Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a Portsmouth custody order is central to this Suffolk abduction case
Coming up on the Portsmouth Patch calendar: Sock Skating at Childrens Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
What's up Portsmouth! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a Portsmouth custody order is central to this Suffolk abduction case
- What Portsmouth police still need after a 13-year-old’s fatal shooting
- How one sailor’s journey led to saving lives in Portsmouth
Also on today's calendar: Military: French Toast Friday at NSAHR Portsmouth Rivers Edge Community Center (Portsmouth) and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Cloudy, cooler; a p.m. shower, with a high of 46 and low of 43 degrees.
- Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 54, low: 40.
- Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 58 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Documents show mom wanted for alleged parental abduction in Suffolk has joint custody (wtkr.com) — A custody dispute involving a Suffolk mother and her two daughters now directly ties back to a joint custody order issued by Portsmouth’s Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. The mother is seeking to quash a parental kidnapping warrant, arguing she has joint legal custody, while police and family members are being pressed for clarification on the case. 
2. Teen shot in Portsmouth succumbs to his injuries (13newsnow.com) — A 13-year-old boy shot Monday on Atlanta Avenue in Portsmouth has died from his injuries, and police say no one is in custody yet. Detectives are still investigating what led to the shooting and are asking anyone with information to contact the Crime Line or submit an anonymous online tip.
3. Traer native, North Tama graduate serves with Navy Medicine in Virginia (wcfcourier.com) — A Navy corpsman currently serves with Navy Medicine at the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command in Portsmouth, highlighting the critical military medical work happening right in the city. The story follows Petty Officer 1st Class Cody Finical’s path from small-town Iowa to caring for service members in Hampton Roads, underscoring how Portsmouth’s medical facilities support sailors and Marines every day.
4. Red Cross Holidays for Heroes drive supports service members and veterans in Hampton Roads and beyond (13newsnow.com) — Portsmouth’s Naval Medical Center is a key stop for the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes drive, where volunteers deliver comfort carts and essentials to hospitalized service members. The program, based across Hampton Roads, collects toiletries, clothing, and other basics that help restore dignity for wounded warriors and veterans year-round, and is seeking both donations and volunteers this holiday season.
5. Mercy Chefs spreads hope and holiday cheer to families affected by Kerr County floods (wavy.com) — A Portsmouth-based nonprofit, Mercy Chefs, is using its local kitchen and support to sustain long-term relief for families devastated by deadly summer floods in Kerr County, Texas. The group has stayed on the ground since July, serving meals, giving out toys and bikes at Christmas, and planning a permanent food bank while inviting continued donations from supporters back home in Portsmouth.
📸 Around Portsmouth
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Sock Skating at Childrens Museum of Virginia (Portsmouth)
Children's Museum of Virginia, 221 High St, Portsmouth
9:00 am
Saturday December 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Library Programs - Meeting Room Main Library
Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Military: French Toast Friday at NSAHR Portsmouth Rivers Edge Community Center (Portsmouth)
River's Edge Community Center , 860 Sterling Cook St , Portsmouth
12:00 pm - Snow Wonders
Children's Museum of Virginia , 221 High St , Portsmouth
6:00 pm - THE SCRIBES: A CLUB FOR 18-25 YEAR OLD WRITERS
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
4:00 pm - Write Now! at Slover Library
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - Queer Writers Meet-up @ Eleanor's NFK
Elanor’s Norfolk , 801 Boush St Unit B , Norfolk
10:00 am
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
📣 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
- Military Families: Customer Appreciation Day at NS Norfolk – Pierside Entertainment Center (Norfolk)
Pierside Entertainment Center , CEP-127 , B Ave , Norfolk
10:00 am - Live Music Friday 🎤
St. George Brewing Company , 204 Challenger Way , Hampton
6:00 pm - A Sherlock Carol
Virginia Stage Company , 108 E Tazewell St , Norfolk
7:30 pm - Noche de Verano Sin Ti
Elevation 27 , 600 Nevan Rd , Virginia Beach
8:00 pm
Friday December 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- ***update: dog has been taken to the Portsmouth Humane Society.
I have attached their contact information Lost and Found Hours: Daily: 8 am – 5 pm Contact Information: Portsmouth Humane 4022 Seaboard Court… (Nextdoor Edgefield) - A huge Christmas Eve Birthday to my amazing husband!!
Happy Birthday Will!! A whole 54 years young today!!! Will (Nextdoor Cradock)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- Virginia Staffing posted a job opening for Production Associate - Heat Seal Operator 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 guess I’m out of time.
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