Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What’s really blocking Rev. Larry Rice’s new homeless “City of Refuge”?

And check out Home Alone in Concert on the St. Louis Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Good morning St. Louis! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What’s really blocking Rev. Larry Rice’s new homeless “City of Refuge”?
  • How a longtime toy drive lifted St. Louis tornado survivors’ holidays
  • Why are glowing animation wheels suddenly lighting up downtown St. Louis?

Also on today's calendar: Nicholas Brooks and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in O'Fallonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in O'Fallonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 67 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, temps: high: 63, low: 57.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 69 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rev. Larry Rice still pushes for homeless St. Louisans, but not everyone is listening (stlmag.com) — Homeless advocates and officials are clashing over how St. Louis city and St. Louis County should shelter unhoused residents, years after the New Life Evangelistic Center’s downtown shelter was shut down. Rev. Larry Rice is now pressuring county leaders for land or hotel funding to create a “City of Refuge,” while other providers push data-backed housing-first strategies and question his approach.
   

2. Toy giveaway aims to help families impacted by May 16 tornado (firstalert4.com) — Families in St. Louis still recovering from the May 16 tornado found some relief as the R. Whittington Foundation’s long-running toy giveaway at Friendly Temple Church provided gifts for about 1,000 children. Organizers focused on storm-impacted households, helping parents like Cunesha Spratt, who lost her home, put presents under the tree and feel less alone this Christmas.
   

3. Glowing loops line downtown street ahead of major January events (firstalert4.com) — Downtown St. Louis pedestrians will notice glowing, crank-powered “Loop” animation wheels lining 7th Street and US Bank Square through mid-February, timed with the US Figure Skating Championships and Monster Jam. Commissioned by Greater St. Louis, Inc., the interactive art aims to make upgraded pedestrian corridors more engaging as tens of thousands of visitors arrive. If you’re downtown, you can spin the wheels yourself.
   

4. 8th Circuit revives detainee medical care claims (molawyersmedia.com) — A federal appeals court has revived key claims over medical care in the St. Louis County jail after detainee Jovon Mitchell died from a stroke, putting the County back on the hook in the lawsuit. Judges found the complaint plausibly alleges nurses ignored obvious stroke symptoms and that the County’s training may be inadequate, sending constitutional and state-law claims back to the trial court.
   

5. Year in Review (stlouisreview.com) — A year’s worth of powerful Catholic moments in and around St. Louis is captured through Jacob Wiegand’s photos, from sacraments at St. Joan of Arc Church to prayer at local parishes and restoration of the Angel of Harmony at the Cathedral Basilica. The collection also highlights regional connections, including a popular youth camp that draws many St. Louis-area families.
   

📸 Around St. Louis

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 St. Louis

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday December 27
  • Home Alone in Concert
    St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, 718 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis
    2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 St. Louis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Young St. Louis Skaters Named to the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships Sweeper Team —Courtney Megliola Read on Patch

Ok St. Louis! 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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