🌱 Ensley Fairfield Mattress Co. Closing + Birmingham Coat Giveaway

Hello, Birmingham. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and milder. High: 66 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. A mattress company is closing after more than 107 years in the Birmingham metro. The Ensley Fairfield Mattress Co., which spanned three generations of Holtzclaw family ownership, will close its final retail store in Alabama. The company has been operating out of Pelham and has employed hundreds of workers over the years. (AL.com)
2. The Birmingham Police Department's Community Outreach and Public Education Division is hosting a winter coat giveaway now through Friday. The event, which began on Wednesday (Dec. 28), will continue through tomorrow (Dec. 30) on a first-come, first-served basis. Coats can be picked up at 7001 Crestwood Blvd. Suite 802 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (WBRC)
3. On Monday, police made an arrest in connection to the shooting death of 25-year-old Charles Edward Smith. According to the Birmingham Police Department, 21-year-old Alphonso David Lockhart III was taken into custody around 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 26 and placed on an investigative hold at the Birmingham City Jail. He is currently in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail. (Alabama's News Leader)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Basketball Open Play, At Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Holiday Word Search, At Birmingham Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Color Your Holidays, At Birmingham Public Library (9:00 AM

From my notebook:

• The Birmingham Police Department reports detectives have obtained warrants for arrests in connection to the murder of Orlando Ruffin. Ruffin was shot and killed on Thursday, Dec. 22 in the 2200 block of Beulah Avenue, after a dispute with relatives. (Birmingham Police Department, Alabama via Facebook)
• Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo is open every night this week through Jan. 1! Come celebrate the holidays and light up the night with larger-than-life animal lanterns. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• All Birmingham Public Library locations will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31—Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of the New Year. (Birmingham Public Library via Facebook)
• Are you in the market for a new home? These two Birmingham area open houses are worth stopping by. (Birmingham Patch)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.