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🌱 Patch AM: How a lithium battery sparked a late-night Portsmouth house fire

Happening soon: Holiday Nights at the Park on the Portsmouth Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hi Portsmouth! 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 a lithium battery sparked a late-night Portsmouth house fire
  • How would a two‑mile CSX train change driving in Portsmouth?
  • Could the Navy’s hospital be your closest lifesaving trauma option?

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Family Fun at Cradock Recreational Center: Christmas Paint and Sipz (Portsmouth) and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 63 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Friday: A morning shower or two, temps: high: 68, low: 28.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 53 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Lithium-ion battery causes late-night house fire in Portsmouth, officials say (13newsnow.com) — A late-night house fire on Maryland Avenue in Portsmouth was quickly contained Monday after starting in a room where a lithium-ion battery ignited, displacing one adult and one child but causing no injuries. City fire crews, assisted by Navy Regional Mid-Atlantic firefighters, knocked down the blaze in under 20 minutes and are urging residents to handle and charge lithium-ion devices with extra care.
   

2. Only On 10: Train trouble on track in Portsmouth (wavy.com) — Portsmouth leaders are pushing back against a CSX proposal to run a two‑mile freight train along Frederick Boulevard, warning it could block at least 21 crossings for up to 30 minutes. City officials and business owners fear major traffic jams, delayed emergency responses, and blocked access to key routes like the Jordan Bridge and Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
   

3. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth expands trauma care to civilians, saving lives beyond the base (wtkr.com) — If you’re badly hurt in or near Portsmouth, local EMS can now take you straight to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s Level II trauma center, even if you’re a civilian. Since opening, it’s treated over 1,300 patients, more than half non-military, and city leaders say the expanded access is already saving lives and strengthening partnerships with local schools and hospitals.
   

4. Nine localities account for more than half of Virginia's gun-related homicides: Report (wavy.com) — Portsmouth is one of nine Virginia localities that together account for more than half of the state’s gun-related homicides from 2020 to 2024, according to a new legislative report. Analysts say concentrated gun violence is hurting school safety, student attendance, graduation rates, and local economies in these communities, even as statewide gun violence rates decline overall.
   

5. Chesapeake School Board prohibits employees from asking others to use preferred pronouns (wtkr.com) — A Portsmouth educator joined others in speaking out as Chesapeake’s School Board voted 7-2 to bar employees from asking students or colleagues to use pronouns different from their biological sex. The new policy, effective immediately, applies only to staff and has drawn concerns about creating a hostile work environment for LGBTQ+ educators and allies.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good afternoon!
    There are only 3 spots left for January 3rds CPR and AED Workshop. Join us for an afternoon of engagement and learning life saving skills! (Nextdoor Western)
  • Winter Wonderland is Open Through December 28th
    The Coleman Nursery Collection at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center (400 High Street) offers a nostalgic, holiday-themed visual treat for young… (Nextdoor )
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Portsmouth. Apply here.
  • Rainbow International SPV, LLC posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance worker in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

Ok Portsmouth! 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. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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