Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How serious is Birmingham about cracking down on celebratory gunfire?

Be sure to catch 10% Tuesday for Railroad Park on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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Monday January 12th Patch AM
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Cheers Birmingham! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How serious is Birmingham about cracking down on celebratory gunfire?
  • How a cartel member ran Birmingham fentanyl deals from an Alabama prison
  • Would you paddle the flooded trails just outside Birmingham?

Also on today's calendar: 10% Tuesday for Railroad Park and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one elevator say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Sunny, with a high of 50 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 59, low: 40.
  • Wednesday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 55 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Birmingham City Council Voices Concerns Over Celebratory Gunfire; Police Respond (birminghamtimes.com) — Birmingham city leaders are pressing police for clearer data and tougher action after hearing widespread celebratory gunfire across the city on New Year’s Eve. Police say ShotSpotter technology shows a 37% drop in rounds fired and promise to share arrest numbers, while emphasizing that firing weapons inside Birmingham city limits is illegal year-round and enforcement strategies will keep evolving.
   

2. Cartel member convicted in 2008 murder of 5 gets additional life sentence for drug, financial crimes (wsfa.com) — A cartel-linked inmate already serving life for a 2008 Shelby County quintuple murder has now received an additional life sentence for fentanyl trafficking and money laundering tied to Birmingham and Homewood. Federal prosecutors say he helped move large amounts of fentanyl and launder hundreds of thousands of dollars through local fronts while in Alabama custody.
   

3. WATCH: Flooded trails in Shelby County attract adventurous parkgoers (wvtm13.com) — Flooded trails at Heardmont Park in nearby Shelby County have turned familiar walking paths into swift, hazardous waterways that some Birmingham-area residents are daring to paddle by canoe. After days of heavy rain, creeks and the Cahaba River are swollen, prompting safety concerns even as curious locals seek out the unusual conditions for adventure.
   

4. National retail chain closes 400-plus stores, including some in Alabama (al.com) — Several Birmingham GameStop locations, including the store at Riverview Parkway, have been shut down as part of more than 435 closures nationwide. The Texas-based retailer has been struggling with declining revenue as more gamers buy digitally, and it warns that even more store closures are likely in 2025.
   

5. Alabama's new library director plans to face controversial mandates (al.com) — Alabama’s new state library director, Kelyn Ralya, brings deep Birmingham roots from her years at the Birmingham Public Library and UAB’s Lister Hill Library as she steps into a politically charged role. She’ll oversee funding and policy for more than 200 libraries statewide while navigating controversies over children’s books and new code changes that some library advocates say don’t reflect all Alabama communities.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday January 12
  • Libby Meet & Greet
    Hoover Public Library - Circulation Lobby
    10:30 am
  • Liberty Park Rebels vs Mountain Brook Jr High
    Liberty Park Middle School , 17035 Liberty Pkwy , Vestavia Hills
    4:30 pm
  • Illustrator Art Club
    O'Neal Public Library , 50 Oak St , Mountain Brook
    4:30 pm
    • Tuesday January 13
  • Coffee & Connections
    Courtyard Birmingham Homewood , 500 Shades Creek Parkway , Homewood
    8:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Macky, a dog who went missing in Birmingham, AL, has been safely reunited with their family after 49 minutes. Message from Owner: "Precious Macky is… (Nextdoor Five Points South)
  • We found a dog at George Ward Park this afternoon.
    We looked everywhere for the owners, but couldn’t find anyone. Maybe he got out during the storms? He was wearing a collar and a bandanna but no tags… (Nextdoor Edgewood)
  • Pilot Flying J posted a job opening for Deli Production Team Member in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • Badger Daylighting posted a job opening for Industrial Hydro Blast Operator in Birmingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

Ok Birmingham! 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: I think I’m coming down with something!
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