Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How one retiring Fremont band teacher shaped young musicians’ futures

Also check out New Year's Eve with Matt Axton & Badmoon on the Fremont Patch calendar

Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
Wednesday December 31st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Fremont? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How one retiring Fremont band teacher shaped young musicians’ futures
  • How a Fremont murder case ended in a life sentence
  • Which Fremont dentist is helping oversee California’s dental regulations?

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve with Matt Axton & Badmoon and 6 more events.

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

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, showers around, with a high of 54 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Thursday: Periods of rain, temps: high: 64, low: 55.
  • Friday: Occasional rain and drizzle, with a high of 64 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Elementary school band conductor retires (tricityvoice.com) — A longtime band leader for Fremont’s Harvey Green Elementary has retired after her final winter concert, but she’ll keep teaching young musicians at Niles Elementary. Beth Newell, who first came to Fremont through the Fremont Education Foundation’s afterschool band program, is credited by parents with inspiring students to continue music into high school and beyond.
   

2. Fremont man sentence sentenced to life after failed attempt to back out of plea deal (sanluisobispo.com) — A Fremont resident has been sentenced to 29 years to life in prison for a 2023 killing that police say happened behind a Smart & Final in Fremont. After initially pleading no contest to avoid a harsher term, he unsuccessfully tried to withdraw the plea and now plans to appeal, closing a major local murder case for the time being.
   

3. Governor Newsom announces appointments 12.30.2025 (ca.gov) — A Fremont resident, Dr. Steven Chan, has been reappointed to the state’s Dental Board of California, continuing his role overseeing dental regulation statewide. Governor Newsom also renewed several other health-related board appointments, shaping how dentistry, osteopathic medicine, and speech and hearing services are overseen across California.
   

4. Saving for a down payment is getting easier. Here are 8 markets where it takes under 5 years. (businessinsider.com subscription) — For Fremont-area buyers, the news is sobering: the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont metro now requires a staggering 36.5 years for a typical household to save a standard down payment. The article explains how rising prices and bigger down payments stretch timelines nationwide, while contrasting a few more affordable U.S. markets where buyers can save up much faster.
   

5. 2025: A look back at Bay Area images that made our year (marinij.com) — Several striking 2025 images were captured in and around Fremont, from a homeless encampment near Quarry Lakes and wildlife on Lake Elizabeth to portraits of local residents and athletes. The broader Bay Area photo collection highlights protests, sports, celebrations, and everyday life, giving Fremont readers a visual recap of a turbulent but resilient year.
   


📸 Around Fremont

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Bella, a cat who went missing in Newark, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 8 hours, 3 minutes. More details here https://www… (Nextdoor Hampton Place)
  • I am looking for a mothers helper/cook/nanny as I have a 7month old.
    Looking for 8am to 12noon every weekday in Fremont starting asap. Interested and experienced folks, please reach out. (Nextdoor Metro Crossing)
  • Adecco US, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitor in Fremont. Apply here.
  • Sanmina Corporation posted a job opening for Assembler -1st Shift in Fremont. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fremont here.

Ok Fremont! 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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