🌱 Patch AM: How a pre-dawn chimney fire damaged an Appleton home

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

In today's newsletter:

• How a pre-dawn chimney fire damaged an Appleton home
• See how Appleton’s library was transformed into a modern community hub
• How an alleged catfishing scheme rattled an Appleton neighborhood

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Much colder, with a high of 18 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: Morning flurries; not as cold, temps: high: 33, low: 1.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny; bitterly cold, with a high of 13 and low of 9 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire damages house in Appleton (fox11online.com) — An early-morning chimney fire caused about $40,000 in damage to a house on East Randall Avenue in Appleton, but working smoke alarms helped residents evacuate safely. Firefighters quickly knocked down flames that had spread from the first floor to the attic. Investigators are still determining the cause and urge anyone with a wood-burning fireplace to get it cleaned and inspected annually.
   

2. The Story Behind SOM's Appleton Library Renewal (som.com) — Appleton’s newly renewed public library has reopened as a brighter, more sustainable community hub after years of debate over whether to rebuild or renovate. Designed by SOM and led by an Appleton native, the project preserves the original structure while adding a large rooftop gathering space and modern, daylight-filled interiors. A geothermal system now provides all heating and cooling, cutting energy use significantly.
   

3. Wisconsin Man Accused of Using Grindr in Catfish Scheme (metroweekly.com) — Appleton police say a local man is accused of using a dating app to direct strangers to another resident’s home under false pretenses, causing ongoing fear for that household. The Appleton resident has pleaded not guilty to a stalking charge and is due back in Outagamie County court in January 2026.
   

4. State drops charges in Bear Creek bank robbery; feds take over case (wtaq.com) — Federal prosecutors are now handling the case of a Greenville man accused of robbing Premier Community Bank in Bear Creek, with state charges dropped following a federal indictment announced from Appleton. The suspect faces up to 25 years for armed bank robbery and a potential life sentence for a related firearm charge, with trial set for February 17. His arrest also led to two additional arrests in an Outagamie County drug investigation.
   

5. Appleton area high school sports results for Thursday, Dec. 18 (postcrescent.com) — Appleton North’s boys basketball team rolled past Kimberly 65-44 behind four players in double figures, highlighting a busy Thursday of Fox Valley prep action. The roundup also includes scores and stats from Little Chute, Menasha, Fox Valley Lutheran, Chilton and extensive wrestling results involving area schools.
   

📸 Around Appleton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Appleton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 23

• Spirit Day - Holiday or Ugly Sweater Day
  Woodland Intermediate Appleton, WI 54915
  7:00 am

📣 Appleton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Basketball: Boys JV Game
  Neenah High School
  6:00 pm
• Rising Phoenix @ Waverly Beach in Menasha, WI
  Waverly Beach Bar & Grille , N8770 Fire Lane 1 , Menasha
  7:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity Game
  Neenah High School
  7:30 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity Game Date Changed to 12-18-2025
  Oshkosh West High School
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• Kokedama Evergreen Hanging Ball Class
  Legacy Lounge , 2320 S. Memorial Dr. , Appleton
• Hockey: Boys JV Game
  Champion Center , Grand Chute, WI
  5:00 pm
• Hockey: Boys Varsity Game
  Champion Center , Grand Chute, WI
  7:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Holiday Read and Sing Along
  CLO-Commons , CLO-GYM-108 , Sherwood
  9:00 am
• Neenah Support Group
  Neuroscience Group - Neenah , 1305 W American Dr , Neenah
  3:00 pm
• Dine to Donate Panda Express (Calumet St.)
  Panda Express , Calumet St. , Menasha
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL CREATIONS WITH LAURA
  Xe54: a Wine & Cocktail Lounge , 1350 W American Dr , Neenah
  6:00 pm

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

• Doorbell just rang.
  What now? I clambered out of the recliner, turned on the light, and opened the door. There stood four bright young ladies who asked if the could… (Nextdoor Apple Creek Estates)
• **Porch pickup northcentral Appleton, near the Thedacare on Wisconsin Ave & Meade.
  I have 40 books here from my childhood, some do have handwriting on the insides from the gift giver, (usually my mom). Wanting to give away up to 5… (Nextdoor Glendale Ave)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for (USA) Cake Decorator in Appleton. Apply here.
• Michaels Stores posted a job opening for Early Morning Stocker in Appleton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Appleton here.

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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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