Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How fast is Hispanic enrollment growing in Champaign County schools?

Make time for Tag Bag Sale on the Champaign Patch calendar

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Morning Champaign! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How fast is Hispanic enrollment growing in Champaign County schools?
  • Why a Champaign ER doctor fears your next snowmobile ride
  • How Champaign police helped kids shop for holiday gifts this year

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 1 more event.

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

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 57 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Sunday: A little rain, temps: high: 64, low: 16. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Monday: Very windy; much colder, with a high of 24 and low of 13 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 student enrollment is rising across Champaign County, now making up 16.3% of the county’s 24,854 public school students for 2024-25, with the largest number in Champaign Unit 4. The data, from the Illinois State Board of Education, also shows overall ethnic breakdowns and highlights how local districts fit into broader statewide funding and enrollment trends.
   

2. ER Doctor says alcohol and speeding the cause of snowmobile crashes (wixy.com) — A Champaign-based ER doctor with OSF HealthCare is warning local snowmobilers that alcohol, drugs, and speeding are behind most of the horrific injuries he treats each winter. He urges riders to slow down, know their trails, avoid intoxication, and wear full protective gear—especially helmets and even life vests on ice—while also checking conditions and never riding alone.
   

3. Central Illinois communities spread holiday cheer through acts of kindness (newschannel20.com) — Champaign families may recognize their own kids in the Champaign Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop event, where local officers helped children choose toys, games, and clothes. The story also spotlights similar acts of holiday generosity by first responders and charities across Central Illinois, from Riverton to Springfield, all focused on making the season brighter for kids and families in need.
   

4. Basketball Recap: Marion Extends Winning Streak to Nine (maxpreps.com) — Champaign Central’s boys basketball team took a tough 77–33 road loss to undefeated Marion, dropping the Maroons to 4–6 on the season. The team now gets a break before visiting crosstown rival Centennial at 6 p.m. on January 6, giving local fans a clear next chance to see if Central can bounce back.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 28
  • Tag Bag Sale
    FriendShop Bookstore, Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign
    1:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Friday December 26
  • Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
    The Orpheum Champaign 346 North Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820
    8:45 pm
    • Monday December 29
  • Open interviews
    Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
    9:00 am
    • Wednesday January 7
  • Women Elevating Women Resource Group
    Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W. Kirby Ave. , Champaign
    8:30 am

📣 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

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! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Jc And Babygirl, a dog who went missing in Champaign, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 20 hours, 59 minutes. Message from Owner:… (Nextdoor Boulder Ridge West)
  • I live on Union and Mattis.
    I was across town when I got word that someone opened my back door and my two service dogs got out. I don't know how long they've been out running… (Nextdoor Wildwood)
  • USA Jobs posted a job opening for Warehouse Material Handler (Day Shift) in Champaign. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Produce Associate 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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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