🌱 Patch AM: How will Birmingham’s new Flock cameras change safety in your neighborhood?

Good morning Birmingham! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Birmingham’s new Flock cameras change safety in your neighborhood?
• Will Birmingham finally clear this dangerous Ensley sidewalk stump?
• How a $60M accessibility park could reshape downtown Birmingham’s Southside

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 2 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Birmingham? Post it to Birmingham photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 61 and low of 44 degrees.
• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 62, low: 38.
• Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 50 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Birmingham approves new Flock cameras to strengthen public safety (abc3340.com) — Birmingham’s City Council has approved new Flock Safety cameras for the Rockford neighborhood, adding both license plate readers and pan-tilt-zoom cameras near several local streets. City leaders say the expanded camera network will help police investigate crimes faster and improve safety for residents and visitors across Birmingham.
   

2. Ensley homeowner says tree stump blocked sidewalk for nearly a year (cbs42.com) — A Birmingham homeowner in Ensley says a dead city-owned tree fell on his house last December and that the remaining stump has blocked the sidewalk for nearly a year despite multiple calls to the city. After CBS 42 showed Birmingham officials his 311 request, the city now says it plans to remove the stump by the end of this week. Neighbors are watching to see if that promise is kept.
   

3. KultureCity Seeks JeffCo Help To Bring National Accessibility Park to Powell Steam Plant Site (birminghamwatch.org) — A $60 million National Accessibility Park is planned for the former Powell Avenue Steam Plant on Birmingham’s Southside, with Jefferson County considering a $3.5 million investment this week. The KultureCity-led project would add a sensory park, museum, amphitheater, and disability training center, aiming to make Birmingham a global hub for accessibility while drawing an estimated 250,000 visitors a year.
   

4. Deadly Argument Outside Birmingham Store Ends with Murder Charge (speakinoutweeklynews.net) — A man has been charged with murder after an early-morning shooting outside a southwest Birmingham convenience store, the second killing at that Jefferson Avenue location in under two months. Police are still working to find victim Harold King’s relatives and believe he may have recently lived in the nearby West Brownville community. Anyone who can help locate his family is urged to contact the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
   

5. New documentary on Alabama jazz icon Sun Ra premiering on PBS series ‘American Masters' Feb. 20 (cbs42.com) — A new PBS ‘American Masters’ documentary will spotlight jazz legend Sun Ra, who was born and later died in Birmingham, and whose legacy the city now honors with an official Sun Ra Day. The film, premiering nationally Feb. 20, explores his cosmic persona, groundbreaking music, and lasting influence, while highlighting the Birmingham roots behind his global impact.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 20

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Birmingham Museum of Art , 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard , Birmingham
  4:15 pm
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Birmingham, AL
  Marriott Birmingham 3590 Grandview Parkway Birmingham, AL 35243
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Not So Silent Night Drumline Competition 2025
  Trussville Civic Center , 5381 Trussville Clay Rd , Trussville
  4:00 pm
• Dean and Company Christmas Special at Rojo!
  Rojo , 2921 Highland Ave , Birmingham
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• Old City Champs at Rojo!
  Rojo , 2921 Highland Ave , Birmingham
  7:00 pm

📣 Birmingham Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 17

• Tai chi for arthritis and fall prevention
  Levite Jewish Community Center , 3960 Montclair Rd , Birmingham
  11:30 am
• Southern Jewish Voices
  Levite Jewish Community Center , 3960 Montclair Rd , Birmingham
  12:00 pm
• Bluey Watch Party with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society
  Homewood Chamber of Commerce , 7 Hollywood Blvd , Homewood
  3:30 pm
• City of Hoover Menorah Lighting
  Hoover Public Library - Entrance Lobby
  5:00 pm
• Basketball open play
  Levite Jewish Community Center , 3960 Montclair Rd , Birmingham
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Municipal Court Amnesty Days - Dec 4, 11 & 18 @ Irondale City Hall, 101 So. 20th Street, Irondale, Al 35210 - Are you in violation of court-ordered obligations and wanting to get things settled? Call 205-951-1414.
  Irondale City Hall , 101 20th St S , Irondale
  7:00 am
• Fultondale Wildcats vs Mcadory Yellow Jackets
  Fultondale High School , 2023 Wildcat Pkwy , Birmingham
  4:30 pm

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Good morning, It’s just amazing to me over and above.
  I have been working really hard to make Christmas Special for the special needs Children. I was not aware people were thinking about me as much… (Nextdoor South Eastlake / Ruffner)
• Today, December 15th, 2025, I finally met my goal of receiving donations from some truly kind and generous people.
  I received gloves, hats, scarves, and even monetary donations. I am beyond grateful and excited for this Sunday’s event, where we will be feeding the… (Nextdoor Ensley Highlands)

• Southeastern Grocers posted a job opening for Overnight Grocery Associate in Birmingham. Apply here.
• The Custom Group of Companies posted a job opening for UAS 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook