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🌱 Patch AM: How a $25M amphitheater could reshape downtown Winston-Salem nights

Happening soon: Anywhere But Home Tour on the Winston-Salem Patch calendar

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Good morning Winston-Salem! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $25M amphitheater could reshape downtown Winston-Salem nights
  • How 250 Winston-Salem school families are getting meals delivered today
  • Who still knows the truth about this Winston-Salem Christmas Eve killing?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Winston-Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Winston-Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 55 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 53, low: 36.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Winston-Salem's new $25M amphitheater to break ground in 2026, boosting downtown economy (abc45.com) — A privately funded $25 million amphitheater is set to break ground in downtown Winston-Salem in July 2026, transforming an underused parking lot into a 5,000-seat, all-seated venue. The boutique amphitheater will host 20–30 events each season, from concerts to community gatherings, and is expected to boost nearby restaurants, bars, and hotels while aligning with the city’s long-term downtown plan.
   

2. United Way and local partners deliver meals to Winston-Salem students during winter break (abc45.com) — Families in Winston-Salem who rely on school meals are getting help this winter break as United Way of Forsyth County, Food Lion, and DoorDash team up to deliver free snack bags to about 250 WS/FCS households. Volunteers packed easy-to-prepare, shelf-stable foods at United Way’s Winston-Salem office, with deliveries scheduled for today and plans to repeat the effort each winter and spring break.
   

3. Family continues calls for answers 9 years after unsolved Christmas Eve murder in Winston-Salem (myfox8.com) — A Winston-Salem family is still pleading for answers nine years after 19-year-old Tre Brannon was fatally shot at his home on Nancy Lane on Christmas Eve. His relatives believe the killer still lives in the community, while police say the investigation was hampered by limited cooperation and are again urging anyone with information to contact the homicide unit.
   

4. Harvey Sarajian, Tate Lorentz Selected in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft - Wake Forest University Athletics (godeacs.com) — Wake Forest men’s soccer, based in Winston-Salem, just saw two standouts selected in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, including hometown forward Tate Lorentz going to CF Montreal. The article recaps Lorentz’s breakout season, Harvey Sarajian’s first-round selection by Orlando City SC, and the program’s strong recent history of producing pro players.
   

5. 12 Investigates: 'Major' electrical issues forced closure of The District at West Market dorm-apartment complex (wxii12.com) — A Greensboro student housing complex was abruptly condemned over major electrical failures and a fire risk, displacing more than 180 residents and forcing emergency relocations. One tenant was working in Winston-Salem when he got the shutdown text, leaving him temporarily separated from his belongings and cat while the city coordinated limited access and local universities scrambled to offer short-term housing help.
   

📸 Around Winston-Salem

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE - Sweet Lola has been reunited with her family!
    Found this sweet girl in Robbins Brook neighborhood…..if this is your sweet baby, please call me 336-307-9271 (Nextdoor Robbins Brook)
  • Found this guy near cox blvd in Winston Salem.
    He won’t let me get close to him. Does anyone who who he belongs to? Does anyone want a new dog? He’s currently just laying in the grass looking sad… (Nextdoor Downtown Winston Salem)
  • Debbie's Staffing posted a job opening for Line Worker 1st Shift in Rural Hall. Apply here.
  • WorkForce Unlimited, LLC posted a job opening for Furnace Operator in Rural Hall. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winston-Salem here.

Ok Winston-Salem! 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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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