Good morning, South Bend.

New billboards honor 10 local Black leaders recognized for volunteer work and pastoral guidance — the displays will remain until March 1 and an award celebration will be held this Thursday at the Century Center.

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana announced March food distributions on a drive-thru basis in several counties including Elkhart, Marshall, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke and Kosciusko.

Dates range from March 4 to March 31 and each drive-thru event will give one pre-boxed food package per household on a first-come, first-served basis.

What's Cooking offers a range of community meals starting Thursday with burger night at Galien American Legion Post 344 and continuing with fish and dinner events at local venues through March 8 (prices range from $4 to $15).

Local computer repair owner Bryton Miller noted that rising A.I. data center demand has doubled or even tripled hard drive prices in recent months — a trend that could push regular computer costs higher as supply dwindles.

Tech experts say the surge is due to increased A.I. use affecting everyday technology.

The inaugural Midwest Meow Fest will take place Saturday, March 21 at Century Center featuring cat vendors, local rescues and animal welfare groups with New York Times best-selling author Hannah Shaw set to speak.

Applications are open for the 59th Leeper Park Art Fair at Michigan Street and Riverside Drive, where over 80 artists will display work in 11 art categories.

Artists must apply by March 1, while the fair takes place June 20-21 with art, food, music and awards up to $4,000.

The Tribune invites South Bend readers to vote for Student of the Week nominees from Adams High and NorthWood High until noon Thursday, Feb.

26—details on the winner will appear Friday online and in Monday's print edition.

Bald eagles at St. Patrick's County Park laid their first egg on Friday, Feb.

20 evening (researchers expect a second egg on Monday or Tuesday) and in 2025 three eggs were laid but none were viable.

Crews began repairing water service line leaks at three South Bend locations (1725 Grant St., 4029 Addison St. and 426 S.

Carlisle St.) yesterday; the work will continue until March 13 and will affect sidewalks and tree lawns.

Police urged drivers to exercise extra caution yesterday — many roads remained snow covered and slick.

Officers recommended leaving extra distance between vehicles, reducing speed, and using headlights along U.S. 20 and the bypass.

Notre Dame basketball hosts No. 1 Duke today at sold-out Purcell Pavilion — the game airs at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Notre Dame basketball guard Markus Burton will not play another game this season following a left ankle surgery that sidelined him since early December — his absence supports a business decision for full recovery.

He is set to return in the fall for an exhibition when Butler visits.

Michigan’s women’s basketball poll shifted as the Wolverines dropped from No. 6 to No. 8 while the Spartans moved up from No. 18 to No. 15 in the AP Top 25 released Monday afternoon (Notre Dame received one vote after two wins).

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.