Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much could Burlington property taxes rise under the new budget plan?
You won't want to miss Maria Bamford on the Burlington Patch calendar
Morning Burlington! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How much could Burlington property taxes rise under the new budget plan?
- Why are Burlington Powerball lines suddenly getting so long?
- Why a nearby school’s Somali flag sparked threats and police protection
Also on today's calendar: Festive Friday: Light Up the Night and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Burlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Burlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 23 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Mostly cloudy and frigid, temps: high: 20, low: 16.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 27 and low of 24 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Burlington city officials to discuss potential solutions to budget shortfall Monday (mynbc5.com) — Burlington officials are weighing how to close a $10–$12 million budget shortfall that could raise property taxes about $175 on a $351,000 home, on top of other increases. With the mayor eyeing an additional tax hike to support police and fire, councilors and residents are questioning whether voters will back it at Monday’s key city council meeting. 
• More new Powerball players trying their luck as jackpot grows (wcax.com) — A billion-dollar Powerball jackpot is drawing big crowds to Champlain Farms on Shelburne Road in Burlington, where staff say they’re seeing many new players buying tickets with both cash and debit. With a lump-sum payout estimated around $461 million after taxes, locals are lining up ahead of Saturday night’s drawing to take their shot.
• Somali flag flown outside Vermont school building over Trump ‘garbage' slur brings threats (wcax.com) — Residents in nearby Winooski are grappling with racist threats after their school district briefly flew the Somali flag alongside U.S. and Vermont flags, prompting extra police presence. The district, just minutes from Burlington, says the gesture was meant to support Somali students after inflammatory national rhetoric, and local leaders emphasize safety, belonging, and community solidarity while law enforcement investigates.
📸 Around Burlington
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Burlington
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Maria Bamford
Vermont Comedy Club, 101 Main St, Burlington
8:30 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Festive Friday: Light Up the Night
Church Street Marketplace , 131 Church St , Burlington
4:00 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington , 152 Pearl St , Burlington
7:00 pm - Montpelier Monthly Hook-In
Trinity Methodist Church , Montpelier, VT, VT, United States
1:00 pm - Sharon, VT Rug Hooking and Fiber Crafts
Baxter Memorial Library , Sharon, VT, 05065, United States
2:00 pm - Sunday Public Skate at Leddy Arena
Burlington, VT Calendar , 216 Leddy Park Road , Burlington
2:30 pm - Solaris Holiday Cheer -- Burlington, VT
College Street Congregational Church , 265 College St , Burlington
4:00 pm - Brattleboro Area Rug Social - 4th Tuesday
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church , 16 Bradley Avenue , Brattleboro
10:00 am - Christmas Day
Burlington, VT Calendar - Champlain Islands Fiber Bees
North Hero Methodist Church , 3671 US-2 , North Hero
11:00 am
Friday December 19
Sunday December 21
Tuesday December 23
Thursday December 25
📣 Burlington 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
- Sunday Public Meditation
Burlington Shambhala Meditation Center , 187 S Winooski Ave , Burlington
9:00 am - Ugly Sweater Fun Run
South Burlington Recreation And Parks , 180 Market St , South Burlington
10:00 am - Sunday Basketball (18+)
South Burlington, VT Calendar , 500 Dorset Street , South Burlington
10:00 am - Make your own Holiday Cards - at Specs Cafe
Standing Stone Wines , 33 Main St , Winooski
1:00 pm
Sunday December 14
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
- Hi there, this is a reach but we’re looking for anyone that can help.
On 11/13/25 my partner was in a car accident. Someone in a green Subaru ran a red light and hit my partners car (blue Mitsubishi) Since then, we… (Nextdoor Old North End - East) - Report of police activity at McDonald's in South Burlington, Vermont.
11:41AM on Dec 12: Police were reported at a McDonald's on Williston Road. (Nextdoor )
- Albertsons Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Frozen Clerk in Burlington. Apply here.
- Global Elite Empire Agency posted a job opening for Client Enrollment Specialist- 100% Virtual on Your Schedule (Remote) in Burlington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Burlington here.
🗞 Nearby News
South Burlington
- Vermont high school basketball returns for the 2025-26 season (mynbc5.com)
- BETA Technologies gives first tour since going public (mynbc5.com)
- Senator Peter Welch says Vermont fighter wing deploying to Caribbean amid saber-rattling (newenglandnewspress.com)
Winooski
- Somali flag flown outside Vermont school building over Trump ‘garbage' slur brings threats (ground.news)
- Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Friday, Dec. 12 (burlingtonfreepress.com)
Ok Burlington! 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
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