Good day Champaign! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Champaign Park District- Lakeside Brews, Beats & Eats and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. More Welding Booths, More Career Opportunities (foxillinois.com) — Parkland College in Champaign is using a $6 million state grant to double its welding booths and expand manufacturing training, opening more spots for local students. The project will add advanced welding, automation, and biomanufacturing programs to meet rising employer demand and growing manufacturing jobs in the area, with construction planned for 2027 and expanded programs by fall 2028.
2. The Great Pumpkin Hollow (chambanamoms.com) — Champaign families can mark their calendars for The Great Pumpkin Hollow, a two-day Halloween experience coming October 24–25 to 502 S. Staley Road. With daytime family activities, vendors, food, and a 21-plus evening vibe, organizers promise immersive décor, spooky attractions, and photo ops, while reminding guests about security rules, weather contingencies, and possible extra costs for some attractions.
3. Champaign County African American Heritage trail to be honored by Landmarks Illinois (news-gazette.com) — A countywide African American Heritage Trail highlighting Black history in Champaign County has earned a major statewide preservation award, bringing fresh attention to sites you can visit around the community. Organized by Experience Champaign-Urbana and many local partners, the trail now features 45 marked locations, digital tours, and public art that make often-overlooked local stories visible in everyday life.
4. Highlights/scores: High school sports (9/17/26) (wcia.com) — Champaign Central's volleyball team fell in straight sets to Peoria-Notre Dame, while Uni-High's boys' soccer squad earned a 4–0 win over Warrensburg-Latham. Several other nearby schools, including Mahomet-Seymour and St. Thomas More opponents, also saw midseason action, giving Champaign-area fans a quick snapshot of how local teams are performing this week.
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Ok Champaign! 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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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