Community Corner
🌱 Why were ICE agents in Willmar without notifying local police?
You won't want to miss Christmas Cheers at the Brewery! 🎄🎅🏻 on the Willmar Patch calendar
Hello again Willmar! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why were ICE agents in Willmar without notifying local police?
- Who might become the next judge serving Willmar’s courthouse?
- How a Willmar native ended up capturing this risky ice test
Also on today's calendar: Christmas Cheers at the Brewery.
Find out what's happening in Willmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Willmar? Post it to Willmar photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Willmarfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 43 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Wednesday: Cloudy and breezy, temps: high: 41, low: 16.
- Thursday: Winds gusting past 40 mph, with a high of 26 and low of -5 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Willmar police chief says locals not notified by ICE of its recent activity (wctrib.com) — Residents in Willmar reported seeing federal immigration agents over the weekend, prompting concern after photos and video of apparent arrests circulated on social media. Police Chief Michael Holme confirmed ICE was operating in the city but said local law enforcement received no advance notice and cannot assist with federal immigration warrants. A caller who followed ICE vehicles was warned not to interfere. 
• Three recommended for 8th District judgeship (minnlawyer.com) — A vacant 8th Judicial District judgeship that will be chambered in Willmar has three finalists, all experienced attorneys from around west-central Minnesota. The Commission on Judicial Selection recommended John Fitzgerald, Kristen Pierce, and Heidi Torvik to fill the seat created by Judge Jennifer Fischer’s retirement, a decision that will shape how local cases are handled in Kandiyohi County.
• Photos: UWS student takes break from test prep to test the ice (duluthnewstribune.com) — A University of Wisconsin-Superior student briefly traded finals prep for a soggy skate on thin ice in Superior, but the story circles back to Willmar through photographer Jed Carlson. Carlson grew up in Willmar and studied photojournalism after attending Ridgewater Community College in town, tying this lighthearted winter moment to a local graduate’s long career.
📸 Around Willmar
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 Willmar
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Christmas Cheers at the Brewery! 🎄🎅🏻
Intuition Brewing, 313 4th St SW, Willmar
12:00 pm
Thursday December 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Christmas Cheers at the Brewery
Intuition Brewing , 313 4th St SW , Willmar
12:00 pm
Thursday December 25
📣 Willmar 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
- Live Entertainment Wednesdays
Willmar Community Center , 624 US-71 BUS , Willmar
2:00 pm - Indoor Rock Climbing at Prairie Woods ELC
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center , 12718 10th St NE , Spicer
4:00 pm - BB: B/C-Squad
Central Minnesota Christian School
4:45 pm - BB: G/C-Squad
Ortonville High School
4:45 pm - Thirsty Thursdays Karaoke at the New London Legion
New London American Legion , 21 Ash St SE , New London
6:00 pm - Trivia Thursdays at Minnesota Beer Co.
Minnesota Beer Company , 510 Atlantic Ave , Grove City
6:00 pm - Kandiyohi County Law Library Legal Advice Clinic
505 Becker Ave SW , Willmar
6:00 pm - Youth Basketball
KMS Elementary Murdock - Gym
6:00 pm - Bible Study at Parkview Village Bethesda
Bethesda Park View Village , 1204 Park Ave W , Olivia
10:00 am - Friday Afternoon of Dancing
Willmar Community Center , 624 US-71 BUS , Willmar
1:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
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
- Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Willmar. Apply here.
- Hormel Foods posted a job opening for WAP - Plant Production Worker - Willmar, MN. - Jennie-O in Willmar. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Willmar here.
🗞 Nearby News
Paynesville
- Traffic Stop Incident Leads To Assault Charges For Paynesville Man (minnesotasnewcountry.com)
- Gymnastics: Paynesville/EVW places 4th at Annandale (wctrib.com)
Litchfield
- Ecumen of Litchfield Christmas Carol Event (klfdradio.com)
- Two Escape Icy Waters As ATV Falls Through Lake Francis Ice (fun1043.com)
Ok Willmar! 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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