Patch Expands Local News Coverage Thanks To T-Mobile

Providing trusted, local news and helping connect communities has always been the mission of Patch. Our team of professional journalists help keep 24 million users nationwide informed about what’s happening in their town. And thanks to T-Mobile, a paid advertiser on Patch, we’ve been able to expand our news coverage to 74 new communities and spotlight town traditions, star students, local leaders and volunteer organizations across the country.

Here, among hundreds of local stories, are some examples of the community-focused content that’s possible thanks to our partnership with T-Mobile.

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Town Traditions

Cookie's Restaurant, Part Of Minooka For Decades — In the small community of Minooka, Illinois, Cookie's Restaurant and Lounge has thrived for 43 years, becoming a local landmark and cherished family-style American restaurant. Village President Ric Offferman told Patch's editor that he gets the food catered from Cookie's for his annual state of the village address at Minooka's Village Hall. "Nobody is disappointed when we do," he said. "I've never had a bad meal."

The Sindia: Ocean City's Shipwreck That Remains Today — Back in 1901, the Sindia ship sailed from Japan to New York but got stuck in a storm in Ocean City, New Jersey, becoming an iconic local feature. While you can't see the wreck today, it's still a local legend. Some think it might be hiding buried treasure — like Chinese urns and coins — adding to the mystery, and there's even a theory that it wasn't a real accident, with speculations that John D. Rockefeller might have orchestrated it to move some silver secretly.

A Coachella Valley Garden Still Ripe With Romance — Shields Date Garden in Indio, California, is a historic date farm with a rich history that's almost a century old. It all began with newlyweds Floyd and Bess Shields, who ventured into date farming in the 1920s. Despite their lack of farming experience, they succeeded in growing the finest dates in California and became known for their unique film, "The Romance and Sex Life of the Date," which remains a popular attraction. The property's legacy lives on through the Young family, who have restored and upgraded the garden while preserving its history and offering delicious date-related products, including their famous date shakes.

'It's A Beacon': Manhattan Celebrates Round Barn's Heritage — In Manhattan, Illinois, the iconic 20-sided polygonal barn, known as the Round Barn, has been a cherished landmark for over a century. In June, the Manhattan Park District hosted the second annual Round Barn Heritage Fest, a community event celebrating the town's historical ties to this unique barn built in 1898. The festival not only showcased the site but also helped present-day residents take a look back at the community’s past.

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Star Students And Athletes

Ashburn Student Congratulated By Virginia Senator For Outstanding Work With Nonprofit — Esha Venkat is a high school senior and the co-founder & COO of NEST4US, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, formed as a philanthropic platform built upon kindness, generosity and social good. When Virginia Senator Mark Warner read about Esha on Patch, he reached out directly to congratulate her on her accomplishments.

Doylestown 8th Grader Gets Special Shout-Out From School Principal — Ryleigh is an 8th grader on student council, an avid competitive cheerleader and volunteer coach and a student ambassador who gives tours to prospective families. And as her principal said, "Ryleigh is ready to help whenever it is needed!"

Fredericksburg Field Hockey Captain Strives For Success On & Off The Field — Emma is an exceptional field hockey goalie and team captain at Fredericksburg Academy in Virginia. She's demonstrated unwavering dedication not only to playing goalie, but also to building a strong team, leading them to victory with the State Championship in 2021 and finishing State Runner-Up in 2022. Emma's commitment extends beyond the field as she's set to study biomedical engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University and has already delved into the world of prosthetic devices to make a positive impact on people's lives.

Hillsborough Honors Student Performs At Carnegie Hall, Competes In Science Olympiads — If you look up multitalented in the dictionary, you might see a photo of Anish, a 9th grade student in Hillsborough, New Jersey. As his piano teacher put it, "He is living up to his musical talent which is extremely competitive in this day and still meeting all the many demands of a high school freshman." That includes winning a medal in the quantum quandaries event at the MIT Science Olympiad.

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Teacher Spotlights

Galloway Teacher Is 'A Gift To Her Students And Colleagues' — Cheryl Knabe, a first grade teacher in Galloway, New Jersey, has stepped up for the Galloway Township public schools time and time again through the years. As a colleague said, she's "always there to help anyone who seeks her out — and teachers and administrators sure do!"

Hillsborough Teacher Treats Students With Respect — Hillsborough, New Jersey, music teacher Ashley Mathews has made a major impact on many students' lives in the short time she's been at Hillsborough High School “I have seen the way she speaks to her students,” said the parent of one of her students. “She treats them with respect and in turn, they respect her."

Doylestown Elementary School Teacher 'Has An Absolute Heart Of Gold' — Terri Thompson is a beloved Doylestown, Pennsylvania educator who truly cares about each and every one of her students. As the DiGiovanni family said, "She’s a wonderful example to not only her students but everyone with whom she interacts."

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Community Leaders And Local Heroes

Tinley Park Woman 'Never Tires' Of Giving Back With Service Dogs — Kim Laidlaw founded Healing Hearts Comfort Dogs, a Tinley Park, Illinois nonprofit that raises and trains working dogs to interact with individuals who are experiencing trauma, stress, and physical and emotional uncertainty in their lives. A fellow volunteer said Kim "never tires of giving back to her community, while enjoying each and every pup in her organization."

'Thoughtful And Inspiring" Tucson Leader Makes Positive Impact On Animals & People — In 2012, Marcie Velen was the driving force behind starting No Kill Pima County in Tucson, Arizona. She developed spay/neuter initiatives, helped provide free and inexpensive resources, united lost pets with people, promoting worthy and waiting shelter pets and more. As a fellow volunteer said, "She's dedicated and follows through."

Lamorinda Father Dedicates His Life To Saving Teens After Losing His Son — When Graham Wiseman lost his son in 2012, the grieving father turned his pain into action. He quit his job and started BeingwellCA, a nonprofit for health championing mental health awareness throughout the state of California. He's helped start 30 Wellness Centers in the San Ramon schools and regularly talks to teachers, parents and students about the state of mental health in our youth.

Woodbury Leader Inspired By Son To Help Hundreds — Tom Hoel, a longtime resident of Woodbury Minnesota, founded Family Achievement Center (FAC) in 2001. He was inspired by his son Anthony who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at age two. Anthony sadly passed away in 2021 but continues to inspire his father and the caring and dedicated team at FAC's clinics to provide high-quality occupational, physical and speech therapy services to children and adults.

Healdsburg Celebrity Chef Fights Hunger And Food Waste — Duskie Estes, of Healdsburg, California, made a name for herself on Food Network. The star chef then got to work in Sonoma County, fighting hunger and food waste as the executive director of Farm to Pantry. As one colleague said, "She is the most sensitive and positive soul I have ever met. As busy as she is, she ALWAYS takes the time to be kind and share a smile or hug ... even when her stress level is at an all-time high, which is so rare these days with people being so quick to anger and judgment."

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A big thanks, again, to T-Mobile for partnering with Patch to expand our areas of news coverage and tell incredible local stories like the ones featured above.