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🌱 Patch AM: Mobile PD was short over 100 officers—where does staffing stand now?

Coming up: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Mobile Patch calendar

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Wednesday October 7th Patch AM
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Good day Mobile! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Mobile PD was short over 100 officers—where does staffing stand now?
  • What key evidence is shaping this high-stakes Mobile rape trial?
  • How a rare night council meeting could reshape Brookley by the Bay

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: High thin cloudiness, with a high of 86 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Sun and some clouds, temps: high: 84, low: 67.
  • Friday: Some wind and rain, with a high of 81 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mobile PD staffing rises from shortage to near full strength (utv44.com) — Mobile's police force is nearing full strength, with 503 sworn officers now on the job after a new class of ten graduated. Chief William Jackson says they were once down more than 100 officers, but improved retention lets the department be more selective while another academy class starts soon.
   

2. Mobile rape trial pits victim's memory lapse against forensic evidence (fox10tv.com) — A high-profile rape trial in Mobile is underway, centering on forensic evidence to explain what happened to an 18-year-old woman who cannot remember most of the night. Prosecutors say DNA and surveillance video tie a suspect to her abduction near a local bar and drop-off at the University of South Alabama, while the defense argues investigators lack a complete picture.
   

3. Mobile council holds first night meeting in 12 years (mynbc15.com) — Mobile residents finally got an evening City Council meeting, drawing a larger crowd of working people and students than usual daytime sessions. Council members also debated a $9 million state grant and $5 million in city funding for the planned Brookley by the Bay waterfront park, delaying a vote one week to clarify how Mobile will pay its share.
   

4. Mobile County Aquatics Center opening delayed, again (wkrg.com) — The long-awaited Mobile County Aquatics Center off Hall Mills Road has been delayed again, with officials now hoping to open by year's end. Construction repairs, weather, and unresolved pricing and team-use agreements worry City of Mobile Swim Association members, who have trained at Bishop State's pool for decades and are eager to move into the new facility.
   

5. City of Mobile buys snowplows to prepare for rare winter weather (wkrg.com) — Mobile is investing just over $76,000 in four snowplow attachments so city dump trucks can clear roads if another rare Gulf Coast snowfall hits. Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis says the plows may sit unused for years, but argues they're a long-term safety investment that could also assist nearby communities.
   

📸 Around Mobile

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This is Yoshi our completely white cat.
    We got him from FOMAS after asking for a white kitten with green eyes. We got Yoshi two years ago as a kitten. I fed him soft cat food and goats… (Nextdoor Terrace Hills)
  • The TV broke and I'm bored so I'm taking pictures of my pets.
    I thought I'd show everyone my frogdog. Don't let his frog like body fool you. He is an honest to goodness frogdog. Just ask him. Just let the pups… (Nextdoor Dauphin Acres)
  • Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Mobile. Apply here.
  • Smoothie King posted a job opening for Team Member in Mobile. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mobile here.

Ok Mobile! 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: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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