🌱 Network Maintenance + Coldest Christmas In Years + Opioid Crisis

Good morning, everybody! I'm here with your Wednesday edition of the Dunedin Daily, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. In this issue, you'll get updates on...

• Dunedin Highland Middle School English teacher honored
• What to expect with the city's fiber network maintenance
• Pinellas County to experience coldest Christmas in 27 years

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 67 Low: 60.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Looking for original, unique artwork created by local Dunedin artists? Stirling Art Studios & Gallery is home to 12 professional artists honing their craft, while providing original artwork that appeals to collectors, interior designers, and homeowners alike. Located at 730 Broadway in the heart of Downtown Dunedin, their mission is to promote the arts to our community. Visit them here to learn more, or stop by Thursday-Sunday from 11-3 to view them at work and learn about the creative process.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. The City of Dunedin has announced that upcoming fiber network maintenance will cause temporary outages. On Dec, 22, fiber cabling will be connected to the new City Hall building. To do this properly, network access, internet, and city phones will be shut down in several city buildings. This maintenance will not impact any city events, programs, or public internet access. However, you may not be able to make payments by credit card at city buildings throughout the day, so bring cash or a check if you plan to register for any programs or register online. (Dunedin Patch)
2. Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area are expected to experience the coldest Christmas in 27 years! Temperatures will drop Friday afternoon and evening and are expected to fall to the mid-30s on Saturday morning. The last time temperatures dropped this low, it was measured at 36 degrees in January 2018. Tampa Bay hasn't experienced temperatures this low on Christmas Day since 1995 when it was around 43 degrees. (Bay News 9)
3. Pinellas County is one of 13 counties in Florida chosen for a new program to help tackle the opioid crisis and prevent overdose deaths. Coordinated Opioid Recovery Network, or CORE, encourages healthcare workers, community partners, treatment centers, and local and state agencies to work together and treat patients beyond an overdose. The program addresses food insecurity, housing, stable employment, and mental health needs. It also provides peer counselors to help and support patients through the treatment process. According to FOX 13, overdose deaths have increased by 46% in Pinellas County over the past three years. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and needs help, contact a local addiction treatment center like Operation PAR in Pinellas or 988 to get started. (FOX 13 Tampa)

Patch deals of the day:

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(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Judi Kiefer, for sharing this awesome photo from Marker 8!

Want to see your Dunedin photo here? Submit it to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo and that Patch has permission to republish it.

Today in Dunedin:

• Kaleidoscope Exhibit at the Studio 1212 Art Gallery (11 a.m.)
• Cold Process Soap Making Workshop at Jade Soap Shop (6 p.m.)
• Dunedin Give Back Packing Event at HOB (7 p.m.)
• Christmas Sing-A-Long at Caledonia Brewing (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The SPCA Tampa Bay is asking for donations to help make their shelter pups' Christmas wish come true. The shelter needs 35 new Kuranda Shelter Beds as the raised bed is perfect for keeping pets cool and reducing pressure on their joints by lifting the pups off of the concrete floors. Donations can be made here. (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Need a last-minute gift? Dunedin Blue Jays tickets are now on sale for Spring Training at TD Ballpark! Get your tickets here. (Dunedin Blue Jays via Facebook)
• Pinellas County Schools honored Alyssa Knight, an English language arts teacher at Dunedin Highland Middle School. "Alyssa shines by making genuine connections with her students to keep them engaged in learning for life. Thank you, Alyssa, for all you do!" (Pinellas County Schools via Facebook)
• The Dunedin Give Back is hosting its last Packing Event of 2022 today, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. at HOB. Check the event link to see a list of items they need. (The Dunedin Give Back via Facebook)
• Dunedin Fire Rescue had to cancel Operation Santa on Tuesday due to the weather. Check the fire department's Facebook page to learn when they will be making it up. (Dunedin Fire Rescue via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• DavisDNA & Family Research, Inc. — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• New Year's Eve Party (December 31)
• Add your event

That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!