Daily
Topeka
Friday, August 15th, 2025
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center received a $1,000 boost from Patterson Gives Back when Tyler Patterson of Patterson Legal visited Eye on NE Kansas + he presented the check to Kelly Durkin and Monique Vopat, and the donation will help the center that serves over 300 children each year with costs around $1,000 per child. WIBW
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A house on S.W. Garfield caught fire on Wednesday morning around 10:40 a.m., causing heavy damage while residents evacuated safely and fire crews worked over two hours as officials said the cause remains undetermined (no hospital treatment was needed). WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Shades of Theatre Company brings A Raisin in the Sun back to the Neese Gray Theatre at Washburn University from Aug. 22–24 and Aug. 28–31—shows run at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. A special director’s night with youth notes will be held on Aug. 23. WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Steve Hollomon, the longtime band director at Topeka High, died Wednesday at 73 after a 36-year career. His family said he inspired hundreds of students — his work with the Collins Park Parade Band enriched local music traditions. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City officials announced that westbound I-70 from S.E. 10th Avenue to W. 1st Street in downtown Topeka will close around 10 p.m. Friday for work on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project, and the road will reopen by the end of Sunday. Motorists will follow a detour route via S.E. 10th Avenue, S.W. Topeka Boulevard, S.W. 6th Avenue, and S.W. MacVicar—avoiding congested city streets. WIBW
- ➤ Governor Kelly appointed a transition team on August 12 to implement House Bill 2045 that consolidates early childhood programs into one Office of Early Childhood—Zach Vincent now serves as transition director and the office will open mid-2026. WIBW
- ➤ KDOT hosted an open house Thursday—explaining a $6 million plan to replace the aging California Ave. bridge over I-70—and said construction will begin next spring. WIBW
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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.
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KCECA Varsity Football Game
7-9 p.m. — Cornerstone Family Schools Inc — Free entry — Cheer on the Cornerstone Family as they host Kansas City East Christian Academy in a thrilling home conference football game.
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TRAPT Live in Topeka
7-8 p.m. — Jessie's Bar Outdoor Stage — General Admission $20 ($25 at the door) — Rock out with TRAPT as they perform hits from their new album!
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Holy Smokin' Jamboree 2025
8 a.m. - 10 p.m. — 2014 NW 46th St, Topeka, KS — $2 wristband for kid games — Enjoy BBQ, live music, and family-friendly activities at this annual jamboree.
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Tim Hawkins Comedy Show
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Topeka Performing Arts Center — $65-$86 — Enjoy a night of laughter with renowned comedian Tim Hawkins.
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Highland Park vs. Sumner Academy Varsity Football
2-4 a.m. — Highland Park High School — Free entry — Catch the exciting matchup between Highland Park and Sumner Academy's varsity football teams.
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12th Annual Dueling Pianos Fundraiser
6-10 p.m. — The Townsite Avenue Ballroom — Various ticket prices — Enjoy a night filled with music, laughter, and support for kids in need.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Topeka
Welcome to the Daily Topeka, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Topeka, Kansas community. If you like the Daily Topeka, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Topeka.
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