🌱 Patch AM: How full holiday staffing changed the outcome of a major Westminster fire

Hi Westminster! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How full holiday staffing changed the outcome of a major Westminster fire

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mainly cloudy, a flurry; cold, with a high of 31 and low of 23 degrees.
• Friday: Periods of sun, temps: high: 36, low: 24.
• Saturday: Periods of sun, with a high of 37 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Holiday staffing improves for Md. FD after years of shortages (firerescue1.com) — A recent early-morning house fire in Westminster was contained quickly thanks to Carroll County finally having full holiday staffing of firefighters and paramedics. County leaders say years of hiring and reorganizing fire and EMS under one department are paying off, with 13 stations and 16 ambulances now fully staffed. The stronger coverage also helps responders better handle the emotional strain of busy holiday emergencies.
   

📸 Around Westminster

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 Westminster

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday January 3

• The Beatles Story
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  10:00 am

Monday January 5

• Family Storytime
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  10:00 am

Tuesday January 6

• Read and Play
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  10:00 am
• Twos and Threes Together
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  11:00 am
• Needle Little Klatch?
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  5:00 pm
• Pajama Party Storytime
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  7:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Read and Play
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  10:00 am
• Twos and Threes Together
  Westminster Branch Library , 50 East Main Street , Westminster
  11:00 am

📣 Westminster 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

Monday January 5

• Read and Play
  North Carroll Branch Library , 2255 Hanover Pike , Hampstead
  10:00 am
• Alphabet Train
  North Carroll Branch Library , 2255 Hanover Pike , Hampstead
  11:00 am

Tuesday January 6

• Move and Learn
  North Carroll Branch Library , 2255 Hanover Pike , Hampstead
  10:00 am
• North Carroll Writers Group
  North Carroll Branch Library , 2255 Hanover Pike , Hampstead
  5:30 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 Westminster PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 30, 2025 in Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152 near York RD just south of Phoenix RD Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Shipley)
• Who's missing this big boy?
  He's wandering in neighborhood of Pheasant run, Kings ct. Friendly, bit skiddish, no tag on collar. (Nextdoor Baltimore Blvd)

• IICRC posted a job opening for Weekend cleaner in Westminster. Apply here.
• Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T1000) in Westminster. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Westminster here.

🗞 Nearby News

Reisterstown

• Baltimore County Fire Department vehicle involved in rollover crash in Pikesville (foxbaltimore.com)
• Loans for federal workers were another waste of state funds (baltimoresun.com)
• 7 Things to do in Baltimore County: New Year's Edition (thebanner.com)

Owings Mills

• 8 Great Events for Jews in Baltimore (jewishtimes.com)
• Penn State Football Defensive End Dani Dennis-Sutton Declares For 2026 NFL Draft (onwardstate.com)

Ok Westminster! 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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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