Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How downtown plaza work will change parking and walking near the Orpheum

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

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Saturday September 12th Patch AM
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Greetings Champaign! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How downtown plaza work will change parking and walking near the Orpheum
  • How a $24 million tourism jump is reshaping Champaign-Urbana
  • Where to score free bike lights and swag around Champaign

Also on today's calendar: Art at the Farm: Mosaic Cheeseburgers and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tractor say to the plow? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Warm and humid with some sun, with a high of 85 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 79, low: 58.
  • Monday: A morning shower in places, with a high of 75 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Kathy's #Mailbag, Sept. 11, 2026 (news-gazette.com) — Downtown Champaign readers get updates on plaza construction, parking changes near the Orpheum, and a new apartment building at State and Clark, plus why semi trailers are stacked behind Country Fair. The column also explains a recent juvenile gun charge, Hessel Park splash pad safety, Carle's new parking plans in Urbana, and other practical questions raised by Champaign County residents.
   

2. Tourist spending continuing to increase in Champaign Co. (wcia.com) — Tourism spending in Champaign-Urbana jumped by $24 million in 2025, driven by local events, restaurants, retail, and Illini Athletics drawing more visitors. Experience Champaign-Urbana leaders say guests increasingly turn game days into full destination weekends, with recent film productions in the area adding another boost to the local economy.
   

3. 'Bike to Work' and 'Light the Night' events scheduled for Champaign County Bike Month (wandtv.com) — Champaign-area residents can join Bike to Work Day this Wednesday, with 18 welcome stations across campus and nearby towns offering free snacks, coffee, and Bike Month swag. Later this month, the Light The Night event will install free bike lights on campus, alongside several other family-friendly rides and walk-and-roll activities promoting safer, more active transportation.
   

4. Lowest E15 gas price in Champaign County hits $3.78 for week ending Sept. 5 (chambanasun.com) — Drivers around Champaign County saw the lowest reported E15 gas price hit $3.78 per gallon at one station during the week ending Sept. 5, with an average of $4.01 across the county. The report also notes E15's limited local availability and explains how global conflicts, refinery issues, and seasonal demand are keeping fuel prices volatile this year.
   

5. Crunch Fitness in Champaign hosts 9/11 tribute stair climb (wcia.com) — Residents in Champaign marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with an overnight tribute stair climb at Crunch Fitness, where participants tackled the equivalent of 110 flights. Organizers say the annual event helps people honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, with some climbers even wearing heavy vests to mirror firefighters' burdens.
   

📸 Around Champaign

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Does anyone know if there is some place local to donate wigs for women who are going through chemo or other health issues?
    I have 5 or 6. I think I wore 2 of them during a short health problem. TY (Nextdoor Parkland Ridge)
  • Lost Black Cat.
    Midnight is his name. He got out around 3700 Glenn Brooke Rd. He has one white whisker. He is skiddish around people. If you see him please text… (Nextdoor Turnberry Ridge)
  • Niemann Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Niemanns Meat Stocker Clerk in Champaign. Apply here.
  • Jewish United Fund posted a job opening for Assistant Director for Hillel, Urbana-Champaign 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: Hold me close John Deere. (Thank you Jenny H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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