🌱 Patch AM: Why is Mayor Welch stepping away after two successful terms?

Greetings Mountain Brook! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why is Mayor Welch stepping away after two successful terms?
• Which Mountain Brook runners made Birmingham’s elite cross-country Super 7 list?
• How did Mountain Brook firefighters help after deadly Texas flooding?

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 52 and low of 34 degrees.
• Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 58, low: 46.
• Friday: A touch of afternoon rain, with a high of 59 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Best Stories of 2025: "Mayor Welch reflects on journey to success" (villagelivingonline.com) — Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch is wrapping up nine years in office, highlighting a strong city staff culture, a new fire station, and development of the Alabama Veterans Memorial site into a park. He explains why he chose not to seek a third term, reflects on his path from finance to public service, and outlines his push for quieter, cleaner battery-powered landscaping before leaving office.
   

• Alabama high school cross country: Birmingham's top 7 runners of 2025 (al.com) — Mountain Brook runners Braden Little and Francesca DeMarco earned spots among Birmingham’s top high school cross-country performers for 2025, with strong showings at the Class 6A state meet. Fellow Spartan Ann Gibson Hamilton also made the Super 7 list. Local readers can see how Mountain Brook stacks up against rival programs like Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Hewitt-Trussville and Briarwood Christian.
   

• 2025: North Alabamians who inspired us this year (hartselleenquirer.com) — Mountain Brook firefighters were part of an Alabama Task Force 2 team that searched Texas flood debris for survivors, one of several inspiring north Alabama efforts highlighted this year. The story also profiles volunteers feeding flood victims, a pioneering World War II veteran, and local programs helping kids, moms, and people in recovery. It’s a broad look at neighbors quietly making a difference.
   

📸 Around Mountain Brook

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Mountain Brook 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

Wednesday December 31

• City Hall Closed - New Year's Eve
  City of Irondale , 101 20th St S , Irondale
  7:00 am
• Zumba Gold
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
  10:45 am
• Public Skate Session
  Pelham, AL Calendar
  11:45 am
• Yoga
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
  12:00 pm
• Silver Sneakers
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 2020 Pelham Park Boulevard , Pelham
  1:00 pm
• On Wednesdays We WINE for half-off!
  Hoover Chamber of Commerce , 5426 Hwy 280 Suite 6 , Hoover
  3:00 pm
• Bootcamp
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 2020 Pelham Park Boulevard , Pelham
  5:30 pm
• In-Trinity Warrior
  Pelham, AL Calendar Pelham, AL 35124
  5:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• City Holiday - New Year's Day - City Offices Closed
  Leeds, AL Calendar
• OFFICES CLOSED FOR New Year's Day
  Chelsea, AL Calendar , 11611 Chelsea Rd PO Box 111 , Chelsea
  8:00 am
• Movie Madness
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 50 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
  1:00 pm

Friday January 2

• Women's Frosty Doubles league
  Pelham, AL Calendar , 100 Racquet Club Parkway , Pelham
  10:00 am

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 Mountain Brook PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

🗞 Nearby News

Vestavia Hills

• St. Louis pro pickleball team to partner with The Picklr in Vestavia, Huntsville (vestaviavoice.com)
• Meet the candidates running for Alabama state auditor in 2026 (alreporter.com)
• Judge denies bond for Vestavia Hills man accused of kidnapping, raping woman on Halloween (wbrc.com)

Homewood

• 10+ ways to ring in the new year around Alabama (thebamabuzz.com)
• Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Birmingham Awards; JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH Leads Best Musical! (broadwayworld.com)

Ok Mountain Brook! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook