🌱 How one West Bend front yard became a Christmas tradition for decades

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

In today's newsletter:

• How one West Bend front yard became a Christmas tradition for decades
• What sentence will the judge hand down in this West Bend DUI case?
• Why a Hartford man’s gunfire ended in a West Bend courtroom

Also on today's calendar: Menomonee Falls Symphony Holiday Matinee Concert and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Not as cold, becoming breezy, with a high of 36 and low of 26 degrees.
• Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 33, low: 28.
• Thursday: Becoming windier; a.m. rain, with a high of 39 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Remembering the Terlinden Christmas tree business (washingtoncountyinsider.com) — Longtime West Bend resident Dolores Terlinden is fondly remembered for the family’s Terlinden Tree Lot, which operated for more than 60 years at Eighth Avenue and Poplar Street. The story celebrates her 100th birthday, her deep ties to Peace United Church of Christ, and the generations of local families who bought trees and wreaths from her front yard.
   

2. Ex-Whitefish Bay elementary school administrator faces sentencing after fatal DUI (tmj4.com) — A sentencing hearing is set in Washington County Court for a former Whitefish Bay school administrator involved in a fatal drunk-driving crash that began at a tavern in West Bend. The crash in the Town of West Bend killed 75-year-old Dave Cournia, and prosecutors are recommending a 10-year prison term.
   

3. Hartford man charged after shooting through his apartment door (gmtoday.com) — A Washington County court in West Bend has charged a Hartford resident with felony reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct after shots were allegedly fired through his apartment door, with bullets entering a neighbor’s unit. Police say no injuries were reported, but the man reportedly admitted firing because he believed someone outside had a gun. He remains jailed on cash bond and must surrender his firearms.
   

4. Wisconsin high school girls basketball: Glacier Trails Preview (maxpreps.com) — Girls basketball fans in West Bend can size up how West Bend East and West stack up in the new Glacier Trails Conference, alongside Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Port Washington, Plymouth, Kewaskum, and others. The preview highlights returning starters, key scorers, and coaching changes that could shape this winter’s standings. It’s a useful snapshot of who your local teams will be battling.
   

5. Douglas Molter - Vilas County News-Review (vcnewsreview.com) — A former West Bend resident, Douglas Allen Molter, who graduated from West Bend West High School in 1980, has died at age 64. The longtime outdoorsman and former Twin Haven Resort operator passed away December 10 in Rhinelander, with funeral services set for December 29 in Phelps.
   

📸 Around West Bend

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 West Bend

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Menomonee Falls Symphony Holiday Matinee Concert
  Germantown School District Performing Arts Center, W180N11501 N River Ln, Germantown
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 17

• Better Together Women’s Networking WashCo Coffee & Connections 12.17 Meetup
  The Hub - Social Good Brews , 303 Water St , West Bend
  9:00 am
• Orchestra Concert
  Silver Lining Arts Center West Bend, WI 53095
  6:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Choir Concert
  Silver Lining Arts Center West Bend, WI 53095
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Holiday Shine & Sparkle Dress Up Day
  Fair Park El West Bend, WI 53090
• 4th Grade Walking Club
  Fair Park El West Bend, WI 53090
  7:30 am
• WIN Meeting - December 19, 2025 @ Bub's Irish Pub (Germantown)
  Bub's Irish Pub , N116W16218 Main St. , Germantown
  7:30 am

Saturday December 20

• Christmas is Coming!
  Silver Linings Arts Center , 850 S River Rd , West Bend
  3:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Dine Out Night
  Qdoba West Bend, WI 53095
  4:00 pm

📣 West Bend 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

Tuesday December 16

• 4th Grade MAP Singers
  Fair Park El West Bend, WI 53090
  7:20 am
• Slinger Owls vs Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes
  Slinger High School , 209 Polk St , Slinger
  5:30 pm
• Choir Concert
  Badger Mid West Bend, WI 53095
  6:30 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Boys - JV - Wrestling
  Slinger High School
  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

• On Saturday my husband and I went to the firehouse with cookies to thank them for saving his life.
  They were so happy to see him. And we had a tour of the firehouse (Nextdoor Regner Park)
• AIMS Fitness is looking for volunteers.
  Give back to your community by helping people with Parkinson’s. (Nextdoor Regner Park)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in West Bend. Apply here.
• Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in West Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Bend here.

Ok West Bend! 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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