Good morning, South Bend.

PEGGS Restaurant celebrates 25 years downtown and will host month-long events in February plus giveaways to thank families, business leaders and sports fans.

Owner Peg Dalton said the breakfast spot remains a beloved community cornerstone.

Students are collecting calling cards of four campus K-9s from campus police at Notre Dame; the cards (Barkley, Boomer, Finn, and Orla) foster engagement and offer a chance to talk about mental health support on campus.

The St. Joseph County Public Library held the Divine Nine Library SmArtBox reception on Feb.

11, featuring members of historic Black Greek-letter organizations who showcased artifacts, books, and delivered speeches downtown. The event highlighted cultural heritage and community pride.

On Friday night, South Bend residents gathered at a service hosted by the interdenominational Ministerial Alliance to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson's legacy after his death.

Local pastors + community members said his visits inspired unity and change.

NorthWood High School senior Ellie Holden was named South Bend Tribune Student of the Week for Feb.

16 after earning recognition for her academic and artistic achievements. Readers can look forward to next week’s nominees from both NorthWood and Mishawaka High Schools.

Federal EV charging funds in Indiana have sparked pushback from advocates who say state plans miss Black communities.

They note that public sessions are held at times that exclude hourly workers, with South Bend set to benefit from a new $4.2 million expansion by the Michiana Area Council of Governments.

Granger residents met Wednesday night at the Harris Branch Library to express concerns over Microsoft’s hyperscale data center planned just south of the Indiana Toll Road.

They highlighted worries about transparency & potential utility cost increases as local officials work through project details.

Portage Township took official ownership of the 2.5-acre Portage Manor Cemetery from St. Joseph County on Feb.

20 at 5:12 a.m.—public access is now restricted while discussions continue over maintenance and future plans for the larger property near Riverside Drive.

Andy Zay, chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, said utility regulators are aware of rising electricity bills and are reviewing past rate decisions and short-term options for sustainable pricing.

Local residents served by NIPSCO have seen bills increase nearly 92% over the last 10 years.

Team members Lauren Moss and Joshua Short visited the Notre Dame Curling Club to try curling as the Winter Olympics near, discovering that it takes balance and precision (a key challenge of the sport) and sparking local interest.

Notre Dame football announced on Feb.

20 that Charlie Partridge has joined as the defensive line coach. He brings 30 years of college experience and NFL stints (including two seasons with the Colts) and looks forward to refining technique in South Bend.

South Bend Polar Plunge

10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. — Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium — Register for participation — Dive into the frosty fun while supporting Special Olympics Indiana athletes.

David Lester Learn: Entanglements and Urban Archaeology Exhibition

5-8 p.m. — South Bend Museum of Art — Free entry — Explore the dialogue between David Lester Learn's Urban Archaeology sculptures and recent Entanglements paintings in this unique exhibition.

Ryan O'Flanagan Stand-Up Comedy Show

6:30-9 p.m. — Cheers Bar and Grill — $12 — Enjoy a night of laughs with Ryan O'Flanagan and local comedians.

Michiana Home Show

10 AM – 7 PM — Century Center — Free entry — Explore vendor booths showcasing home improvement and design.

Spring Plant Sale & Swap

12-3 p.m. — Potawatomi Conservatories — Members access at noon, non-members at 1 p.m. — A chance to buy and trade plants with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

We Are Phoenix - Music of Rebirth and Renewal

The South Bend Chamber Singers will present the Indiana premiere of a new oratorio for choir and strings with video projections by American composer Tim Takach. We Are Phoenix illuminates the analogy between humans and our planet: we both suffer loss and devastation and yet rise again and again, becoming stronger each time. With the Notre Dame Children's Choir.