🌱 Patch AM: Why leaders are demanding changes at Freestate Challenge Academy in Aberdeen

Greetings Aberdeen! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why leaders are demanding changes at Freestate Challenge Academy in Aberdeen
• How an Aberdeen man got tied to a Kohl’s theft ring
• Where can you drop Toys for Tots donations in Aberdeen today?

Also on today's calendar: Aberdeen Morning Book Discussion and 2 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Aberdeen? Post it to Aberdeen photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, with a high of 35 and low of 26 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 44, low: 27.
• Thursday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 48 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Federal, state leaders demand change after teen military camp abuse uncovered (foxbaltimore.com) — Families in and around Aberdeen should know that Freestate Challenge Academy, a National Guard-run program at Aberdeen Proving Ground for at-risk teens, is under intense scrutiny after reports of repeated staff abuse. Bipartisan state and federal leaders are now demanding accountability and safety reforms for the youth enrolled there.
   

• Harford County Sheriff busts organized retail theft scheme targeting Kohl's store (wmar2news.com) — Harford County deputies say an organized retail theft ring repeatedly targeted the Kohl’s in Forest Hill, with one incident allegedly involving a 34-year-old man from Aberdeen. Six people now face charges or warrants after investigators linked them to thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
   

• Toy Drives In Bel Air: How To Make The Holidays Merry For Everyone (patch.com) — Families in Aberdeen have plenty of nearby options to donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots this holiday season, with numerous drop-off sites along Philadelphia Boulevard, Beards Hill Road, and downtown. The guide also lists many additional locations across Bel Air and the rest of Harford County, plus details on Maryland State Police barrack collections and how to give online if you can’t get to a box.
   

📸 Around Aberdeen

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 Aberdeen

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 17

• Teen Anime Club
  Harford County Library Aberdeen Branch, 21 Franklin St, Aberdeen
  3:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Aberdeen Morning Book Discussion
  Harford County Library Aberdeen Branch , 21 Franklin St , Aberdeen
  10:15 am
• Teen Dungeons & Dragons®
  Harford County Library Aberdeen Branch , 21 Franklin St , Aberdeen
  4:30 pm
• SMART Recovery Meetings — Voices of Hope
  Voices of Hope - Harford , 7 Aberdeen Shopping Plz , Aberdeen
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• VoH Harford Game Night! — Voices of Hope
  Voices of Hope - Harford , 7 Aberdeen Shopping Plz , Aberdeen
  7:00 pm

📣 Aberdeen 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

Tuesday December 16

• Open Gym
  Harford County, MD Calendar
  9:00 am
• Spanish - Level 2 For Homeschool
  Harford County, MD Calendar , 1980 Brookside Drive , Edgewood
  10:00 am
• TR Open Recreation - Winter Session
  Harford County, MD Calendar , 1980 Brookside Drive , Edgewood
  12:00 pm
• Yoga Nidra
  Harford County, MD Calendar
  12:45 pm
• Family Feed
  Harford County, MD Calendar
  1:00 pm
• Family Feed @ ACLEC
  Harford County, MD Calendar , 700 Otter Point Road , Abingdon
  1:00 pm
• Homeschool Basketball
  Harford County, MD Calendar
  1:30 pm

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 Aberdeen PatchAM possible:

• Aspiring Phoenix Montessori+ — (443) 601-9730
  A 21st Century Education

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

• Sage Policy Group’s Dr. Anirban Basu Discusses 2026’s Key Economic Trends at Game Changers —Theresa Wiseman Read on Patch

• Ollie has been missing from Perryman since 10/19.
  We haven't had any sightings in a month. Please be on the lookout for him. He's super skittish, so don't chase or call out to him. (Nextdoor Forest Green)

• Axcess Staffing Services posted a job opening for Forklift Operator in Aberdeen. Apply here.
• ShopRite Supermarkets posted a job opening for ShopRite - Night Crew Clerk (Kleins MD) Salary Range $15.91-$22.91/hr in Aberdeen. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Aberdeen here.

🗞 Nearby News

Havre de Grace

• Toy Drives In Havre De Grace: How To Make The Holidays Merry For Everyone (patch.com)

Edgewood

• Harford County Sheriff's Office charges five Edgewood suspects in retail theft scheme, seizes unserialized handgun (nottinghammd.com)
• Officials withhold information after employee with gun conviction worked in Harford County (foxbaltimore.com)

Bel Air

Ok Aberdeen! 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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