Community Corner

🌱 How a July Elkhart hit-and-run led to $1M bond

Make time for Newborn/Safety/CPR - EGH 2025 on the Elkhart Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Good morning Elkhart! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a July Elkhart hit-and-run led to $1M bond
  • Which Elkhart shows are climbing the BroadwayWorld awards rankings?
  • What Elkhart homeowners should know about the new flood-risk maps

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Elkhart? Post it to Elkhart photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

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

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Tuesday: Not as cold, turning breezy, with a high of 34 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Areas of fog in the morning, temps: high: 37, low: 31.
  • Thursday: Winds becoming strong; rain, with a high of 44 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. South Bend man charged in July fatal Elkhart hit-and-run motorcycle crash (953mnc.com) — Felony charges have been filed against a South Bend man after a July hit-and-run crash in Elkhart that killed motorcyclist Caleb Watson and seriously injured his passenger. Elkhart police say the suspect recently turned himself in and is being held on a $1 million bond, while prosecutors stress he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
   

2. Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld South Bend Awards; WAITRESS Leads Best Musical! (broadwayworld.com) — Elkhart’s theater community is well represented in the 2025 BroadwayWorld South Bend Awards, with Elkhart Civic Theatre, The Lerner, and several local performers competing in multiple categories. Voting is underway now, and winners will be announced in January, giving Elkhart arts supporters time to boost their hometown favorites.
   

3. DNR releases latest best available flood data update for nine counties (wbiw.com) — Elkhart County residents now have updated state flood-risk data for Whetten Ditch, part of a broader Indiana DNR mapping refresh for nine counties. The new “Best Available Flood Data” helps guide construction permits, planning, and local floodplain regulation, and can be viewed alongside FEMA maps on the state’s online floodplain information portal.
   

4. Elkhart man sentenced to 7 years in prison for child pornography charges (wndu.com) — A 51-year-old Elkhart man has been sentenced in Goshen to seven years in prison plus five years’ probation for multiple child pornography and exploitation charges. Investigators reported finding more than 150 illegal images and videos, along with troubling items at his home. Parents and caregivers in Elkhart may want to stay alert to children’s online interactions and reporting avenues.
   

5. Elkhart County Food Delivery Driver met with gunfire from neighboring home. (wsbt.com) — A local teen DoorDash driver says someone fired a gun from a neighboring home while she and friends were stuck in the snow on County Road 1 in Elkhart County. Deputies from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department helped finish the delivery and free their car, and the family says a police report has been filed while the incident remains under investigation.
   

📸 Around Elkhart

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 Elkhart

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Wednesday December 17
  • Newborn/Safety/CPR - EGH 2025
    Elkhart General Hospital , 600 East Boulevard , Elkhart
    6:00 pm
  • West Side Holiday Program
    BPAC
    6:30 pm
    • Thursday December 18
  • Beardsley - Polar Express Holiday Celebration
    Beardsley Elementary School , 1027 McPherson St , Elkhart
    5:30 pm
  • South Side Holiday Program
    BPAC
    6:30 pm
    • Sunday December 21
  • The Lerner Loves You: It’s a Wonderful Life
    The Lerner Theatre
    3:00 pm

📣 Elkhart 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I need to buy a Carbon monoxide/Smoke &/or Fire Detector (Definitely a Carbon monoxide detector)
    Any suggestions on which is best, better than others, etc.?? *** I did a Google search... Most top rated results are sponsored, so I figured I'd… (Nextdoor 6 Span Bridge)
  • Well folks I just checked my food stamp balance (ebt,snap) and someone has stolen all of it.
    It just went in yesterday December 13. It was spent at some place I never heard of. This is the second time this has happened to me this year. I'm… (Nextdoor Norman Ct)
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Elkhart. Apply here.
  • Meijer posted a job opening for Truck Unloader - 2nd Shift in Elkhart. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elkhart here.

Ok Elkhart! 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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