🌱 Patch AM: How one maritime leader is helping shape Portsmouth’s next wave of growth

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 one maritime leader is helping shape Portsmouth’s next wave of growth
• How a young sailor’s journey now runs through Portsmouth’s Navy hospital
• How Portsmouth ended up on Virginia’s high gun-violence list

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

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high of 56 and low of 34 degrees.
• Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, temps: high: 62, low: 57.
• Friday: A shower in the a.m.; breezy, with a high of 66 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Inside Business 2025 Women in Business: Camille Crofton Cherry (pilotonline.com) — A regional business leader with deep ties to Olde Towne Portsmouth highlights how her volunteer work with the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority and Portsmouth Partnership supports the city’s maritime economy and future growth. She reflects on her family’s history in the industry, her goals for strengthening the region, and why Portsmouth’s upcoming developments make it a standout part of Hampton Roads.
   

• From Taylors to the Fleet: Local Graduate Proudly Serves in the U.S. Navy (audacy.com) — A young sailor is currently serving at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, reinforcing the city’s role as a key Navy medical hub. The article profiles Seaman Apprentice Ryan Embree’s path from South Carolina to his master-at-arms role in Portsmouth, his family’s military legacy, and his long-term plans to continue serving and possibly become a rescue swimmer.
   

• Gun violence declines in Virginia, yet impacts on schools and communities remain (13newsnow.com) — Portsmouth is highlighted among Virginia cities with some of the state’s highest gun-related homicide rates, even as overall gun crime has declined since 2022. A new JLARC report links community gun violence to school absenteeism, lower test scores, and weaker graduation rates, and notes that Portsmouth receives “Safer Communities” funding aimed at prevention and community support.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 18

• The Help Desk: 1-on-1 Computer Help by Appointment
  Portsmouth Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
  11:00 am
• Not Ready For Workshop Writers Club
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Norfolk Word Art Show
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Beginners Line Dancing Classes - Coleman Meeting Room Churchland Branch
  Coleman Meeting Room - Churchland Branch , 4934 High Street West , Portsmouth
  10:00 am
• Prose and Cons
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Scary Stories: Writing Club
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• A Page in the Life Memoir Group
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• Tunin' Back In Poetry Club
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm

📣 Portsmouth 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

Wednesday December 17

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm
• REVIVE -VA's Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education Lay Rescuer Training
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 1425 Norchester Ave. , Norfolk
  5:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Board of Zoning Appeals
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street City Hall - 11th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
  10:00 am
• City Planning Commission - Informal Meeting
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street 10th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
  12:00 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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Save The Date: A Tribute to Dr.
  Martin Luther King, Jr. - January 20, 2026 - 7:00 p.m. - I. C. Norcom High School - 1801 London Boulevard Join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for a… (Nextdoor )
• 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 )

• Rainbow International SPV, LLC posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance worker in Portsmouth. Apply here.
• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

🗞 Nearby News

Norfolk

• Norfolk's temporary casino rakes in $1.4M in first 23 days (wavy.com)
• Norfolk man who spent 20 years in prison has record expunged after decades-long fight to prove innocence (wtkr.com)
• Paying tribute to my oldest brother (rapidesparishjournal.com)

Carrollton

• Self-storage facility approved next to Rising Star Baptist Church (smithfieldtimes.com)

Chesapeake

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 can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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