🌱 Patch AM: See what’s inside West Huntsville’s brand-new recreation center

Hi there, Huntsville! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• See what’s inside West Huntsville’s brand-new recreation center
• How NICU cuddlers are soothing Huntsville Hospital’s tiniest patients
• How Huntsville neighbors are helping one family through a heartbreaking Christmas

Also on today's calendar: Yappy Hour Infodump Party and 5 more events.

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

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A morning shower in places, with a high of 66 and low of 55 degrees.
• Wednesday: Areas of low clouds and warm, temps: high: 70, low: 52.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 71 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. West Huntsville Recreation Center opens, bringing gyms, fitness space to growing area (rocketcitynow.com) — A brand-new West Huntsville Recreation Center has opened on Martin Road SW, giving residents two gyms, a fitness center, and multipurpose rooms right in the fast-growing western corridor. City leaders say the 27,350-square-foot facility will anchor community life with sports, youth programs, arts and crafts, and events designed to bring West Huntsville neighbors together.
   

2. NICU cuddlers bring comfort to Huntsville's tiniest patients (waff.com) — At Huntsville Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, volunteer NICU cuddlers are stepping in to comfort the city’s tiniest, most fragile patients when families can’t be at the bedside. One longtime volunteer recently cuddled her own premature grandson, highlighting how this simple, hands-on program supports both Huntsville babies and their worried families.
   

3. First Christmas Without Kal: Huntsville family finds comfort in community support (waff.com) — A Huntsville family is facing their first Christmas without 13-year-old Kal Fox, who was killed while riding his bike near Bailey Cove Road and Green Mountain Road. Neighbors and strangers have built a growing memorial at the crash site, bringing his father comfort as the family travels to snowy Colorado to honor Kal’s love of winter and plan permanent memorials.
   

4. Family of missing man says they are desperate for answers (whnt.com) — Huntsville police and family members are searching for 46-year-old Robert Miller, who was officially reported missing in early December after last being heard from in June. Relatives have come to Huntsville from Ohio to post flyers and check homeless outreach locations, and investigators say he may be part of the unsheltered community. Anyone with information is urged to contact HPD or his sister directly.
   

5. Pre-filed bill would change the appearance of driver's license for those with invisible medical conditions (waff.com) — Reporting from Huntsville, a state lawmaker is proposing an optional symbol on Alabama driver’s licenses and IDs to indicate certain invisible medical conditions like autism, brain injuries, or hearing loss. Supporters say it could help law enforcement and others better understand unusual responses during stressful encounters. The bill will be considered in the 2026 legislative session and details of the symbol are still being worked out.
   

📸 Around Huntsville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Huntsville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 27

• Yappy Hour Infodump Party
  Madison Public Library , 142 Plaza Blvd , Madison
  1:00 pm
• The Zooks @ The Fraternal Order of Eagles - Huntsville
  Fraternal Order of Eagles #3263 , 2500 10th St SW , Huntsville
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
  Stovehouse Event Center , 3414 Governors Dr SW , Huntsville
  6:45 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Year's Eve Party!
  Madison Public Library , 142 Plaza Blvd , Madison
  10:30 am

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Huntsville
  Cinemark Bridge Street and XD , 370 The Brg St NW , Huntsville
  11:00 am

Sunday January 4

• Winter Open House & Enrollment
  The Dance Factor , 2404 Hwy 72 E , Huntsville
  2:00 pm

Monday January 5

• 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

📣 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

Tuesday December 23

• Shadracks Christmas Wonderland - Madison
  Toyota Field , 500 Trash Panda Wy , Madison
  5:59 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Chamber Closed for Christmas
  Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce , 515 6th Ave NE , Decatur

Thursday December 25

• City of Madison Closed Christmas Day
  City of Madison Calendar Madison, AL 35758
• Christmas Day
  Hartselle Area Chamber , 110 Railroad St SW , Hartselle

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Edit: #reunited
  Sweet white poodle found -broke free on Atherton. Wearing an invisible fence collar but no ID tag. I have the her -she is safe and not hurt at all… (Nextdoor Lake Forest)
• Has anyone seen Hoodie?
  She is very missed and missing from Marks Drive/Drake/Archer Park Please let me know if you have her or have seen her (Nextdoor Triana Village)

• What began as concern for an injured coworker turned into a holiday prank when Mark Mancini faked a trip to the ER, only to later ring a bell and... (X: TeamRedstone)
• We were able to show-off our brand-new basketball court for the @AlabamaMBB and @KSUOWLSMBB #RocketCityClassic presented by Akima in the #VBChsv... (X: VonBraunCenter)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Janitorial Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr in Huntsville. Apply here.
• International Paper posted a job opening for Forklift driver / Material Handler 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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