Homicides, gang activity and drug crimes topped the list of concerns from just over 800 community members who filled out a Topeka Police Department survey. The survey, which the police department labled “non-scientific” in a press release put out Thursday evening, was an effort by police to get community feedback. The community climate survey was put out in May. Questions on the survey varied, from whether people felt safe in their neighborhoods — 64 percent said yes, 21 percent said no, and 15 percent were unsure — to what community members believe the focus of the police department is. On that [...]

Shawnee County Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer both used the word “professional” Thursday to describe the planned new look of the front of the building that houses the Kansas Expocentre’s Landon Arena and Exhibition Hall. Commission Chairman Kevin Cook described the design put forth by Topeka-based HTK Architects PA as being “clean and comfortable.” “Overall, it’s a good start,” Cook said. “Keep moving forward.” Commissioners heard a presentation Thursday morning from Chuck Smith, a partner in HTK, which is the county’s architect for a high-dollar project to renovate the Expocentre. Commissioners spoke positively of that design, though they took no [...]