Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How OKC’s holiday traditions quietly power thousands of local paychecks
Also check out Darci Lynne on the Oklahoma City Patch calendar
Cheers Oklahoma City! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How OKC’s holiday traditions quietly power thousands of local paychecks
- How will these new turnpike projects reshape your Oklahoma City commute?
- Caught on camera: can you help ID this Oklahoma City porch pirate?
Also on today's calendar: The Jury Experience: Death by AI: Who Pays the Price? and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Oklahoma Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Oklahoma Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 37 degrees.
- Thursday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 66, low: 42.
- Friday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 59 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Business Strategy: Seasonal events fuel OKC's end-of-year economic engine (journalrecord.com) — Holiday events across Oklahoma City, from Downtown in December to the Oklahoma City Ballet’s Nutcracker, are drawing big crowds and pumping millions into local shops, restaurants and hotels. With 24.5 million visitors in 2024, leaders say these celebrations are now a key driver of OKC’s end-of-year economy and neighborhood vitality. 
2. Panel awards millions for Oklahoma turnpike projects • Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice.com) — Drivers in the Oklahoma City and Newcastle areas should expect major changes as the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approves over $120 million for the East-West Connector and widening the John Kilpatrick Turnpike. The long-term ACCESS program will expand key toll roads through 2030, building new bridges, adding mainline roadway, and relying on earlier toll hikes while holding off on increases for Tulsa’s Gilcrease Turnpike in 2026.
3. Oklahoma City man says porch pirate stole Christmas, $2,500 job (news9.com) — An Oklahoma City security installer says a porch pirate stole cameras from his doorstep, costing him both the equipment and a $2,500 job just before Christmas. He captured the woman on video and has filed a report with Oklahoma City Police, urging neighbors to safeguard deliveries and asking anyone who recognizes her to contact Crime Stoppers.
4. ‘One choice shattered our world': Tree of Life ceremony marks lives lost to drunk and impaired driving (news9.com) — Families and law enforcement gathered at Penn Square Mall in northwest Oklahoma City for the annual Tree of Life ceremony, honoring loved ones killed by drunk and impaired drivers. Speakers shared personal loss, highlighted newly strengthened DUI laws, and announced a dedicated DUI prosecutor in Oklahoma County, while troopers prepare extra holiday patrols and sobriety checkpoints across the state starting December 15.
5. State committee reviews free speech policies at Oklahoma colleges and universities (news9.com) — From a meeting in Oklahoma City, state higher education leaders detailed how the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee is reviewing campus policies and handling a growing number of complaints. The advisory group is pushing for stronger First Amendment training, exploring a statewide rule that grades be based only on academic merit, and watching how the University of Oklahoma handles a high-profile grading dispute.
📸 Around Oklahoma City
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 Oklahoma City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Darci Lynne
Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 Kings Of Leon Ln, Oklahoma City
7:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Basketball
Summit Ms Edmond, OK 73013 - 7th Musical Productions Show
Summit Ms Edmond, OK 73013
9:30 am - Membership Luncheon - Dessert Auction
Together We Church , 620 N Cemetery Rd , Yukon
11:30 am - 1st Grade Program
Chisholm Es Edmond, OK 73013
6:00 pm - 3rd Grade Program
Angie Debo Es Edmond, OK 73013
6:00 pm - Band Holiday Jazz Concert
Auditorium , 705 , Oklahoma City
7:00 pm - Community Coffee - Santa's Toy Shoppe
Yukon Chamber of Commerce , 1111 Garth Brooks Blvd , Yukon
8:00 am - The Jury Experience: Death by AI: Who Pays the Price?
The Yale Theater , 227 SW 25th St , Oklahoma City
8:30 pm - Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
Oklahoma Hall of Fame , 1400 Classen Dr , Oklahoma City
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
The Yale Theater , 227 SW 25th St , Oklahoma City
6:30 pm
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
📣 Oklahoma City 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
- General Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - OKC
Fuel , 222 E Sheridan Ave , Oklahoma City
6:00 pm - Open Mic Night
Bricktown Comedy Club , 409 Kings Of Leon Ln , Oklahoma City
7:00 pm - Del City Crafters
Del City Community Center , 4505 SE 15th St , Del City
9:30 am - Basketball
Mary Golda Ross Elementary Oklahoma City, OK 73111
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 10
Thursday December 11
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Oklahoma City PatchAM possible:
- McCann's Roofing and Construction- Oklahoma City — (405) 259-9998
Oklahoma City's Best Roofing Company- Readers Choice Voted - Cortes Law Firm — (405) 213-0856
Estate Planning Attorney and Probate Attorney in Oklahoma
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I recently received a text message from an individual claiming to be an Amazon recruiter for in home work with computer for 1-2 hours daily,paying hundreds for the job.
After further questioning I was informed that the work was to go into Amazons web site and rate products chosen by Amazon and give them a 5 star… (Nextdoor Westwood Estates) - How would you find potential roommates?
While I am comfortable in my current home, I am also thinking about moving to a better location, NW OKC. It’s very difficult, and a bit scary, to… (Nextdoor Lakeside)
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Choctaw. Apply here.
- Sonic Drive-In posted a job opening for Crew Member in Mcloud. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oklahoma City here.
Ok Oklahoma City! 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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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