🌱 Patch AM: What led a Meridian jury to impose life without parole?

Hello again Meridian! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What led a Meridian jury to impose life without parole?
• How new I-59/20 tech could change your Meridian commute
• How a 1950 Meridian rabbi milestone fits today’s women-in-power wave

Also on today's calendar: Spirits of Christmas at Merrehope and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Breezy and much colder, with a high of 44 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Sunny, but chilly, temps: high: 47, low: 24.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Croft sentenced to life for 1st degree murder (meridianstar.com) — A Lauderdale County jury has sentenced Tommy Lee Croft Jr. to life without parole for a 2023 shooting death at 14th Street and 13th Avenue in Meridian. Prosecutors and Meridian Police say the case underscores a tough stance on gun violence and relied on a lengthy investigation and Croft’s prior felony record.
   

• Infrastructure improvement progress continues across central Mississippi (meridianstar.com) — Drivers in Meridian should expect ongoing work on I-59/20 as MDOT installs new traffic cameras and message boards to improve safety and information along the corridor. The update is part of a broader slate of central Mississippi road projects, including bridge replacements and resurfacing in Lauderdale and neighboring counties, many scheduled to continue through 2026 and beyond.
   

• Women in Politics Weekly Roundup: Miami's First Woman Mayor; Congress Moves to Reform How We Vote; Forbes Ranks World's 100 Most Powerful Women (msmagazine.com) — One historical milestone highlighted here reaches back to 1950 Meridian, when Paula Ackerman led services at Temple Beth Israel as the first woman appointed to perform rabbinical functions in the U.S. The broader roundup focuses on women’s political representation, ranked-choice voting reforms, global leadership, and philanthropy, offering context on how women are reshaping institutions and policy worldwide.
   

📸 Around Meridian

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 Meridian

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday December 15

• Meridian Livestock
  Meridian Stock Yards Inc, 10365 Old Hwy 80 W, Meridian
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Spirits of Christmas at Merrehope
  Merrehope , 905 Martin Luther King Jr Dr , Meridian
  6:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Meridian Livestock
  Meridian Stock Yards Inc , 10365 Old Hwy 80 W , Meridian
  12:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Sensory Friendly Hours at MCM
  Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian , 403 22nd Ave , Meridian
  11:00 am

Monday December 29

• Meridian Livestock
  Meridian Stock Yards Inc , 10365 Old Hwy 80 W , Meridian
  12:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Toast Together Reception at Merrehope
  Merrehope , 905 Martin Luther King Jr Dr , Meridian
  1:00 pm
• “Toast Together” Reception at Merrehope
  Merrehope , 905 Martin Luther King Jr Dr , Meridian
  1:00 pm

📣 Meridian 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

Sunday December 14

• Sundays with Santa
  Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian , 403 22nd Ave , Meridian
  2:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Christmas Yoga at Merrehope
  Merrehope , 905 Martin Luther King Jr Dr , Meridian
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Monthly Lodge Meeting
  IAM&AW Local Lodge 18 , 6290 Marion Dr , Marion
  9:00 am
• Grinch Porch Party at Merrehope
  Merrehope , 905 Martin Luther King Jr Dr , Meridian
  1:00 pm
• Framing the Red
  Ducks Hideaway , 5161 Shiloh Vimville Rd , Meridian
  7:00 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

• My dog went missing this morning at 8 o’clock.
  He got out through the fence. His name is Buster. He’s a black and white Boston terrier and he lives at 8269 Van Zyverden Rd. If anybody has seen him… (Nextdoor Briarwood)
• Recommendations for neutering cats?
  I have two boys that need to be neutered asap and I’m trying to get pricing for the Meridian area. Where do you guys suggest? (Nextdoor Tanglewood)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Meridian. Apply here.
• Hardee's Restaurants, LLC posted a job opening for Crew Person - Meridian 2 - 2021 in Meridian. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Meridian here.

🗞 Nearby News

Newton

• FOR SALE: The Azalea – A Commercial Opportunity in the Heart of Newton (newtoncountyappeal.com)
• Countywide Cheer:Parade Photos From Every Corner of Newton County (newtoncountyappeal.com)
• Newton library director tapped for top job in Brookline's library system (brookline.news)

Philadelphia

• Lady Vikes shutout Neshoba Central 5-0 on the road (vicksburgnews.com)

Laurel

Ok Meridian! 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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