Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How bad are Richmond’s holiday car break-ins this week?

Be sure to catch Dale Jones is in Richmond, VA. Dec 19 & 20! on the Richmond Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Richmond! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How bad are Richmond’s holiday car break-ins this week?
  • How a Richmond grandma’s gift run became a $100,000 lottery win
  • How thousands of Richmond kids are getting surprise Christmas gifts

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 54 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy; a brief morning shower, temps: high: 62, low: 26.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 47 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Richmond police warn against leaving holiday gifts in cars (nbc12.com) — Richmond police are warning residents to lock their cars and remove gifts and other valuables after nearly 60 vehicles were vandalized in just two days in the First Precinct. Officers say thieves are especially targeting visible items and even firearms left in cars, and they’re offering free gun lock boxes to those who need them. Neighbors are already stepping up security as holiday shopping ramps up.
   

2. Richmond grandmother scores $100K while buying gifts (shorenewsnetwork.com) — A Richmond grandmother’s quick stop for Christmas shopping turned into a $100,000 Virginia Lottery win, thanks to a Bonus Spin Crossword ticket bought in North Chesterfield. The prize will help her pay off bills, while lottery proceeds continue sending millions each year to Richmond City K–12 schools.
   

3. ‘The joy of Christmas': Angel Tree distribution event gives thousands Christmas gifts (nbc12.com) — Richmond families in need are getting a major boost this week as the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree distribution center hands out thousands of Christmas gifts, bikes, and coats to local children and seniors. Volunteers, sponsors, and local businesses say the effort is about more than presents, emphasizing community, dignity, and shared holiday joy as the giveaway continues Thursday.
   

4. Mother of child killed in Richmond house fire thanks community for its support (wric.com) — A Richmond mother is thanking neighbors for raising more than $20,000 after a North 22nd Street house fire killed her 70-year-old mother and 10-year-old son. She says her injured father is recovering, while Richmond Fire officials still investigate the cause and urge residents to follow winter fire safety tips.
   

5. Vanishing Transparency II – Almost Here – [your]NEWS (yournews.com) — An independent investigator is teasing the next installment of a hard-hitting series examining alleged corruption and accountability failures in Richmond’s government, built on public records and other documentation. While details are still under wraps, the project promises evidence-based reporting aimed at challenging how power is exercised in and around the city.
   

📸 Around Richmond

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 Richmond

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Richmond Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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 Richmond PatchAM possible:

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

  • Avery Point Named One of Virginia Living Magazine's Top Retirement Communities —Petra Shaw Read on Patch
  • UPDATE: HE HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HIS OWNER!
    FOUND DOG. Very large brindle mastiff / cane corso found near Tazewell and Overbrook. He has a red color, is very sweet and seems to be well trained… (Nextdoor Battery Park)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 16, 2025 in Tuckahoe, VA 23229 near On asbury Ct off Quioccasin and gaskins Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or… (Nextdoor Avalon)
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Richmond. Apply here.
  • U-Haul International, Inc. posted a job opening for Storage Facility Housekeeper in Richmond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Richmond here.

Ok Richmond! 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 haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Support These Local Businesses

+ List My Business

More from Richmond