🌱 How a Florence teacher assistant turned an online degree into promotion

Cheers Florence! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Florence teacher assistant turned an online degree into promotion

Also on today's calendar: Southern Lights.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 60 and low of 38 degrees.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 71, low: 45.
• Saturday: Some sun with a shower or two, with a high of 66 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Southern Miss Helps Teacher Assistant Take Next Career Step as Educator (clarkecountytrib.com) — A Florence resident and Steen’s Creek Elementary assistant teacher is stepping into a full-time resource teacher role this January after earning her elementary education degree through Southern Miss’ online Teacher Assistant Program. Her story highlights how local paraprofessionals can become licensed teachers while working, with financial help, mentoring, and apprenticeship support that may interest others in Florence schools considering the same path.
   

📸 Around Florence

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 Florence

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Pre-Licensing Seminar Dec. 13th 2025
  Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association, 1705 Old Whitfield Rd, Pearl
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 14

• Southern Lights
  Trustmark Park , 1 Monsters Aly , Pearl
  5:00 pm

📣 Florence 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

Thursday December 11

• 8th Basketball Little Six Tourn (Play-in-game)
  Pearl Junior High Jackson, MS 39208
  8:00 am
• Fall Graduation
  Hinds Community College - Rankin Campus , 3805 US-80 , Pearl
  10:00 am
• 2025 Chili Cook-Off and Grand Lighting of the Park
  Winner's Circle Park
  5:30 pm

Friday December 12

• Bruce Bruce and Friends
  Johnny T's Bistro & Blues , 538 N Farish St , Jackson
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Christmas at the Sheraton Flowood
  Flowood Chamber , 115 Laurel Park Cove , Flowood
  10:00 am
• Eudora Welty House & Garden Holiday Open House
  Eudora Welty House & Garden , 1109 Pinehurst St , Jackson
  2:00 pm
• the reMIX Candle-Making Experience
  Briarwood Arts Center , 614 Briarwood Dr , Jackson
  4:00 pm

Monday December 15

• 8th Basketball Little Six Tourn (Rounds 1, 2, 3)
  Pearl Junior High Jackson, MS 39208
  8:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• 2025 December Christmas Membership Luncheon
  Byram Chamber of Commerce , 5659 Terry Rd , Byram
  11:30 am

Thursday December 18

• Pearl Junior High vs Byram Middle
  Pearl High School , 500 Pirates Cove , Pearl
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Are there any postal workers on here that can answer a question?
  I sent a birthday card to my son who lives in Waterford Pennsylvania five days before his birthday. He finally got it eighteen days after his… (Nextdoor Roxbury)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Richland. Apply here.
• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Richland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Florence here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pearl

• Those pulled from Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Program lottery to be notified soon (wlox.com)
• Basketball Recap: Morton Beats Pearl for Their Sixth Straight Win (maxpreps.com)

Jackson

• See photos of Thalia Mara Hall through the years in Jackson, MS (clarionledger.com)
• Health care executive: Jackson Medical Mall reproductive health clinic aims to strengthen community (mississippitoday.org)
• City of Jackson to host opportunity surrounding the city's future (wapt.com)

Ok Florence! 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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