Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which Cedar Falls student just earned a shot at a service academy?
Spotted on the Cedar Falls calendar: Remember to put the trash out for Friday garbage pickup!
Morning Cedar Falls! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Cedar Falls student just earned a shot at a service academy?
- How Cedar Falls Hy-Vee shoppers just boosted local families in need
- What we know about Monday’s serious pedestrian crash on Main Street
Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Cedar Fallsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Freezing fog this morning, with a high of 40 and low of 29 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon mist, temps: high: 40, low: 33.
- Thursday: Rather cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 35 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Sen. Ernst nominates Iowa students for U.S. service academies, highlighting leadership (cbs2iowa.com) — A Cedar Falls student, Joseph Winland, is among the Iowans Sen. Joni Ernst has nominated to U.S. service academies for the Class of 2030. The list spans Air Force, Military, and Naval academies, recognizing local teens’ leadership and interest in military careers. 
Find out what's happening in Cedar Fallsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Local Hy-Vee stores donate over $8,500 to food bank for families with SNAP delays (kcrg.com) — Cedar Falls Hy-Vee shoppers helped raise part of more than $8,500 for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to support families facing delays in SNAP benefits. Donations from Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Waverly stores are buying fresh items like ground pork and dairy, which were unloaded Monday. Store leaders say Cedar Valley customers’ generosity will have a big impact this winter.
3. December 22 recap: Waterloo and Cedar Falls news you may have missed today (wcfcourier.com) — Cedar Falls readers should know police say a 73-year-old woman was struck while walking on Main Street late Monday morning. The broader roundup also highlights UNI sports results, regional high school competitions, a Waterloo death investigation, and a local designer shaping popular community spaces.
4. Wichita State basketball coach Paul Mills reveals health scare (thesunflower.com) — A recent Wichita State men’s basketball trip to Cedar Falls turned life‑changing when head coach Paul Mills suffered a major heart issue shortly after the game against Northern Iowa. Because a winter storm in Cedar Falls forced the team to fly home, Mills reached a Wichita hospital in time for emergency cardiac surgery. He’s now recovering and urging others not to ignore serious symptoms.
5. IHSAA releases first official boys rankings of the season (thegazette.com) — Cedar Falls boys basketball is off to a strong 5-0 start and debuts at No. 2 in Class 4A in the season’s first IHSAA rankings. The poll highlights top teams across all four classes statewide, including several likely postseason contenders Cedar Falls may face later this year.
📸 Around Cedar Falls
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Cedar Falls
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Remember to put the trash out for Friday garbage pickup!
Cedar Falls Calendar Cedar Falls, IA 50613
7:00 pm - Garbage Day is on Friday this week! 12/26/25
Cedar Falls Calendar Cedar Falls, IA 50613
7:00 pm - Friends Morning Book Discussion
Cedar Falls Public Library , 524 Main Street , Cedar Falls
10:15 am - 20 Somethings' Book Club!
Cedar Falls Public Library , 524 Main Street , Cedar Falls
6:30 pm - Remember to put the trash out for Tuesday garbage pickup!
Cedar Falls Calendar Cedar Falls, IA 50613
7:00 pm - New Year's Eve Party
Cedar Falls Public Library , 524 Main Street , Cedar Falls
11:30 am - Garbage Day is on Wednesday this week - 12/31/25
Cedar Falls Calendar Cedar Falls, IA 50613
7:00 pm - Remember to put the trash out for Wednesday garbage pickup!
Cedar Falls Calendar Cedar Falls, IA 50613
7:00 pm
Friday December 26
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
📣 Cedar Falls 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
- Board of Supervisors Meeting
Black Hawk County Courthouse , 316 E. 5th Street Room 201 , Waterloo
9:00 am - PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Waterloo, IA
Waterloo WorkSpace , 215 E 4th St , Waterloo
9:00 am - Board of Adjustment Meeting
Waterloo City Hall , 715 Mulberry Street , Waterloo
6:00 pm - LIBRARY CLOSED
Cedar Falls Public Library , 524 Main Street , Cedar Falls
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Cedar Falls. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for High School Crew Member in Cedar Falls. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cedar Falls here.
Ok Cedar Falls! 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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