Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How College Park’s own just rose to lead Maryland’s House

And check out ASO presents: Holiday Pops with Bowie State University Concert Choir on the College Park Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
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Hello College Park! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How College Park’s own just rose to lead Maryland’s House
  • What investigators found in the plagiarism probe of UMD’s president
  • How College Park figured into Washington’s surprise national title run

Also on today's calendar: ASO presents: Holiday Pops with Bowie State University Concert Choir and 8 more events.

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

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

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 48 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Thursday: A little afternoon rain, temps: high: 48, low: 42.
  • Friday: Breezy; cooler in the morning, with a high of 53 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• College Park resident is new speaker of MD House (streetcarsuburbs.news) — A longtime College Park resident and former city councilmember, Joseline Peña‑Melnyk has just been sworn in as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, giving the city a powerful voice in Annapolis. Representing District 21, which includes College Park, she promises inclusive leadership, bipartisan collaboration, and a focus on protecting working families amid looming state budget challenges.
   

• College Park President Cleared of Plagiarism Claims (insidehighered.com) — The president of the University of Maryland in College Park, Darryll Pines, has been cleared of plagiarism allegations after a yearlong investigation led by an outside law firm. Reviewers found no academic misconduct, though they noted some attribution errors, and campus and system officials say they remain confident in his leadership going forward.
   

• UW men's soccer sees outpouring of support from Seattle sports scene (bellinghamherald.com) — College Park gets a brief spotlight as the Maryland stop on Washington’s remarkable road-only run to its first NCAA men’s soccer title. The Huskies beat the University of Maryland in College Park en route to their championship, which drew strong support from Seattle’s pro sports teams and fans back home.
   

📸 Around College Park

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🗓 Upcoming Events in College Park

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📣 College Park Shout Outs!

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🗓 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

  • Good morning,
    There were 4 crimes in my area of responsibility for the week December 8 thru December 15, 2025.   Northern College Park Community Area: (3 Crimes)… (Nextdoor )
  • They have fresh soursop, soursop juice, and seamoss gel, too!
    Call - 2402326577 288 Valley Ave SE (call first they ask) www.melonnation.earth pick up and deliver, order online (Nextdoor Campus Dr)
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in College Park. Apply here.
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member TB39072-COLLEGE PARK in College Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near College Park here.

🗞 Nearby News

Greenbelt

  • The $4.3 billion space telescope Trump tried to cancel is now complete (arstechnica.com)
  • An early candidate for 2026's word of the year: ‘affordability' (coloradopolitics.com)
  • Navy officer convicted of cyberstalking ex-wife in Prince George's County (dcnewsnow.com)

Hyattsville

  • ‘People will die': Suspended FEMA employees say their agency isn't delivering (veritenews.org)
  • Hyattsville author Sargeant defends dependence, dialogue (streetcarsuburbs.news)

Bowie

Ok College 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. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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