Shawnee County Newsletter

Featured Shawnee County Department

FEATURED DEPARTMENT - Shawnee County Sheriff's Office


Well deserved retirements

Shawnee County celebrated the retirement of two wonderful Sheriff's deputies! Deputy Tracy McKnight was recognized for 34 years of dedicated service to Shawnee County.

Deputy John Peterson was recognized for 22 years of dedicated service to Shawnee County. Thank you both for your many years of service to our community.


Shawnee County 4-H King and Queen

The Fair King and Queen kicked off National 4-H Week by presenting at the Shawnee County Commission meeting on October 3, 2022. Thank you Daniel and Elizabeth!


Model Train Show and Swap Meet

More than 500 model railroad aficionados and visitors attended the Topeka Model Railroaders Train Show and Swap Meet October 1-2, 2022 at Great Overland Station. The first model train show in Topeka in 10 years featured model trains of various sizes, characters dressed as engineers, Harvey Girls, conductors and oil men and 44 tables of vendors from three states and exhibitors from Topeka, Atchison, Lawrence, Kansas City and Lincoln, Nebraska. Patrons enjoyed watching HO scale, O scale, N scale and Z scale model trains running on giant displays, model trains and accessories for sale, demonstrations, railroad history.

Click on an image to enlarge


Fitlot at Willow Park Celebration

On Oct. 3, 2022, County Commissioners and Shawnee County Parks + Recreation staff joined AARP for a ribbon cutting to officially dedicate the FitLot exercise park in Willow Park on SW 6 th  Street. To celebrate its 60 th  Anniversary in 2022, AARP donated a FitLot to each state and Topeka was chosen as the site for Kansas. Through a contract with AARP, Shawnee County Parks + Recreation has offered free community exercise classes led by an instructor. Since the first class was held, 230 participants have signed up for FitLot classes.

 “The FitLot has been a very popular addition to Willow Park,” said Tim Laurent, SCP+R director. “This is a great example of how the FitLot exercise park and our parks in general add to the quality of life in Shawnee County.”


Cooking Demonstration

Stephen Behm and Sarah Hoing, Health Department, gave a cooking demonstration during a Lunch and Learn on October 6, 2022, in the Courthouse Sub-Basement. They demonstrated how to make "Power Bites" and afterward, everyone got to sample one! These easy energy bites are a hit for all ages. Chocolate chips and peanut butter make them irresistible, and oats and flax keep them healthy.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
  • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup rolled oats

Watch the Lunch and Learn  video 

Stephen Behm and Sarah Hoing, Shawnee County Health Department employees


On October 8, 2022, Brittany Rambo, MCH Outreach Nurse; and Shelley Ramos, Health Promotion Coordinator had fun promoting health department services with the Hi-Crest Community.


The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office had a great time at the  Faith & Blue  trunk-or-treat event with  Bethel Baptist Church  on October 10, 2022.



United Way Golf Tournament

On Friday, October 7, 2022, Shawnee County sponsored a fundraiser to benefit United Way of Greater Topeka. Thank you to our Sponsors: Curb Appeal, Modern Business Interiors, HTK Architects, Dwight Menke Insurance, Compliance One, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, Bald Eagle Barn Wood, The Hair House, Tria Health, Teamsters Local #696, Shawnee County Offices - Human Resources, Audit Finance, Sheriff's Office, Community Corrections and the Commission Office.


Election workers are important

The Shawnee County Election Office would love to thank all those that choose to be election workers! From technical specialists to supervising judges to election workers and everyone else in-between help to make elections run smoothly and efficiently. Workers and supervising judges have a minimum of three hours of intensive training. Many sacrifice their time to receive even more than that. Whether voting in the office or at the polls, make sure to thank these men and women for all their hard work!


Iron Horse of Gage Park

October 29, 2022, Engineer Bill Hollingshead takes Gage Park's Iron Horse mini-train on the first ride of its historic final day of service. After 55 years, the train will be replaced next year with a new electric train designed to look like the current train.


First Responders Trunk or Treat

October 31, 2022 - The 7th annual First Responders Trunk or Treat was held Monday evening in downtown Topeka. Local first responders lined 7th Street between S. Kansas Avenue and S.E. Quincy Street. Shawnee County Departments that participated in the event this year included:

Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office

Shawnee County Park Police

Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office

Shawnee County Department of Corrections

Shawnee County Emergency Management

Shawnee County Parks + Recreation


Discover a Career at Shawnee County

ISP Probation Officer (Community Corrections)

$21.09/hr  Under general supervision, this position supervises and assists clients under the jurisdiction of the District Court. Performs other duties as assigned. This position is supervised by the ISP Division Manager. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS *Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in human services or a closely related field or experience in corrections or treatment (counseling) may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis. If experience is substituted for the required education, a High School Diploma or GED Certificate is required. *Be 21 years of age or older. *No felony conviction or adjudication in this or any other state or in any military tribunal. *Not be registered on the Kansas child abuse registry. *Not be registered on the Kansas adult abuse registry. *Valid Driver’s License and able to operate a County owned vehicle (HR 2013-2).

County Counselor I (Counselor's Office)

$29.66/hr (Starting salary is $29.66/hr. but salary is negotiable depending on experience.) Under general supervision, this unclassified position provides civil legal services for Shawnee County. Performs other duties as required. This position is supervised by the County Counselor. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS *Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate or comparable degree. *Licensed and in good standing to practice law before the Kansas Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. *Knowledge of the principles and practice of the legal profession including legal research, investigation, preparation and presentation of cases in court or other formal litigation. *Excellent oral and written communication skills. *Valid Driver’s License.

Account Clerk II (Weed Department)

$14.69/hr   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS High School Diploma or GED Certificate. One (1) year of experience in the balancing of accounts payable or accounts receivable or one (1) year of experience in the Account Clerk I classification. Three (3) semester hours of college course work from an accredited college or university or ninety (90) clock hours from an accredited vocational school in financial accounting, banking or closely related field. Six (6) months of experience in the balancing of accounts may be substituted for the required education. Required to type twenty-five (25) words per minute. Required to achieve 6,000 keystrokes per hour. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Required to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen and review of driving record. Valid Driver’s License and able to operate a County-owned vehicle (HR 2013 2).


Eat Well Feel Good (Health Department)

Fruit and Veggie of the Month: Acorn Squash

Winter squash is an excellent source of Vitamin A and also provides many minerals.

Acorn is a type of Winter Squash that is smaller and acorn-shaped with dark green skin and ridges. Even though it is a type of winter squash it is actually from the same family as summer squash which includes zucchini. The main season for fresh acorn squash in North America is early fall through winter.

$hop and $ave --- Winter Squash

·  Choose squash that is firm and heavy for its size with dull skin. Avoid squash with soft spots or broken skin.

·  Winter squash is usually available year-round but may be cheaper and taste better in fall and winter.

·  Canned winter squash is available year-round and might be the best buy if you only need a small amount. Some squash is also available frozen.


Shawnee County Apparel Fundraiser

Don't forget about the ongoing fundraiser to raise money for Project Topeka. A percentage of each item sold will be given to Project Topeka in March, after our annual Department fundraisers.

The link to the Apparel store is on the Intraweb, under "Commission" - SNCO Apparel Website. Click on "Products" to view the full inventory. Once you choose an item, there will be a drop-down menu of all the logos. All logos will default to the left chest.

Click on an image to enlarge


November 2022 Upcoming Events


Retirees in October

Susan Fowler Hentzler - Parks + Recreation - Hire date 9-15-1989

Michael Hutley - Parks + Recreation - Hire Date 8-19-1996

John Peterson - Sheriff's Office - Hire date 2-28-2000

Tracy McKnight - Sheriff's Office - Hire date 7-25-1988


Shawnee County Milestones

Shawnee County Milestones


County Connection Newsletter Editors

FEATURED DEPARTMENT - Shawnee County Sheriff's Office

Stephen Behm and Sarah Hoing, Shawnee County Health Department employees

Shawnee County Milestones

County Connection Newsletter Editors