Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Mobile’s new mayor joined a Hanukkah celebration this week

Coming up on the Mobile Patch calendar: Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons

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Wednesday December 17th Patch AM
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Hello Mobile! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Mobile’s new mayor joined a Hanukkah celebration this week
  • Will Mobile’s new animal shelter really feature a giant hydrant?
  • Why Mobile is sending a $2,200 bill over a demolished home

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Find out what's happening in Mobilefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Mobile? Post it to Mobile photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Mobilefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 61 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy, a shower and t-storm, temps: high: 69, low: 48.
  • Friday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Chabad of Mobile lights menorah of donated food for 1st night of Hanukkah (gulfcoastnewstoday.com) — Chabad of Mobile marked the first night of Hanukkah with a canned-food menorah in Fairhope and a separate celebration in Mobile featuring the city’s newly elected mayor, Spiro Cheriogotis. Donated food will go to Feeding the Gulf Coast, while Rabbi Yosef Goldwasser urged the community to spread light in response to global violence.
   

2. Mobile mayor toys with animal shelter design that includes giant fire hydrant (fox10tv.com) — Mobile’s mayor says the new city animal shelter is halfway through design and could start construction next year, with a $10 million renovation budget and a possible giant fire-hydrant feature. The project, expected to roughly double capacity, replaces the inadequate Virginia Street facility using a former TV studio site off I-65.
   

3. Mobile to bill owner for cost of demolishing home set ablaze by attack on rapper's grandparents (fox10tv.com) — Mobile’s City Council has voted to bill a property owner $2,200 for city work demolishing and cleaning up a burned home in the Happy Hill neighborhood, tied to a 2021 attack that killed a local rapper’s grandparents. Officials say the owner removed some debris without a permit but left the slab, forcing the city to finish demolition and site grading.
   

4. Mobile's 2025 tourism report reveals growth, city leaders plan for more (wkrg.com) — Mobile leaders say a $200,000 Expedia campaign helped generate $2.6 million in hotel revenue and more than 15,000 room bookings, and they’re already planning how to build on that momentum. With a new airport, full-time cruise ship, arena, and major exhibit coming, plus new Amtrak Mardi Gras service, they’re betting tourism will play an even bigger role in Mobile’s economy.
   

5. BREAKING: Mobile's Public Safety Director Resigns, Chief Barber Promoted (wkrg.com) — Mobile’s top public safety leadership is shifting, with longtime Police Chief James Barber promoted to Public Safety Director and Assistant Chief Lawrence Battiste elevated to Mobile police chief. Mayor Sandy Stimpson praised outgoing director Rich Landolt’s service and urged quick City Council approval to keep public safety operations running smoothly for residents.
   

📸 Around Mobile

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Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Mobile PatchAM possible:

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • CHRISTMAS DISPLAY UPDATE!!!!
    Glad to let y’all know that since it’s a beautiful day and the winds are calm we will have the Christmas Display up and running tonight. Will turn it… (Nextdoor Johnson Road W)
  • Today while Anna’s Creations Pet Food Pantry Plus was out handing out emergency pet food and supplies we also offered a small Christmas present to those in need.
    All week my husband and I have been baking Christmas cookies. I hope this will help brighten someone day. Share kindness. Merry Christmas to all of… (Nextdoor Cypress Ridge)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Mobile. Apply here.
  • BWC Terminals posted a job opening for Terminal Operator 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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