🌱 Patch AM: Why Appleton is asking a judge to toss this police shooting lawsuit

What's up Appleton! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Appleton is asking a judge to toss this police shooting lawsuit
• What we know about the fatal crash on W. Wisconsin Avenue
• What happens next in this Appleton child neglect trial?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Snow and rain in the p.m., with a high of 39 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Frigid in the afternoon, temps: high: 17, low: 14.
• Saturday: Not as cold; morning flurries, with a high of 31 and low of 6 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Appleton seeks suit dismissal, calls officer shooting 'constitutionally reasonable' (fox11online.com) — Appleton officials are asking a federal judge to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit over the 2022 police shooting of Daniel Pesavento, arguing the officer’s actions were “constitutionally reasonable.” The city’s motion claims the family cannot prove excessive force, while the estate maintains deadly force was unnecessary. No hearings are scheduled yet, so the case remains unresolved.
   

2. One person is dead after driving into a business in Appleton (wbay.com) — An 82-year-old driver died Tuesday after his vehicle crashed into the rear of a business on the 800 block of W. Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton. Police say he was found unresponsive with a do-not-resuscitate bracelet and may have suffered a medical event before the crash; no one else was hurt as the investigation continues.
   

3. Stepmother in Outagamie County neglect case ordered to stand trial (wtaq.com) — In Appleton, a woman accused in a severe child neglect case has waived her preliminary hearing and will stand trial in Outagamie County court. She and three others face multiple felony counts tied to the care of a 14-year-old girl, while upcoming court dates will determine how the case moves forward for each defendant.
   

4. Lawrence University announces program for students commuting to campus (postcrescent.com) — Lawrence University is launching a new commuter program in fall 2026 that adds study spaces, lockers, meal plans and other support for local students who live within 25 miles of campus. Separate from its direct admission program for eligible Appleton public high school students, the initiative is meant to strengthen ties with Fox Cities families and encourage more local teens to consider Lawrence.
   

📸 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!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Court
  Little Chute Calendar , 108 W Main Street Village Board Room , Little Chute
  1:00 pm
• Hockey: Boys JV Game
  Champion Center , Grand Chute, WI
  5:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls JV Game
  Oshkosh West High School
  6:00 pm
• Wrestling: Boys Varsity Meet Time & Location Changed
  Neenah Middle School
  6:30 pm
• Hockey: Boys Varsity Game
  Champion Center , Grand Chute, WI
  7:00 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity Game Date Changed from 12-18-2025
  Oshkosh West High School
  7:30 pm
• Wrestling: Boys JV Meet Time & Location Changed
  Neenah Middle School
  8:00 pm

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: Girls Varsity Game Date Changed to 12-18-2025
  Oshkosh West High School
  7:30 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity Game
  Neenah High School
  7:30 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

• Does anyone actually successfully make gingerbread houses or is that all a big lie?
  Either my icing masonry is really that bad or other people use super glue. (Nextdoor Appleton North)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Garza toby was LOST on December 10, 2025 in Appleton, WI 54915 near Coop rd and hearthstone Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Arrowhead Park)

• Pick 'n Save posted a job opening for Online Grocery Pick-Up Clerk in Appleton. Apply here.
• Illinois Tool Works posted a job opening for Material Handler - Power Systems Division 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 know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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