🌱 1st Comprehensive Rural Education Center + 400k For New Skatepark

Morning, friends. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Lafayette Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny with a shower. High: 74 Low: 55.
• Friday: Warm with plenty of sunshine. High: 79 Low: 55.

Here are the top three stories today in Lafayette:

1. Purdue University has received approval for Indiana's first comprehensive rural education center, which will provide continuing professional development, facilitate research, and support teaching, diversity, and outreach. The center is expected to launch sometime this Fall, supporting future teachers to address the shortage of educators across the state. The project is made possible through the University's land grant whose mission is to promote equitable access for all students. (wlfi.com)
2. On Saturday, those living with addiction in our city, will be participating in a national day of service to give back to the Lafayette community that supported them through their fight to get healthy. The group will be collecting hygiene items and nonperishable food items, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Recovery Cafe. According to the organizers from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the goal of the service day is to have the recovery community perform an act of service to the community that has supported their recovery. (Journal & Courier)
3. The City of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are each contributing $200,000 to build a new skatepark at the Faith East Community Center. Following a community meeting held on Tuesday, Sep. 26, Mayor Roswarski, Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tracy Brown, Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman, and Parks Director of Operations Jon Miner all aligned to bring the park to fruition. The park will be designed by Hunger Skateparks, and they are seeking community input on the design, which you can provide via an online survey. (City of Lafayette via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Lafayette:

Thursday, September 28

• Family Storytime At Klondike Branch Library (10:15 AM)

Friday, September 29

• Tech Tutorial At Wyandotte Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• Friday Night Live With The Cheese Weasels At Art Museum Of Greater Lafayette (7:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know an outstanding community leader in Lafayette? Nominate them here for a chance to be featured on Patch!

From my notebook:

• The Arts Federation's (TAF) Wabash Walls Mural Week began yesterday, and as part of the program, internationally acclaimed street artists will descend on Ninth Street. TAF's mural program began in 2008 to remove blight, create tourist destinations, increase property values, and provide a sense of community pride. To celebrate the Wabash Walls Mural Week, TAF is hosting a celebration of the murals on Oct. 7 at 12:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public. (wlfi.com)
• Mark your calendars: the Lafayette World Series of Wiffleball will take place on Oct. 21 at Loeb Stadium. Interested in registering a team? The registration deadline is Oct. 8. (City of Lafayette via Facebook)
• House hunting? Check out this week's roundup of the best houses to hit the market in the Lafayette area. Open house information is listed at the link, and you can browse more of the best real estate in the area online here. (Lafayette Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll see you around!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.