🌱 How a Highway 81 distraction crash led to a life-flight near Norfolk

Hi there, Norfolk! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Highway 81 distraction crash led to a life-flight near Norfolk
• How a new Norfolk iHub could reshape local jobs and training
• Which Norfolk residents just had judgments entered in Madison County Court?

Also on today's calendar: BOC Meeting and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cloudy and not as cool, with a high of 47 and low of 23 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, breezy and colder, temps: high: 28, low: 11. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: Colder with a little snow, with a high of 16 and low of 1 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Driver life-flighted after crash with semi in Madison County (1011now.com) — A serious crash at 837th Road and Highway 81 in Madison County left one driver life-flighted after their car rear-ended a semi while reportedly distracted by a cellphone. Norfolk Fire and Rescue joined Madison authorities and state troopers at the scene, underscoring the local impact and ongoing concern about highway safety just outside Norfolk.
   

2. Farm Credit Services of America invests in Northeast Nebraska iHub (norfolkdailynews.com) — A major new workforce and tech training hub is rising at 707 W. Norfolk Ave., backed by a fresh $25,000 investment from Farm Credit Services of America. The Northeast Nebraska iHub will support manufacturing and agriculture training for students across the region, with construction expected to finish in late spring or early summer 2026. Fundraising continues, and local residents and businesses are invited to contribute.
   

3. Madison County court list for Dec. 10, 2025 (norfolkdailynews.com) — Madison County’s latest court records include numerous civil judgments, traffic tickets, and criminal case outcomes involving many Norfolk residents and businesses. From debt collection rulings to DUI sentences and speeding fines, the list shows how local cases are moving through county courts. Residents may spot familiar names and see how different offenses are being handled.
   

4. Registration Open for 2026 Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society Annual Conference (unl.edu) — A major sustainable agriculture conference is coming to Norfolk’s Divots Conference Center on Jan. 30-31, 2026, with registration now open. Farmers, ranchers, educators, and food advocates can attend 30-plus sessions, hear nationally known speakers, and network over two days. Scholarships are available, and registration closes Jan. 15, 2026.
   

5. Norfolk resident's nutcracker collection nears 700 (norfolkdailynews.com) — Inside a Norfolk home, nearly 700 nutcrackers fill two basement rooms and even spill outside as an 8-foot inflatable greeter. Resident Andrew Schliewe has spent almost three decades building this highly organized, year-round collection, with help from friends and family. Each piece is carefully cleaned, themed and displayed, and several carry deeply personal stories and memories.
   

📸 Around Norfolk

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 Norfolk

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• Ladies Guild Parade of Trees
  Norfolk Arts Center, 305 N 5th St, Norfolk
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• BOC Meeting
  1501 W Michigan Ave , Norfolk
  9:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Westside School Concert
  Norfolk's Johnny Carson Theater , 801 Riverside Blvd , Norfolk
  6:30 pm
• Karaoke Night
  Jake's Bar , 1422 S 1st St , Norfolk
  9:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Ribbon Cutting celebration at CharterWest Bank
  CharterWest Bank - Mortgage Center , 2100 Market Ln, Ste. 1000 , Norfolk
  10:00 am
• Christmas After Hours 2025
  Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce , 609 W Norfolk Ave , Norfolk
  5:15 pm

Friday December 19

• Live Comedy with Comedian Uncle Lazer
  District Event Center , 218 W Norfolk Ave , Norfolk
  8:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• 1 Million Cups
  Intersect Coworking and Incubator , 509 W Norfolk Ave , Norfolk
  9:00 am

📣 Norfolk 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

Friday December 12

• Storytime In-Person
  Norfolk Public Library , 308 W Prospect Ave , Norfolk
  10:00 am
• Jeff Conrad
  Harbor Bar , 208 W Norfolk Ave , Norfolk
  9:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Ribbon Cutting celebration at CharterWest Bank
  CharterWest Bank - Mortgage Center , 2100 Market Ln, Ste. 1000 , Norfolk
  10:00 am
• Christmas After Hours 2025
  Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce , 609 W Norfolk Ave , Norfolk
  5:15 pm

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

• Milk Specialties posted a job opening for Filtration Operator - Days in Norfolk. Apply here.
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers posted a job opening for Cashier in Norfolk. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Norfolk here.

Ok Norfolk! 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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