Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Fired Worker Used Access To Amazon Prime Account To Steal Thousands From Former Employer: Police
Also check out Bruce Inspires: Calm Crochet on the Rye Patch calendar
Morning Rye! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Ex-employee accused of $4,300 Amazon theft from Rye market
- How much more will Rye homeowners pay after the new budget?
- How is Rye Country Day responding to the swastika incident on campus?
Also on today's calendar: Bruce Inspires: Calm Crochet and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Ryefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Ryefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 47 and low of 44 degrees.
- Friday: Windy with rain tapering off, temps: high: 58, low: 29.
- Saturday: Much colder, with a high of 38 and low of 34 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Fired Worker Used Access To Amazon Prime Account To Steal Thousands From Former Employer: Police (patch.com) — Rye police say a former employee of Milton Point Provisions on Milton Road used lingering access to the store’s Amazon Prime business account to make more than $4,300 in unauthorized purchases. Detectives traced over 30 orders for items like gift cards and household supplies to the ex-worker, who has now been charged with felony grand larceny and arraigned in Rye City Court. 
2. Council Approves Override City Budget, Hikes Tax Rate 8.78% With Police, Fire Hires (ryerecord.com) — Rye homeowners will see property taxes rise about $461 next year after the City Council approved a 2026 budget with an 8.78% tax rate increase to fund new police and fire hires. The plan overrides the state tax cap for a second year, drew one dissenting vote over cost concerns, and sets up deeper public safety staffing discussions in early 2026.
3. Swastika Graffiti Found On Rye Country Day School Campus, Triggers Investigation (dailyvoice.com) — Rye Country Day School is investigating after a swastika was briefly visible in water on a campus walkway, prompting concern and a strong response from administrators. School leaders addressed Upper School students, are planning further conversations, and emphasized support, inclusion, and accountability, especially for community members feeling vulnerable amid wider antisemitic violence.
4. Albertus Magnus begins season atop the girls basketball ranking (lohud.com) — Rye High’s girls basketball team is highlighted among the region’s top programs after last season’s Section 1 Class AA title, with key players returning and a strong chance to repeat. The broader rankings spotlight several Westchester powers, but Rye’s breakout success and returning core make the Garnets a team local fans will want to follow closely this winter.
5. The Sharing Shelf unveils new space designed by Drew Barrymore (thetimesherald.com) — A Westchester-grown nonprofit that started in a Rye basement has just expanded its Port Chester warehouse with a Drew Barrymore–designed welcome and training room for teen shoppers and volunteers. The Sharing Shelf’s new space at 47 Purdy Ave. supports its Teen Boutique, which offers free, confidence-boosting clothing to low-income youth as demand for assistance continues to climb.
📸 Around Rye
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 Rye
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Bruce Inspires: Calm Crochet
Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr, Greenwich
2:00 pm - Home for the Holidays Staycation Camp
30 Elm Pl, Rye, NY, 10580,
9:00 am - Handel Messiah
Carnegie Hall, 7th Ave, New York
7:30 pm
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Friday Morning Hybrid Book Club Online
Rye Free Reading Room Rye, NY 10580
9:30 am - PreK Christmas Show
Resurrection Grammar School , 116 Milton Road , Rye
4:00 pm - Music & Movement
Westchester Children's Museum , 100 Playland Pkwy , Rye
11:00 am - Holiday Puppet Show — Westchester Children's Museum
Westchester Children's Museum , 100 Playland Pkwy , Rye
11:00 am - Samantha Fish
Brooklyn Bowl , 61 Wythe Ave , Brooklyn
7:00 pm - Music & Movement
Westchester Children's Museum , 100 Playland Pkwy , Rye
11:00 am - Museum Minis
Westchester Children's Museum , 100 Playland Pkwy , Rye
11:30 am - Garbage and recycling - paper and cardboard
Monday/ Thursday Garbage and Monday Recycling- Rye Sanitation Rye, NY 10580
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Monday December 22
📣 Rye 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
- Adult Art Workshop
Main Library , 1 Library Plaza , New Rochelle
10:00 am - Adult Art Workshop: Handmade Wrapping Paper
New Rochelle Public Library , 1 Library Plaza , New Rochelle
10:00 am - Friends of NRPL Book Store
New Rochelle Public Library , 1 Library Plaza , New Rochelle
10:00 am - Thursdays Together - Accessible Games and Activities
Scarsdale Public Library , 54 Olmsted Rd , Scarsdale
10:30 am
Thursday December 18
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.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- 10% off Holiday Shopping at Clay Art Center
10% off Holiday Shopping at Clay Art Center Starts NOW!Warm up with the glow of a new piece of pottery, ceramic gift, or seasonal ornament from... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- A vehicle fire on I-95 exit 17-18A has been cleared, but delays remain.
2:32PM on Dec 16: A vehicle fire on I-95 northbound at exit 17-18A is blocking the center lane. (Nextdoor )
- Stop & Shop posted a job opening for PT Night Crew-Clerk - Grocery - 0502 in Port Chester. Apply here.
- Cava posted a job opening for Team Member in Port Chester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rye here.
Ok Rye! 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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