Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How fast are Hispanic student numbers growing in Champaign-area schools?
You won't want to miss Open interviews on the Champaign Patch calendar
Good morning Champaign! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How fast are Hispanic student numbers growing in Champaign-area schools?
- What really happened on campus in last week’s crime log?
- Were you near Bradley and Mattis when shots were fired Saturday?
Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Rain and a t-storm; warmer, with a high of 66 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Very windy; much colder, temps: high: 27, low: 13.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and chilly, with a high of 28 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Enrollment Analysis: Hispanic students comprised 16.3% of Champaign County's districts student body in 2024-25 school year (chambanasun.com) — Hispanic enrollment in Champaign County schools has climbed to 4,043 students, now 16.3% of the county’s 2024–25 student body. Champaign Unit 4 leads with 1,815 Hispanic students, as state data highlight shifting demographics and continued growth across local districts that shape classrooms, staffing, and services for families. 
Find out what's happening in Champaignfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Chambana Today's Weekly On-Campus Crime Log for December 19 (wixy.com) — Champaign residents and campus families can see exactly what University of Illinois police handled around December 19, from DUIs and underage drinking to aggravated battery, weapons charges, and thefts. This new, easier-to-read weekly log format helps you track on-campus safety trends and understand what kinds of incidents are being investigated or closed.
3. Champaign Police investigating after gunfire damages building, vehicle (wcia.com) — Champaign Police are investigating gunfire that damaged a building and vehicle near Bradley and Mattis Avenues Saturday afternoon, though no injuries have been reported. Officers recovered shell casings, reviewed security footage, and towed a vehicle believed involved, and they’re asking anyone with information to contact Champaign Police or Champaign County Crime Stoppers.
4. Big 10: 2025 Person of the Year picks, Part 4 (news-gazette.com) — Community members from around the area highlight their picks for 2025 Person of the Year, including several leaders deeply involved in Champaign and Champaign County organizations. Local nominees range from the founder of Hidaya Academy to the CEO of Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club and the president of the Champaign County NAACP, all recognized for hands-on work improving residents’ lives.
5. Firefighters team up with Santa, deliver gifts in Champaign Co. (wcia.com) — Firefighters with the Eastern Prairie Fire Protection District spent Christmas Eve crisscrossing Champaign County with Santa, delivering donated toys to kids at home and in the hospital. The long-running “Operation Santa for Kids” tradition, supported by Blain’s Farm and Fleet in Urbana, lets families see firefighters in a joyful setting instead of during emergencies.
📸 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!
- Open interviews
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
9:00 am - Women Elevating Women Resource Group
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W. Kirby Ave. , Champaign
8:30 am
Monday December 29
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
- Tag Bag Sale
FriendShop Bookstore , Public Library , 200 W Green St , Champaign
1:00 pm - No School - Christmas Break
Fisher CUSD 1 Fisher, IL 61843 - Wrestling Girls (V)
Jacksonville High School
8:00 am - Open interviews
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
9:00 am - Movie Matinee
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
2:00 pm - Free Sewing Day
109 S Oak St , Villa Grove
3:00 pm - Library Closed for New Year's
Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph - Library Closing
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
1:00 pm - BED BEFORE 10PM: DISCO DANCE
Gallery Art Bar , 119 W Main St , Urbana
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Comedian Paul Farahvar New Years Eve Show!
Yellow & Co. , 1830 Patton Dr #2 , Mahomet
9:30 pm
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
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
- UPDATE: OWNER FOUND!!
REUNITED! Is anyone missing this guy? Found at Scottsdale Court and Scottsdale Drive in Southwood neighborhood. Brought him home for now as non… (Nextdoor Glenshire II) - Found lost pup on crescent and southwood drive.
Tried to get him in the car but not successful . (Nextdoor Ironwood)
- ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Janitorial Project Team Member in Champaign. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for 6am Cashiers and Drive-Thru Staff 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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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