Good morning, Elkhart.

Local families feel the pinch as rising youth sports costs run from $200 to over $500 monthly for competitive programs, and a local nonprofit offers a soccer league for $60 per child to ease expenses — a welcome option for many.

Habitat for Humanity held a ribbon-cutting event yesterday to celebrate new homes at Legacy Park and progress on a project to house 22 families in Elkhart.

During school bus safety week, a mother (who lost three children eight years ago) urges local drivers to obey school bus-arm laws after a series of close calls on school routes.

The event reminds the community to stay alert for children’s safety.

Minority business owners met Thursday in Elkhart to kick off an eight-month Black business networking series hosted by 100 Black Sons * sharing stories and sparking new connections among local entrepreneurs.

Amazon Data Center representatives presented their water usage plan to the St. Joseph County Water Resources Advisory Board on Thursday.

The plan, for cooling the New Carlisle site, will use 18 million gallons per year and invest $114 million in water and wastewater infrastructure.

A new affordable housing development in downtown will add 48 income-restricted apartments with one- and two-bedroom options; monthly rents start at $407 for one-bedroom and $473 for two-bedroom units.

The Northern Indiana Conference will celebrate its 100th anniversary this fall as high schools from Penn, Elkhart, Saint Joe, New Prairie, Marian, and South Bend prepare for the milestone (WSBT sports director Pete Byrne spoke at Tuesday’s event).