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Here’s where in Topeka food safety inspectors found rodent droppings, other problems

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Here’s where in Topeka food safety inspectors found rodent droppings, other problems


Kansas food safety and lodging inspectors found several Topeka establishments to be out of compliance with state law in March.

Kansas law delegates to the Kansas Department of Agriculture the authority to regulate food establishments, food processing plants and lodging establishments. Violations — particularly priority violations linked to causes of foodborne illness — can lead to various consequences, including the immediate closure of an establishment.

Kansas Department of Agriculture records show that while most Topeka service establishments passed inspections in March with either no violations or no serious ones, several failed. Most inspections were routine, but inspectors also visited after complaints, for licensing, follow-ups and other reasons.

Out-of-compliance food establishments in Topeka

The following establishments were listed as out of compliance with state law after inspections in March.

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  • Breakers Sports Bar and Grill, 8429 S.W. 10th Ave.

The March 26 routine inspection found two violations.

The cold make table in the kitchen had sour cream, ranch, blue cheese, lettuce and shredded cheese that were all too warm. The person in charge told the inspector that they unplug the table at night and plug it back in in the morning, but the inspector said they should leave it plugged in all night to ensure food remains cold.

The walk-in cooler was not keeping raw eggs, raw bacon, shredded cheese and sliced cheese cold enough. The person in charge said he turned it off that morning because an ice block was growing, and a work order had been made to have the equipment looked at.

The foods were thrown away and the kitchen voluntarily closed, as the establishment was without any fully functioning refrigeration equipment.

The inspector wrote that with the cold make table not keeping food cold enough and the walk-in not fully functioning, “The establishment does not have significant equipment to keep foods cold.”

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The establishment was back in compliance after a March 27 reopening inspection.

  • Travelers Inn, 3846 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

The March 26 follow-up inspection found one violation for a room that was inaccessible because the lock was not programmed to accept the key card.

The lodging establishment was in compliance after another follow-up inspection later the same day.

  • Gage Center Bowl, 4200 S.W. Huntoon St.

The March 15 routine inspection found two violations.

Inspectors found rodent droppings around a pop shelf and under the counter for the snack bar, plus holes that could have been entry points for pests. The person in charge told inspectors that “they have been dealing with a rodent problem for a few months that was worse during the winter,” but they had been working with a pest control company.

The establishment was back in compliance after a March 25 follow-up inspection.

  • Cafe Barnabas, 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite G24.

The March 14 complaint inspection found four violations.

A refrigerator had raw eggs stored on a shelf above sticks of butter. A reach-in cooler had a carton of half and half that was too warm, which the inspector suggested was because the cooler was overstocked. Tea was discarded because the keg cooler did not keep it cold.

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The mop sink had issues with the backflow device. The floors were “very sticky” and the walls needed to be cleaned.

The establishment was back in compliance after a March 27 follow-up inspection.

  • West Ridge Lanes and Family Fun Center, 1935 S.W. Westport Drive.

The March 11 routine inspection found three violations.

The inspector found rodent droppings in the kitchen, as well as holes in the wall and gaps in the doors. The person in charge said they have been working with pest control, and the pest control report showed the holes and gaps had been reported.

The establishment was back in compliance after a March 25 follow-up inspection.

  • Holiday Square-Phillips 66, 2901 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

The March 7 routine inspection found four violations.

Inspectors cited beef hot dogs held longer than seven days after opening, as well as cheddar dogs, black olives and mushrooms that did not have open or discard dates.

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An employee was washing dishes without sanitizing them. She told the inspector “she did not know what the sanitizing process was and had never been trained.” Additionally, the hot water temperature in the ware-washing sink was not getting hot enough.

The establishment was back in compliance after a March 8 follow-up inspection.

  • Artismo Gallery and Bistro, 816 N. Kansas Ave.

The March 1 routine inspection found four violations.

There was no food thermometer, there were no test strips for the dish sanitizer, a quesadilla maker and a panini bread press were dirty and the business had been operating for a month without a license.

The establishment was back in compliance after a March 22 follow-up inspection.

Inspections found these Topeka establishments were in compliance

The following service establishments were in compliance when inspectors visited in March with either no violations or only relatively minor ones.

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  • Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 1191 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite B.
  • The Forgotten Grain, 841 N. Washington St., Suite B in Auburn.
  • Gambino’s Pizza, 844 N. Washington in Auburn.
  • Highland Park High School, 2424 S.E. California Ave.
  • Pine Ridge Prep School, 1110 S.E. Highland Ave.
  • Qdoba Mexican Eats, 1025 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite A.
  • Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
  • Arby’s, 1820 S.E. 29th St.
  • Little Caesars’s, 5329 S.W. 21st St.
  • Sonic Drive In, 5922 S.W. 21st St.
  • Wingstop, 2121 S.W. Wanamaker Road, Suite 103.
  • Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, 2060 N.W. Topeka Blvd.
  • Logan Elementary School, 1124 N.W. Lyman Road.
  • Pollos Junior, 2601 S.W. Sixth Ave.
  • Tecumseh South Elementary, 3346 S.E. Tecumseh Road in Tecumseh.
  • Wendy’s, 728 S.W. Topeka Blvd.
  • Dillons fuel kiosk, 2101 S.W. Fairlawn Road.
  • Dillons, 2815 S.W. 29th St.
  • Eddy’s Mexican Restaurant, 2911 S.W. 29th St.
  • Marjorie French Middle School, 5257 S.W. 33rd St.
  • McClure Elementary School, 2529 S.W. Chelsea Drive.
  • Godfather’s Pizza, 5300 S.W. 17th St.
  • Panda Express, S.W. 1920 Wanamaker Road, Suite 160.
  • Chartwells at Falley Field of Washburn University, 1700 S.W. College Ave.
  • Washburn University softball field and complex, 1700 S.W. College Ave.
  • K Fast Track 2, 1401 S.W. Huntoon St.
  • Pie Five Pizza Co., 1129 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • Sonic Drive In, 3520 S.E. 29th St.
  • Dairy Queen, 1700 S.W. Medford Ave.
  • Howdy Come In, 1901 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • Super 8, 5968 S.W. 10th Ave.
  • West Ridge 8, 1727 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • China Express, 514 S.W. 10th Ave.
  • Fat Shack, 1418 S.W. Lane St.
  • Baskin-Robbins, 4400 S.W. 21st St.
  • PB Gas Station-Phillips 66 on I-70, 1000 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • Arbor Court, 4200 S.W. Drury Lane.
  • Church’s Chicken, 3001 S.W. 10th Ave.
  • Pizza Hut, 2007 S.E. 29th St.
  • PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., 929 S.W. University Blvd., Suite 2704-D2.
  • Casey’s General Store, 600 S.E. Rice Road.
  • Christ the King School, 5973 S.W. 25th St.
  • Jay Shideler Elementary School, 4948 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • Scott Magnet School, 401 S.E. Market St.
  • Shawnee Heights Elementary School, 2410 S.E. Burton Road.
  • The Smoothie and Pretzel Co., 1801 S.W. Wanamaker Road.
  • Holy Family Catholic Church, 1725 N.E. Seward Ave.
  • Schlotzskys, 2019 S.W. Gage Blvd.
  • Subway, 2003 S.E. 29th St.

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.





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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT


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MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

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Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

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Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say

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City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say


An intruder was fatally shot by an armed city employee inside Lawrence City Hall in Kansas on Monday morning, officials said.

The 28-year-old man “forced his way into the building then broke through a door” on the fourth floor and into a secured area about 8 a.m., according to a police statement.

This led to an altercation with an armed city employee, Police Chief Rich Lockhart told reporters outside City Hall, about two miles north of the University of Kansas campus.

“During that altercation, the 28-year-old subject was shot and killed by the city employee,” the chief added.

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The intruder wasn’t immediately identified, and it wasn’t clear if he was armed.

Authorities didn’t immediately name the city employee or his job. But police did characterize the civil servant as “trained and authorized to carry a firearm.”

The fourth floor is home to the city manager, city attorney and budget manager.

Officials said they did not know why the man went to the fourth floor, and “it’s not someone that’s known to us,” Lockhart said.

City Hall was closed and should reopen Tuesday. A municipal court in the building won’t open again until Thursday.

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City Manager Craig Owens said he was grateful no city employees were hurt.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department work during the disturbing incident,” he said.



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IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi

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IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi


Indiana’s portal haul continued to grow Sunday as multiple outlets reported the addition of Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi.

Osunsanmi has played in 36 games over the last four years and has 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.  Most of that production came over the last two seasons.  He has a total of 47 QB pressures during his college career.

In 2025 he played in six games and had 20 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.  He suffered a season-ending injury in October.

He saw action in all 13 games in 2024 as a reserve defensive end and on special teams, recording 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble over 303 defensive snaps and 31 special teams plays.

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In 2023 he saw time in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, a rush end on passing downs and on special teams.  He was tied for team-high honors with five tackles on kickoff coverage.

He played in four games in 2022 and preserved his redshirt.

The 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Osunsanmi has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Wichita, Kan. product (Wichita East H.S.) was regarded as the 232nd-best overall player in the nation for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.

Osunsanmi will help fill the void left by outgoing edge rushers Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley.

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More transfer portal information:

For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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