Good morning, South Bend.

Milkweed Gardens seeks to raise $50,000 by Oct.

11 to finish a new pocket park in Monroe Park featuring native gardens, walking paths, public art, and seating; the project could receive matching funds and $5,000 bonus, and a garden party is planned on Sept. 10 (celebrating a year of growth).

Canadian National's America 250 locomotives rolled through downtown Tuesday, drawing fans to celebrate a blend of local history and future hopes as the federal government provided $3.5 million for plans to upgrade Union Station—potentially paving the way for Amtrak’s return in four to five years.

JC's Coal Oven Pizza Co. in Granger has closed temporarily due to a water main issue and will remain closed until repairs and a health department inspection are completed.

The restaurant reported a significant revenue loss amid the closure and hopes to resolve the issue soon.

Studebaker National Museum curator Kyle Sater will present Marking the Moment: Centennials, Bicentennials, and Beyond today at 1:30 p.m. at 897 Thomas St (highlighting local commemorations and historic exhibits as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary).

South Bend Tribune will host a virtual panel on Wednesday, Aug.

26 that reflects on the history and impact of Black high school athletes starting at 6 p.m. ET on its Facebook page (panelists include local leaders and former athletes noted for their achievements).

South Bend schools approved a new cell phone policy for today’s 2026-27 school year that aligns with Indiana’s bell-to-bell ban + students must keep phones in lockers during class unless they have approved exceptions like language translation or emergencies.

The policy sets clear consequences for repeated violations.

Today, water connection work will close Main Street between Eckman Street & Fairview Avenue with a detour along Ewing and Chippewa Avenues via Michigan Street; crews expect to finish the work by Friday, weather permitting.

South Bend will receive up to $3.8 million in a federal grant to revive the historic Union Station as an Amtrak stop, a project that Mayor James Mueller said will reduce travel times and enhance transit connections downtown.

City officials say cleanup at LaSalle Park is almost finished after testing over 1,000 soil and water samples—using 1,200 truckloads of clean soil to improve the area.

New restrictions ban growing food and limit groundwater use until federal regulators close the park’s Superfund site.

County council will vote Tuesday, Aug.

25 on expanding the TIF district to include the Microsoft data center in Granger (to channel tax revenue into local infrastructure improvements like roads and utilities).

South Bend Medical Foundation urges blood donations amid a critical shortage and offers a free pint of Culver’s custard to donors.

It will host drives today 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at 501 W. South Street and Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at The Gibson Insurance downtown.

South Bend Roller Derby will host its inaugural Crossroads Carnage Tournament at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds from Aug.

28 to Aug. 30. The three-day event will feature 12 regulation games on a single, polished concrete track starting Friday at 4 p.m.