🌱 Patch AM: When will that I-41 Lynndale bottleneck finally clear up?

Cheers Appleton! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• When will that I-41 Lynndale bottleneck finally clear up?
• Why a 78-year Appleton-area radio staple is signing off soon
• Why an Appleton judge refused a new trial in a high-profile case

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Not as cold; morning flurries, with a high of 33 and low of 3 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Sunshine and bitterly cold, temps: high: 16, low: 9.
• Monday: Not as cold; some a.m. snow, with a high of 34 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. I-41 project on Lynndale occurs in stages to maintain emergency access (postcrescent.com) — If you’ve been frustrated by the long-running work on Lynndale Drive over I-41 just northwest of Appleton, the state says it’s all about drainage and keeping emergency access open. The Grand Chute overpass project, part of the massive I-41 expansion between Wisconsin Avenue and De Pere, is being built in two stages and isn’t expected to fully reopen until spring 2026.
   

2. Local radio station WNAM to cease broadcasting after 78 years (postcrescent.com) — WNAM 1280 AM, a longtime station serving Appleton and Oshkosh listeners, will go off the air at midnight on Dec. 31, 2025, after 78 years. The station cites changing listener habits and economics, but Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broadcasts will continue on sister station WOSH 1490 AM.
   

3. Judge dismisses bias claim, upholds jury ruling in Grace Schara's malpractice case (fox11online.com) — An Outagamie County judge in Appleton has rejected a bid for a new trial in the malpractice case over Grace Schara’s death, dismissing her father’s claim that media coverage in the Appleton Post-Crescent biased the court. The judge said prior discussion of the article and praise from Schara’s own attorney undercut the bias allegation, leaving the jury’s verdict for St. Elizabeth Hospital in place, though an appeal is still possible.
   

4. Appleton's Santa Mac spreads Christmas cheer and teaches others to do the same (nbc26.com) — Appleton families can visit Santa Mac’s cozy cottage for a slower, more personal Santa experience that’s earned him a spot in the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. For more than a decade, he’s focused on listening closely to kids and creating calm, meaningful moments. Now, through his Kringle University program and annual Appleton conference, he’s teaching others to spread that same thoughtful holiday spirit.
   

5. Yes, You Can Actually Find Gas For Under $2 In The US - Here's Where (slashgear.com) — Drivers in Appleton are among those benefiting from falling gas prices, with a BP station in the city recently listed at $2.05 per gallon. The broader national trend shows gas at a four-year low, driven by cheaper crude oil, higher refinery output, and softer demand heading into the holidays.
   

📸 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

Saturday December 20

• 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

• Basketball: Girls JV Game
  Neenah High School
  6:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys JV Game
  Appleton East High School
  6:00 pm
• CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL CREATIONS WITH LAURA
  Xe54: a Wine & Cocktail Lounge , 1350 W American Dr , Neenah
  6:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity Game
  Appleton East High School
  7:30 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity Game
  Neenah High School
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• Grounded and Resilient: Moving Meditation in Nature
  1000 Islands Environmental Center , 1000 Beaulieu Ct , Kaukauna
  9:00 am

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

• **Porch pickup northcentral Appleton, near the Thedacare on Wisconsin Ave & Meade.
  If interested, please DIRECT MESSAGE and include your window of availability to pickup in that first message. I have 40 books here from my childhood… (Nextdoor Glendale Ave)
• hello, looking for help with acquiring bedding for a feral cat shelter.
  I am in search of maybe like a 3 gal bucket’s worth of either pine or wheat straw. i would buy it from tractor supply or another big store, but i… (Nextdoor Lake Park)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Freight Handler Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Appleton. Apply here.
• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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