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Rita Bennett remembers the day a twister ripped through Topeka, Kansas, like it was yesterday. The 1966 Topeka tornado killed 17 people, injured more than 500 people and caused $2.3 billion in damage, adjusted for 2023 inflation, making it one of the nation’s costliest tornadoes. The twister tested the longstanding urban legend, based on an oral story passed down by Potawatomi tribe spiritual leaders, that Burnett’s Mound could deflect tornadoes and spare Topeka from incoming storms. Read more: News

It’s not your average parade — it’s a splash-filled showdown. The annual “Water Wars” parade in Humboldt lived up to its name once again, turning the town’s streets into a giant water fight between floats and spectators. Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com - RSS Results in news/local-news of type article

The Emporia Police Department has transformed an unused space at its station into a new "soft interview room"— a quiet, trauma-informed space designed to make crime victims and witnesses feel safe, supported, and heard. “Having to come to the police station can be a scary thing for anybody,” Captain Lisa Hayes of the Emporia Police Department said. “We want them to feel more comfortable, and we don't want to put them in a room where we would normally put a suspect.” The room, designed in partnership with the national nonprofit Project Beloved, features thoughtful touches meant to ease stress and anxiety. [...]

Wichita Police say new technology is helping them reach shooting scenes quicker — and it’s already making a difference. The Raven gunshot detection system uses sensors to pinpoint the location of gunfire. Deputy Chief of Investigations Paul Duff said it recently reduced officers’ response time by three minutes. Read more: KSN-TV

A memorial scholarship has been established in honor of a Kansas sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty. The Colby Community College Endowment Foundation and the family of Brandon Gaede have established the Brandon Gaede Memorial Scholarship. Gaede died in late June following an exchange of gunfire with a suspect he was taking into custody during an investigation into the illegal discharge of explosives. Read more: KSN-TV

In just three days, the Hutchinson Fire Department raised $55,757.43 during its annual School Supply Drive to help students in Reno County. Now in its seventh year, the drive teams firefighters with local teachers to identify school supply needs. Firefighters collect donations outside local stores, then sort and deliver supplies to schools. This year, 34 schools — including public, private, and alternative — will receive supplies on August 6 and 7. Read more: KSN-TV

Iolans came together Tuesday evening to share ideas on how to overcome barriers and promote growth in the community. The Iola High School cafeteria was buzzing with ideas and optimism at Thrive Allen County’s “Community Conversation” Tuesday evening. Iolans pulled up chairs, rolled up their sleeves, and got down to business discussing opportunities for growth and how to overcome obstacles. Read more: The Iola Register

More than 20 public commenters railed against Lawrence city commissioners Tuesday night for approving a camera integration program the city rolled out last month without public input. The police department announced the Axon Fusus program last month. It has two components, including an option for residents to register their security cameras with the police and an integration option allowing businesses to purchase a custom device and subscription enabling the police department live access to camera feeds. Experts have said the program constitutes a violation of community privacy. Commenters brought up a host of concerns Tuesday, including data security, environmental impacts, AI errors and [...]

The Pottawatomie County Commission’s decision to approve a conditional use permit for a rock quarry in the north-central part of the county was affirmed Friday by the Kansas Court of Appeals. The quarry sits on a portion of an 853-acre plot, just over one and a half miles south of Wheaton. Mid-States Materials is requesting a permit for a rock quarry on six tracts of land approximately a half mile west of Wheaton Road. The tract sits inside a boundary created by Reves Road, Belleville Road and Clear Creek Road. Read more: themercury.com - RSS Results in news of type article

The Finney County Commission approved a resolution for a half-cent sales tax election at its regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 4. Gary Meagher, Interim County Administrator, said the resolution calls for a special election to submit a question to the county’s electors about imposing a half-cent sales tax to finance the construction, furnishing and equipping of a new jail and remodeling of the Finney County Law Enforcement Center, authorizing bonds to finance the costs and giving notice of the election, which will be on Nov. 4. Read more: Garden City Telegram