Latest news with #Valdivia-Alcalá
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Topeka expects hefty outside attorney fees in defense of police officers
Topeka will pay a hefty legal fee to defend police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor Lowery, a Black man. The Topeka City Council approved a contract with the Watkins Calara law firm. The city will pay $225 per hour to the primary attorney on the case, $200 per hour for associates and $125 per hour for legal assistants. The city estimated the cost to the attorneys will be more than $50,000. Council members David Banks and Christina Valdivia-Alcalá voted against the contract, with Valdivia-Alcalá criticizing the city. "I believe that these types of cases where there continues to be the killing, the brutal killings of Black males by our police force, I think something is going to have to change," Valdivia-Alcalá said. "Whether that's the releasing of body cam footage, being more open with the community on what's going on, looking seriously at de-escalation and use of force, etc., etc. "Sometimes we are going to have to negotiate a settlement rather than trying this to death in court." Banks asked whether the city defends employees even if they know wrongful action occurred. Topeka is legally obligated to defend any employee of the city if they are being prosecuted or sued over a work-related action, said Nick Jefferson, chief of litigation. On Oct, 13, 2022, five police officers shot and killed Lowery. They said they fired because he was carrying a knife. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay concluded police acted justifiably in firing 34 shots that killed Lowery, whom Kagay said carried a knife when police initially shot him, then dropped it and picked up a wrench before additional shots were fired. The city refused to release the body cam footage, but it was released to reporters by LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, an attorney representing Lowery's family members in the wrongful death suit against Topeka's city government and others. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka OKs outside firm to defend police officers in fatal shooting
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What are the new camping-friendly zones being considered in Topeka?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Officials in Topeka are eyeing some areas in the Capital City to serve as camping-friendly zones as part of a new strategy to end homelessness in the local area. 27 News reached out to the City of Topeka and city councilmembers to learn more about the plans under discussion this year to bring an end to homelessness. City leaders are currently implementing the new Built For Zero model which utilizes a four-phase approach to stopping homelessness in Topeka. Part of this model involves designating camping-friendly areas. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett said there are ongoing discussions taking place this year on designating some areas in the city as being camping-friendly. These areas would be exempt from a restrictive local camping ordinance which prevents people from living in many areas in Topeka. Opening date released for new Topeka HomeGoods Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcalá told 27 News she is helping identify solutions to the current homeless issue in Topeka, including finding areas that would be exempt from the camping ordinance. These tightly regulated areas would factor into the Built For Zero strategy to gradually bring homelessness down in Topeka. 'The City of Topeka along with myself and Councilman Duncan are actively attempting to look for spaces for camping,' Valdivia-Alcalá said. 'We hope to have this information soon.' Valdivia-Alcalá said constituents in her district, which covers north Topeka and the Oakland neighborhoods, have raised concerns over the years about local homeless camps, including a new one that she spent months trying to get cleaned up. She recently worked with other officials in Topeka to clear a large homeless camp along the Kansas River under the expanded camping ordinance. 'Residents on both sides of the [Sardou] bridge have been very vocal for a number of years,' Valdivia-Alcalá said. 'The have concerns of fire too. What is happening with raw sewage and trash going into the river. They get concerned about gunshots many times heard in these areas.' Squatting could become a crime in Kansas with new bill District 8 City Councilman Spencer Duncan said he will be visiting the possible new camping-friendly zones to see if they align with the city's plans. He said the current camping ordinance, while strict, is necessary but ultimately won't solve homelessness in Topeka on its own. 'The goal is to find some locations that are workable for the unsheltered, but also do not pose any problems for neighborhoods, schools and other areas,' Duncan said. 'If we find some sites, then they will be presented to the Governing Body, and would have to be approved by them as 'exempt' areas from the current camping ordinance. This would also give the public ample time to weigh in with their thoughts on these locations, which is essential to the process. The goal is not pick too many sites, but just a few.' Duncan said the camping-friendly zones would not become permanent camping sites for homeless people. Instead, people who stay in these areas would have to abide by camping, nuisance and blight laws and would not be able to stay for more than 10 consecutive days. Homeless individuals using these areas would also not be able to build structures or leave trash behind. What is delaying the opening of the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka? 'However, these areas would give them [homeless people] a place to go if they are displaced from one location, and some time to get assistance from our departments or determine their next steps,' Duncan said. 'Right now, we don't really have those areas. But in no terms are these to be permanent encampment areas.' Topeka's City Council and other local officials are expected to continue discussions on this issue in the days ahead in their continuing efforts to reduce the impact of homelessness in Kansas' capital. Duncan invites people who have strong feelings on this issue to join the conversation and give their feedback to city leaders. 'It's a difficult issue, but we have to address it and find ways to reduce the homeless population and its impact in Topeka,' Duncan said. 'And there are many other efforts underway to continue to address the issue.' 27 News asked Duncan and Valdivia-Alcalá which areas are currently being considered as camping-friendly. However, they did not say what places are being examined at this time. New north Topeka diner specializing in smash burgers, reuben sandwiches to open next month For more information on homelessness in the Capital City, click here. You can view the results of the most recent Point-In-Time Homeless County in Topeka by clicking here. For more local 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
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘High speed antics': Oakland ATV park could close following public outcry from local homeowners
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka-area ATV park may be facing a shut down in the days ahead following complaints from local homeowners. 27 News reached out to sources with Shawnee County, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation (SCP+R) and the Topeka City Council to find out what is in the works for the Riverside ATV Park. Located in the Oakland neighborhood at 2321 Southwest Moundview Drive, the park contains trails leading through forested areas and connecting to the nearby Kansas River. SCP+R Director Tim Laurent said homeowners living in the Oakland area have expressed many issues associated with people who use the park. Complaints include allegations of ATV riders going into restricted areas outside of the park's boundaries and using their vehicles on nearby city streets. The use of ATVs in Kansas is restricted to certain areas under Kansas law. 'Over the past few years, we have received numerous complaints from residents in the surrounding Oakland area concerning ATVs racing up and down city streets,' Laurent said. 'This, coupled with concerns from area landowners regarding trespassing, has spurred discussion of closing the park.' Man critically injured in Oakland shooting, suspect not located after standoff 27 News reached out to Topeka City Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcalá for comment on the situation. Valdivia-Alcalá, who serves as the City Council representative for District 2 consisting of the Oakland and north Topeka areas, shared what grievances she has heard from people in her district. 'I would support this move since for five years now I have had numerous complaints from residents on ATV riding up and down the street, going into yards, high speed antics, ignoring children being in [the] neighborhood, illegal parking, high rates of speed on streets and the list goes on,' Valdivia-Alcalá said. 27 News also reached out to Shawnee County spokeswoman Amanda Monhollon regarding any upcoming official talks on closing the Riverside ATV Park. She said there isn't anything in the works yet between SCP+R and the City of Topeka regarding its closure. New HomeGoods retail store set to open in west Topeka For more local 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.
