🌱 Patch AM: Why a Portsmouth mom says her apartment ceiling suddenly crashed on kids

Greetings Portsmouth! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why a Portsmouth mom says her apartment ceiling suddenly crashed on kids
• How one local leader is betting big on Portsmouth’s maritime future
• Meet the Portsmouth-based sailor honored as Hampton Roads’ top military citizen.

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

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 46 and low of 28 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 55, low: 34.
• Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Portsmouth apartment ceiling falls on kids (wavy.com) — Two young children in a Portsmouth apartment were hit by falling ceiling Sheetrock but escaped serious injury, leaving the family shaken and afraid to use the bedroom. The incident happened at Newport Landing, where the mother says maintenance cleared debris but management has not fully responded. She’s also disputing a recent noise notice that threatens her housing stability.
   

2. Inside Business 2025 Women in Business: Camille Crofton Cherry (pilotonline.com) — A Hampton Roads business leader with deep ties to Olde Towne Portsmouth is channeling her volunteer energy into the city’s economic and maritime future. She serves on groups like the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority and Portsmouth Partnership, aiming to support workforce, education, and preservation. Her story also touches on balancing young family life with regional leadership and long-term goals for the maritime industry.
   

3. HRS: 2025 Military Citizen of the Year for Hampton Roads (wavy.com) — A sailor serving at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth has been named Hampton Roads’ 2025 Military Citizen of the Year, spotlighting community service rooted right here in Portsmouth. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Joel Barnes was honored for both his radiography instruction and extensive volunteer work, and the feature invites locals to nominate other standout service members for future recognition.
   

4. Chesapeake School Board prohibits employees from asking others to use preferred pronouns (wtkr.com) — A Portsmouth educator joined many speakers in Chesapeake Monday night opposing a new school board policy that bars employees from asking others to use pronouns different from their biological sex. After about 45 minutes of public comment, the Chesapeake School Board voted 7-2 to approve the change, which supporters say prevents pressure on staff while opponents warn it could foster a hostile work environment.
   

📸 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 17

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

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
• 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

Tuesday December 16

• City Council Informal Session
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street 10th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
  4:00 pm
• Fair Housing for Landlords
  Norfolk, VA Calendar
  6:00 pm
• City Council Formal Session
  Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street City Hall - 11th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

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

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

• Im looking for a doggy bording place for my pup that can keep her for a week.
  Theres alot near by but I dont know to much about dog bording. Thank you for the help. (Nextdoor Greenfield Farms)
• My mini dog grooming shop in Port Norfolk 🩷
  https://www.pupstyle-salon.com PupStyle Salon llc (Nextdoor Port Norfolk)

• US Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Assistant (Community Rec) in Portsmouth. Apply here.
• MaidPro, Inc. posted a job opening for House Cleaner 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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