Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Naperville Native Candace Parker Inducted Into Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame

Be sure to catch Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing on the Naperville Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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What's up Naperville! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Naperville's own Candace Parker reaches basketball's highest honor
  • Want a say in Naperville parks? Board seats are opening
  • What sparked District 203's new year-long "Forward Together" listening push?

Also on today's calendar: Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 82, low: 60.
  • Friday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 77 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Naperville Native Candace Parker Inducted Into Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame (patch.com) — Naperville sports fans have a new reason to celebrate as hometown basketball star Candace Parker has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The retired WNBA standout, who grew up in Naperville and later helped lead the Chicago Sky to a championship, reflected emotionally on her lifelong love of the game during her enshrinement speech.
   

2. Nomination Petition Packets Available As 3 Seats Open On Naperville Park District Board (patch.com) — Residents interested in shaping Naperville's parks and recreation system can soon pick up nomination petition packets for three open seats on the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners. Starting Aug. 21, potential candidates may collect packets at the Park District Administration Building, then begin gathering signatures Aug. 25 for the April 6, 2027 election.
   

3. Naperville D203 board pledges listening campaign amid complaints lodged at meeting (chicagotribune.com) — Naperville School District 203 is launching a year-long "Forward Together" listening campaign after parents and staff raised sharp concerns about student safety and staff treatment at a recent board meeting. Speakers, including a Naperville City Councilman and a Central High School teacher, questioned the district's transparency and responsiveness, while leaders insisted student safety and community input remain top priorities under the new engagement effort.
   

4. Naperville-area high schools ranked among top 50 in state (nctv17.org) — Naperville's public high schools just earned spots among the top 50 in Illinois, with Neuqua Valley leading local schools at No. 12 and both Naperville Central and Naperville North also highly ranked. U.S. News & World Report evaluated 675 Illinois schools and more than 27,000 nationwide, highlighting strong graduation rates of at least 94% across all Naperville-area campuses.
   

5. Naperville native Janelle Finch wins Emmy Award (nctv17.org) — A Neuqua Valley graduate and Naperville native, reporter Janelle Finch has earned a Heartland Emmy for a powerful one-day news piece about a 3-year-old saving his great-grandmother. Now reporting for 9News in Denver, she credits her Naperville roots and school experiences with launching her journalism career and says the recognition affirms years of hard work in challenging newsroom assignments.
   

📸 Around Naperville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Naperville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Obituary: Sharon Lucretia Parker-Love —Fred C. Dames Funeral Home Read on Patch
  • Naperville Township 708 Mental Health Board to Open FY 2027 Funding Application Portal on September 1, 2026 —Naperville TWP MHB Read on Patch
  • I checked an item off my bucket list last week.
    Purchased a toilet for the first time in my life. An absolutely phenomenal experience. (Nextdoor Brookdale)
  • DuPage County ROE posted a job opening for Custodian 2nd/1st in Naperville. Apply here.
  • Boot Barn posted a job opening for Key Holder (Part Time) in Naperville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Naperville here.

Ok Naperville! 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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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