🌱 Patch AM: What Portsmouth’s new Circuit Court judge means for city justice

Hi there, Portsmouth! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What Portsmouth’s new Circuit Court judge means for city justice
• How a Portsmouth-born hero reshaped the story of the Revolution
• How 100 free bikes brought holiday hope to Portsmouth kids

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

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A touch of morning rain, with a high of 58 and low of 41 degrees.
• Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 56, low: 34.
• Thursday: Clouds and sunshine, with a high of 63 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Portsmouth Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For New Judge (thenewjournalandguide.com) — Portsmouth is welcoming a new Circuit Court judge as hometown native Lavonda N. Graham-Williams, the former city attorney, takes the bench in January after a recent swearing-in. She’s among the first Black women to hold the role and has already shaped major city issues, from high-profile lawsuits to acquiring the regional jail and preserving historically Black neighborhoods.
   

2. Remembering William 'Billy' Flora, a free Black Virginian and American patriot • Virginia Mercury (virginiamercury.com) — Portsmouth readers are reminded that Revolutionary War hero William “Billy” Flora was born to free Black parents in Portsmouth and later became a prominent businessman here. The piece traces how his bravery at the 1775 Battle of Great Bridge was long celebrated in Black newspapers but overlooked in mainstream accounts, and explains how modern markers in Portsmouth and Chesapeake now honor his legacy ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
   

3. Comfort and joy on wheels for children in Portsmouth (wavy.com) — Families in Portsmouth lined up outside Third Baptist Church as Mayor Shannon Glover and volunteers from Andrew's Brothers gave away 100 donated bicycles to children just days before Christmas. The annual event focused on helping local families facing financial hardship, offering both practical support and a sense of hope and community connection during the holidays.
   

4. Missy Elliott gives $50K to Portsmouth nonprofit (wavy.com) — Portsmouth residents in need are getting a major boost after hometown star Missy Elliott, through her mother Patricia, donated $50,000 to Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless and helped serve free meals on London Boulevard. The gift, paired with a bike drive and mobile pantry, will support food, shelter, and other essentials for struggling neighbors while continuing Elliott’s long record of giving back locally.
   

📸 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!

Wednesday December 24

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Library Programs - Meeting Room Main Library
  Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
  10:00 am

Sunday December 28

• THE SCRIBES: A CLUB FOR 18-25 YEAR OLD WRITERS
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Write Now! at Slover Library
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 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

Tuesday December 23

• Deck the Hall
  Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
  5:00 pm
• Santa's Trip Around the World
  Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 310 Shea Drive , Chesapeake
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Wednesday Wordsmiths!
  The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Fortune Feimster
  Harrison Opera House , 160 W Virginia Beach Blvd , Norfolk
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Year's Eve
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 3500 Granby Street , Norfolk
  9:30 am
• New Year's Eve Live! Norfolk
  Waterside District , 333 Waterside Dr , Norfolk
  7:00 pm

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

• Crash on US-58 westbound at 4.4 miles south of I-664 in Suffolk has been cleared.
  1:27AM on Dec 22: All westbound travel lanes on US-58 at 4.4 miles south of I-664 in Suffolk are closed due to a crash. (Nextdoor )
• 3 new members of the family in our saltwater tank .
  Clown fish her name is Christmas and Lawnmower blenny named Lenny and the Anenome named Marley. (Nextdoor Long Point)

• Food Lion posted a job opening for FT Manager Customer Service (H) in Portsmouth. Apply here.
• MobilityWorks posted a job opening for Porter in Norfolk. 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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