Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are city taxpayers covering a new roof on a county building?

Spotted on the Victoria calendar: Photos with Santa at the Victoria Farmers' Market

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday December 19th Patch AM
Friday December 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Victoria! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are city taxpayers covering a new roof on a county building?
  • How a 2026 Riverside Park walk could turn Victorians into lifesavers
  • Who might take over Victoria County’s elections before March?

Also on today's calendar: Photos with Santa at the Victoria Farmers' Market.

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

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 69 and low of 50 degrees.
  • Saturday: Breezy, warm, temps: high: 80, low: 64.
  • Sunday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City approves library roof contract for county-owned building (victoriaadvocate.com) — Victoria residents should know the City Council has approved a $798,000 contract to replace the failing roof at the Victoria Public Library, even though Victoria County owns the building and declined to share costs. Council members voiced frustration over leaks, damage, and buckets catching rainwater, but ultimately backed the project as necessary to protect books, equipment, and public access.
   

2. Local leaders to co-chair 2026 Heart & Stroke Walk and citywide push for CPR readiness (heart.org) — Victoria residents are being asked to rally around heart health as local leaders co-chair the 2026 Crossroads Heart & Stroke Walk and a citywide CPR-readiness push. The Feb. 7, 2026 event at Riverside Park aims to draw hundreds, raise funds, and expand lifesaving CPR training so more bystanders here can confidently respond in a cardiac emergency.
   

3. Victoria County Elections officials searching for a new administrator before March elections. (crossroadstoday.com) — Victoria County officials are racing to hire a new elections administrator before March’s elections, as longtime administrator Margetta Hill retires in January. An elections commission has already narrowed about 30 applicants to seven and will resume interviews after the new year to ensure a smooth transition for local voters.
   

4. Community invited to help make Christmas magical for Crossroads children (crossroadstoday.com) — Victoria residents are being asked to help Toys for Tots make Christmas special for children across the Crossroads, with more than 100 volunteers already signed up. Director Becca Vasquez says they still need cheerful, caring helpers for toy distribution on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m.
   

5. Report finds book bans surged nationwide in 2025 amid new laws, preemptive removals (mainstreetnews.com) — A new national report on book bans highlights a striking local example: nearly half of 100 targeted titles at a Victoria public library were quickly removed after being labeled for “weeding.” The report warns that vague laws, AI tools, and quiet policy changes are accelerating censorship, while also noting growing legal and grassroots pushback across the country.
   

📸 Around Victoria

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 Victoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Victoria 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Baby/socks was LOST on December 14, 2025 in Victoria, TX 77901 near Houston Hwy Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor N Navarro St)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Sylvester was LOST on December 14, 2025 in Victoria, TX 77901 near Sam Houston ave Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor N Navarro St)
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager (Up to $16.50 hr) in Victoria. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Victoria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Victoria here.

Ok Victoria! 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!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Victoria