🌱 Patch AM: Could Mobile finally ditch its costly Government Plaza lease?

Hello again Mobile! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Could Mobile finally ditch its costly Government Plaza lease?
• How a fake lawyer’s schemes led to 93 months in prison
• How Prichard’s transit comeback could change getting around Mobile County

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly cloudy and less humid, with a high of 70 and low of 50 degrees.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and warm, temps: high: 75, low: 54.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ‘Untangle this mess': Mobile's City Hall lease may be one of a kind in the U.S. (al.com) — Mobile’s long-running lease of Government Plaza is under fresh scrutiny as county officials seek a steep rent increase and city leaders debate whether to keep core services downtown or move west. With comparisons to Anchorage and pressure to replace aging public safety facilities, the city is weighing whether owning its own buildings would better protect taxpayers and modernize services.
   

2. U.S. Attorney: Daphne woman sentenced for wire fraud, mail fraud, other charges. (fox10tv.com) — Federal prosecutors in Mobile announced a 93-month prison sentence for a Daphne woman who admitted to multiple fraud schemes, including faking legal credentials and forging documents. The case, handled in the Southern District of Alabama, also imposes supervised release, restitution, and halfway house time once she leaves prison.
   

3. Prichard's Mayor advocates for return of mass transit for city (fox10tv.com) — Prichard’s mayor says the city will join a new micro-transit program being rolled out in Mobile and is working with the City of Mobile to fix 311 calls that get misrouted. She’s also pursuing better communication, surplus vehicles, modernized records, and a possible technology center to improve everyday services for north Mobile County residents.
   

4. Traffic stop ends in deadly crash in Midtown Mobile (fox10tv.com) — A driver died and a passenger was hospitalized after a Mobile police traffic stop turned into a brief chase and crash on South Fulton Street in Midtown Mobile Saturday night. Officers say the pursuit began on Government Street and ended when the car hit a tree in a front yard. Investigators are still determining why the stop was initiated and what led to the wreck.
   

5. Iconic '80s rockstar, 72, announces first U.S. tour dates for 2026 (silive.com) — Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will kick off their 2026 U.S. tour at Mobile’s Saenger Theatre on January 26, giving local fans the first chance to see their new run of shows. The six-date tour focuses on the Southeast, and tickets are available now through Benatar’s official website.
   

📸 Around Mobile

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 22

• OWA's Breakfast with Santa
  Downtown OWA Location:
  9:00 am
• Chess Club at Saraland
  Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
  4:00 pm
• Environmental Advisory
  Daphne, AL Calendar , 1705 Main Street , Daphne
  4:00 pm
• Daphne Public School Commission
  1705 Main St , Daphne
  11:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Library closes early at 4:30
  Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort
• Tuesday Time Out Storytime
  Grand Bay Library - Mobile Public Library , 10329 Freeland Ave , Grand Bay
  11:00 am
• Eastern Shore Republican Women Evening Meeting at The Original Oyster House
  Original Oyster House , 3733 Battleship Pkwy. , Spanish Fort
  5:00 pm
• Comedy, Magic & Impressions! Brandon Styles VARIETY SHOW
  Brandon Styles Theater , 1501 South OWA Blvd. , Foley
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Library closed
  Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort
• CITY HOLIDAY: Christmas Eve
  Daphne, AL Calendar Daphne, AL 36526
  8:00 am
• Potluck Lunch
  Loxley Civic Center , 4198 Municipal Park Dr , Loxley
  12:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Lin Wise Memories Show
  Bill-es Small Batch Bacon Restaurant , 19992 Al- 181 Suite A , Fairhope

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:

• Bryant Bank — (205) 710-6100
  Bryant Bank Breaks Ground on New Mobile Office

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update!!!
  Owner found Husky found on wedgewood dr in semmes Alabama. Has collar(no tag), tracker(can’t access), no chip, and a rabies tag from North Carolina. (Nextdoor Smithfield - Brentwood)
• Who wants a beautiful whittle kitten??!!
  We have two orange/white, and two black/gray. 7 to 8 wks old. (Nextdoor Champion Hills)

• MOBILE Dec 20 Climate: High: 72 Low: 35 Precip:" Snow: Missing... (X: iembot_mob)
• Minor Crash on I-10 EB @ MP at Exit 15A B/Government Blvd. in Mobile. Expect minor delays More details:... (X: algo_mob)

• Walgreens posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Mobile. Apply here.
• Signet Jewelers, Ltd. posted a job opening for Apprentice Jeweler - Signet Jewelers - McGowin Park - Mobile, AL 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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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