Good morning, Bowling Green.

Hope Harbor will host its annual Take Back the Night event on April 12 at Fountain Square Park to support sexual assault survivors during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month—marking its 40th anniversary of service.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the park and include additional programs at the Capitol Theatre through 8 p.m.

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation announced it is building two new inclusive playgrounds at Reservoir Hill Park and the Parker-Bennett Community Center—designed with smooth turf surfacing, ramps, and student input to help all kids play.

The playgrounds are scheduled to open in the spring before summer begins.

The nonprofit United Way of Southern Kentucky is hosting its annual Feed the Need food drive this weekend at select Bowling Green stores where volunteers will collect unexpired non-perishable goods from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday—aiming to gather about 70,000 items to help local residents facing food insecurity.

Western Kentucky University held an Ohanami event at Centennial Mall on March 26th to celebrate the blooming cherry trees and share Japanese culture.

Students and local officials such as Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott joined contests and cultural demonstrations — including a chopstick lima bean contest and sushi tasting provided by the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville.

WKU Forensics won national championships in both Open and Combined sweepstakes at the College LD Grand Prix—hosted by Kansas City Kansas Community College from March 15-16—and advanced 90% of its entries to elimination rounds with Top 4 finishes in all three divisions.

Last week the City-County Planning Commission approved rezoning for a 30-acre site at Nashville Road and Dillard Road that may allow a 216-unit apartment complex and possibly Bowling Green’s first Publix — the plan calls for a 50,325-square-foot anchor building and road improvements and will be finalized three weeks after the vote if not appealed.

Western Kentucky football standout Dalvin Smith— a Glasgow native— took part in the annual Pro Day on March 26th at Houchens-Smith Stadium where 19 players competed in drills to catch the eye of nearly 20 NFL scouts.

Bowling Green senior Deuce Bailey hit the game-winning basket with nine seconds left in overtime to give the Purples a 52-51 win over Adair County at Rupp Arena in Lexington—propelling the team into Friday's quarterfinals of the KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 tournament.

WKU Baseball vs. Sam Houston Bearkats

6:00 p.m. — Nick Denes Field — Free entry — Watch the Hilltoppers take on the Bearkats in an exciting college baseball matchup.

Banda Machos and Banda Maguey Live Concert

9 PM – 1 AM — CRZ Event Center — General Admission - $60 — Experience live music from Banda Machos and Banda Maguey in Bowling Green.

WKU Baseball vs. Sam Houston

1:00 p.m. | Nick Denes Field | Free entry | Cheer on the Hilltoppers as they take on the Bearkats in an exciting baseball matchup.

Matt Rogers with Nashville Nights

5-7 p.m. — Spillway Bar and Grill — Check local listings for costs — Experience an evening of original country tunes with talented songwriters Elvie Shane, Blue Foley, Matt Rogers, and Rye Davis.

WKU Baseball vs. Southern Indiana

5:00 p.m. — Nick Denes Field — Free entry — Enjoy a thrilling baseball matchup featuring the Hilltoppers and Eagles.

Rome Emperors vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods

5:35-9:35 p.m. — Bowling Green Ballpark — Ticket prices vary — Watch the Rome Emperors take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods in an exciting sports showdown.

MVP Track Time Tax-Freedom Weekend

April 12th-13th — NCM Motorsports Park — Registration available online — Enjoy a weekend of thrilling track time and bacon-wrapped dates.

WKU Softball vs. Middle Tennessee State

6:00 p.m. — WKU Softball Field — Cost info not provided — Cheer on the Hilltoppers as they face off against the Blue Raiders in a thrilling softball matchup.

WKU Baseball vs. Middle Tennessee State

3:00 p.m. — Nick Denes Field — Free entry — Cheer on the Hilltoppers as they take on the Blue Raiders in an exciting baseball showdown.

Easter Celebration at The Foundry

9:30-11 a.m. — The Foundry Christian Community Center — Free entry — Celebrate Easter with an exciting egg hunt and activities for the kids.