🌱 Patch AM: What’s behind the recent spike in retail fraud on Main Street?

Good morning Chelsea! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What’s behind the recent spike in retail fraud on Main Street?
• How Chelsea kids and seniors are growing something bigger than a garden
• How Chelsea’s new social worker is quietly helping 170-plus neighbors

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Low clouds, with a high of 38 and low of 28 degrees.
• Friday: Icy mix in the morning, temps: high: 34, low: 29.
• Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 39 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. CPD Weekly Report, Dec. 14-20 (thesuntimesnews.com) — Chelsea Police reported three recent retail fraud cases along South Main Street, including suspects fleeing with carts of merchandise and concealed items like liquor and meat. All incidents remain under investigation, with one case already referred for possible charges by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. Residents may notice increased police attention in these shopping areas.
   

2. Where Generations Meet: Chelsea Senior Center and Chelsea Schools Grow Connections (chelseaupdate.com) — Intergenerational programs between Chelsea Senior Center and Chelsea School District are giving local preschoolers through high schoolers hands-on ways to connect with older adults, from gardening and cookie decorating to oral history and documentary projects. These collaborations, including Read and Seed and the Lives Well Lived project, are strengthening relationships, building empathy, and reshaping how Chelsea residents of all ages view aging and community.
   

3. Chelsea's Social Worker Reflects on First Year of Pilot Program (thesuntimesnews.com) — Chelsea’s first municipal social worker, Emilee Fetters, has already worked with more than 170 residents through office hours at the Chelsea District Library and Chelsea Senior Center, plus referrals from local police. Her pilot role focuses on connecting people with mental health, financial, and legal resources, and she plans to expand outreach when regular office hours resume January 5.
   

4. CDL Ringing in the New Year with New Community Read (thesuntimesnews.com) — Chelsea District Library is teaming up with Dexter District Library and Serendipity Books to launch the 2026 Neighbors Read community program, featuring free copies of “Dead Moose on Isle Royale.” Chelsea-area readers can join author talks, a Toledo War history program, and a Hometown Book Club discussion, all centered on Michigan’s wild places and wolf–moose research.
   

📸 Around Chelsea

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📣 Chelsea Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• intenSati - Movement Mantras Meditation to Manifest Your Best Life!
  Brighton Lighthouse , 142 Brighton Lake Road , Brighton
  6:00 pm
• Trivia at South Lyon Aubree's
  The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce , 218 E Grand River Ave , Brighton
  7:00 pm
• Karaoke at Shady's Tap Room
  Shady's Tap Room , 110 N Main St , Brooklyn
  7:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Clinton Historical Society Meeting
  Clinton Public Library , 100 Brown St , Clinton
  3:00 pm
• Joe and Scottie at Hell Saloon!
  Hell Saloon , 4095 Patterson Lk Rd , Pinckney
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Saline Indoor Farmers Market
  Liberty School , 7265 N Ann Arbor St , Saline
  9:00 am

Sunday December 28

• Unified Worship Service
  The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce , 300 E Grand River , Brighton
  10:00 am
• Nite Lites at Michigan International Speedway
  Michigan International Speedway , 12626 US-12 , Brooklyn
  12:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Enhance Fitness at WellWise Services
  WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging , 107 Chicago St , Brooklyn
  10:30 am
• Drop-in New Year's Hat & Noismaker Crafts
  Dexter District Library Dexter, MI 48130
  11:00 am
• After School Art :: Freestyle
  Manchester District Library , City Room , Manchester
  3:30 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 Chelsea 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

• UPDATE: A Christmas Miracle....
  Sammy is home!!!! Thank you everyone for all your support and prayers. I am overjoyed to have him back. Special thanks to Jane Creswell for her… (Nextdoor East Chelsea)

• Catholic Diocese of Lansing posted a job opening for Maintenance / Custodian Worker in Chelsea. Apply here.
• FasTemps Employment posted a job opening for 3rd Shift - Welder in Chelsea. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chelsea here.

Ok Chelsea! 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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