Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Tucson families are safely lighting up their New Year
Also check out Arizona National Livestock Show on the Tucson Patch calendar
Hi there, Tucson! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Tucson families are safely lighting up their New Year
- How will the 22nd Street Bridge closure change your daily drive?
- How I-10 and I-19 construction will reshape your Tucson commute
Also on today's calendar: Arizona National Livestock Show and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Mainly cloudy and not as warm, with a high of 65 and low of 46 degrees.
- Sunday: Rather cloudy, temps: high: 62, low: 41.
- Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 65 and low of 45 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Tucson families preparing for New Year's celebrations (kold.com) — Tucson families are already stocking up on legal fireworks at Red Hot Fireworks stands around town as they get ready to ring in the New Year. Operators explain which types are allowed under Arizona law and share simple safety tips, from keeping water nearby to choosing wide-open outdoor spaces. The tents are open daily through January 1 or until supplies run out. 
2. Long-awaited 22nd Street Bridge project set to begin construction early next year (kgun9.com) — Tucson’s aging 22nd Street Bridge will fully close early next year as the city demolishes and rebuilds the span over the Union Pacific tracks, removing current weight limits that affect buses and ambulances. The new design adds wider, protected bike and pedestrian space, shaped by community feedback. Neighbors can learn more at a Jan. 14 public open house at Randolph Recreation Gym.
3. ADOT's Interstate 10 widening between Kino & Country Club to continue in 2026 (tucsonsentinel.com) — Drivers on Tucson’s South Side and North Side should expect years more work as ADOT continues widening I-10, overhauling the Palo Verde and Kino interchanges, and tying in a new Sunset Road connection. Additional projects include rebuilding the Irvington Road interchange on I-19 and ongoing bridge rehab near Benson, all aimed at easing congestion and improving safety for Tucson-area commuters.
4. New body camera footage released from Tucson officer-involved shooting (kvoa.com) — Newly released body camera video shows Tucson police exchanging gunfire in October with a suspect linked to a shooting on Old Spanish Trail and an armed robbery at a Walmart on East Broadway. The suspect, who survived with non-life-threatening injuries, now faces multiple felony charges and is scheduled for a court appearance on Dec. 31.
📸 Around Tucson
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 Tucson
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Arizona National Livestock Show
Arizona State Fair, 1826 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix
8:00 am
Saturday December 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Homework Help
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
4:00 pm - Toddler Storytime
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
10:15 am - Preschool Storytime
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
11:15 am - Read to a Dog
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
2:30 pm - Kindness Rock Painting
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
2:30 pm - GED One-on-One Help
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
3:00 pm - It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
10:30 am - GED One-on-One Help
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
3:00 pm - Mainly Murals Walking Tour-Jan 3rd
Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón Museum , 196 N Court Ave , Tucson
10:00 am - Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings
La Rosa , 800 N Country Club Rd , Tucson
8:30 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
Friday January 9
📣 Tucson 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
- Drop-in 3D Print
Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library , 8959 East Tanque Verde Road , Tucson
12:00 pm - Cozy Crafters
Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library , 8959 East Tanque Verde Road , Tucson
2:00 pm - Craft Table
Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library , 1607 South Sixth Avenue , Tucson
9:00 am - Behavioral Health Outreach Walk-In Clinic (El Rio)
Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
10:00 am
Saturday December 27
Monday December 29
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 Tucson PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Junk King Tucson — (520) 549-5865
The Greenest, Cleanest Junk Removal in the Desert! - Sunrise Roofers LLC — (520) 668-6638
Roofing Contractor in Tucson, Arizona.
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
- My mom was in a very bad car accident this Christmas evening.
I want to thank a young couple for stopping to help my mom and make sure she was safe til I could get to her. They were so kind and special to stop… (Nextdoor Highland Trails) - I want to thank all my clients who helped me save animals by using my pet sitting company this year.
Desert Care By Lynn Llc. I donate 80% of my income to decompression, training and medical needs of dogs I pull from PACC that are about to be… (Nextdoor Kolb and Sunrise Drive)
- The Pima County Sheriff's Department is asking the public to help locate a stolen vehicle and person of interest linked to a double shooting at the... (X: KVOA)
- Man opens fire at Tucson-area Goodwill store, wounding 2 workers... (X: azcentral)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Tucson. Apply here.
- USA Jobs posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Tucson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tucson here.
Ok Tucson! 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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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