🌱 Patch AM: What new charges a former James Wood substitute now faces in court

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

In today's newsletter:

• What new charges a former James Wood substitute now faces in court
• Could Medicaid be paying your Medicare premiums in Winchester?
• How two local teens just gained a voice on your school board

Also on today's calendar: Serenity Service and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Jim M.!

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

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 47 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: Windy; cooler in the p.m., temps: high: 50, low: 24.
• Saturday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 44 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Hendrickson pleads guilty to new charges involving minor (winchesterstar.com) — A former Frederick County Public Schools substitute teacher with prior convictions involving a James Wood High School student has now pleaded guilty to additional felony charges involving one of his children, with sentencing set for March. The case, tied to incidents in Frederick County and time served at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center near Winchester, includes potential prison time, sex offender requirements, and a psychological evaluation.
   

2. Medicaid May Cover Medicare Premiums for Eligible Residents (thewinchestergazette.com) — Winchester residents on Medicare who meet low-income and asset limits may qualify to have their monthly premiums covered by Virginia Medicaid, including Part B. The article explains income and resource thresholds, how coverage dates work, and where locals can apply in person on Baker Street or by phone and online, with reminders about annual renewal requirements.
   

3. FCPS Names First Student Representatives to School Board (thewinchestergazette.com) — Frederick County Public Schools has named its first-ever student representatives to the School Board, giving local students a direct voice in division leadership that affects Winchester-area families. Sherando junior Gavin Flynn will serve as representative, with Millbrook junior Isabella Collegeman as alternate, both bringing strong academic and extracurricular experience to the new roles.
   

4. Athlete Spotlight: Handley swimmer Lexi Meleason (winchesterstar.com) — A Handley High School senior swimmer from Winchester shares what she loves about her team, her proudest and toughest moments in the pool, and how her family inspires her. Local readers also learn about her favorite pop culture picks and her plans to study psychology in college to help others.
   

5. Laurel Ridge Workforce Campaign Wins International Award (thewinchestergazette.com) — Laurel Ridge Community College’s Workforce Solutions program in nearby Middletown has earned an international LERN award for an innovative, data-driven marketing campaign that cut costs while boosting response. For Winchester-area residents, it highlights a strong local workforce training resource that’s gaining national attention and refining how it reaches potential students across the region.
   

📸 Around Winchester

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Winchester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Dance Party
  Handley Regional Library, 100 W Piccadilly St, Winchester
  10:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 18

• Serenity Service
  2161 Brucetown Rd, Clear Brook, VA, 22624
  7:00 pm
• Antique Silver & Brass Restoration Services: THURSDAY 10-4
  6830 Elm St, Suite 9, McLean, VA, 22101
  10:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Gift Ideas at Eugene B. Smith Gallery
  Eugene B. Smith Gallery
  10:00 am
• Esports Open House
  The Youth Development Center , 302 South Loudoun Street , Winchester
  6:30 pm
• Big Hair, Bright Lights & Spank the 80's
  Backseat Events , 114 Full House Drive , Winchester
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Bitcoin Brunch
  Water Street Kitchen , 2 S Loudoun St , Winchester
  10:00 am
• Author Event: Cassandra Medcalf
  The Winchester Book Gallery , 7 N Loudoun Street , Winchester
  11:00 am
• Author Event: Beka Wueste - My Side of the World and Other Tales of Death
  The Winchester Book Gallery , 7 N Loudoun Street , Winchester
  2:00 pm
• Slamdance Kooperatieve with winemaker Daniel Callen
  Patti's Place , 3178 Laurel Grove Rd , Winchester
  3:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• "Silent Was The Night" A Christmas Cantata
  Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 2732 Martinsburg Pike, Stephenson, VA, 22656
  3:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Service
  2732 Martinsburg Pike , Stephenson
  7:00 pm

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 Winchester PatchAM possible:

• Sparkling squad — (154) 032-7823
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• Sparkling Squad — (550) 327-8233
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  No Dispatch Fees for Plumbing Services!
• Light of Lotus Massage Therapy — (540) 335-5258
  Mobile massage therapy
• FREE Water Testing - JR Snider Water Care & Plumbing — (703) 454-8921
  JR Snider – Your Local Water Care & Plumbing Experts

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Crispy clear ride on a glorious Winchester Va winter afternoon on the Green Circle Trail , Abrams Creek Preserve and Trails of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley .
  About 35 degrees but brilliant sun and no wind (Nextdoor West Winchester)
• Holiday Giving PSA….
  With so many requests so close to the holidays on all of the social media sites, I feel the need to drive this home. My heart breaks for every story… (Nextdoor Frederick and Fortress)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Winchester. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Winchester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winchester here.

Ok Winchester! 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!

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