Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Birmingham cleared another encampment and pledged $1 million for shelter

Make time for Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hello Birmingham! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Birmingham cleared another encampment and pledged $1 million for shelter
  • How should Birmingham transform these key Morris Avenue parking lots?
  • Why a former UAB leader is suing top U.S. health officials

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 3 more events.

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

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 62 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 50, low: 33.
  • Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Birmingham tears down another homeless encampment amid questions and outcry (al.com) — City crews have dismantled another homeless encampment in Birmingham’s West End, just a week after clearing tents from Linn Park sparked public criticism. Officials say they only remove camps deemed safety or health risks and offer resources first, while also announcing a $1 million city contribution toward a new homeless shelter at Jimmie Hale Mission.
   

2. Birmingham seeks community input on downtown parking lot transformation (wvtm13.com) — Downtown Birmingham’s Parking Authority wants your input on what to do with two Morris Avenue lots that separate downtown from Southside, and the survey closes Friday. Leaders say results could keep the lots as upgraded parking or transform them with restaurants, shops, and other uses, shaping how you live, work, and visit downtown. Improvements to entrances, landscaping, and layouts are planned regardless.
   

3. Former UAB director seeks reinstatement as head of NIAID in lawsuit against top health officials (wvtm13.com) — A former UAB infectious disease leader based in Birmingham is suing federal health officials, claiming she was wrongfully removed as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after raising concerns about vaccine policy and funding cuts. She’s asking a federal court to reinstate her, restore back pay, and protect her from further retaliation, in a case that ties Birmingham’s medical community to a major national health dispute.
   

4. What could reclassifying marijuana mean for you? (wbrc.com) — From Birmingham, a local attorney explains how President Trump’s expected move to reclassify marijuana could affect medical use, research, and law enforcement nationwide. He notes Alabama laws would still control legality here, but changing federal status may influence prosecutions, court treatment, and the growing marijuana industry, while leaving workplace drug policies largely unchanged.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

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📣 Birmingham Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Fultondale Wildcats vs Mcadory Yellow Jackets
    Fultondale High School , 2023 Wildcat Pkwy , Birmingham
    4:30 pm
  • Homewood Menorah Lighting
    The Curve in Downtown Homewood , 2839 18th St S , Birmingham
    5:00 pm
  • Dumpling Making Class
    Cala Coffee Cahaba Heights , 3950 Autumn Ln , Vestavia Hills
    6:00 pm
    • Friday December 19
  • Coffee Playdate!
    Homewood Chamber of Commerce , 7 Hollywood Blvd , Homewood
    9:30 am
  • Camp Half-Blood at O'Neal Library
    O'Neal Public Library , 50 Oak St , Mountain Brook
    6:00 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Holiday Ham Giveaway - December 20, 2025 @ 8:00am - 9:00am - Irondale City Hall, 101 South 20th Street, Irondale, Al 35210 - Drive-Through Service - One Ham Per Household While Supplies Last
    Irondale City Hall , 101 20th St S , Irondale
    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

  • If anyone has seen my dog , could you please return him home or atleast try to keep him until I can get someone to come and pick him up … His name is Bo and he’s an Old English bulldogge , he is friendly and he’s probably cold and hungry ,he was
    placed in the garage, but it seems as if he figured away out . His collar is red. (Nextdoor South Eastlake / Ruffner)
  • Thank you Peggy for your donations and kindness helping
    me make chemo just a little better . The ladies can feel better knowing that they’re remembering and supported in the awful journey that they are… (Nextdoor Eastwood)
  • Q&A Cleaning Solutions LLC posted a job opening for Night Janitor Birmingham AL - Downtown Tuesday & Thursday 6p-9pm in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • Acuren posted a job opening for Visual Inspector/AWS/CWI 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 haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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