Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What sentence was handed down in the Laurel Woods shooting case?

Be sure to catch The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet on the South Bend Patch calendar

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Greetings South Bend! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What sentence was handed down in the Laurel Woods shooting case?
  • What's behind South Bend's debate over reviving the Metro Homicide Unit?
  • Why are trees coming down next to Kid's Kingdom?

Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Cooler with clouds and sun, with a high of 66 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 66, low: 45.
  • Sunday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 68 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Convicted Laurel Woods shooter sentenced Thursday (abc57.com) — A man has been sentenced after a woman was shot at the Laurel Woods Apartments in St. Joseph County, with South Bend and county police tracking and arresting him nearby. He received six years for battery with a deadly weapon, most of it suspended to probation, following the non-fatal May 18 shooting. Residents may notice the case closure after months of investigation.
   

2. South Bend mayor addresses recent homicides, resists calls to revive Metro Homicide Unit (wndu.com) — South Bend residents are seeing heightened concern over violence as nine homicides have occurred so far this year, two more than at this time in 2025. Mayor James Mueller and police leaders defended not reviving the Metro Homicide Unit, citing data on shootings and ongoing work on the Bissell Street triple-homicide investigation while urging continued community cooperation.
   

3. South Bend resident voices safety concerns amid Potawatomi Park tree cutdown (abc57.com) — South Bend is moving ahead with phase 2A of its River Park Neighborhood Plan, removing ten trees along Kid's Kingdom in Potawatomi Park to expand parking for the zoo and conservatories. A longtime supporter of the playground is raising safety and heat concerns, even consulting an attorney about a possible temporary restraining order, while the city says the project will ultimately increase the park's tree count.
   

4. Mishawaka homeowner responds to former Amazon Flex driver's account of 'terrifying experience' (wndu.com) — A Mishawaka homeowner is sharing his side of a tense late-night encounter with an Amazon Flex driver, in a story reported out of South Bend. He says he approached the unmarked vehicle with only a flashlight, believing few people use his long barn driveway and not expecting a delivery. The couple now wants clearer Amazon vehicle markings at night for safety.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just moved to South Bend with my wife and two kids under 3.
    Looking for recommendations of things to do around town, both for the whole family and also for us adults. Also, looking for the best breweries… (Nextdoor Northshore Triangle)
  • Is there anyone in the south bend, mishawaka, elkhart area that has logs they want to get rid of?
    Im looking for some logs i can do some bonfires with but unfortunately I don't live in a forest or have any trees. If you have a tree that has been… (Nextdoor Edison Park)
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Shift Manager in South Bend. Apply here.
  • Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Bilingual Multi-Location Customer Service Specialist (Spanish) 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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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