🌱 Choir Director Sued For Grooming Students + New Library Director

Hi all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Lafayette Patch newsletter. Come along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 80 Low: 50.
• Saturday: Sunny and pleasant. High: 84 Low: 54.

Here are the top three stories today in Lafayette:

1. A lawsuit filed by parents against the former choir director at Lafayette Jefferson High School accuses him of grooming female students. The suit was filed on Jun. 13 against Ja'Shon Burks by John and Mary Doe on behalf of their daughter Jane Doe, who is a minor. The Lafayette School Corporation and School Board are named in the suit as well and are accused of failing to provide a safe environment for students. Burks was released from a previous job at Huntington North High School for allegations of sexual misconduct. (Journal & Courier)
2. The West Lafayette Public Library has named Marra Honeywell as its new director. The Board of Trustees hired Honeywell to replace Nick Schenkel, who retired after serving in the role for 41 years. Honeywell worked for the past 18 years at Allen County Public Library in nearby Fort Wayne and will begin her new position on Jul. 31. (wlfi.com)
3. The City of Lafayette announced that country music star Scott McCreery will be performing at Loeb Stadium this summer. McCreery will perform as part of his 2023 tour, which was named after a song that was a No. 1 hit on the country chart. McCreery came to fame after appearing on the reality singing competition show "American Idol." (wlfi.com)

Check out what our local sponsor can do for you:

Looking for a custom website that outshines the competition? Patricia Bird Designs is the go-to service for businesses looking to create stunning custom websites that stand out in today's competitive market. With over 16 years of experience and deep roots in the Lafayette community, Patricia is committed to making quality web design accessible to all. Get your done-for-you website in 30 days or less and start driving business success. Contact Patricia Bird Designs today for a free consultation!

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Today and tomorrow in Lafayette:

Friday, June 16

• Toddler Storytime At Tippecanoe County Public Library (10:15 AM)
• Wyandotte Family Storytime At Tippecanoe County Public Library (11:00 AM)

Saturday, June 17

• No Veteran Left Behind Car Show At Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Lafayette Parks & Recreation is reminding residents about family nights at the aquatic facilities. Family nights feature extended hours along with a lower price. You can find more information at the link! (Lafayette Parks & Recreation via Facebook)
• Jamie Woodyard, a Purdue University Pharmacy Practice professor has received the 2023 Exceptional Early Career Teaching Award. You can read more about her teaching philosophy here. (Purdue University via Facebook)
• Submissions end on Jun. 21 for the Tippecanoe County Public Library Summer Reading Club bookmark contest. The theme for the contest this year is "All Together Now." Get more information about the contest and submissions here. (Tippecanoe Public Library via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.