Neighborhood Holiday Lights And The Art Of Keeping Quiet [Block Talk]

“Who are we to say what our neighbors can and cannot display?” said a Patch reader who claims to be Santa. “Their house, their tastes.”

Dog Saves Sheep From 11 Coyotes, Up For Title: 9 Good News Stories

Bar sale is bitterseet; lights go up with a little help from friends; a Christmas party of self-checkout “employees,“ life-saving “plunger.”

Air Force IDs 8 US Crew Members Lost In Osprey Crash In Japan

Air Force Special Operations Command said Tuesday it identified the eight service members lost when their Osprey crashed near Japan.

Researchers May Have Unlocked Mystery Illness Sickening, Killing Dogs

Dogs in 14 states have mysteriously fallen ill with a serious respiratory ailment. Researchers in New Hampshire think they know why.

US Air Force Osprey Crashes In Japan: Remains Of 5 Found

U.S. and Japanese divers have discovered wreckage and the remains of five crew members from a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft that crashed.

Northern Lights ‘Second Chances’ Monday, Tuesday: See U.S. Aurora Map

A coronal hole is sending high-speed solar winds toward Earth — and the aurora borealis could dance again after breaking 20-year record.

Pilgrims Yearn To Visit Site Where Saints Cared For Leprosy Patients

Kalaupapa was once the government's answer to a deadly leprosy outbreak in the 1800s that persisted into the next century.

Geminid Fireballs, Bright Planets, More Reasons To Look Up In December

The Geminid meteor shower highlights December skywatching, and the beautiful Quadrantids open 2024. Several planets shine brightly, too.

Northern Lights May Be Visible In Northern Third Of U.S.: See Map

The aurora borealis could dip into mid-latitude states early Friday and again that night as a powerful geomagnetic storm heads toward Earth.

Slackers Who Won’t Shovel Their Snow Test Neighborliness [Block Talk]

There’s always that one neighbor who wouldn’t know a snow shovel if hit over the head with it — not that we’re advising that for shirkers.

Google Is Deleting Old Gmail Accounts In December: 5 Things To Know

Even if you haven’t signed in for 2 or more years, or have forgotten your username and password, there are ways to protect your data.

Exotic Ticks That Fed On — And Killed — 3 Cattle Found In 19 States

​A 5-year-old healthy bull in Ohio infested with “tens of thousands” of Asian longhorned ticks bled to death, according to researchers.

Full Beaver Moon Will Get Out Of The Way Before Geminid Meteors Dazzle

November’s full moon is a nod to semiaquatic mammals — and their thick furs — as they move into their complex, fortressed lodges for winter.

​Population Of Hard-To-Eradicate 'Super Pigs' Threaten To Invade U.S.

A leading authority on feral swine calls these crossbred pigs "the most invasive animal on the planet" and "an ecological train wreck."

Leonid Meteors, Known For Fireballs And Fast Speed, Peak This Weekend

Leonid meteors blaze across the sky at about 44 miles per second and are also known for colorful tails and Earth-grazers.

Reindeer Glass Ceiling; The Thanks ‘Is To Live’: 7 Good News Stories

All souls are honored in a corner of Bedford, New York; an entrepreneur’s generosity ended up saving his business; more good news.

Potentially Fatal Mystery Respiratory Illness Sickens Dogs Across U.S.

The mystery illness, which has killed some dogs, starts with a persistent cough that is resistant to antibiotics and other treatments.

The Great Debate Over Leaf Blowers [Block Talk]

Readers defending gas-powered leaf blowers huffed and puffed — “Move to another country!” one implored — as others stood up for pollinators.

​Eating Less Meat Would Benefit Earth; Americans Are Slow To Change

There's no question cutting back on meat consumption could have lasting effects, but that will require a behavior change in rich countries.

What To Do About Neighbors Who Won’t Shovel Sidewalks? [Block Talk]

Are you the person who starts the snowblower and clears the entire street? Or someone who waits, hoping someone else will take care of it?

Possible Solar Storms In 2024 Could Knock Out Internet For Months

A cyclical increase in violent solar storms could test the backbone of the internet, which came of age during a quiet time for the sun.

A Short Note on Changes to Patch Community Interactions

You may have noticed some changes in how you can interact on our platform, particularly the removal of Neighbor Posts and Replies.

Handmade Nativity Vatican Bound: 13 Good News Stories

An uncle they never knew until they read the letters; relief with Hamas hostage release; surfing otter gets reprieve with birth of pup.

Patch Expands Local News Coverage Thanks To T-Mobile

Spotlighting town traditions, star students & local leaders is possible thanks to a brand partner that values community connections.

Too Old To Trick Or Treat? Not Unless You’re Dead, LOL. [Block Talk]

Whatever the age of the trick-or-treater, Halloween is a time for spirited fun in neighborhoods across the country.

Fall Leaf Debate: Do You Blow, Bag, Mulch Or Ignore? [Block Talk]

They move leaves in short order, but gas-powered leaf blowers can be the bane of the neighborhood. How do you clean up leaves in the fall?

Venus Will 'Kiss' The Moon With Jupiter As Witness: What To Know

The celestial smooch is later this month. Jupiter will dazzle all month long, but especially in early November in its annual opposition.

Taurid Meteors Set Up Fireballs Through Year's End; Is 'Swarm' Likely?

​The Southern and Northern Taurids are a warmup for the dazzling Leonids and Geminids, which also streak across the sky in November.

Full Hunter’s Moon May Be Big And Orange, But It Isn't A Supermoon

The full hunter’s moon may appear larger than normal when it creeps over the horizon, but that’s the result of a “moon illusion,” NASA says.

After Sneaking Up On Virginia Gardener, 'Scaredy Bear' Scampers Away

The encounter, which only lasted a few seconds, ended well. But the curious young bear has visited enough that it has a name — Spencer.

42 States Suing Meta, Alleging Youth Mental Health Concerns

Dozens of states sued Instagram and Facebook parent Meta on Tuesday, accusing them of harming young people's mental health.

He Has 300 Hens, Donates Every Egg To Food Banks: 9 Good News Stories

Grammy winner Lauryn Hill makes memories with kids at alma mater; love story behind sale of America’s oldest log cabin; Dairy Queen save.

What Do You Do If A Kid On A Plane Won’t Stop Shrieking? [Flightmares]

If their parents don’t intervene, what do you do about kids whose loud tantrums drive fellow passengers to the same meltdown they’re having?

How Old Is Too Old To Trick Or Treat? [Block Talk]

Is it OK for kids to trick or treat when they’re 17 or 18? What about 15 or 16? Or is this a Halloween ritual for the under-9 crowd?

Halloween Is For Fun; Haters Should Hide In Their Homes [Block Talk]

Lighten up and enjoy your neighbors’ creativity, many readers said. Others said blood and guts may be too much for young trick-or-treaters.

6 Ways to Help Pay for Senior Living

Insurance, home equity, savings, and government aid are a few ways families can help cover the costs of senior living.

Orionids, One Of Year's Most Beautiful Meteor Showers, Will Peak Soon

The Orionids hit Earth’s atmosphere at about 41 miles per second. Meteors that fast can create glowing trains and fireballs.

Odds Of Hitting A Deer Are Highest Right Now: How To Avoid A Collision

November, October and December are the most dangerous months of the years for deer and other animal collisions, insurance data shows.

Overdue 90 Years, Book Returned: 7 Good News Stories And A Memorial

Listen to your body; one cat changes a runner’s course, another comes home after 11 years; newly discovered snail is a Parrothead.

How A Strong El Niño Winter Could Affect Americans’ Heating Bills

It will cost less to heat the 60.1 million households using natural gas, according to a new winter fuels forecast from the government.