Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Parkland’s $6 million boost could reshape Champaign manufacturing careers

And check out Happy Hour - Drink Specials & Catnip! on the Champaign Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday September 18th Patch AM
Friday September 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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:

  • How Parkland's $6 million boost could reshape Champaign manufacturing careers
  • What spooky fun awaits at Champaign's two-day Great Pumpkin Hollow?
  • Why Champaign County's Black history trail just earned statewide recognition.

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!)

From our Partner
Today's Champaign Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Champaign Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Champaign. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Clouds and sun; not as warm, with a high of 81 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Saturday: Warmer with clouds and sun, temps: high: 89, low: 65. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Not as warm; a p.m. t-storm, with a high of 78 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Champaign

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 Champaign

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Champaign 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

  • UPDATE: Found!!!
    He had gotten out and was in the backyard bushes, frozen in fear. He is safe and being spoiled back in the house now. Thanks y'all! Missing cat! We… (Nextdoor Lincolnshire)
  • I have a relative who needs a WC ramp.
    Is there any group who might help him get one or someone who has rented one and can give us recommendations of who to talk to get one. Pm me or… (Nextdoor Old Church - Staley)
  • Binny's Beverage Depot posted a job opening for Champaign--Customer Service Manager in Champaign. Apply here.
  • Parkland College posted a job opening for Assistant Volleyball Coach in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.

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!

👉 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 Champaign