🌱 2 Arrested In Toddler's Death + $25M Grant For Wabash River Project

Hello, neighbors. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A severe p.m. t-storm; humid. High: 93 Low: 69.
• Thursday: Decreasing clouds and hot. High: 94 Low: 71.

Here are the top three stories in Lafayette today:

1. Two individuals, Shatia Welch, 24, and Deonta Johnson, 27, were arrested in LaPorte on Monday for charges related to the fatal shooting of 16-month-old Isiah Johnson in March. The incident occurred in the Romney Meadows apartment complex in Lafayette, where the boy's 5-year-old sibling gained access to the gun and accidentally discharged it. Both Welch and Johnson are facing charges of neglect and drug offenses, with Johnson also charged with obstruction of justice. (WRTV Indianapolis)
2. Tippecanoe County has been granted a $25 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the completion of phase two of the Wabash River Greenway Project. This funding will be used to develop the North Ninth Street and North River Road sections of the river greenway, including the construction of a new bike/pedestrian bridge across the Wabash River. The Wabash River Enhancement Corp. and its community partners are thrilled with the award, recognizing the significance of active transportation infrastructure for the community's health, economy, and recreation. (Journal & Courier)
3. The Greater Lafayette Indiana Black Expo will host its annual Back to School Curbside Carnival on Jul. 29 at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette, providing backpacks, school supplies, and other items to families in need. The event aims to assist families in preparing for the upcoming school year by offering valuable resources and information about community programs. The event is free and open to all school-aged children on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. (City of Lafayette via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Lafayette:

Wednesday, July 26

• Preschool Storytime At Tippecanoe County Public Library (11:00 AM)

Thursday, July 27

• Lafayette Citizens Band Concert At Memorial Island (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Lafayette area! Get all the property details at the link. (Lafayette Patch)
• Are you interested in working for the city? Lafayette is hiring an animal control officer with responsibilities that include protecting public health and animal welfare, responding to various animal-related service calls, and working with law enforcement agencies. You can read more about the job opening at the link. (City of Lafayette via Facebook)
• Did you miss out on Lafayette's Spray Day? You can see a video from the event at the link! (Lafayette Parks & Recreation via Facebook)

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— 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.