Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Lafayette’s “community cat” policy has rescuers and shelters at odds

You won't want to miss Festival of Quilts 2026 on the Lafayette Patch calendar

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Friday September 18th Patch AM
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Hello again Lafayette! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Lafayette's "community cat" policy has rescuers and shelters at odds
  • How a former Purdue student's Lafayette sentencing reshapes two lives.
  • See how a Michigan "Black Eden" shaped Black leisure and community

Also on today's calendar: Festival of Quilts 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and not as warm, with a high of 78 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Saturday: Turning cloudy and warmer, temps: high: 87, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Not as warm; a p.m. t-storm, with a high of 76 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Advocates for outdoor cats question Tippecanoe Co.'s program (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — Lafayette's community cat program, run through the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette, is drawing mixed reactions as it traps, fixes, vaccinates and returns free-roaming cats after a short hold. Shelter leaders say the approach controls overpopulation and protects herd health, while local rescuers argue some friendly, dependent cats like Suzy Q and Pepperoni are being put back into unsafe situations. The debate affects how thousands of Tippecanoe County cats are cared for.
   

2. Former Purdue student sentenced to probation for February 2025 battery (jconline.com) — A former Purdue engineering student has been sentenced in Lafayette to one year on community corrections and one year on probation for a 2025 felony battery that seriously harmed a visiting woman. The case, handled in Tippecanoe County court, details the assault's lasting impact on the victim and how the conviction is reshaping the defendant's life and ties to the Lafayette community.
   

3. Purdue exhibit highlights Idlewild's role in Black history (jconline.com) — Purdue's West Lafayette campus is hosting a free exhibit through Sept. 30 exploring Idlewild, Michigan's historic role as a Black resort community and center of African American culture. Curated from decades of research by Purdue professor Ronald J. Stephens, the display highlights land ownership, entrepreneurship and community-building. It's open to both Purdue and Greater Lafayette residents looking to learn more about this history.
   

4. A Day They'll Never Forget: 84 Veterans Fly Home After Honor Flight's 28th Mission (clintoncountydailynews.com) — Eighty-four veterans from the Lafayette area flew out of Purdue University Airport for Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette's 28th one-day trip to Washington, D.C., visiting major war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. After a long day of tributes and emotional moments, they returned to a huge crowd of family, friends and neighbors. Organizers hope more local veterans will sign up for future flights.
   

5. Purdue Men's Basketball's full 2026-27 Big Ten Schedule announced (wlfi.com) — Purdue men's basketball fans in West Lafayette can now circle key Big Ten home dates at Mackey Arena, starting with Iowa's visit on December 1. With season tickets sold out and Purdue projected among the nation's top teams, locals will be watching for single-game ticket sales and a strong conference run leading into the Indianapolis Big Ten Tournament.
   

📸 Around Lafayette

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lafayette

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📣 Lafayette Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Well I'm in search of a rental.
    I've been living with my elderly parents for four years and just got married in June. Ready to spread my wings and fly. Looking for a 3 bedroom house… (Nextdoor Central)
  • For any of you females: or husbands who have wives who like to read- go on Amazon for $14.
    99 And pick up this book I haven't been able to put it down since it arrived this morning (Nextdoor Hibiscus/Wise)
  • The Buckle, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight Coordinator (Part Time) in Lafayette. Apply here.
  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store posted a job opening for Server 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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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