🌱 Patch AM: Why one South Bend address has triggered 91 police calls in 2026

Good morning South Bend! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why one South Bend address has triggered 91 police calls in 2026
• Is Beck's Lake finally safe enough to lose its Superfund label?
• How South Bend schools kicked off a fully staffed new year

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 57 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 78, low: 62.
• Saturday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 78 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. West Washington Street Woes: Police have now responded to 739 West Washington St. 91 times just this year (wndu.com) — South Bend police have now been called 91 times this year to a single home on West Washington Street, prompting growing concern about strain on 911 resources and neighborhood quality of life. Recent calls led to new citations, thousands in fines, and another arrest, while neighbors hope to involve the mayor's office in finding a solution.
   

2. Mayor Mueller opens media availability to address LaSalle Park and Beck's Lake clean up progress (abc57.com) — South Bend officials say years of cleanup at Beck's Lake in LaSalle Park may soon allow the site to be removed from the EPA's Superfund list. Mayor James Mueller outlined extensive testing, shared-cost remediation with Honeywell, and new land-use restrictions while residents still question long-term safety and await clearer communication from federal regulators.
   

3. South Bend schools 'excited to have kids back' for 2026-27 year (southbendtribune.com) — Students returned Wednesday to South Bend's Coquillard Elementary and other district schools, where leaders say they're fully staffed and eager to build on big gains in reading scores. Families, city officials, and firefighters helped celebrate the first day, while administrators emphasized improving attendance and continuing academic growth across South Bend Community School Corporation this year.
   

4. Operation Education: Two schools see major growth in 3rd grade literacy (wsbt.com) — Third-grade reading scores are climbing at several area schools, with South Bend's Coquillard Elementary seeing its IREAD proficiency jump to nearly 63% after years in the 20–30% range. Educators in South Bend and Goshen credit focused support and classroom-level attention, while stressing there's still more work ahead to help every child read proficiently.
   

5. Notre Dame announces inaugural Arts Biennial featuring prominent artists from around the world (nd.edu) — A major new Notre Dame Arts Biennial will bring more than 100 mostly free arts events to the South Bend area from January through June 2027, including big-name speakers, performances, and exhibitions. Local partners like South Bend Civic Theatre, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Community School Corporation, and the South Bend Museum of Art will launch new programs and collaborations, making this a citywide celebration of creativity.
   

📸 Around South Bend

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday August 21
• PHM Community Tailgate (Time TBD)
  Prairie Vista Elementary School Granger, IN 46530
  5:00 pm
• PHM Community Tailgate, Penn
  Prairie Vista Elementary School Penn High School, 56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545, U
  5:30 pm
• PHM Annual Community Tailgate, Penn South End Concession
  Schmucker Middle School Everwise Freed Field, 56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
  5:30 pm
• Music In The Woods At The Mishawaka Res
  The Mishawaka Res 13950 Scout Lane, Mishawaka In 46544
  6:00 pm
• Penn Football vs Valparaiso, Everwise Freed Field
  Schmucker Middle School Everwise Freed Field, 56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
  7:30 pm
Tuesday August 25
• PV Gd. 3 Parent Information Night
  Prairie Vista Elementary School , 15400 Brick Rd, Granger, IN 46
  5:30 pm
Wednesday August 26
• Penn Open House
  Penn High School , 56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545, U
  6:30 pm
Thursday August 27
• PV Gd. 5 Parent Information/Camp Information Night
  Prairie Vista Elementary School , 15400 Brick Rd, Granger, IN 46
  5:30 pm
• IREAD-3 Information Night
  Mary Frank Harris Elementary Sch Granger, IN 46530
  6:15 pm
• Join Scouts Night, Cafeteria
  Prairie Vista Elementary School Granger, IN 46530
  6:30 pm
Friday September 11
• Jim Gaffigan →
  Joyce Center, 113, Notre Dame
  7:00 pm
Saturday September 12
• Shake Down the Thunder Tailgate →
  Duncan Student Center, 100, Notre Dame
  12:00 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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Anyone interested in a 50 gallon reptile enclosure??
  Its just been sitting in my basement collecting dust. Need it gone. Shoot me a decent offer. Also, I have a space saver high chair. It straps to an… (Nextdoor West Side South Bend)
• There's an amazing selection of food and drink specials in South Bend.
  Here are just a few... SOUTH BEND AREA FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS SOUTH BEND Brothers Bar & Grill – Eddy Street Monday $3 domestic drafts $3 Hot Shots… (Nextdoor Howard Park)

• Saia, Inc. posted a job opening for PT Dockworker - South Bend, IN in South Bend. Apply here.
• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Activities Assistant Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr in South Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Bend here.

Ok South Bend! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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