🌱 Patch AM: How 45 firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze near Des Plaines

Greetings Des Plaines! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How 45 firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze near Des Plaines
• What we know about the Des Plaines woman killed near Schaumburg shops
• How a Des Plaines ticket once hit a $1.3B Mega Millions

Also on today's calendar: This week, holiday food events delivered to you from Bittersweet, Manny's Deli, Urbanbelly, & more! and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Windy with periods of rain, with a high of 49 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Breezy and much colder, temps: high: 28, low: 24.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 44 and low of 18 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 45 Firefighters From 6 Communities Respond To House Fire In Unincorporated Maine (journal-topics.com) — A serious house fire in unincorporated Des Plaines caused about $300,000 in damage Tuesday evening, leaving a duplex temporarily uninhabitable, though everyone inside escaped safely. North Maine firefighters, aided by crews from Des Plaines and five neighboring communities, knocked down the blaze in about 30 minutes while investigators continue to determine the cause.
   

2. ID Of Homicide Victim Found Dead Near Shopping Center Released: Schaumburg PD (patch.com) — A 37-year-old Des Plaines woman, Jenny R. Rodriguez, has been identified as the victim in an apparent homicide after she was found dead near a Schaumburg shopping center Tuesday morning. Schaumburg police say a man known to her was taken into custody after the domestic-related incident, and prosecutors could announce charges soon, while emphasizing there was no broader threat to the public.
   

3. Powerball, Mega Millions billion-dollar jackpots, winners: Fun things to know (dailycommercial.com) — Des Plaines gets a notable shoutout in this look at billion-dollar lottery jackpots, thanks to a $1.337 billion Mega Millions prize won with a ticket bought in the city in July 2022. The piece walks through record-setting Powerball and Mega Millions streaks, including the current $1.25 billion Powerball run and other massive wins across the country.
   

4. Rosie Brown, 91, of Des Plaines, Illinois (wpkyonline.com) — Des Plaines residents are mourning Rosie Brown, 91, who passed away December 2, 2025, at Asbury Court Supportive and Independent Living in Des Plaines. Remembered for her kindness, love of animals, and support for international students, she leaves behind a close-knit family and many friends, with burial to take place later in Princeton, Kentucky.
   

📸 Around Des Plaines

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Des Plaines

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• This week, holiday food events delivered to you from Bittersweet, Manny's Deli, Urbanbelly, & more!
  3:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4
  Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Rd, Northbrook
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Christmas Wizards
  Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
  7:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Blue Christmas
  St. Martin's Episcopal Church , 1095 E Thacker St , Des Plaines
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Ides Of March Christmas Show
  Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
  3:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• The Spinners
  Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
  3:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• A Christmas Carol
  Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
  7:00 pm

📣 Des Plaines 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

Thursday December 18

• The Polar Express
  Mt. Prospect Metra Station Prospect , 13 E Northwest Hwy , Mt Prospect
  1:00 pm
• Morton Grove Niles Water Commission Meeting
  Niles, IL Calendar , 1000 Civic Center Drive , Niles
  3:00 pm
• Wrestling vs. Gemini (HOME)
  Lincoln Middle School 200 South Lincoln Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068
  4:00 pm
• Mario Kart Tourney!
  Prospect Heights Public Library District , 12 Elm St , Prospect Heights
  5:00 pm
• Family Craft Night
  Roden Branch Library , 6083 North Northwest Highway , Chicago
  5:30 pm
• Tech Playground
  Mount Prospect Public Library , 10 S Emerson St , Mt Prospect
  6:00 pm
• Music Appreciation Series: Holiday Music Class
  Prospect Heights Public Library District , 12 Elm St , Prospect Heights
  6:00 pm

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 Des Plaines PatchAM possible:

• Appliance Repair Park Ridge — (847) 449-5310
  Local Same Day Appliance Repair in Park Ridge

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

• Hi neighbors!
  I’m a professional house cleaner accepting new clients for 2026. Regular, deep, and move-in/move-out cleanings available. If you are looking for a… (Nextdoor Glen Oaks Commons)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Des Plaines. Apply here.
• US Foods posted a job opening for Product Food Safety Associate Quality Mgr. (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote Work) in Des Plaines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Plaines here.

Ok Des Plaines! 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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