Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a routine food delivery turned into a dangerous clash at Kraft

Coming up: New to CU Mixer on the Champaign Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 10th Patch AM
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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 a routine food delivery turned into a dangerous clash at Kraft
  • How Champaign teens could finish most of college before graduation
  • How will eight new pickleball courts change John Street play?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: A snow shower in the morning, with a high of 38 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Thursday: Cloudy and cold, temps: high: 30, low: 25.
  • Friday: Cloudy and chilly, with a high of 31 and low of 12 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Suspect in custody after trying to deliver food, assaulting a deputy in Champaign (wcia.com) — A man was arrested at the Kraft plant on Bradley Avenue in Champaign after authorities say he threatened the facility and put a Champaign County Sheriff’s deputy in a chokehold during a food delivery dispute. No weapon was found, the deputy escaped serious injury, and the suspect now faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery and DUI.
   

2. Parkland College, Champaign Schools launch ‘Early Transfer Academy' (wcia.com) — Champaign Unit 4 high schoolers will soon be able to earn most of an associate’s degree before graduation through a new Early Transfer Academy partnership with Parkland College. Starting in summer 2026, selected students will mix AP, dual-credit, and summer courses at Parkland, gaining campus access and completing Illinois’ General Education Core Curriculum while still in high school.
   

3. Champaign Park District planning expansion of John St. pickleball courts (wcia.com) — Champaign Park District plans to add eight more pickleball courts, new restrooms, parking, and paths at the John Street Complex near Centennial High School, pending budget approval next month. The $2.8 million project aims to ease crowded courts, expand lessons and leagues, and could start construction as early as May.
   

4. New Proposed Graduate hotel in Champaign to bring jobs, growth, and a collegiate theme (foxillinois.com) — Champaign officials are advancing a $38 million plan for a seven-story Graduate by Hilton hotel in downtown, expected to bring 56 full-time jobs and new dining and shopping options. The city may offer up to $7 million in hotel-tax incentives, with developers aiming to break ground in 2026 and open by 2027 football season.
   

5. Ripple Effect brings holiday cheer to those in jail through handwritten letters (wandtv.com) — In Champaign, the Ripple Effect program is spreading holiday cheer by organizing handwritten letters and cards for people who are incarcerated, treating each note as a vital emotional lifeline. Volunteers, including kids, recently gathered to create uplifting holiday cards despite new state mail-scanning rules that limit decorations. Organizers say anyone is welcome to join future events, even without a loved one in prison.
   

📸 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 ★

    Thursday December 11
  • New to CU Mixer
    Experience Champaign-Urbana, 17 Taylor St, Champaign
    5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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

    Wednesday December 10
  • Startuppers Monthly
    EnterpriseWorks @ U of I Research Park , 60 Hazelwood Dr , Champaign
    12:00 pm
  • Teen Open Lab
    The Urbana Free Library , 210 W Green St , Urbana
    3:00 pm
  • Makerspace - Member Meeting
    Makerspace Urbana , 202 S Broadway Ave #16 , Urbana
    5:30 pm
  • Animal Music Wednesday @The Scratching Post
    The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
    6:00 pm

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I contracted Lewis Property Maintenance for a project I needed completed last minute and they did an excellent job!
    Fair priced, friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable. I have more projects planned in the future and I will definitely use and highly recommend Lewis… (Nextdoor Ironwood)
  • Looking for a good mechanic in the area.
    My minivan has started making a kind of "card in the bike spoke" sound at 30-50mph, especially when accelerating or turning, and I'd like to well,… (Nextdoor Bloomington)
  • DoorDash posted a job opening for Restaurant Delivery in Champaign. Apply 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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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