Former Topeka city manager Stephen Wade realized his medications needed adjusting in April as he struggled with widening mood swings. In early May, he was able to add a new doctor-prescribed medication. Instead of relieving his symptoms, the medication had the opposite effect, and Wade plunged deeper into depression. … Wade was interviewed Thursday by The Topeka Capital-Journal, where he was publisher from 2018 to 2020. He said his purpose for agreeing to the interview to share such intensely personal information was not to try to make himself look better or to explain himself. Instead, he said he is in a unique position to share a powerful message — that “it’s OK to not be OK” — and encourage others who might be struggling with their mental health to seek help.
Source: CJonline

After limited upgrades since it opened in 1987, the Lindsborg Safety Center, which houses the city’s police, fire and emergency medical services, is set for renovations beginning later this year. Lindsborg Police Chief Michael Davis, who is also the director of public safety, said when he came to the city in 2019, updating the center and the department was one of the first goals he had in mind. Davis said the age and layout of the buildings creates a lot of limitations for the officers and other first responders who use it everyday.
Source: Salina Journal

Saline County invested in a local organization that is combating local child care issues, beginning with low wages and limited availability, as part of a big-picture effort to develop the workforce and find long-term solutions. This week, the county awarded the Salina Area United Way $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used in their ongoing efforts to address a persistent local need for child care around Salina. Dedicating some of the ARPA funds toward childcare initiatives has been on the county’s radar since the ARPA funding first came available.
Source: Salina Journal

Teachers in Topeka USD 501 have a new contract — one that will pay them at least $2,000 more over the course of the 2023-24 school year. The district and representatives from Topeka’s chapter of the National Education Association teachers union on Wednesday finalized negotiations on the master contract, which sets the terms of employment and pay scales for more than 1,000 teachers in USD 501. USD 501 teachers are set to make at least $2,000 more than their previous years’ salaries, in addition to any already scheduled increases for additional years of experience and education.
Source: CJonline