Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a 9-year-old Overland Park “Menorah Man” is lighting up Hanukkah
And check out Winter Play - "The Snow Must Go On!" on the Overland Park Patch calendar
Good morning to you Overland Park! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a 9-year-old Overland Park “Menorah Man” is lighting up Hanukkah
- How an Overland Park tragedy shapes Kansas City’s response to Sydney attack
- Why Overland Park ranks as America’s least needy city in new report
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Overland Park? Post it to Overland Park photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Overland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Overland Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 50 and low of 29 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mainly cloudy, temps: high: 54, low: 43.
- Thursday: Windy; cooler in the p.m., with a high of 48 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. JoCo boy, 9, is known as ‘Menorah Man' for whimsical creations — made of dominoes (kansascity.com) — A 9-year-old Overland Park resident is charming local seniors and Jewish communities with intricate Hanukkah menorahs he builds from colorful dominoes, including exhibits at Village Shalom and the Blue Valley Library. His whimsical creations have raised money for Israeli communities affected by violence and deepened intergenerational connections around Jewish culture, art, and hope. 
2. Kansas City Jewish community mourns after Sydney Hanukkah attack (kctv5.com) — Local Jewish leaders are reflecting on the 2014 antisemitic shooting in Overland Park as they mourn a deadly Hanukkah attack in Sydney, Australia. Kansas City-area residents describe renewed fear but say they’re determined to keep celebrating, educating children, and pushing back against antisemitism through groups like SevenDays and community-wide acts of kindness.
3. Detroit is the neediest U.S. city, report says (wlns.com) — Overland Park is singled out in a new WalletHub analysis as the least needy city in the country, scoring far better on poverty, unemployment, and related hardship measures than 181 other U.S. cities. The report contrasts Overland Park’s relatively strong economic well-being and health-and-safety indicators with Detroit’s position at the bottom of the rankings.
4. STRONG HIGH WEAK LAWS: Missouri Attorney General weighs in on state crackdown of synthetic 7-OH (kshb.com) — A regional investigative series that includes Overland Park coverage is spotlighting Missouri’s crackdown on synthetic 7-OH, a legal but highly addictive opioid-like pill sold at many gas stations. Missouri’s attorney general has launched civil investigations into manufacturers, warning that deceptive marketing makes the drug seem safe while people across the metro report serious addiction problems.
📸 Around Overland Park
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 Overland Park
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Winter Play - "The Snow Must Go On!"
Westridge Middle School , Both Gyms & Stage , Overland Park
7:00 pm - Winter Parties
Cottonwood Point Elementary , 10521 W. 129th St. , Overland Park
5:00 pm - Early Dismissal
Mission Trail Elementary , 13200 Mission Road , Leawood
5:45 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 Overland Park 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
- Homeschoolers Art Class: Gingerbread Creations
De Soto, KS Calendar , 32905 W. 84th St , De Soto
9:00 am - PTO Bake Sale (TENTATIVE)
Tomahawk Elem Olathe, KS 66062
11:00 am - Architectural Review Board
Mission Hills Calendar , City Hall 6300 State LIne Road , Mission Hills
3:00 pm - HS Basketball vs Chetopa
Chetopa-St. Paul USD 505 , 430 Elm St , Chetopa
6:00 pm - Skating Party (Ugly Sweater theme)
Skate City on SMP
6:00 pm - đŚ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (2 lanes) - Short Course
SMSD Aquatic Center , 17251 W. 87th St. Parkway , Lenexa
6:30 pm - Evening Yoga
De Soto, KS Calendar , 32905 W. 84th Street , De Soto
6:30 pm - Band & Strings Concert at SM North
Rushton Elementary School , 6001 W 52nd St , Mission
7:00 pm - Band & Strings Concert
Christa Mcauliffe Elementary School , 15600 W 83rd St , Lenexa
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
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
- Update: Pet Reunited
OJ, a cat who went missing in Overland Park, KS, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 21 minutes. Message from Owner: "Our… (Nextdoor Historic Overland Park) - Our dog Frankie (white Shitzu) got out of our backyard and is missing.
Please let us know if you find him. Thank you! (Nextdoor Nottingham By The Green)
- Kansas Staffing posted a job opening for Banquet Captain - DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kansas City - Overland Park in Overland Park. Apply here.
- Walmart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Overland Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Overland Park here.
Ok Overland Park! 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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