This and that: The winter storm watch edition
This and that: The winter storm watch edition
Cities send reminders on emergency snow routes. Purdue names a new provost, shakes up other top administrative roles. A vigil for homeless residents who’ve died. And another local song for the season
Thanks the Long Center for the Performing Arts for sponsoring today’s edition. The Long Center invites you to Dragons & Mythical Beasts, featuring a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new show for all the family. Coming March 24 to the historic downtown theater. For tickets and more, check out longpac.org/events/dragons-mythical-beasts
WINTER STORM LOOMS, CITIES PREP SNOW ROUTES
With a winter storm watch for Thursday evening through Saturday morning, Lafayette and West Lafayette were asking residents to get ready along snow emergency routes to give plows room to work.
In Lafayette: The city’s snow plowing plan includes a system of main streets cleared first, before secondary and residential neighborhoods get attention. Once the city declares a snow emergency, vehicle owners have 12 hours to move cars from emergency snow routes. For a list of those streets, here’s a link to a list: www.lafayette.in.gov/341/Snow-Removal.
In West Lafayette: The city requires vehicle owners to move their cars and trucks from the street along emergency snow routes when there’s an accumulation of 2 or more inches, Ben Anderson, public works director, said Tuesday. For a list of streets on West Lafayette’s emergency snow routes, here’s the link: www.westlafayette.in.gov/services/waste-and-removal/snow-removal
The National Weather Service’s forecast called for dropping temperatures Thursday afternoon, followed by high winds, dangerous wind chills and snow accumulation between 3 and 6 inches through Saturday.
And just a reminder: Your Lafayette snowplows have new names. A refresher course, here.
PURDUE NAMES PROVOST, ADMINISTRATION SHAKE UP
Patrick Wolfe, dean of the College of Science, was named Purdue’s next provost, as the university announced a number of administrative moves Tuesday.
Wolfe was one of three finalists for the provost position, the top academic role at the university. He was selected over Marion Underwood, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, and Eric Barker, dean of the College of Pharmacy.
Wolfe will replace Provost Jay Akridge, a former College of Agriculture dean who is stepping down to return to a faculty post after serving in the role since 2017. Wolfe came to Purdue in 2017 as dean, after setting up and leading the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national center for data science and artificial intelligence. The College of Science has the second largest enrollment at Purdue, after the College of Engineering.
In other moves:
Karen Plaut, dean of the College of Agriculture, will become executive vice president for research on Jan. 9.
Alyssa Wilcox, current chief of staff to incoming Purdue President Mung Chiang, will be senior vice president for partnerships and Chiang’s chief of staff when he starts as president in 2023.
Theresa Mayer, executive vice president for research and partnerships, will move into a new role of chief science officer.
Filling in as interim dean during the shuffle: professor Jean Chmielewski in the College of Science. An interim dean in the College of Agriculture will be named in January, according to a university release.
HOMELESS PERSONS’ MEMORIAL VIGIL WEDNESDAY
LTHC Homeless Services and the Salvation Army will host a memorial vigil Wednesday for homeless people who have died in the past year in Greater Lafayette. According to LTHC figures, at least 15 people have died since the last vigil on Dec. 21, 2021 – the first day of winter and noted as the longest night of the year.
“Housing is a basic human need and must be available to every person,” Jennifer Layton, LTHC president and CEO, said. “There are people dying not only across the country but right here in our community.”
The vigil will be 4:30 p.m. on 12th Street, between Union and Salem streets, which runs between LTHC and Salvation Army facilities. The event will include a short program, along with hot drinks. The public is welcome.
AND FINALLY … ANOTHER LOCAL HOLIDAY SONG: FRANK MUFFIN
Today’s local holiday song comes from Lafayette band Frank Muffin, which provides “Christmas Spirits.” Cheers, via this track recorded in 2020.
Thanks to the Long Center for the Performing Arts for its support of this edition of Based in Lafayette.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LOCAL NEWS THIS SEASON. HERE’S HOW.
Tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.