Safe Streets will once again team up with the Topeka Police Department, along with other sponsors, for National Night Out on August 9.

The National Night Out Against Crime aims to heighten crime, alcohol, drug and violence prevention and awareness. Safe Streets, along with the Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff's Office, the Shawnee County District Attorney, Target and many other neighborhood sponsors, will form a powerful partnership in the fight for a safer, crime, and drug-free community.

This year, more neighborhoods in Topeka and Shawnee County are participating than ever before. There are 67 neighborhoods signed up for National Night Out festivities around the community. Click here for a map of all the celebrations happening in the area.

Safe Streets has also been busy with their launch of their new initiative aimed at helping parents talk with their kids about underage drinking and other drug use - a social media application available at http://www.safestreets.org/101Ways/. The program has a meme generator that allows parents to choose different characters, scenes and messages to create a unique picture about the consequences of underage drinking that can then be shared throughout social media.

Tips for having that conversation and how to approach it are available at www.safestreets.org. Additionally, Safe Streets offers free classes for parents on how to have the conversation. For more information on upcoming dates and times, please contact Irene Caballero or Jamie Slack at 785.266.4606.  

United inaugurated service in Topeka on January 7th.  Since that date, more than 16,000 people have flown on the two daily regional jet flights to the United hub at Chicago O'Hare.  Topeka passengers filled 49% of all the available seats on the flights, against an average of 86% of seats filled on all of United's Chicago flights, causing the service to fall well below forecasts and targets.  Only three routes in the United network at Chicago had a lower percentage of seats filled.

While the service did not meet performance targets, it was also challenged by some of the worst weather in decades.  

United will proactively contact Topeka customers booked on flights after September 2nd and will provide the option to receive a refund, a travel credit, or to rebook their flights in and out of Kansas City.  Customers can also contact United directly at (800) 864-8331 to change their travel plans.

Washburn University business organizations will host a Back 2 School Fair on August 8th, 2014. The Back 2 School Fair is a project aimed at providing resources for lower income families and students (K-8) in the USD 501 school district for the upcoming school year to be prepared and successful.

By providing an atmosphere that promotes education, health, and exercise, families and students will be energized to start the school year. The Back 2 School Fair will be held at Washburn University.

Through local sponsorship, the Washburn student business organizations hope to provide approximately 500 backpacks containing essential school supplies. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Washburn University.

If someone in need is unable to attend the Back 2 School Fair, there will also be other fairs held at the Community Action Center, the Avondale East Center, and at the Department of Children and Families before school begins.

To register for the Back 2 School Fair please complete  this form and send it to charles.morgan@washburn.edu. For any additional questions contact Charles Morgan, Event Coordinator, at (913) 669 - 9371.