Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How you can join PNW’s free MLK Day events in Hammond
You won't want to miss White Christmas on the Hammond Patch calendar
Good morning Hammond! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How you can join PNW’s free MLK Day events in Hammond
- How a Hammond federal case helped crack a multi-state fraud ring
- What really happened inside that disrupted TPUSA meeting in Hammond?
Also on today's calendar: Cookies & Canvas and 3 more events.
Find out what's happening in Hammondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Hammondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Windy with periods of rain, with a high of 49 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Breezy and much colder, temps: high: 27, low: 23.
- Saturday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 43 and low of 20 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Purdue University Northwest invites community members to join 2026 MLK Day events (pnw.edu) — Purdue University Northwest is inviting Hammond residents to free Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, including a Jan. 15, 2026 program at Alumni Hall on the Hammond campus. That event features alumnus and business law professor Shontrai Irving as keynote speaker, with a second celebration and breakfast planned Jan. 19 at PNW’s Westville campus. Both programs encourage community dialogue and civic engagement. 
• Three Honduran Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in a Bank Fraud Conspiracy (regionnewssource.org) — Federal prosecutors in Hammond have secured prison sentences for three Honduran nationals involved in a multi-state bank fraud scheme that hit small businesses and community banks, including in northwest Indiana. Investigators say the group used fake IDs and bogus paychecks to cash hundreds of checks, with authorities stressing that coordinated work by Hammond-based federal courts and Indiana State Police helped shut the operation down.
• Anti-Turning Point USA professor used class time to plot disruption: report (thecollegefix.com) — A recent clash over free speech at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond is drawing national attention after a professor disrupted a Turning Point USA student meeting and allegedly organized the protest during class time. University officials say they’re investigating, while a free-speech advocacy group argues schools must prevent “heckler’s vetoes” that shut down campus events, and TPUSA leaders report their membership has grown since the incident.
📸 Around Hammond
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 Hammond
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- White Christmas
Towle Performing Arts Company, 5205 Hohman Ave, Hammond
7:30 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Adult Craft
Whiting Public Library , 1735 Oliver Street , Whiting
2:00 pm - Cookies & Canvas
Jean Shepherd Community Center , 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr , Hammond
10:00 am - Cookies and Canvas
Jean Shepherd Community Center , 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr , Hammond
10:00 am - Library Closed
Whiting Public Library , 1735 Oliver Street , Whiting - Public Enemy
The Venue at Horseshoe Hammond , 777 Casino Center Dr , Hammond
8:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Wednesday December 24
Saturday December 27
📣 Hammond 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
- Jingle Bell BINGO
Lions Club Social Center
11:30 am - No Strangers Here by Carlene O'Conner
Munster - Children's Program Room
1:30 pm - A Frank Sinatra Christmas Show
Theatre at the Center , 1040 Ridge Rd , Munster
2:00 pm - Adult Craft Night: Terracotta Snowman
Munster - Children's Program Room
6:00 pm - Yoga with Jasmine
Dancin' Around Dance Studio , 312 Ridge Rd , Munster
7:30 pm - Mixed Media Tree Cards — South Shore Arts, Northwest Indiana
South Shore Arts , 1040 Ridge Rd , Munster
10:00 am
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
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
- Recently found a dog outside, not sure whose it is but he’s fairly young and seems well taken care of.
If anyone knows any information, please contact me ASAP. Located near Madison Ave, and Monroe. (Nextdoor Southwest Hammond) - Hi good morning everyone just want to inform you out here in east Chicago there are little kids/ teenagers out here breaking into people cars and they are busting people windows I had my window busted this morning nothing was taken out of my car I
believe my alarm scare them off please be careful out here women and children and men please don't leave anything in your car overnight these stick… (Nextdoor Hammond High)
- Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Hammond. Apply here.
- Wendy's posted a job opening for Team Member in Hammond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hammond here.
🗞 Nearby News
East Chicago
- Basketball Recap: Munster Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Amelia Ramirez and Arroya Mongerie (maxpreps.com)
Munster
- Four Austin Peay State University Volleyball Players Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors (clarksvilleonline.com)
Ok Hammond! 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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