🌱 Patch AM: How Santa swapped his sleigh for a Lynchburg city bus

Hi Lynchburg! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Santa swapped his sleigh for a Lynchburg city bus
• How a new DOE voucher could boost Lynchburg’s nuclear innovation
• How did Lynchburg’s main hospital land a rare five-star rating?

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Sue C.!

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 61 and low of 42 degrees.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and warm, temps: high: 62, low: 43.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 67 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa delivers Christmas presents to children in Lynchburg communities (wset.com) — Families in Lynchburg’s Dearington, Birchwood, and James Crossing communities got a surprise visit Monday when Santa and the Grinch rolled in on a decorated Greater Lynchburg Transit Company bus to hand out toys. Partnering with One Community, One Voice, the event brought free gifts and holiday cheer to local kids just days before Christmas, delighting parents experiencing this kind of neighborhood outreach for the first time.
   

2. DOE selects first round of GAIN recipients for fiscal 2026 (exchangemonitor.com) — A Lynchburg-based division of BWX Technologies has been selected for a federal GAIN voucher, giving the company access to DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory to advance 3D modeling of next-generation TRISO nuclear fuel. The award doesn’t provide direct cash to BWXT, but funds lab support while requiring the company to cover at least 20% of project costs.
   

3. 29 VA Hospitals Among Best In U.S. In New Forbes Ranking (patch.com) — Centra Lynchburg General Hospital has earned a prestigious five-star rating in Forbes’ new 2026 Top Hospitals list, putting it among the very best in the nation. The ranking reflects strong outcomes, best practices, value, and patient experience, and places Lynchburg’s flagship hospital alongside just ten other five-star facilities statewide.
   

4. Lynchburg man sentenced to five years on charges stemming from 2024 barricade incident (wset.com) — A Lynchburg resident has been sentenced to five years in prison after a 2024 incident where he fired a gun during a welfare check and then barricaded himself in his Union Street home before surrendering to Lynchburg Police. He entered an Alford plea to several firearm and assault-related charges, receiving an 18-year sentence with all but five years suspended and probation after release.
   

📣 Lynchburg Shout Outs!

• ❤️ To Erin Jones, who has been there to lend helping hand to me. And share different things with me. I pray she doesn’t change, Love you —Sue C.

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

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

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lynchburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day
  Lynchburg, VA Calendar

Saturday December 27

• Saturday Market
  Lynchburg Community Market
  8:00 am

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Needlecrafters @ CCPL
  Campbell County Public Library , 684 Village Hwy , Rustburg
  12:00 pm
• Stitchin' Chicks
  Montvale Library , 11575 W Lynchburg Salem Turnpike , Montvale
  2:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Holiday (Offices Closed)
  Appomattox County, VA Calendar Appomattox, VA 24522
• LIBRARIES CLOSED- HOLIDAY
  A. B. Modine Memorial Library , 2110 Magnolia Avenue , Buena Vista

Thursday December 25

• Christmas Day Holiday (Offices Closed)
  Appomattox County, VA Calendar Appomattox, VA 24522

Friday December 26

• Friday Cheers at Blue Mountain Barrel House
  Blue Mountain Barrel House & Smokin' Barrel Restaurant , 495 Cooperative Way , Arrington
  5:30 pm
• Dungeons & Dragons Meeting
  Von Canon Library , 1 University Hill Dr , Buena Vista
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Community Sing-Along at Second Stage
  Second Stage | Amherst , 194 2nd St , Amherst
  4:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Ultimate Frisbee
  The Fields at Southern Virginia University , Ridge Ave , Buena Vista
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• LIBRARIES CLOSE BY 5- HOLIDAY
  A. B. Modine Memorial Library , 2110 Magnolia Avenue , Buena Vista

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Is this your black cat near Atlanta/Wards Ferry?
  Don’t know sex yet, so I’m just choosing he/him for ease. He has been coming around almost daily for over 3wks now (according to my security cams)… (Nextdoor Liberty University)
• I have these two wreaths available and can meet tomorrow!
  Let me know if anyone needs a last minute gift or just something for yourself. Trying to pull off a Christmas miracle! Any takers? Just message me!… (Nextdoor Peakland/Boonsboro)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Lynchburg. Apply here.
• Bausch & Lomb posted a job opening for Distribution Associate I (Day Shift) in Lynchburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lynchburg here.

Ok Lynchburg! 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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