Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How four big 2026 projects could transform daily life in Tempe

Also, don't miss The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Tempe, AZ on the Tempe Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
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Good morning to you Tempe! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How four big 2026 projects could transform daily life in Tempe
  • Are Tempe ASU students making this common mistake with their bikes?
  • How a Valley coach rebuilt after losing everything overnight

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Tempe, AZ and 8 more events.

Find out what's happening in Tempefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Tempefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 68 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy with showers, temps: high: 67, low: 56.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Lakeside towers, redeveloped Danelle Plaza to reshape Tempe in 2026 (azcentral.com) — Major new housing and retail projects are set to reshape Tempe in 2026, from high-rise lakeside towers at South Pier to a new South Tempe Square shopping center. Redevelopment plans for Danelle Plaza and the largely affordable Dorsey Station project promise more housing, a grocery store, and community amenities that could significantly affect nearby neighborhoods and commuters.
   

• Personal transportation theft remains top ASU crime despite positive downward trend (statepress.com) — If you rely on a bike, scooter or board around ASU’s Tempe-area campuses, police say theft of these devices remains the university’s top crime, even as incidents are slowly declining. Recent data show most stolen items weren’t registered and many used easily cut cable locks, so officers urge students to record serial numbers, register their rides and switch to sturdy U-locks to improve recovery chances.
   

• WATCH: Tempe coach reflects on loss, community support after losing home in fire (abc15.com) — A Tempe-based feature follows Basha High School football coach Tim Kelly as he rebuilds his life after a fire destroyed his home shortly after a state championship win. Community members have raised nearly $50,000 through GoFundMe, giving him temporary housing near campus while he reflects on resilience, gratitude, and learning to accept help.
   

📸 Around Tempe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Tempe

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Tempe Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 31
  • Noon Years' Eve
    Guadalupe Branch at Community Room
    10:00 am
    • Thursday January 1
  • Youth Winter Reading Bingo
    Tempe Public Library -
    • Saturday January 3
  • Max Fleischer Superman Cartoons Screening
    Tempe Public Library - Desert Willow Program Room
    2:00 pm
    • Monday January 5
  • Baby Storytime
    Tempe Public Library - Storytime Room
    10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tempe PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 29, 2025 in Tempe, AZ 85281 near 7th street and priest dr Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Daley Park)
  • My dog PapaDuke ran away Saturday.
    I just got him the day before Christmas. He doesnt have a tag. He was wearing a blue colar and a black t-shirt that said Super Star. He's a chihuahua… (Nextdoor Rural-Geneva)
  • New Year. Same Calling. Better Opportunity. Experienced officers ready for a lateral move? Join ASU Police Department and continue making an impact... (X: ASUPolice)
  • Tempe Police wants to remind the community that there will be NO New Year’s Eve event at Tempe Beach Park this year. We know this has been a popular... (X: TempePolice)
  • Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Tempe. Apply here.
  • Valleywise Health posted a job opening for Payment Processor in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

🗞 Nearby News

Chandler

  • Fireworks likely will get phones ringing at Chandler PD (chandlernews.com)
  • Malls, tech and health care are 2026 projects that will reshape Chandler (azcentral.com)
  • Chandler faces big decisions on street upkeep, upgrades (chandlernews.com)

Paradise Valley

  • Basketball Recap: Paradise Valley Now 10-2 over Last 12 Games (maxpreps.com)

Ok Tempe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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