Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will this $1.1 billion Powerball finally crown a Memphis winner?

And on the Memphis Patch calendar - Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Good morning Memphis! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will this $1.1 billion Powerball finally crown a Memphis winner?
  • Why Memphis leaders are trading blame over a dangerous inmate’s release
  • Why a woman was struck by a MATA bus in Parkway Village

Also on today's calendar: Super Saturday - Winter Solstice Lanterns and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Memphis? Post it to Memphis photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Memphisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Rather cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 50 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 52, low: 50.
  • Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 61 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Locals look to change their fortunes ahead of Powerball's 6th-largest jackpot drawing: ‘Why can't we win here?' (actionnews5.com) — Memphis residents are dreaming big as Monday night’s $1.1 billion Powerball drawing approaches, wondering why huge jackpots so rarely land here. Locals told Action News 5 they see the potential windfall as a life-changing blessing and hope someone in the city finally hits it as they head into 2026.
   

2. Mayor responds to claim Shelby County department caused mistaken release of inmate (fox13memphis.com) — Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is publicly challenging Sheriff Floyd Bonner after a Memphis inmate convicted of violent crimes was mistakenly released from the county jail. Harris says responsibility for people held at 201 Poplar rests with the sheriff, criticizing what he calls repeated attempts to shift blame to other departments. The dispute follows multiple high-profile jail errors and ongoing questions about safety and oversight.
   

3. Female pedestrian hit by MATA bus in Parkway Village (wreg.com) — A woman was hospitalized with non-critical injuries after running into the path of a MATA bus at Perkins and Cottonwood in Memphis’s Parkway Village neighborhood Monday evening. Police say she crossed outside the crosswalk, and MATA says it’s cooperating fully with Memphis Police while emphasizing rider and community safety. All bus passengers and the driver declined medical treatment.
   

4. MSCS parents voice concerns at community meeting as schools face possible closure (actionnews5.com) — Memphis-Shelby County Schools is considering closing or consolidating five campuses, including dissolving Georgian Hills Elementary into Whitney and Hawkins Mills, and parents are pushing back. Families packed a community meeting in Memphis to warn of disruptions, especially for students with special needs. District leaders say underused, newer schools should be filled first, with a final board vote expected in February 2026.
   

5. Former Evolve Bank CEO to plead guilty to child pornography charges (fox13memphis.com) — Memphis residents should know that the former CEO of Evolve Bank & Trust is expected to plead guilty in January to federal child pornography-related charges after his October arrest at the bank’s Poplar Avenue headquarters. The bank says he was immediately terminated, stresses the case does not involve its operations, and reports fully cooperating with investigators.
   

📸 Around Memphis

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Memphis

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📣 Memphis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday December 16
  • Ribbon Cutting | Urban Bubbles
    Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce , 2969 Elmore Park Rd , Bartlett
    11:30 am
  • Stemmed Snowmen
    Germantown Community Library , 1925 Exeter Rd , Germantown
    3:00 pm
  • Design Review Commission
    Bartlett Calendar , 6400 Stage Road , Bartlett
    6:30 pm
  • HS Band Concert
    Lakeland Middle Preparatory School Arlington, TN 38002
    7:00 pm

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

  • T H A N K Y O U M E M P H I S !
    Tremendous thanks to everyone who participated in this year's pumpkin recycling program. Your generosity resulted in over one thousand pumpkins… (Nextdoor Evergreen Historic District)
  • Update: REUNITED WITH OWNER.
    He is at Memphis Animal Services, PLEASE CONTACT MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES IF HE IS YOURS. Lost dog on S Holmes in the cold, has collar but no tags… (Nextdoor East Buntyn)
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member - Late Night / Closer - Part Time in Memphis. Apply here.
  • DHL International GmbH posted a job opening for Group Coordinator Lead - Inventory Control Clerk in Memphis. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Memphis here.

Ok Memphis! 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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