Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Champaign’s snowiest December ever tested sidewalk rules downtown and Campustown
Make time for Women Elevating Women Resource Group on the Champaign Patch calendar
What's up Champaign! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Champaign’s snowiest December ever tested sidewalk rules downtown and Campustown
- What evidence led to the suspect’s arrest in Ororo Taylor’s death?
- Why a man accused of threatening Champaign’s Kraft plant is now free
Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Chilly with clouds and sun, with a high of 29 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 34, low: 22.
- Saturday: Clouds and sun, with a high of 32 and low of 19 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Area history, Dec. 31, 2025 (news-gazette.com) — Heavy December snowfall once made Champaign-Urbana’s streets the snowiest on record, triggering frequent use of Champaign’s sidewalk snow-removal ordinance for downtown and Campustown property owners. The historical roundup also recalls a tragic 1975 shooting of a University of Illinois student, underscoring how local safety and winter rules have shaped daily life here over the decades. 
Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. 'I woke up and she was still gone' (news-gazette.com) — Family members of Urbana resident Ororo Taylor are seeking justice after a Rantoul man was arrested and ordered held in the Champaign County Jail in connection with a fatal hit-and-run near campus. Prosecutors detailed crash evidence and potential prison time as Taylor’s relatives described their grief and said funeral plans will be shared once finalized.
3. Man accused of threatening Champaign Kraft, choking deputy, released pretrial (wcia.com) — A Champaign County man accused of threatening a shooting at Champaign’s Kraft facility and choking a deputy during his arrest has been released under pretrial conditions. He was initially detained after a December hearing but successfully sought reconsideration and is now scheduled for a pretrial conference on Jan. 6. Specific release terms were not immediately available.
4. Illinois cities impose local grocery taxes as state tax ends (newschannel20.com) — Champaign residents should know the city is offsetting the end of Illinois’ state grocery tax by raising its local sales tax a quarter of a percent to cover an expected $2.5 million revenue loss. While many Illinois cities are adding new grocery taxes, Champaign and Springfield chose different approaches to filling budget gaps.
5. Illinois football player from Peoria area enters transfer portal (pjstar.com) — An Illinois offensive lineman announced from Champaign that he’ll enter the transfer portal after playing sparingly in 2025 following an ankle injury. The Princeville native, who joined the Illini from junior college, leaves a crowded offensive line room as the program brings in more linemen for the 2026 class.
📸 Around Champaign
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 Champaign
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Women Elevating Women Resource Group
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W. Kirby Ave. , Champaign
8:30 am
Wednesday January 7
📣 Champaign 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
- BKB B FR Away F/S Tourney
Monticello CUSD 25 , 610 W. University Ave , Champaign
9:00 am - WR B V Away JV Eureka Invite
Monticello CUSD 25 , 200 W. Cruger , Eureka
9:00 am - BKB B MS Away Champaign Edison Middle School
Monticello CUSD 25 , 306 W. Green St. , Champaign
10:00 am - Winter Used Book Sale
St. Joseph Township – Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph
1:00 pm - Basketball (Boys F)
Rantoul Twp High School (Main Gym)
5:30 pm - Basketball (Girls Varsity) @ UNITY HIGH SCHOOL
UNITY HIGH SCHOOL Arcola, IL 61910
5:30 pm - Basketball (Boys Junior High) @ Sullivan Middle School
Sullivan Middle School Arcola, IL 61910
6:00 pm - Home School Club
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
10:00 am - Basketball (Boys JV, V)
Rantoul Twp High School (Main Gym)
5:30 pm - Basketball (Boys Junior Varsity) - TUSCOLA HIGH SCHOOL
ARCOLA HIGH SCHOOL Arcola, IL 61910
6:00 pm - Basketball (Boys Junior High) - HERITAGE JR HIGH SCHOOL
HERITAGE JR HIGH SCHOOL Arcola, IL 61910
6:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
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 Champaign PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lately, I’ve seen a lot of posts about retirement life in the community, and honestly, I’m about to retire too.
43, giving myself a fresh start. After a conversation with my parents tonight, I’ve gained some valuable insight. While I’m a bit nervous about… (Nextdoor Cherry Hills) - My cat Kitten is still missing Colony West area S.
Prospect & Windsor & Melrose Dr. Info on her is at petfbi.org Here are more pictures. Grey & brownish black stripes, white tummy & legs, face &… (Nextdoor Hessel Parl)
- Illinois Staffing posted a job opening for Warehouse Material Handler (Day Shift) in Champaign. Apply here.
- PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Academic Advisor, Department of Communication (152829) - 152829 in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.
Ok Champaign! 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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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