Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Phoenix’s new park medical rules could change care for homeless
Be sure to catch International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20 on the Phoenix…
What's up Phoenix! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Phoenix’s new park medical rules could change care for homeless
- What investigators say happened in this deadly downtown Phoenix crosswalk crash
- How big could TSMC’s north Phoenix expansion get near your neighborhood?
Also on today's calendar: International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20 and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Phoenixfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 49 degrees.
- Friday: Sunny, nice and warm, temps: high: 79, low: 52.
- Saturday: Sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 78 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Phoenix City Council considers ban on medical treatment in parks without permits (abc15.com) — Phoenix residents who use city parks should know the City Council has approved an ordinance requiring permits for most medical treatment in parks, including mobile clinics and needle exchanges. Supporters say it will reduce needles and drug activity around families, while healthcare groups warn it could limit lifesaving care for people experiencing homelessness before it takes effect in March 2026. 
2. Pedestrian dies after getting hit by car in downtown Phoenix (ktar.com) — An 84-year-old man died after being struck by a car while using a marked crosswalk near Seventh Avenue and Fillmore Street in downtown Phoenix Tuesday night. Phoenix police say the driver, who stayed at the scene and is not believed to be impaired, is cooperating as investigators continue examining the fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision.
3. Neighbors raise pollution, traffic concerns over TSMC expansion plan (azfamily.com) — Neighbors in north Phoenix’s Stetson Valley are pushing back against a major TSMC expansion that would add thousands of homes, shops, and trails near Loop 303 and I-17. Residents worry about potential chemical exposure, heavier traffic on 51st Avenue, and what they see as limited transparency, while developers say they’ve adjusted plans after community meetings and submitted a rezoning request to the Phoenix City Council.
4. Arizona lotto players rush to buy Powerball tickets as jackpot reaches $1.25B (azfamily.com) — Phoenix-area convenience stores saw heavy crowds Wednesday as residents snapped up Powerball tickets ahead of a $1.25 billion drawing, with sales so high jackpot displays maxed out at $999 million. Locals shared dreams ranging from paying medical bills to disappearing to Puerto Rico, while many first-time or infrequent players said the huge pre-Christmas prize was too tempting to ignore.
5. Gas prices in Arizona drops ahead of Christmas (fox10phoenix.com) — Phoenix drivers are seeing some relief at the pump, with a few Valley stations dropping below $2.70 a gallon and at least one Central Phoenix station offering gas at $2.89. While the citywide average sits around $3.24, experts say strong refinery output is delivering the lowest prices since 2021, just in time for holiday travel.
📸 Around Phoenix
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Phoenix
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E Monroe St, Phoenix
6:00 pm
Sunday January 4
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Phillips Law Group Santa Party and Dashcam Giveaway
Phillips Law Group - Injury Lawyers , 3101 N Central Ave , Phoenix
11:00 am - Networking Event for Behavioral Health Professionals
Optima Camelview Village , 7147 E Rancho Vista Dr , Scottsdale
11:00 am - Ballet Arizona's "The Nutcracker"
Symphony Hall , 75 N 2nd St , Phoenix
7:00 pm - Ballet Arizona's "The Nutcracker"
Symphony Hall , 75 N 2nd St , Phoenix
7:30 pm - College Football Saturdaze
The Pemberton, 1121 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004
9:30 am - Tipsy Scoop Phoenix Grand Opening
Tipsy Scoop , 355 N Central Ave , Phoenix
12:00 pm - Ballet Arizona's "The Nutcracker"
Symphony Hall , 75 N 2nd St , Phoenix
3:00 pm - Ballet Arizona's "The Nutcracker"
Symphony Hall , 75 N 2nd St , Phoenix
1:00 pm - Katherine Blanford
Stand Up Live , 50 W Jefferson St , Phoenix
7:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Saturday December 27
📣 Phoenix 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
- Using Windows 11
Sun City Branch at Library
10:00 am - E-Resource Help-Ancestry
Fairway Branch at Reading Area
10:00 am - Cozy Crafters - Knit, Crochet, and Crafting
El Mirage Branch at Program Room
12:00 pm - Fiction and More Book Club
Sun City Branch at Program Room
1:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Tempe Diablos Urge Nonprofits to Apply for Annual Grants Before December 31 Deadline —Chris Fahrendorf Read on Patch
- Sun City Veteran Honored by VFW for Helping Afghans Interpreters Reach Safety, Rebuild Lives —Michelle Cheesman Read on Patch
- Fiesta Sports Foundation Unveils Resource Room at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley in Apache Junction —Justin Liggin Read on Patch
- Downtown Chandler BBQ Festival Fires Up March 7 and 8 —Christina Caldwell Read on Patch
- Workshop Pilates to Make East Valley Debut with New Studio at Northside at SanTan Village —Christina Caldwell Read on Patch
- If you take the I 17 south to get home, there was a really bad accident!!!
it happened just south of Camelback on ramp. The freeway is at a standstill. Get off before Peoria and take 43rd or 7th Avenue. (Nextdoor Ocotillo Glen) - THANK YOU, IMA JEAN DOLAN you are forever in my heart!
As u can see the Dolan's Truck is decked out for christmas. They do this every year! They drive around to cheer up people & to wish all a MERRY… (Nextdoor Cactus Wren)
- Greystar Worldwide, LLC posted a job opening for Porter - The Stewart in Phoenix. Apply here.
- Burlington posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Phoenix. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Phoenix here.
Ok Phoenix! 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 haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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