🌱 Warming Stations Set Up Across The City + Fire Shuts Down Highway

Good morning, Cincinnati! Like many of you, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the holiday season, so you may not see as many newsletters in your inbox between now and the New Year. We will resume our normal schedule during the first week of January. For now, here’s what you need to know about what’s happening around town.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, windy and frigid. High: 17 Low: 7.

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Here are the top three stories today in Cincinnati:

1. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission has set up recreation centers as warming stations to help in preparation for the dangerous holiday weekend. There are 23 stations scheduled to be open, but weather conditions could change that. The OTR and Corryville locations will be open Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (WKRC TV Cincinnati)
2. A local bakery has opened its first brick-and-mortar location at Findlay Park. Moxy had been operating out of the Incubator Kitchen Collection in Newport until the baker was acquired by Urban Cafe. The bakery became popular despite opening during COVID-19. The shop will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 27. (WKRC TV Cincinnati)
3. A massive semi-fire closed down a major highway on Friday morning. Westbound Fort Washing Way/SB-71 in downtown Cincinnati was shut down after an incident with a truck caused an enormous fire. A semi-truck blazed, actually melting into the pavement. Emergency crews opened the left lane of the road to reduce traffic as they struggled to remove the truck. (FOX19)

Today in Cincinnati:

• Jonathan Butler's 'O Holy Night' With Grace Kelly at The Ludlow Garage (8:30 AM)
• PNC Festival Of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (10:00 AM)
• Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service at Christ Church Cathedral (4:00 PM)
• Xmas Eve Afrobeat at COVE 51 (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Cincinnati Zoo's assortment of animals is all snuggled up safe and warm before the storm, thanks to the dedicated zookeepers. Not only did they stay up all night preparing, they'll be out in the freezing snow taking care of all the creatures over the holiday weekend! (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Santa Claus stopped by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The kids and families all got to spend some quality time with Santa. (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you soon, and happy holidays!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.