Community Corner
🌱 What Whitcomb’s retirement means for Cumberland County finances in Carlisle
Be sure to catch Planning Commission on the Carlisle Patch calendar
What's up Carlisle! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Whitcomb’s retirement means for Cumberland County finances in Carlisle
- How Carlisle police responded to a reported assault on Fairground Avenue
- Why a Carlisle college president’s ruling reshaped science classes nationwide
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Carlisle? Post it to Carlisle photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Carlislefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Carlislefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, with a high of 34 and low of 23 degrees.
- Wednesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, temps: high: 47, low: 25.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 46 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Al Whitcomb, the longest-serving county controller in state history, will retire at end of year (fox43.com) — Cumberland County’s longtime controller, Al Whitcomb, based in Carlisle, will retire at year’s end after four decades overseeing county finances and modernization efforts. He’s credited with strengthening fiscal transparency and stability, and will be succeeded by current county CFO Dana Best, who was recently elected to the post. 
2. Carlisle man charged with rape of 11-year-old (fox43.com) — Carlisle police have charged an 18-year-old local man in connection with the reported rape of an 11-year-old girl at a Fairground Avenue home on December 13. The child was examined at Carlisle Hospital, and the suspect is being held in Cumberland County Prison on $150,000 bail while the investigation continues.
3. The ‘deadly' fact that doomed ‘intelligent design' in Dover schools 20 years ago this month (abc27.com) — Carlisle readers may recognize Dickinson College president John Jones III reflecting on his landmark 2005 ruling that kept “intelligent design” out of Dover public school science classes. Speaking from Carlisle, he explains why the evidence made the case clear-cut and how the decision shaped both national education policy and his eventual return to lead Dickinson.
4. The First Battalion of the Continental Army (wisenewsnetwork.com) — Carlisle gets a notable Revolutionary War shout-out as the home of Irish-born officer William Thompson, who led Pennsylvania riflemen in the newly formed Continental Army. The story traces how his Carlisle-connected regiment became the First Pennsylvania Continental Regiment, following its march from Adams and Cumberland counties to Boston and its later Revolutionary War service.
📸 Around Carlisle
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 Carlisle
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Planning Commission
Carlisle Borough , 53 W South St , Carlisle
5:30 pm - Christmas Eve - Borough Hall Closed
Borough Hall , 53 W South St , Carlisle - Christmas Day - Borough Hall Closed
Borough Hall , 53 W South St , Carlisle
Thursday December 18
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
📣 Carlisle 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
- Preschool Story Time
Dillsburg Area Public Library , 204 Mumper Ln , Dillsburg
10:30 am - EV - Choir Concert
Eagle View Middle School , 6746 Carlisle Pike , Mechanicsburg
7:00 pm - Kids Craft Night
Dillsburg Area Public Library , 204 Mumper Ln , Dillsburg
6:00 pm - MV Orchestra Concert
Mountain View Middle School , 30 Bali Hai Rd , Mechanicsburg
7:00 pm - CARC Coffee Group — December 18 2025
Caffe 101 , 101 Front St , Boiling Springs
10:00 am - Planning Commission
Carlisle Borough , 53 W South St , Carlisle
5:30 pm - Borough Council Business Meeting
Lemoyne Borough , 510 Herman Ave , Lemoyne
6:30 pm - Tiny World at Benchfield Farms
Benchfield Farms , 368 Gameland Rd , Newville
6:00 pm - Student Night! White Elephant Exchange — Empowered Music Education
Empowered Music , 3327 Market St , Camp Hill
6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Somehow my post is not getting posted.
Our 15 year old Westie is missing. His name is PD. He is very friendly but mostly deaf and blind. Please call me if you see him. (717)360-2586 (Nextdoor Carlisle West Side) - Our 15 year old Scottish terrier is missing.
He is white, very friendly but mostly deaf and blind. Please call me if you see him. He will come to anyone so we are hoping someone brought him… (Nextdoor Carlisle West Side)
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Travel Retail Sales Merchandiser in Carlisle. Apply here.
- ProLogistix posted a job opening for Material Handler in Carlisle. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Carlisle here.
Ok Carlisle! 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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