🌱 Patch AM: Could this lawsuit reopen Big Creek Lake to Mobile residents?

Good day Mobile! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could this lawsuit reopen Big Creek Lake to Mobile residents?
• How a Mobile-born boy found freedom on a distant stage
• Why so many Mobilians drove to Mississippi for Christmas Eve Powerball

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Fog will lift in the morning, with a high of 69 and low of 57 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 58.
• Saturday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 75 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Big Creek Lake's public access debated as residents sue over vacated road decision (utv44.com) — Public access to Big Creek Lake is on the line as two Mobile County residents sue the county and MAWSS, arguing a key stretch of Howell’s Ferry Road was improperly vacated. Their case challenges the closure of the only public boat launch and could determine who controls access to this important local waterway and drinking water source.
   

2. Tom Luna: 'Infected by the Key West virus' (keysnews.com) — A creative southerner with deep roots in Mobile, Tom Luna was born here in 1952 before discovering his passion for ballet, music, and theater. Growing up in what he describes as a conservative, “don’t ask, don’t tell” environment, he found freedom one summer working in an open, artistic community in Cherokee, North Carolina, an experience that reshaped his sense of belonging.
   

3. Mobilians flock to Mississippi in hopes of Christmas Eve Powerball magic (fox10tv.com) — Many Mobile residents spent Christmas Eve crossing into Moss Point, Mississippi to buy Powerball tickets, chasing one of the richest jackpots in U.S. history. Locals talked about paying bills, helping others, and even funding scholarships at the University of South Alabama, while also highlighting how much lottery money leaves Alabama for neighboring states.
   

4. Instead of gifts, local 9-year-old asks Santa to help other kids (fox10tv.com) — A nine-year-old girl in Mobile turned her Christmas wish list into a mission to help other children feel safe and loved. Instead of asking for toys, she used a Santa-gifted card to buy more than $400 in presents for kids in need, then donated to charities and delivered gifts to Saraland police and local fire stations.
   

5. The national drayage spot market index has increased by 4.8% YOY (ajot.com) — Mobile’s port is set for a major capacity boost, with APM Terminals and the Port of Mobile planning a third berth after harbor deepening that could increase throughput by 50 percent. The piece places this upgrade in the context of national drayage rates, shifting container volumes, and infrastructure changes at other U.S. ports.
   

📸 Around Mobile

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• CITY HOLIDAY: Christmas Day
  Daphne, AL Calendar Daphne, AL 36526
  8:00 am

Friday December 26

• Manuel Gutierrez
  Don Carlos Méxican Restaurant , 29669 AL-181 , Daphne
  6:00 pm
• Brandon Styles MAGIC SHOW
  Brandon Styles Theater , 1501 South OWA Blvd. , Foley
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Comedy, Magic & Impressions! Brandon Styles VARIETY SHOW
  Brandon Styles Theater , 1501 South OWA Blvd. , Foley
  7:00 pm
• TxneWorld Fest 2025
  Dauphin Street Sound , 651 Dauphin St , Mobile
  7:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Chess Club at Saraland
  Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Mrs. Tori Tales
  Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
  3:30 pm
• Grand Holiday Stroll 2025
  Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection , One Grand Blvd , Point Clear
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Library closes early at 4:30
  Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort
• Tales & Tunes with Mrs. Tori
  Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
  10:30 am
• New Year’s Eve, 5pm — Pearl
  Pearl , 334 Fairhope Ave , Fairhope
  5:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Library closed
  Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort

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 Mobile PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Bryant Bank — (205) 710-6100
  Bryant Bank Breaks Ground on New Mobile Office

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• This pup is hanging out in our neighborhood, Gold Drive off Three Notch Road .
  He has a collar but no info on it. He’s friendly but a little shy. Hopefully his owner can come pick him up. We don’t want anything to happen to him! (Nextdoor Devonshire)
• Here are the two most important things I’ve discovered while preparing for my own future retirement: Life feels long until you realize it is not.
  Even though people who reach 70 today have an expected lifespan closer to 85, the truth is that time becomes more precious as we age. I’ve learned to… (Nextdoor Regency)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Mobile. Apply here.
• Alabama Staffing posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Mobile. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mobile here.

Ok Mobile! 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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