Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Portsmouth officers helped end a high-stakes Norfolk bank robbery
And on the Portsmouth Patch calendar - Marty C Moore
Hi there, Portsmouth! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Portsmouth officers helped end a high-stakes Norfolk bank robbery
- How a Portsmouth connection helped shape this beloved Virginia Beach pastor
- Why this Portsmouth auto tech swapped city life for chestnut trees
Also on today's calendar: Snow Wonders at Childrens Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth) and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Breezy; an a.m. shower or two, with a high of 69 and low of 30 degrees.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler, temps: high: 51, low: 40.
- Sunday: Sunny much of the time, with a high of 59 and low of 30 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Man sentenced to more than 5 years for 2024 Norfolk bank robbery (13newsnow.com) — A Norfolk man who robbed a Truist Bank in 2024 was sentenced this month, after Portsmouth’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit tracked him down and arrested him with the stolen cash still in his car. The case highlights how Portsmouth police assisted Norfolk officers in closing a dangerous robbery that began across the river but ended in a Portsmouth parking lot. 
• Father Steve DeLeon: 40 years as priest, over 20 at Star of the Sea (catholicvirginian.org) — A longtime Virginia Beach pastor is being celebrated for 40 years of priesthood, including two decades leading Star of the Sea parish and supporting ministries that also connect across Hampton Roads. His path to the Diocese of Richmond included an invitation from a priest then serving at Church of the Holy Angels in Portsmouth, highlighting the close ties between local parishes and regional Catholic life.
• She Traded Her Beach Vibes for Chickens and Chestnuts (nytimes.com) — A newly married couple with deep South Hampton Roads roots includes a groom who works as an automotive technician in Portsmouth, even though the pair now live on a small farm in Windsor. Their story follows her move from Virginia Beach’s shoreline to a chestnut-and-chicken lifestyle, with milestones in Norfolk and ties that many Portsmouth-area readers will recognize.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Marty C Moore
Harbor Trail Brewing Company, 5900 Churchland Blvd, Portsmouth
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Norfolk Word Art Show
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
7:00 pm - Snow Wonders at Childrens Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Children's Museum of Virginia , 221 High St , Portsmouth
9:00 am - Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market & Classic Cars & Coffee!!
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center , 400 High St , Portsmouth
9:00 am - Nourishing our Neighbors at Effingham Street Family YMCA (Portsmouth)
Effingham Street Family YMCA , 1013 Effingham St , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Library Programs - Meeting Room Main Library
Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Beginners Line Dancing Classes - Coleman Meeting Room Churchland Branch
Coleman Meeting Room - Churchland Branch , 4934 High Street West , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Volunteer Workday
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve , 4510 Twin Pines Rd , Portsmouth
10:00 am
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 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
- Elves Around the City: Pop-Up Litter Cleanup with Keep Norfolk Beautiful
Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street , Norfolk
9:00 am - Disney On Ice - Mickeys Search Party
Norfolk Scope Arena , 201 E Brambleton Ave , Norfolk
7:00 pm - Live From the Music Room: Jason Arce at the Hermitage Museum (Norfolk)
Hermitage Museum & Gardens , 7637 N Shore Rd , Norfolk
7:00 pm - Norfolk Word Art Show
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
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
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Kali was LOST on December 17, 2025 in Portsmouth, VA 23704 near Fayette street Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Cradock) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Kali was LOST on December 17, 2025 in Portsmouth, VA 23704 near Fayette street Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Cradock)
- Verano Holdings posted a job opening for Sanitation Associate in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager(04225) - 1201 London Blvd. in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
🗞 Nearby News
Norfolk
- Norfolk City Offices Closing for Christmas, New Year's (hamptonroadsmessenger.com)
- Editorial: Donations help The Joy Fund deliver holiday happiness (pilotonline.com)
- Justice denied: Two families in limbo thanks to deceptive detective (wavy.com)
Carrollton
- Six bidders submit proposals to become architect for new Westside Elem... (smithfieldtimes.com)
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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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