Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Appleton’s 2026 building boom could change your daily routine
Coming up: Spirit Day - Comfy Clothes or Pajama Day on the Appleton Patch calendar
Hey there, Appleton! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Appleton’s 2026 building boom could change your daily routine
- Which Appleton I-41 exits will close and when in 2026?
- How an Appleton native rose to lead a WNBA powerhouse
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Appletonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Snow and flurries at times, with a high of 17 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Wednesday: Cold with a few snowflakes, temps: high: 17, low: -6.
- Thursday: Sunny and frigid, with a high of 9 and low of 6 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Appleton, Neenah anticipate major economic developments coming in 2026 (postcrescent.com) — Appleton is lining up a new $26.8 million downtown transit center with housing on top, plus a massive Thrivent-backed Wilden Portfolio Park bringing thousands of homes and new commercial space. Several other Appleton subdivisions and a long-delayed mixed-use project downtown are also moving forward, while nearby Neenah prepares major housing, industrial, and retail expansions that will shape the broader Fox Cities. 
Find out what's happening in Appletonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Interstate 41 to see closed exit, mainline, interchange work in 2026 (postcrescent.com) — Appleton drivers face major I-41 changes in 2026, including a full closure of the Richmond Street interchange for diverging-diamond construction and new detours near Meijer and Odyssey Climbing + Fitness. Long-term work will reshape the I-41/441 system interchange, add lanes and auxiliary roads, and trigger multiple overpass closures through 2029 across Appleton, Grand Chute and Little Chute.
• Warriors' four-time NBA champion coach leaving for WNBA after contest vs. Nets (sportingnews.com) — An Appleton native, Chris DeMarco, is wrapping up his long run as a Golden State Warriors assistant coach before taking over as head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. After 13 years and four NBA titles with Golden State, he’ll coach his final Warriors game against the Brooklyn Nets before fully shifting to his new role.
📸 Around Appleton
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 Appleton
- Spirit Day - Comfy Clothes or Pajama Day
Woodland Intermediate Appleton, WI 54915
7:00 am
Friday January 9
📣 Appleton 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
- The Prince Experience: Waverly Beach New Years Eve
Waverly Beach Bar & Grille , N8770 Fire Lane 1 , Menasha
7:00 pm - Hockey: Boys Varsity Game
Kettle Moraine Ice Center
2:30 pm - Basketball: Boys JV Game
Wisconsin Lutheran High School
4:30 pm - Hockey: Boys JV Game
Kettle Moraine Ice Center
4:30 pm - Basketball: Boys Varsity Game
Wisconsin Lutheran High School
6:00 pm - 3rd Grade Johnson Safety Around Water
Neenah-Menasha YMCA , 110 W North Water St , Neenah
1:00 pm - 3rd Grade Brunette - YMCA Safety Around Water
Neenah-Menasha YMCA , 110 W North Water St , Neenah
1:45 pm - Swimming: Boys Varsity Diving
Zepka Aquatic Center
4:15 pm - Swimming: Boys Varsity Meet
Appleton North High School
5:30 pm - Basketball: Girls JV Game
Kaukauna High School
6:00 pm - Basketball: Girls Varsity Game
Kaukauna High School
7:30 pm
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
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 Appleton PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I had my beloved Jack Russell put to sleep at Blue Pearl in Appleton.
A staff member was waiting for us when we arrived. Everyone at the clinic were compassionate and amazing. I would highly recommend them. (Nextdoor Stroebe Island) - Just sharing this sweet video of a winter shelter a woman made for stray cats.
Now I'm not suggesting this, at least not in the scale of hers . . . and wouldn't it be nice if they could be spayed/neutered if they are not already… (Nextdoor Timber Rattler)
- Staffinders, Inc. posted a job opening for Forklift Operator in Appleton. Apply here.
- Illinois Tool Works, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler - Power Systems Division in Appleton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Appleton here.
🗞 Nearby News
Kimberly
- This Mexican restaurant in Kimberly has closed (postcrescent.com)
- Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 29, 2025 (postcrescent.com)
- Ravens join in on cheese grater trolling after shredding the Packers (postcrescent.com)
Neenah
Ok Appleton! 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
