. Harrison, will remain in place as it stands because it was deemed historically significant due to its architectural style. The viaduct project seeks to improve safety by replacing and flattening out Interstate 70's sharp curve near S.E. 3rd Street by moving to the north much of the highway that currently runs to the west of that curve. The curve was created when KDOT in 1963 built the viaduct. To the east of S.W. Topeka Boulevard, I-70 will consist of two elevated viaduct bridges, one for eastbound traffic and the other for westbound. Both are expected to be about the same height as the single viaduct that currently stands in that area. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Groundbreaking held for project to replace and realign Topeka viaduct
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles case confirmed in Kansas resident
KANSAS (KSNT) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is alerting Kansans that a positive case of measles has been discovered. On Thursday, the KDHE reported that a resident in Stevens County tested positive for measles. The KDHE said it's unknown if this case is linked to the ongoing measles outbreak in the USA. The KDHE is alerting individuals who could've come in contact with the individual. Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease that spreads through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. On average, people infected with measles can infect about 12 to 18 others in a susceptible population. Typical measles cases take about 11-12 days to incubate, with a rash appearing two to four days after the first symptoms become apparent. The KDHE said the best protection against measles is vaccination. The KDHE says the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease. Topekan wins bronze at World Special Olympics 'Adults are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test,' the KDHE wrote. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued an alert on Monday, March 3, regarding cases of measles being reported in several states. Citing a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the KDHE said just over 160 cases of measles have been identified in the nation, with the most coming from Texas. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
