Community Corner
🌱 Alabama To Receive COVID-19 Drug Doses + Two Grants Awarded
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Montgomery.
Good morning, Montgomery! Like many of you, the Patch team is taking some time off to enjoy the holidays, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of this slight pause in our schedule, and I will be back on Monday with the next edition of the Montgomery Daily! Now, here's everything happening around town today.
First, today's weather:
Partly sunny and nice. High: 65 Low: 56.
Here are the top stories today in Montgomery:
- Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Alabama will receive a limited number of doses of a new drug that can be used to treat the illness. The state's initial supply of 780 courses of the Pfizer oral drug Paxlovid will be distributed through pharmacies. People are still encouraged to get vaccinated, as this drug is not a substitute for the vaccine. (AP News)
- The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has awarded two grants to help law enforcement officers upgrade their skills and help inmates who have been released find jobs. The first grant of $200,000 was awarded to help law enforcement agencies improve their officers' skills. The second grant of $100,000 was awarded to provide jobs to former inmates in an effort to reduce their chances of returning to prison after their release. (CBS 42)
- Justin N. Johns has been charged with arson after a house fire in the Pike Road area on Wednesday. The fire heavily damaged the house, which is in the 300 block of Longwood Trial in the Bridle Brook Community. Court records indicate the home belonged to Johns and he set fire to it intentionally. (WSFA 12)
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From my notebook:
- The Montgomery Zoo is a proud partner of the Camellia Bowl right here in historic downtown Montgomery. The kick-off is set for Christmas Day, Dec. 25 at 1:30 PM CST / 2:30 PM EST, broadcasted live on ESPN. (Facebook)
- Walking in a Wild Winter Wonderland at the Zoofari Winter Camp at the Montgomery Zoo. Campers will enjoy unique, educational, and fun daily winter-themed activities, make crafts, experience behind-the-scenes animal encounters, and perhaps make a new friend or two. (Facebook)
- Join us nightly now through December 25 for Christmas Lights Festival at the Montgomery Zoo. See thousands of twinkling and sparkling lights and displays, stroll the illuminated and decorative pathways, enjoy a brisk train ride, or take in the view from overhead on the Zoofari Sky Lift Adventure ride. (Facebook)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox Monday with another update.
— Sammi Caramela
About me: Assistant Managing Editor at Lightning Media Partners and author of "Some Place Like Home."