🌱 How a drunk raccoon sparked a Downtown Ashland scavenger hunt

Good day Ashland! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a drunk raccoon sparked a Downtown Ashland scavenger hunt

Also on today's calendar: Hanover Concert Band Holiday Pops Concert and 2 more events.

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

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

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 44 and low of 30 degrees.
• Wednesday: Periods of sun, temps: high: 54, low: 30.
• Thursday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 55 and low of 49 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Not his first break-in: Drunk raccoon entered other businesses (wsbtv.com) — A mischievous raccoon’s drunken raid on a Hanover County liquor store has inspired a flurry of local tie-ins, including a raccoon-themed scavenger hunt from the Downtown Ashland Association. Animal control officers let the “trashed panda” safely sleep it off before releasing him, while the county shelter has raised over $250,000 selling themed merchandise to fund a badly needed facility upgrade.
   

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📸 Around Ashland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ashland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday December 16

• Hanover Concert Band Holiday Pops Concert
  Hanover Arts & Activities Center, 500 S Center St, Ashland
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Longest Night Service: Finding Christmas peace in times of grief or stress.
  201 Henry St, Ashland
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Tuesday December 16

• Town Council Meeting
  Council Chambers - Ashland Town Hall , 121 Thompson Street , Ashland
  6:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Economic Development Authority-CANCELED
  Ashland, VA Calendar , 121 Thompson Street Ashland Town Hall , Ashland
  5:30 pm
• Economic Development Authority
  Council Chambers - Ashland Town Hall , 121 Thompson Street , Ashland
  5:30 pm

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📣 Ashland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Atlee Bridge Club
  Atlee Branch Atlee Meeting Room,
  10:00 am
• Book to Cook Club
  Montpelier Branch Montpelier Meeting Room,
  11:00 am
• Hanover Fiber Arts
  Atlee Branch Creative Commons,
  1:00 pm
• Video Game Tuesday
  Atlee Branch
  3:30 pm
• Teen Hangout
  Mechanicsville Branch Mechanicsville Meeting Room A (Kitchenette Side),
  4:00 pm
• Dungeons & Dragons
  Mechanicsville Branch Mechanicsville Meeting Room B (Monitor Side),
  4:30 pm
• Wrestling at Brookland
  Holman Middle Glen Allen, VA 23059
  5:00 pm
• Basketball @ Hungary Creek
  Hungary Creek Middle School , 4909 Francistown Rd , Glen Allen
  5:00 pm
• Boys Basketball at Home Against Brookland
  Holman Middle Glen Allen, VA 23059
  5:00 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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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Bass Pro Shops posted a job opening for Inventory Control Specialist in Ashland. Apply here.
• Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Laundry Worker in Ashland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ashland here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Hanover

• Winter on the Green celebrates the magic of the season in Hanover County (wric.com)
• Honor rolls: Dec. 14, 2025 (citizensvoice.com)
• 18-year-old in critical condition after Mechanicsville shooting (nbc12.com)

Short Pump

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Ok Ashland! 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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