Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will South Tucson’s new fire-EMS deal change your emergency response?
Also, don't miss Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Tucson Patch calendar
Greetings Tucson! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will South Tucson’s new fire-EMS deal change your emergency response?
- What Tucson’s new middle housing rules could mean for your block
- How a Tucson town hall just delivered $50,000 for homelessness work
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 76 and low of 51 degrees.
- Friday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 83, low: 53.
- Saturday: Very warm, with a high of 82 and low of 52 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. South Tucson announces partnership with Rural Metro (kold.com) — South Tucson is overhauling how fire and EMS services are staffed by partnering with Rural Metro Fire and EMS, while keeping the South Tucson Fire Department name and city control. The new arrangement, which aims to improve service and stabilize costs, starts February 1, 2026, pending related funding agreements with Pima County. Tucson-area residents should expect uninterrupted emergency response throughout the transition. 
2. Middle housing proposal brings affordable options to Tucson (kvoa.com) — Tucson leaders have approved a citywide “middle housing” plan that will soon let many property owners add duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage courts on most residential lots. Aimed at boosting affordable options for Tucson residents, the policy excludes South Tucson, Davis-Monthan, county land, and rural zones, and takes effect January 1, 2026.
3. Butierez hosts homelessness town hall (kvoa.com) — New funding is headed to two Tucson-based groups working with people experiencing homelessness, after former congressional candidate Daniel Butierez hosted a community town hall in Pima County. Each organization will receive $25,000 from an outside donor, given in memory of Butierez’s late sister, as residents and advocates discussed practical ways to address homelessness locally and stay engaged.
4. ‘A Great Destination': The Fox Tucson Theatre celebrates New Year's Eve (tucsonweekly.com) — If you’re planning New Year’s Eve in Tucson, the Fox Tucson Theatre is marking 20 years since its reopening with an 8 p.m. Bruce Hornsby concert and late-night party downtown. The celebration also highlights the theatre’s march toward its 100th anniversary and an ambitious expansion that aims to boost arts, education, and nightlife on Stone and Congress.
5. Southern Arizona fire departments use new technology to detect hazardous gases (kgun9.com) — Tucson Fire crews are rolling out a new GX6100 gas monitor during regional hazmat training to better detect dangerous gases and protect residents. Multiple southern Arizona departments gathered at Avra Valley Fire Station for Tucson-led drills, practicing how to use the device on real calls. Officials say the annual December training helps ensure a fast, coordinated response when rare but serious hazmat incidents occur.
📸 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!
- Visit the Bookmobile at Ghost Ranch Lodge
Ghost Ranch Lodge , 801 W Miracle Mile , Tucson
10:00 am - Silly Sock Puppet Studio
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
3:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church , 2331 E Adams St , Tucson
8:45 pm - Tucson Terror & Oddities Krampus Holiday Market
The Coalition Space , 311 E 7th St , Tucson
10:00 am - Movie: The Shop Around the Corner
Flowing Wells Library , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
1:00 pm - Garden Talk: 10 Steps to Healthier and More Productive Citrus Trees
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
1:30 pm - Homework Help
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
4:00 pm - Toddler Storytime
Flowing Wells Library , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
10:15 am - Preschool Storytime
Flowing Wells Library , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
11:15 am - Read to a Dog
Flowing Wells Library , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
2:30 pm - Arizona National Livestock Show
Arizona State Fair , 1826 W McDowell Rd , Phoenix
8:00 am
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Saturday December 27
📣 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
- Craft Table
Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library , 1607 South Sixth Avenue , Tucson
9:00 am - Mobile Farmer's Market - Mercado Móvil
Quincie Douglas Branch Library , 1585 East 36th Street , Tucson
10:00 am - El Rio Outreach Walk-In Clinic
Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
12:30 pm - Visit the Bookbike at Caridad Kitchen
Caridad Kitchen , 845 N. Main Ave , Tucson
2:00 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.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tucson PatchAM possible:
- Sunrise Roofers LLC — (520) 668-6638
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- What a beautiful day.
We have such blue sky's in Tucson. Isn't it awesome to wake up to so many beautiful day's. Say hi to a neighbor or better yet smile at a stranger… (Nextdoor Tucson Estates) - Attendance requested at the services for a veteran with no relatives.
2LT Darrell Lee Arelt passed away in Nov 2025. He was a Vietnam veteran. Services will be: Dec 23, 2025 1200hrs Arizona National Cemetery Marana… (Nextdoor Vista Del Rio)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Tucson. Apply here.
- Leisure Care, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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