🌱 Patch AM: What firefighters found inside the burning West Brighton Avenue townhouse

Coffee in hand, Syracuse? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What firefighters found inside the burning West Brighton Avenue townhouse
• How Syracuse police want you to handle online sales safely
• How two little racers turned birthday gifts into hospital holiday joy

Also on today's calendar: AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: A little snow, up to 1"; cold, with a high of 26 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Low clouds, temps: high: 29, low: 25.
• Wednesday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 42 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire displaces rhree after townhouse fire on West Brighton Avenue (cnycentral.com) — Three residents were displaced Saturday after a townhouse fire on West Brighton Avenue in Syracuse, where firefighters quickly contained heavy flames to a single apartment. Syracuse Fire Department crews brought the blaze under control in about 20 minutes, no injuries were reported, and the American Red Cross and property management are helping affected tenants while the cause remains under investigation.
   

2. SPD offers safe exchange program and tips on porch piracy (cnycentral.com) — Syracuse residents are being urged to use the police department’s safe exchange zone at 511 South State Street for online purchases, especially during the busy holiday season. Police also share practical ways to prevent porch package thefts, stressing neighbor cooperation, video registration, and when thefts can rise to felony charges. These steps aim to keep Syracuse neighborhoods safer without extra risk to buyers and sellers.
   

3. Young girls donate toys to kids in Syracuse hospital for Christmas (localsyr.com) — Two young sisters from the Syracuse area are brightening the holidays for kids at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital by donating toys instead of receiving Christmas presents themselves. Audrey and Amelia Wight collect gifts at their birthday parties and use proceeds from their go-kart racing apparel sales to buy even more toys, hoping to bring smiles to children spending Christmas in the hospital.
   

4. Breaking barriers through dance (spectrumlocalnews.com) — A 12-year-old Syracuse-area dancer just became the first African American girl in more than 20 years to lead a Syracuse City Ballet production, starring as Clara in “The Nutcracker.” Guided by a local instructor at the Community Folk Art Center, she’s helping push ballet in Syracuse to better reflect the city’s diversity and inspire young dancers of all backgrounds.
   

5. Offer of help becomes a moment of connection for Syracuse woman and police officer: ‘There is still kindness' (syracuse.com) — A brief encounter in Thornden Park turned into a powerful reminder of neighborly kindness for a lifelong Syracuse resident and a city police officer. After spotting Rhea Holmes struggling uphill with groceries on a cold day, Officer James Pastorello offered her a ride to Oakwood Cemetery, sparking a heartfelt conversation about grief, faith, and community that reshaped her view of police.
   

📸 Around Syracuse

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Syracuse

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC
  Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St, Auburn
  5:30 pm
• AUBURN, NY - NYS Notary Law Exam Prep Workshop hosted by Law Author Alfred E Piombino - Cayuga CC
  Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St, Auburn
  5:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
  Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater , 421 Montgomery St. , Syracuse
  7:30 pm

📣 Syracuse Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 15

• Girls 7th/8th Volleyball v. Southside Academy Charter School, Syracuse
  Lyncourt School
  4:00 pm
• ARE Chorus Concert
  Roxboro Road Middle School , 300 Bernard Street , Mattydale
  6:30 pm
• KWS BRE Winter Chorus Concert
  North Syracuse Junior High School , 5353 West Taft Road , North Syracuse
  6:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Winter Sports Physicals
  Pine Grove Middle School , 101 Spartan Way , East Syracuse
  8:30 am
• GRMS Chorus Concert
  Gillette Road Middle School , 6150 South Bay Road , Cicero
  7:00 pm
• RRMS 6th Grade Concert
  Roxboro Road Middle School , 300 Bernard Street , Mattydale
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Girls 7th/8th Volleyball v. Faith Heritage
  Lyncourt School
  4:00 pm
• Mark Nanni Music
  The Neat Whiskey Bar , 6706 E Seneca Turnpike Building B , Jamesville
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Adult English Language Conversation Group | Salina Free Library
  Salina Free Library , 100 Belmont St , Mattydale
  10:30 am
• Girls 7th/8th Volleyball v. Living Word Academy
  Lyncourt School
  4:00 pm
• Wheeler Winter Concert
  Onondaga Central School District Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium
  6:30 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

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Ruby , a dog who went missing in Syracuse, NY, has been safely reunited with their family after 23 hours, 41 minutes. Message from Owner: "Ruby got… (Nextdoor Syracuse)
• My neighbor’s dog has been missing since noon today from the Village of N.
  Syracuse. Her name is Hope & she’s a Bernese Mountain dog. She’s full grown & friendly with humans & may try to jump up on you. I’m not sure how she… (Nextdoor Village of North Syracuse)

• Onondaga Community College posted a job opening for Laboratory Assistant- Surgical Technology - Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. Apply here.
• Piedmont Airlines posted a job opening for Ramp Agent (Full-Time) in Syracuse. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Syracuse here.

Ok Syracuse! 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 either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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