🌱 State Grants $500K To Domestic Violence Shelters + Three Arrested

Hello all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Lafayette Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and less humid. High: 84 Low: 63.
• Saturday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 76 Low: 62.

Here are the top three stories today in Lafayette:

1. Erin Easter has unofficially become the next mayor of West Lafayette after no opposition emerged during the filing period for the fall election. Easter, a Democrat, currently serves as the city's director of development and is supported by outgoing Mayor John Dennis. She plans to focus on updating the city's strategic plan and making West Lafayette a welcoming community for all residents. (Journal & Courier)
2. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute has awarded $500,000 in grant funding to 25 nonprofits in the state to provide emergency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to support organizations such as the Family Crisis Shelter, Hope Springs Safe House, and YWCA Greater Lafayette in offering a safe haven and resources to those affected by domestic violence. The grants will be used to provide essential items, shelter, and survivor-centered support to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives. (Journal Review)
3. Two individuals engaged in a fight outside a convenience store in Lafayette and accused each other of pulling out guns and firing shots, prompting a police response. When officers arrived, they encountered a 16-year-old boy who initially attempted to evade them and was later found in possession of a handgun he had tried to discard inside the store. The boy resisted arrest by assaulting the officers. Another individual, Dominic Martin, was also apprehended by the police, suspected of discarding a firearm. Both individuals face multiple charges, and a 17-year-old girl who interfered with the arrests was also arrested. (Journal & Courier)

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Today and tomorrow in Lafayette:

Friday, July 7

• A Stellar View At Painting With A Twist (4:00 PM)

Saturday, July 8

• Family-Friendly Improv Comedy Show At Civic Theatre Of Greater Lafayette (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A resident of West Lafayette won a $440,000 prize through the Connecticut Lottery this week by purchasing a winning ticket at a 7-Eleven in Hamden. The prize was won from a "$20,000 a year for life" scratch game, with the option to receive the grand prize as an annuity or a lump sum of $440,000. (Greenwich Time)
• Longtime Lafayette Journal & Courier sportswriter Tom Kubat was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, alongside former football players Curtis Painter and Ryan Kerrigan, in recognition of his nearly 25 years of covering Purdue and Big Ten football. Kubat's extensive career at the Journal & Courier, spanning 40 years, showcased his passion for sports as he covered a wide range of events, from the Indianapolis 500 to the Olympics, and dedicated 24 years as the Purdue football beat writer. (Journal & Courier)

You're all caught up for today! 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.