Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What the ZF Lafayette plant closure means for 133 local workers

And on the Lafayette Patch calendar - MK BAND

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Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
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Hi Lafayette! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What the ZF Lafayette plant closure means for 133 local workers
  • Why are West Lafayette school board members clashing over a library seat?
  • How Lafayette's PACE program helps seniors stay independent and connected

Also on today's calendar: Westminster Village Annual Bazaar and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Very warm with sunshine, with a high of 81 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 45.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ZF to close manufacturing facility in Indiana (truckpartsandservice.com) — Lafayette residents face a major manufacturing shakeup as ZF Active Safety & Electronics plans to close its Lafayette production facility in November, cutting 133 jobs while keeping its research and development operations. The plant, long known locally as Ross Gear and TRW, makes key steering components and had previously been the focus of UAW Local 531 efforts to keep it open.
   

2. BASED IN LAFAYETTE: Anger over accusations flares at West Lafayette School Board (indianacitizen.org) — West Lafayette school board tensions have erupted over alleged political favoritism in appointing a member to the West Lafayette Public Library board, just weeks before a crucial school tax referendum. Board member Dacia Mumford's critical blog posts and questions about a past $10,000 campaign donation prompted an angry public response and calls for retraction, highlighting ongoing divisions on the board.
   

3. Franciscan Health program connects seniors to care and community (jconline.com) — Older adults in West Lafayette and the broader Lafayette area can tap Franciscan Health's PACE program to stay in their homes while getting coordinated medical care, transportation, meals, and social activities. One West Lafayette participant describes twice-weekly visits to the Lafayette day center, where therapy, outings, and close friendships ease both her health challenges and her family's caregiving burden.
   

4. 'Speedy' Harris helping drive Lafayette Jeff's late-season surge (wlfi.com) — Lafayette Jeff's football team has roared back from an 0-2 start to win five straight games, thanks in large part to explosive senior running back Darrontae "Speedy" Harris. With more than 800 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, Harris credits his offensive line and teammates as the Broncos push toward the postseason.
   

📸 Around Lafayette

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lafayette

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We are selling a motor home.
    It's a Coachman Mirada BH with two slide outs. We paid $55,000 and put in over $3,000 of repairs and fixes with a new floor last year along with new… (Nextdoor Brandy Kay)
  • Doby got out again!
    Please call 7654211695 if you see him. He is friendly and gentle. (Nextdoor Saddlebrook / Bridlewood)
  • Burlington Coat Factory posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Lafayette. Apply here.
  • Wabash National posted a job opening for Material Handler in Lafayette. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lafayette here.

Ok Lafayette! 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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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