🌱 Patch AM: Why some South Bend tenants say they’re freezing in their own homes

Good day South Bend! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why some South Bend tenants say they’re freezing in their own homes
• How South Bend turned Kwanzaa into a packed, joyful community lesson
• Would you try South Bend’s new ice bumper cars this winter?

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - South Bend, IN.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A snow shower in the p.m., with a high of 33 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Cloudy and cold with flurries, temps: high: 24, low: 17.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 29 and low of 16 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Apartment complexes in South Bend report prolonged heating issues (wndu.com) — Residents at Karl King Tower and Cedar Glen Apartments in South Bend say they’ve gone more than three weeks with little or no heat and hot water, leaving some units below 50 degrees. Tenants describe relying on space heaters and blankets, plus problems with trash, icy sidewalks, and pests, while management has declined to comment so far.
   

2. South Bend community celebrates Kwanzaa at St. Joseph County Public Library (wsbt.com) — South Bend residents packed the St. Joseph County Public Library this week for a lively Kwanzaa celebration filled with drumming, dance, and awards for local community leaders. Organized by the South Bend Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and longtime organizer Brother Sage Gilliam, the event highlighted Kwanzaa’s seven principles and plans for future workshops to keep educating South Bend about the holiday year-round.
   

3. Bumper Cars on Ice? Indiana Just Gave Me a New Road Trip Idea (wbkr.com) — If you’re looking for a quirky winter outing, South Bend’s Ironworks Ice Rink now offers ice bumper cars alongside traditional skating. The writer suggests building a road trip around the rink and pairing it with other South Bend stops, including a possible visit to Notre Dame.
   

4. Fundraiser delivers new truck to replace unsafe vehicle, inspire community (wsbt.com) — In South Bend, neighbors and local businesses rallied to retire Marcellus “Mo” Riles’ famously broken-down pickup and surprise him with a safer 2019 Chevy Silverado. After his old truck went viral, more than 500 donors raised $22,000 in a few weeks, covering the vehicle and a year of maintenance while the community now works to fund his insurance and fuel.
   

5. Joel Klatt breaks down why nobody benefits from playing Notre Dame football (clutchpoints.com) — Notre Dame’s South Bend-based football program is drawing fresh scrutiny from national analysts who say its independent status gives it a postseason edge over Big Ten and SEC teams. FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt argues that scheduling the Irish has become a high‑risk, low‑reward move under the new 12‑team College Football Playoff format, especially for power programs already grinding through tough conference slates.
   

📸 Around South Bend

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 South Bend

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday January 10

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - South Bend, IN
  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel South Bend , 123 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd , South Bend
  6:00 pm

📣 South Bend 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 31

• AMERICA 250 Christmas Break
  Marshall County Historical Society , 123 N. Michigan St. , Plymouth
  11:00 am
• Wines and Wishes NYE | La Porte Lakeside
  Shady Creek Winery , 2030 Tryon Rd , Michigan City
  5:00 pm
• The Craguns: Concert at Amish Acres
  The Barns at Nappanee , 1600 W Market St , Nappanee
  7:00 pm
• Shark Sugar and Karaoke NYE Bash
  The Elephant Bar , 227 S Main St , Goshen
  8:00 pm
• 2025 Gift Certificates
  Round Barn Theatre at the Barns at Nappanee , 1600 W Market St , Nappanee
  11:55 pm

Friday January 2

• Night Snow Tubing
  St. Joseph County, IN Calendar , 50651 Laurel Road , South Bend
  6:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Trivia @ The Elephant Bar
  Goshen Chamber of Commerce , 227 S Main St , Goshen
  9:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Drainage Board Meeting
  St. Joseph County, IN Calendar , 227 W. Jefferson Blvd 7th Floor , South Bend
  8:30 am
• Breastfeeding for Success - EGH 2026
  Elkhart General Hospital , 600 East Boulevard , Elkhart
  6:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Board of Commissioners Meeting
  St. Joseph County, IN Calendar South Bend, IN 46601
  11:00 am
• Penn Youth Girls Basketball
  Walt Disney Elementary School Mishawaka, IN 46545
  6:30 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 South Bend PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

• I would like to personally share my experience with my personal angel, and thank him publicly.
  I was out shoveling when this kind young man asked if I needed help! I told him yes and the miracle began. He did my drive, which is from the street… (Nextdoor Lasalle Park)
• Hello Neighbors, my husband’s car was parked on the side of the road, and was hit in a hit and run accident about 7am at the corner of E.
  North Shore Drive and Leeper Avenue today, Dec. 29. The car that hit him was a Black Nissan, and left behind its front bumper, turn signal and lots… (Nextdoor University Heights)

• Indiana Staffing posted a job opening for Inventory Clerk in South Bend. Apply here.
• Valvoline, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Service Center Manager in South Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Bend here.

Ok South Bend! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook