Hey there, Waco! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Waco Downtown Farmers Market and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why should you never iron a 4-leaf colver? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. City of Waco Breaks Ground on $184 Million Barron's Branch District (lasvegassun.com) — A massive $184 million Barron's Branch District project is officially underway in downtown Waco, promising new parks, plazas, drainage upgrades, and modernized streets without new taxes or big utility hikes. Spanning about 30 acres along the Brazos, the first phase will replace aging infrastructure, open land for future development, and kick off a 12- to 20-year, 100-acre downtown transformation.
2. Best Pumpkin Patches & Fall Things to Do in Waco, TX (2026) (thewacobuzz.com) — If you're planning fall in Waco, this guide rounds up the key pumpkin patches, festivals, and cozy drink spots locals love, from Central Christian Church's pumpkin patch on Lake Shore Drive to the Heart O' Texas Fair, Silobration, and Baylor Homecoming. It also highlights free weekly hikes in Cameron Park, the downtown farmers market, and standout seasonal drinks at local coffee shops.
3. Waco animal advocate pushes city to address stray dog crisis (kxxv.com) — Waco neighbors concerned about stray dogs, especially around Cameron Park, are being urged by local advocate Ken Willits to press city leaders for stronger action. Willits says he rescues multiple dogs weekly and wants clearer education on ordinances, while the city highlights free spay-neuter and microchipping programs and encourages prevention, enforcement, and better access to resources.
4. In Texas, Lake Waco drops 4 feet below normal level after hot, dry summer (thecooldown.com) — Lake Waco, the city's primary drinking water source, has dropped about four feet below its normal level after a brutally hot, dry summer, though boat ramps and recreation remain open for now. Rangers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are closely monitoring levels and weather, underscoring how evaporation and water demand can strain supplies before visible restrictions begin.
5. The Giving Machine is Back in Waco for a Second Year (fox44news.com) — Waco will again host the Giving Machine this winter, offering a fun way to donate items like blankets, goats, and toys to local nonprofits. Running December 9 through January 2, the vending-style machine sends 100 percent of each purchase to selected charities, and organizers hope to far exceed last year's $5,000 raised for groups like Friends for Life.
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Ok Waco! 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: You don't want to press your luck! (Thank you Tee E. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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