🌱 When and where Hope’s cooling center is open during this week’s heat.

Greetings Hope! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• When and where Hope’s cooling center is open during this week’s heat.
• Meet the Hope-connected artist whose work now rolls down Indiana roads.
• When and where you can donate blood in Hope this month

Today's riddle: What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
Today's Hope Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Hope Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Hope.

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Sunny, hot and humid, with a high of 91 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Hot and humid with a t-storm, temps: high: 93, low: 73.
• Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 73 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Hot weather returns to region; cooling centers open (therepublic.com) — Dangerous heat is returning to south-central Indiana, and Hope residents are urged to stay hydrated, limit midday outdoor activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors as heat index values approach 100°F. Bartholomew County officials have opened cooling centers, including the Hope Branch Library on Harrison Street, with extended weekday and Saturday hours for anyone needing relief from the heat.
   

• Rhett Whittington Creates Another Masterpiece (hsjonline.org) — Local artist Rhett Whittington, long connected with Hope through the Hope Ride, Hope Heritage Days, and work for the Hope Star-Journal, has completed an ambitious truck-wrap project featuring over 100 comic characters. His designs have shaped everything from local event shirts to newspaper art, and he’s now looking forward to more commissions while continuing his own creative projects.
   

• Blood Donors Needed Now to Stop Alarming Drop in Red Cross Blood Supply — Muncie Journal (munciejournal.com) — Hope residents can donate blood at Hope Moravian Church on July 20 from 1–6 p.m., as part of an urgent Red Cross push to reverse a 25% drop in blood supply. The statewide schedule highlights nearby Columbus and other Indiana locations, with special need for platelets and types O positive and B negative.
   

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📸 Around Hope

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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📣 Hope Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday July 15

• D.I.G Time! (Drop in gardening)
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Library Patio
  11:30 am
• Laid Back Library Wednesday
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Red Room
  1:00 pm
• Inner Shelf Book Club
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Children's Programming Room
  6:30 pm

Thursday July 16

• Chamber Reboarding
  Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Columbus Chamber of Commerce 250 Franklin Street Columbus, In 47201 VIRTUAL OPTION AVAILABLE
  9:00 am
• Library Babies
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Red Room
  10:00 am
• Migrant Heart: An Online Author Talk
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus -
  2:00 pm
• Teen Dungeons and Dragons: Reading Roadtrip
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Teen Area
  3:00 pm
• Ribbon Cutting at Kessler Orthodontics
  Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce 3140 Middle Road Columbus In
  4:30 pm
• Sass Siders: Capone's Downtown Speakeasy →
  Capone's Downtown Speakeasy, 1 Public Sq, Shelbyville
  7:00 pm

Friday July 17

• Music with Valerie
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Red Room
  10:15 am
• Aviation Board →
  Shelbyville Municipal Airport, 3529 N 100 W, Shelbyville
  10:30 am
• Teen Outdoor Games
  Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus - Teen Room
  1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Top-notch service , catered to your special day.
  Bartender, catering, baby showers to weddings , nothing she cant do ! You want Martina's Traveling Cocktail Bar for your special day! Great staff… (Nextdoor St. Louis Crossing)

• Dunham's Sports posted a job opening for Team Member in Columbus. Apply here.
• Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Columbus. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hope here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Columbus

• Crump Theater project receives $6 million in state grants (1010wcsi.com)
• ChampionZone, Columbus Animal Care Services to hold 'Pars for Pets' fundraiser (therepublic.com)
• Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage, urgently asks for donors (therepublic.com)

Edinburgh

• Pushor cruises to first city championship (therepublic.com)

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Ok Hope! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The letter “R.” (Thank you Manuela A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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