Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Waukesha community mourns longtime mayor Paul Vrakas, dead at 98.

You won't want to miss Small Town Christmas Craft & Vendor Show - Sip & Shop on the Waukesha Patch calendar

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Greetings Waukesha! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Waukesha community mourns longtime mayor Paul Vrakas, dead at 98.
  • Why Hunter Road families still lack answers after three floods this year
  • Which Waukesha-area hoops stars lit up the Classic 8 this week?

Also on today's calendar: Small Town Christmas Craft & Vendor Show - Sip & Shop and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Quite cold; p.m. flurries, with a high of 24 and low of -4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Frigid; breezy in the morning, temps: high: -1, low: -8.
  • Sunday: Frigid; breezy in the morning, with a high of 5 and low of -3 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Waukesha's longest-serving mayor Paul Vrakas dies at 98 (gmtoday.com) — Waukesha is mourning longtime mayor Paul Vrakas, the city’s longest-serving leader, who died Wednesday at age 98 after decades of public service and business involvement. A celebration of life is planned Jan. 18 at The Rotunda downtown, and The Freeman plans a more extensive look at his legacy for Friday’s edition.
   

2. Waukesha homeowners still waiting for flood answers as city study faces delays (tmj4.com) — Families on Hunter Road in Waukesha are still living with gutted basements and unanswered questions four months after repeated summer floods, as a promised city study on the cause has been delayed. Homeowners say they’re afraid to invest in repairs without clear solutions or a timeline, even as city surveyors continue gathering data in the neighborhood this week.
   

3. Lasers douse Crusaders' flame (gmtoday.com) — Local hoops fans saw big Classic 8 Conference performances this week, with Kettle Moraine’s boys beating Catholic Memorial in Waukesha and the Lasers’ girls edging CMH in Wales. Waukesha West also notched a home win over Oconomowoc behind standout scoring from senior guard Tyler Evenson and sophomore Will Still.
   

4. Fire experts share importance of sprinklers (spectrumnews1.com) — Waukesha residents just saw a dramatic live-burn demo underscoring how home sprinkler systems can keep Christmas tree fires small and survivable. Fire experts and restoration professionals explained how sprinklers, working alarms, and simple precautions can save lives, heirlooms, and tens of thousands of dollars in damage during the holiday season.
   

5. 30 Chilrdrens Charities Win Big During Heart of Canal Street Finale (tgandh.com) — A major Milwaukee charity campaign just delivered more than $24,000 each to 30 children’s organizations, including Family Promise of Waukesha County. That new funding will support local kids’ programs throughout 2026, alongside dozens of other southeast Wisconsin groups benefiting from Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s Heart of Canal Street initiative.
   

📸 Around Waukesha

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • There are more good people out there than the news leads us to believe.
    Why don't we hear more of these types of stories? The Amazon driver pulled up to his regular stop—then dropped everything when he saw her face. For… (Nextdoor Oakridge)
  • Hello!
    Anyone out there have pine trees that are dropping cones? I am happy to take some off your hands. I’m working on some diy gifts for the holidays. (Nextdoor Northview-Meadowbrook-94)
  • Mr. Handyman International, LLC posted a job opening for Professional Handyman in Waukesha. Apply here.
  • Goodwin Recruiting posted a job opening for CNC Machinist - 2ND OR 3RD SHIFT - You choose what shift works best for you!! in Waukesha. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waukesha here.

Ok Waukesha! 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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