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š± What strict new solar rules could mean for West Lafayetteās future
Good morning West Lafayette! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. āļø
In today's newsletter:
- What strict new solar rules could mean for West Lafayetteās future
- Why Purdueās education college went four years without a dean
- Planning a summer day trip? See whatās new at Prophetstown
Also on today's calendar: Garden Expo & Plant Sale - Master Gardener Association of Tippecanoe County (MGATC) and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? š¤ (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Friday: Very warm, with a high of 83 and low of 57 degrees.
- Saturday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 63, low: 35.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 55 and low of 31 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. Tippecanoe County residents debate light, darkness of solar ordinance (purdueexponent.org) ā Tippecanoe Countyās solar ordinance moved forward after a packed Area Plan Commission hearing where West Lafayette and county residents clashed over setbacks, farmland use, and emergency planning. Purdue faculty, students, farmers, and industry representatives all weighed in, arguing over whether strict rules protect neighbors or effectively ban large solar farms that could shape the regionās economic and energy future. 
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2. Purdue appoints 4-year interim education dean to the job (jconline.com) ā Purdueās College of Education in West Lafayette finally has a permanent dean after four years of uncertainty, as longtime interim leader Phillip VanFossen is officially appointed to the role. Administrators say his selection ends an unusually long search that had stalled college initiatives and raised transparency concerns, and they credit him with building a close-knit community among faculty, staff, and students. Ā Ā Ā
3. The Smooth Indiana Prairie Path Where Open-Sky Views And Level Trails Make For The Ultimate Easy Ride (myfamilytravels.com) ā Prophetstown State Park in West Lafayette offers smooth, paved prairie trails, a popular aquatic center, and a well-equipped campground that make it an easy day trip or weekend escape for local families. You can also explore the 1920s living history farm and Native American village replica, then round out your visit with nearby Battle Ground historic sites and Lafayette dining options. Ā Ā Ā
4. Distinguished professor Phillip VanFossen named Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean of Education (purdue.edu) ā Purdueās main West Lafayette campus is getting new leadership in its College of Education, as longtime faculty member Phillip VanFossen has been named the Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean. VanFossen, who has led the college in an interim role since 2022, will continue shaping teacher education programs and partnerships that influence local schools and future educators across Greater Lafayette. Ā Ā Ā
5. 'Purdue 1' Space Mission (wowo.com) ā Purdue University in West Lafayette has named a five-member all-Boilermaker crew for its pioneering āPurdue 1ā suborbital research mission with Virgin Galactic, slated for 2027. The team of alumni will run fluid-behavior experiments in microgravity, aiming to advance spacecraft design and inspire future Purdue engineers and scientists across the community. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around West Lafayette
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š
Upcoming Events in
West Lafayette
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
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Joint Board
West Lafayette City Hall, 222 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette
12:00 pm
Tuesday April 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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FAMILY PE Night
West Lafayette Intermediate School West Lafayette, IN 47906
5:30 pm -
Magdalena Bay
Elliott Hall of Music , 712 3rd Street , West Lafayette
7:30 pm -
Local History Roundtable ā Frank Lloyd Wright in West Lafayette
Samara, The John and Catherine Christian House , 1301 Woodland Ave , West Lafayette
5:00 pm -
Garden Expo & Plant Sale - Master Gardener Association of Tippecanoe County (MGATC)
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds , 1406 Teal Rd , Lafayette
9:00 am -
Menopause The Musical 2
Loeb Playhouse , Stewart Center , 128 Memorial Mall Dr STEW G054 , West Lafayette
7:30 pm -
AS-NEEDED Pre-Council
West Lafayette City Hall , 222 N Chauncey Ave , West Lafayette
4:30 pm -
City Council
West Lafayette City Hall , 222 N Chauncey Ave , West Lafayette
6:30 pm
Thursday April 23
Friday April 24
Saturday April 25
Thursday April 30
Monday May 4
š£ West Lafayette Shout Outs!
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š Events Nearby
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Trails for Tails 5K
Museums At Prophetstown , 3534 Prophetstown Rd , Battle Ground
10:00 am -
Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners' Meeting
Tippecanoe County, IN Calendar , 20 N 3rd Street First Floor , Lafayette
10:00 am -
Parking Commission meeting
Lafayette, IN Calendar , 20 N. 6th St. , Lafayette
11:00 am -
Board of Works and Public Safety Meeting
Lafayette, IN Calendar , 20 N. 6th St. , Lafayette
9:00 am
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Tuesday April 21
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Curb alert !!
Still have a stroller and a car seat trash is coming tomorrow .. 3016 Fairwood dr Lafayette (Nextdoor Klondike Elementary) - Tournament happening at Otterbein Baseball Fields this weekend.
There will be a pancake breakfast available Saturday morning for anyone local and interested! (Nextdoor Otterbein Outliers)
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Shift Leader in West Lafayette. Apply here.
- Purdue University posted a job opening for Senior, Financial Aid Administrator in West Lafayette. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Lafayette here.
Ok West 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: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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