🌱 Patch AM: How did Hopkins’ girls wrestling tourney become the state’s biggest?

Morning Hopkins! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Hopkins’ girls wrestling tourney become the state’s biggest?

Also on today's calendar: Pet Mondays – Photos with Santa and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Strong winds, with a high of 39 and low of -4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Colder; a bit of p.m. snow, temps: high: 21, low: 16.
• Saturday: Breezy; morning flurries, with a high of 25 and low of 0 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Video: Growth in girls wrestling highlighted as hundreds hit the mats at Hopkins (startribune.com) — Hopkins is at the center of a surge in girls wrestling, with the Hopkins-hosted Athena Invitational growing from 86 competitors in 2022 to nearly 600 this year. Led by Hopkins’ girls wrestling coach Tom Schmidt, the Royals Athletic Center in Minnetonka filled with 10 mats dedicated solely to girls competition, now the largest tournament of its kind in Minnesota.
   

📸 Around Hopkins

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 Hopkins

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday December 22

• Pet Mondays – Photos with Santa
  Eden Prairie Center, 8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344,
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Computer Tutor
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  9:30 am
• Caregiver Night Off
  Gatewood Elementary School , 14900 Gatewood Dr , Minnetonka
  4:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Perler Palooza
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  3:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Crafternoon
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  1:00 pm
• The Real Deal's 5th Annual Christmas Concert @ Tuttles
  Tuttle's Eat Bowl Play , 107 Shady Oak Rd , Hopkins
  7:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Dan Israel plays solo at LTD Brewing in downtown Hopkins from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
  LTD Brewing Co. , 8 8th Ave N , Hopkins
  7:30 pm

📣 Hopkins 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

Thursday December 18

• Zinghoppers Holiday Show - Entertainment Series
  Edinborough Park - Amphitheater , 7700 York Ave. S. , Edina
  10:30 am
• Open Skate
  Edina, MN Calendar , 7501 Ikola Way , Edina
  11:30 am
• Crafternoon!
  Rockford Road Library , 6401 42nd Avenue North , Crystal
  1:00 pm
• Hanukkah Bingo at the J! - Sabes Center Minneapolis
  Sabes Center Minneapolis
  1:30 pm
• Book Club: Born A Crime
  North Regional Community Library , 1315 Lowry Avenue North , Minneapolis
  3:00 pm
• STEAM Activity With 4-H
  Webber Park Community Library , 4310 Webber Parkway , Minneapolis
  3:00 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 Hopkins PatchAM possible:

• AnnapurnaBlue Heath and Wellness — (952) 405-0342
  You Are The Sun ~ Costa Rica Women's Retreat ages 35 - 70+

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

• Bloomington police are searching for a male suspect, originally wanted for shoplifting, who fled on foot and may be armed.
  3:38PM on Dec 16: Police in Bloomington are searching for a male suspect who fled on foot after a pursuit, originally wanted for shoplifting and may… (Nextdoor )
• Multiple reports indicate a large number of police cars with sirens blaring leaving downtown St. Paul, prompting speculation about a possible VIP visit.
  8:36AM on Dec 16: Police activity affecting vehicle at Twin Cities, Minnesota, per local source (Nextdoor )

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for Housekeeping in Hopkins. Apply here.
• Presbyterian Homes & Services posted a job opening for Life Enrichment Assistant / Recreation Assistant in Minnetonka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hopkins here.

🗞 Nearby News

Minnetonka

• Legislative Update – December 17, 2025 (mn.gov)
• Excelsior approves 2026 tax levy, budget (hometownsource.com)
• 8 Retail Jobs You'll Find in Minnesota Paying $20+ Per Hour (minnesotasnewcountry.com)

Edina

• POLICE REPORT: Noise protest held at Edina hotel allegedly hosting ICE agents (hometownsource.com)
• Looking Ahead: Bloomington Richfield Sun Current Sports Dec. 18-22 (hometownsource.com)

Minneapolis

Ok Hopkins! 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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