Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why did a Des Plaines drug probe uncover 47 pounds of marijuana?
Be sure to catch Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 on the Des Plaines Patch calendar

Hi there, Des Plaines! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why did a Des Plaines drug probe uncover 47 pounds of marijuana?
- How did Des Plaines become ground zero for McDonald’s global empire?
Also on today's calendar: Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Des Plainesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Des Plainesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 26 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 37, low: 31.
- Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 39 and low of 35 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Cook County man charged with felonies after allegedly selling cocaine to undercover officer (fox32chicago.com) — Des Plaines residents should know that a local man is being held without release after investigators say they found a gun and a large quantity of marijuana at his Des Plaines home during a drug investigation. Authorities allege he previously sold cocaine multiple times to an undercover officer in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, and he now faces several felony charges while remaining in custody at Cook County Jail.
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• The Controversial History Of McDonald's Founder Ray Kroc (thetakeout.com) — Des Plaines gets a notable mention as the site of Ray Kroc’s first non–West Coast McDonald’s, opened here in 1955 and later home to the McDonald’s #1 Store Museum. The broader story traces Kroc’s aggressive franchising tactics, real estate strategy, legal battles, and marketing moves that turned McDonald’s into a global fast-food powerhouse, while raising questions about how much credit he truly deserves.
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📸 Around Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines
★ Featured events ★
- Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4
Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Rd, Northbrook
5:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Wrestling Match @ Lincoln
Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL 60018
4:00 pm - Golf Maine Tree Lighting Choir/Orchestra/Band
Feldman Park , 8801 W Kathy Lane , Des Plaines
5:30 pm - FJHS Band Concert
Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL 60018
7:00 pm - Orchestra Concert
Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines, IL 60018
7:00 pm - Christmas Wizards
Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
7:30 pm - Blue Christmas
St. Martin's Episcopal Church , 1095 E Thacker St , Des Plaines
7:00 pm - Ides Of March Christmas Show
Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
3:00 pm - The Spinners
Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
3:00 pm - A Christmas Carol
Des Plaines Theatre , 1476 Miner St , Des Plaines
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Tuesday December 23
📣 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
- Russian Storytime
Mount Prospect Public Library , 10 S Emerson St , Mt Prospect
9:30 am - Baby Story Time at Sputnik Coffee Company
Archer Heights Branch Library 5055 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632
11:00 am - Story Time at Sputnik Coffee Company
Archer Heights Branch Library 5055 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632
11:00 am - Toddler Time and Play Time
Brighton Park Branch Library 4314 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632
11:00 am
Monday December 15
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
- A missing firefighter was located during a 2-11 alarm fire at 1136 North Lawndale Avenue in Chicago.
12:21AM on Dec 14: Still & Box Alarm fire reported at 1136 N Lawndale in Chicago. (Nextdoor ) - All lanes on Illinois SB Bishop Ford at 159th St. are open following the clearance of an earlier vehicle fire.
1:14AM on Dec 14: A vehicle fire is blocking all lanes on Illinois SB Bishop Ford at 159th St., with motorists using the 159th St. exit and entrance… (Nextdoor )
- The Hertz Corporation posted a job opening for Maintenance Clerk in Des Plaines. Apply here.
- Casey's General Store, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Des Plaines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Plaines here.
🗞 Nearby News
Park Ridge
- Business news: PNW receives cybersecurity grants (chicagotribune.com)
Rosemont
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 either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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