Good morning, Topeka.

Celebration Villa of Hearthstone West started its Wishing Well Program to grant residents' wishes and granted 94-year-old Avis Cowhick her dream of flying over Topeka with a flight from Billard Airport on July 24.

The facility will also arrange skydiving for an 89-year-old resident in August—adding more wishes to the program.

Customers lined up early Thursday for the grand opening of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet at 9 a.m. at 5121 S.W.

29th St in southwest Topeka — set in the former Big Lots location — where shoppers found deals like $14.99 fishing poles and $2.99 grills.

A Georgia man who hosts a hunting show pleaded guilty in 2022 to federal charges for illegally killing two deer in Kansas and was banned for life from hunting or fishing—he was sentenced to five years of probation, fined $10,000, ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution, and must surrender the antlers from the hunts.

Topeka police arrested 24 yr old Wisdom Curls for the alleged murder of 72 yr old Terry Keller, whose body was found in a vehicle near the Central Park Community Center at 6:45 p.m. on July 15 — he faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

Topeka police responded to a motorcycle crash + an alleged shooting early Thursday near Southeast 6th and California and near Southeast 6th and Market, and they continued investigating both incidents as of 6:20 a.m.

High temperatures led SPP to issue a low-level advisory from Tuesday through Thursday and Evergy reached out to customers to conserve energy to ease the grid load.

Washburn University adjusted its building thermostats from 74 to 80 degrees (between 2 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday) as part of the demand response program.

Topeka residents should plan for changes on Topeka Boulevard from Southwest 15th Street to Southwest 21st Street as work begins on Sept.

2 with crews replacing road surfaces, storm sewers, water mains and sidewalks—this nearly $8M project is part of a multi-phase plan that will run into 2028 while keeping one lane open in each direction and allowing business access.

PBR Shawnee County Fair Professional Bull Riding

7-8:30 p.m. — Stormont Vail Events Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience thrilling bull riding action with top riders competing for victory.

99s-2000s Skate Party

11 p.m.-2 a.m. — Sk8away Inc. — Refunds available up to 7 days before event — Relive the nostalgia of the 90s and 2000s while skating to throwback hits.

Get Down in T-Town

4-9 p.m. — Evergy Plaza — Free entry — Experience a vibrant evening of live music, dance, and local flavors in Topeka.