Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Madison police added a hate crime enhancer to this arrest

And on the Madison Patch calendar - Tuesday Tango Night - Class & Social

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
Wednesday December 17th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Madison! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Madison police added a hate crime enhancer to this arrest
  • How one local family keeps Rubi Vergara’s Madison legacy alive
  • Why Holocaust-era violins drew crowds to Chabad Madison this Hanukkah

Also on today's calendar: Tuesday Tango Night - Class & Social and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Madison? Post it to Madison photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high of 34 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., temps: high: 41, low: 7. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Colder with sun, then clouds, with a high of 24 and low of 17 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Madison Police: Man arrested after allegedly pretending to have a gun at UW–Madison Jewish student event (wmtv15news.com) — Madison police arrested a 40-year-old man after he allegedly mimed having a gun while wearing a ballistic-style vest and a Palestinian flag at a Jewish student event near State Street. Officers say no weapon was displayed or specific threats made, but he was booked for disorderly conduct with a hate crime enhancer.
   

2. ‘She was such a gift to our family': Mom of Rubi Vergara's best friend remembers her (wkow.com) — A year after the fatal shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, a DeForest mother is remembering victim Rubi Vergara through her daughter’s enduring friendship. She shares warm stories of Rubi’s humor, creativity, and maturity, and explains how their family is honoring Rubi’s legacy by sharing their own artistic gifts with others.
   

3. Holocaust violins featured in Hanukkah performance at Chabad Madison (wmtv15news.com) — Violins once owned and played during the Holocaust were featured Tuesday night at a deeply moving Hanukkah program at Chabad Madison, giving Madison residents a rare chance to hear and see these historic instruments. Musicians from the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra helped share messages of resilience and hope, while Chabad added extra security in light of recent global incidents.
   

4. World Dairy Expo: Accepting nominations for 2026 Recognition Awards (wisbusiness.com) — World Dairy Expo is inviting nominations through February 15 for its 2026 Recognition Awards, ahead of the Expo’s return to Madison and the Alliant Energy Center next fall. Local dairy producers and industry professionals can nominate standout leaders in three award categories and plan ahead for the September 29–October 2, 2026 event that annually draws the global dairy community to the city.
   

5. Is it legal to leave kids home alone for winter break in Wisconsin? What the law says (jsonline.com) — Parents in Madison and across Wisconsin won’t find a specific legal age for leaving kids home alone, but state law still prohibits abandonment and neglect. The Madison Fire Department suggests weighing a child’s physical, mental, social, and emotional readiness, plus home and neighborhood safety, before deciding if solo time during winter break is appropriate.
   

📸 Around Madison

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 Madison

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Madison Shout Outs!

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

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

  • I stopped driving last August.
    Unbeknown to me there are several programs in the city and/or county for old and/or disabled people. Funny thing is the right hand doesn’t seem to… (Nextdoor Walnut Grove)
  • FOUND ORANGE CAT!
    Green collar, no tags Monday, Dec 15 3:45pm Near Upham and 6th Street (EmersonEast) This boisterous, friendly cat ran up our walkway and entered our… (Nextdoor Yahara Park)
  • Target Corporation posted a job opening for 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T1060) in Madison. Apply here.
  • McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Bucciferro McDonald's Assistant Manager in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madison here.

Ok Madison! 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 can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Madison