🌱 How a missing Appalachia coach shaped Union High’s heartbreaking one-point loss

Good day Appalachia! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a missing Appalachia coach shaped Union High’s heartbreaking one-point loss
• Could Appalachia’s longtime delegate jump into a reshaped congressional race?
• How a poet from Appalachia landed on Virginia’s must-meet list

Also on today's calendar: Mommy and Me Yoga- Sat 12:30 and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cloudy and very cold, with a high of 26 and low of 25 degrees.
• Friday: Cold with snow, 1-2", temps: high: 35, low: 25.
• Saturday: Mainly cloudy and cold, with a high of 34 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• Virginia football team loses state semis by 1 point as fugitive coach Travis Turner remains missing (nypost.com) — Residents should know that a local high school football coach from Appalachia remains missing while facing serious criminal charges, and his Union High Bears just lost the state semifinal by a single point. Despite the turmoil, players and the community kept their season alive under an interim coach, drawing praise for their focus and resilience.
   

• As Rasoul Explores Run For Congress, Macy Responds That She's Not a 'Career Politician' (roanokerambler.com) — A state delegate who says he has represented Appalachia in the General Assembly for more than a decade is now exploring a run for Congress, potentially reshaping how this region’s voice is heard in Washington. His possible bid could collide with Roanoke author Beth Macy’s campaign, all while looming redistricting may redraw Southwest and central Virginia’s political map.
   

• Smith Named To ‘People To Meet' List (thenews-gazette.com) — A Virginia Military Institute instructor who grew up in Appalachia has been named one of Virginia Business magazine’s “100 People to Meet in 2026.” Now the state’s poet laureate, she’s using a national fellowship to run poetry workshops that support veterans’ health and resilience across Virginia, while continuing work on her next book.
   

📸 Around Appalachia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Appalachia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 11

• Thurs 7pm Pilates
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage, 604 Park Ave NW, Norton
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• Mommy and Me Yoga- Sat 12:30
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  12:00 pm
• Festival of Trees: Night Viewing
  Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park , 10 W 1st St N , Big Stone Gap
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Weds 7pm Yoga
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Thurs 7pm Pilates
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Weds 7pm Yoga
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Thurs 7pm Pilates
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Mommy and Me Yoga- Sat 12:30
  Appalachian Moon Yoga and Massage , 604 Park Ave NW , Norton
  12:00 pm

📣 Appalachia Shout Outs!

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

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 13

• Greenbelt in Lights Ride Nights
  306 Wood Ave E , Big Stone Gap
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Books From The Crypt: Horror Book Club - Big Stone Gap
  C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library , 11 Proctor Street N , Big Stone Gap

Wednesday December 17

• Trailblazers Science Night - Big Stone Gap
  C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library , 11 Proctor Street N , Big Stone Gap

Monday December 22

• The Missing Pieces: Jigsaw Puzzle Group - Big Stone Gap
  C. Bascom Slemp Memorial Library , 11 Proctor Street N , Big Stone Gap

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member Virginia in Big Stone Gap. Apply here.
• University of Virginia posted a job opening for Adjunct Faculty in Wise. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Appalachia here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wise

• LR Women's Basketball Pulls Away Late in Win Over Catawba (whky.com)
• Union High School parent says he's concerned with school board's accountability (wjhl.com)
• James 'Jimmie' Fletcher McReynolds, 91, of Poquoson (wydaily.com)

Gate City

• Dobyns-Bennett girls shoot past Gate City (timesnews.net)

Bristol

Ok Appalachia! 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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