🌱 Patch AM: Why a Whitesburg Middle basketball game ended in a forfeit

Good morning to you Huntsville! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a Whitesburg Middle basketball game ended in a forfeit
• How Huntsville’s Angel Tree shattered records—and why help is still needed
• Which Huntsville student is heading to D.C. as a Capitol Scholar?

Also on today's calendar: The Nutcracker presented by Huntsville Ballet Company & Accompanied by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Sunny, breezy and much colder, with a high of 32 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 42, low: 25.
• Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 54 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Huntsville City Schools releases statement on ‘incident' at Whitesburg Middle School basketball game (whnt.com) — Huntsville City Schools says it is reviewing an incident that happened in the parking lot at Cullman Middle after a basketball game involving Huntsville’s Whitesburg Middle School. Out of caution, Whitesburg chose not to finish the game and forfeited, while the situation is now in law enforcement’s hands and the district emphasizes student and family safety.
   

2. Salvation Army in Huntsville is having a record-breaking Christmas this year (waff.com) — Families across Huntsville are seeing a record-breaking year for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, with every angel adopted and hundreds more children served than last year. A packed warehouse at Parkway Place Mall means more local kids will have gifts, but organizers still need volunteers and donations before distribution day to make sure everything reaches families smoothly.
   

3. University of Alabama System announces 2026 class of Capitol Scholars (alreporter.com) — A Huntsville UAH sophomore, LoriElle Hutchinson, has been chosen for the UA System’s 2026 Capitol Scholars program, earning a summer policy internship in Washington, D.C. She’ll join 17 other UA, UAB, and UAH students gaining hands-on experience in congressional and government affairs offices while building skills and connections for public service careers.
   

4. UAH professor awarded $1.2M grant to study ‘forever chemicals' (whnt.com) — A Huntsville-based engineering professor at UAH has secured a $1.2 million NSF grant to develop better ways to remove and break down harmful “forever chemicals” in water. The multi-state project, running through 2029, aims to transform PFAS into harmless materials while exploring how to recover and reuse energy and resources in the process.
   

5. Bulldogs Defeat Arkansas Baptist (waff.com) — Alabama A&M’s men’s basketball team notched a 67-59 home win over Arkansas Baptist at the AAMU Event Center in Huntsville, led by Sam Pissis’ 20 points. The Bulldogs stay in town Monday night, hosting North Alabama at 7 p.m., giving local fans another chance to catch them in action.
   

📸 Around Huntsville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Huntsville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 13

• The Nutcracker presented by Huntsville Ballet Company & Accompanied by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
  Mark C. Smith Concert Hall , 700 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
  7:03 pm

Sunday December 14

• The Nutcracker performed by Huntsville Ballet Company with Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
  Mark C. Smith Concert Hall , 700 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
  1:00 pm
• Winter Spice Tea Social
  4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW , Huntsville
  2:00 pm
• Jane Austen Birthday Tea with Musical Guest John Onder
  South Huntsville Public Library , 7901-L Bailey Cove Rd SE , Huntsville
  2:30 pm
• Holiday Concert with the Huntsville Concert Band
  Madison Public Library , 142 Plaza Blvd , Madison
  3:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Teen Writers Hangout
  South Huntsville Public Library , 7901-L Bailey Cove Rd SE , Huntsville
  4:00 pm
• District 4 Public Office Hours with Council Member Bill Kling
  City of Huntsville , 915 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Jane Austen: Tea & Trivia
  Huntsville-Madison County Public Library , 915 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
  12:30 pm
• 2025 Huntsville: ASmartPlace College Career Fair
  Huntsville Madison County Chamber The Atrium at Redstone Federal Credit Union
  2:00 pm
• A Very Merry Movie Night
  South Huntsville Public Library , 7901-L Bailey Cove Rd SE , Huntsville
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• City Council Meeting
  City Council Chamber , 305 Fountain Circle , Huntsville
  5:30 pm

📣 Huntsville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• Huntsville Anime-Fest 2025
  Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville , 800 Monroe St SW , Huntsville
  9:00 am
• Christkindlmarket Huntsville
  The Orion Amphitheater , 701 Amphitheater Dr NW , Huntsville
  11:00 am
• Legendary Christmas Drag Brunch Spectacular
  Straight to Ale , 2610 Clinton Ave W , Huntsville
  11:30 am
• Open Improv Jam
  Shenanigans Comedy Theatre , 2650 Leeman Ferry Rd SW suite a , Huntsville
  3:00 pm

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

• Good morning.
  Someone has lost a cute little dog. It is in my backyard. It is between Belle Meade Drive and Belle Mead Circle. (Nextdoor Lee High)
• Missing, Belle Meade Circle area, please let me know if seen.
  We recently moved here so she is unfamiliar with area. She is 10 years old and very shy. Thanks (Nextdoor Lee High)

• Federal, state and local leaders gathered Friday to unveil the future site of. Space Command’s headquarters. The command’s transition office is... (X: TeamRedstone)
• ⭐️𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗧⭐️ HPD Officers put their safety on the line to protect our community every day, and Officer Miller recently demonstrated what true... (X: HSVPolice)

• Food City posted a job opening for Day Stocker in Huntsville. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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