Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Need a week of free healthy groceries in downtown Birmingham?

Also, don't miss 2026 Scholarship Orchid Ball on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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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:

  • Need a week of free healthy groceries in downtown Birmingham?
  • How a Jefferson County detective finally cracked a 15-year-old rape case
  • How one Birmingham band is keeping neighbors warm this winter

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Birmingham, AL and 7 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 68 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Saturday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 68, low: 38.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny; breezy, cooler, with a high of 48 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Where to get healthy, free food in the Birmingham metro this year (al.com) — Free weekly food box distributions are returning to downtown Birmingham in 2026, offering about a week’s worth of healthy groceries to any family, no income questions asked. Hosted by the Jefferson County Family Resource Center and partners, the Friday drive-thru and walk-up events at Jefferson County Family Court aim to ease food desert challenges and build community, after serving thousands of Birmingham households last year.
   

2. 15-year-old Jefferson County rape case solved, bringing peace to victim's family (wvtm13.com) — A long-unsolved Jefferson County rape case tied to a 2010 attack on 77-year-old Myrna Estep has finally been closed, bringing some peace to her Birmingham-area family. Investigators recently matched evidence to Julian Poole, who pleaded guilty and received a five-year sentence, along with lifetime sex offender registration, sparing the family a painful trial.
   

3. 'Scott Ivey and the Filthy Frets' support Birmingham's Community Kitchens with music (wvtm13.com) — A Birmingham-based band, Scott Ivey and the Filthy Frets, just played an impromptu show at Community Kitchens to boost support for neighbors in need. With supplies drained after a recent cold snap, they’re urging locals to donate coats, blankets, socks, and hats so Community Kitchens can keep serving hot meals and essential gear through the rest of winter.
   

4. WA Court Throws Out Micahn Carter Defamation Lawsuit (ministrywatch.com) — A former Church of the Highlands staff pastor who once lived and worked in Birmingham has lost his defamation lawsuit in Washington state over sexual-assault allegations made by a former assistant. The appeals court ruled the assistant’s statements were protected, ordered him to pay her legal fees, and noted that churches like Highlands have a legitimate interest in such allegations about their pastors.
   

5. ‘College football broke me': Trent Dilfer reflects back on time at UAB (al.com) — UAB’s former head football coach Trent Dilfer is opening up about how his turbulent three seasons in Birmingham, and challenges like NIL and the transfer portal, pushed him out of the college game. Now back at Lipscomb Academy, he contrasts that support with what he saw at UAB, while new head coach Alex Mortensen says the university is committing more resources to stay competitive.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Two more dogs spayed yesterday at Alabama Spay and Neuter Clinic!
    Both dogs are from a household that has posted puppies and sought help for their animals on Nextdoor in the past. The Dobie mix also had a negative… (Nextdoor Crestwood North)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Happyboy was LOST on January 6, 2026 in Birmingham, AL 35206 near Family Dollar 1st Ave No & 4th Ave No Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Five Points South)
  • Signia by Hilton Atlanta posted a job opening for Breakfast Attendant (Part - Time) - Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • Hilton posted a job opening for Housekeeper - Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham 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 really dig you!
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