Good morning, Lancaster County. The midweek rain rolling through today is exactly what our gardens ordered - and it gives the rest of us a perfect excuse to settle in with a warm mug and catch up on what's happening around the county. From big investments in local homes to trivia nights and salamander hunts, here's your Wednesday.

In today's Lancaster Local:

Lancaster City Puts $550K Toward Fixing Up Homes and Cutting Energy Bills

Lancaster City Council is channeling tech-industry revenue into direct help for residents. From data-center permitting fees collected last year, council is considering approving $300,000 for the city's critical home repair program and $250,000 for a home energy efficiency pilot that would serve roughly 25 low- and moderate-income homeowners. The repair program keeps aging homes safe and livable, while the efficiency pilot aims to lower monthly utility costs for families who need the relief most. It's a smart use of new revenue - turning digital-economy dollars into real-world improvements block by block.

A rainy Wednesday is no excuse to stay home - grab an umbrella and get out there.

🧠 CNP Trivia at Old Republic Distillery - Old Republic Distillery - 3 Dutchland Ave, Ephrata. Tonight at 6:30 PM. Kick off the evening with general trivia at one of Ephrata's favorite distillery hangouts. Bring a team or join one - the questions are flowing either way. More info →

🍺 CNP Trivia at Tobias Frogg - Tobias Frogg - 1766 Columbia Ave, Lancaster. Tonight at 7:00 PM. If Ephrata's too far, the West Lancaster pub has its own Wednesday trivia night running at 7. Same great format, different barstool. More info →

👶 "Twinkling Stars" Baby Storytime - Lancaster Public Library - 151 N Queen St, Lancaster. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 30) at 10:00 AM. A free weekly drop-in for babies and their caregivers featuring stories, rhymes, puppets, and fingerplays. No registration needed - just show up and enjoy. More info →

🦎 Salamander Study - Central Park, Pavilion 3. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 30), 6:30–7:30 PM. Join Naturalist Katie Kruza to find and identify salamanders right in the park. All ages welcome. Just $2 per person - register online or call (717) 295-2055 by noon tomorrow. More info →

😂 Brewery Comedy Tour at CKW IronSpire - 2800 N Reading Rd, Adamstown. Friday, May 1 at 7:00 PM. First-Friday touring comedy night at Columbia Kettle Works' Adamstown location. Tickets are $15–$20, and laughs are guaranteed. More info →

🎨 PCA&D Senior Show 2026 Opens - 204 N Prince St, Lancaster. Friday, May 1 (Commencement Day). Pennsylvania College of Art & Design seniors transform multiple floors into micro-galleries showcasing their thesis work. A great chance to see the next generation of Lancaster's creative talent. More info →

🎷 Lititz Shirt Factory Sunday Jazz Jam - 5 Juniper Lane, Lititz. Sunday, May 3, 2:30–6:00 PM. The first-Sunday-of-the-month jazz jam returns. $5 cover, students get in free. Bring your instrument or just bring your ears. More info →

🌿 Nature Journaling at Welsh Mountain - Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve, 835 Gault Road, New Holland. Saturday, May 2, 1:00–3:00 PM. Lancaster Conservancy hosts an outdoor sketching session in one of the county's most beautiful preserves. Ages 12 and up (under 18 with an adult). Bring your own sketchbook and supplies. More info →

Wednesday, April 29 - Keep that umbrella handy today. We're looking at cloudy skies with a good chance of rain and highs near 59°F. The silver lining: tomorrow dries out nicely with sunshine and similar temps, so the midweek soaking sets up a pleasant end to the week.

Thanks for reading Lancaster Local. Rainy days like today remind us that the good stuff in this county keeps growing no matter what the sky's doing - from council chambers investing in neighborhoods to artists hanging their best work downtown. If you found something useful in here, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.

See you tomorrow, Lancaster.