Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue is expanding shelter on freezing nights
And check out Noon Year's Eve Party! on the Huntsville Patch calendar

Good day Huntsville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue is expanding shelter on freezing nights
- What Huntsville’s new 83,000-pound battery means for your power
- What we know about the Madison wreck sending two to Huntsville Hospital
Also on today's calendar: Noon Year's Eve Party! and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Huntsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Huntsvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 52 and low of 30 degrees.
- Thursday: Plenty of sun, temps: high: 56, low: 38.
- Friday: A little afternoon rain, with a high of 54 and low of 48 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Doors are open at Downtown Rescue during cold temperatures (whnt.com) — As freezing temperatures hit Huntsville, Downtown Rescue Mission on Evangel Drive is opening its doors to anyone needing a warm, safe place to stay, with capacity for about 450 people. Guests are asked to bring an ID and arrive by 5:15 p.m., and can receive hot meals, showers, and daytime shelter, while the mission also welcomes donations of food and hygiene items.
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2. Huntsville Utilities takes delivery of 83,000 lb battery to store off-peak power (whnt.com) — Huntsville Utilities has brought in an 83,000-pound Tesla battery to its Stringfield Substation, launching a pilot project to store off-peak power and boost reliability during extreme heat and cold. The system should ease stress on local equipment, improve efficiency, and could lead to more battery installations across the Huntsville area once officials study its real-world performance.
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3. Two taken to hospital following multi-vehicle wreck involving Madison Police officer (waff.com) — Emergency crews are responding to a multi-vehicle wreck at Beaver Dam Road and Pulaski Pike involving a Madison Police K9 patrol unit, with two people taken to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services for evaluation. The officer was not transported, and it’s still unclear if a K9 was in the vehicle as WAFF gathers more details for Huntsville-area drivers and residents.
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4. Mayor Tommy Battle issues statement on Madison County Chair Mac McCutcheon's retirement announcement (huntsvilleal.gov) — Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle is praising Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon after McCutcheon announced he’ll retire March 1, closing a long career in public service. Battle credits McCutcheon’s collaborative style with strengthening both Huntsville and Madison County and extends best wishes to him and his family.
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5. VERIFY: Are all gambling machines illegal in Alabama? (rocketcitynow.com) — Huntsville readers are getting clarity on which gambling machines are actually legal in Alabama after recent local confiscations stirred debate. A legal review explains that most machines are banned under the state constitution, but narrow exceptions exist for certain electronic bingo operations and pari-mutuel betting, with courts closely weighing whether chance or skill truly dominates each game.
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📸 Around Huntsville
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 Huntsville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Noon Year's Eve Party!
Madison Public Library , 142 Plaza Blvd , Madison
10:30 am - MEMBER EVENT: Swing in the New Year at Topgolf!
Top Golf
9:00 pm - KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Huntsville
Cinemark Bridge Street and XD , 370 The Brg St NW , Huntsville
11:00 am - Winter Open House & Enrollment
The Dance Factor , 2404 Hwy 72 E , Huntsville
2:00 pm - Teen Writers Hangout
South Huntsville Public Library , 7901-L Bailey Cove Rd SE , Huntsville
4:00 pm - Bad Romance: A Film Series
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library , 915 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
5:30 pm - Jan. 2026 Rally Day
Jaycee Community Building , Airport Road Southwest Airport Rd SW , Huntsville
10:30 am - We the Readers - In Person
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library , 915 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
1:00 pm - Exploring the Waterfalls of North Alabama with David Parham
Madison Public Library , 142 Plaza Blvd , Madison
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
📣 Huntsville 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
- Noon Years Eve Party
City of Madison Calendar Madison, AL 35758
11:00 am - Shadracks Christmas Wonderland - Madison
Toyota Field , 500 Trash Panda Wy , Madison
5:59 pm - January Character Word: Perseverance
Huntsville City Huntsville, AL 35810 - Chamber Closed for New Year's
Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce , 515 6th Ave NE , Decatur
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Huntsville PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Missing from Grizzard and Gayhart.
We are not sure how he was able to get out of the back yard last night but if you have him or has seen him can you please notify me. He responds to… (Nextdoor Grizzard Rd NW) - Rehoming Randy!
- brown lab retriever mix - 90ish lbs - ~3 years old - fully vaccinated and neutered Randy is housebroken and knows training commands, very smart… (Nextdoor Whitesburg Estates)
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Huntsville. Apply here.
- Mattress Warehouse Corporate posted a job opening for Delivery Assistant in Huntsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Huntsville here.
Ok Huntsville! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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