🌱 How a drunk Ashland raccoon raised six figures for shelter pets

Good morning Ashland! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a drunk Ashland raccoon raised six figures for shelter pets
• Remember that drunk Ashland raccoon? Here’s how weird it really got

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

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 43 and low of 24 degrees.
• Friday: Cold; afternoon snow showers, temps: high: 36, low: 28.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 48 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Viral 'Trashed Panda' Raccoon Raises Over $170K for Virginia Animal Shelter (washingtonian.com) — A tipsy raccoon’s late-night adventure at an Ashland ABC liquor store has unexpectedly brought in more than $170,000 for Hanover County’s animal shelter through “Trashed Panda” merchandise. The viral story, complete with national media attention and SNL parody, is helping fund upgrades that will directly improve care for local shelter animals.
   

• News Of The Weird 12/11/25 (inweekly.net) — Ashland pops up in a national “News of the Weird” column thanks to the now-famous raccoon that crashed through the ceiling of a local ABC liquor store and sampled everything from rum to eggnog before passing out. The roundup also shares other bizarre stories from around the country and world, but the Ashland critter easily steals the spotlight.
   

📸 Around Ashland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ashland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 16

• Town Council Meeting
  Council Chambers , 121 Thompson Street , Ashland
  6:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Economic Development Authority
  Council Chambers , 121 Thompson Street , Ashland
  5:30 pm
• Economic Development Authority-CANCELED
  Ashland, VA Calendar , 121 Thompson Street Ashland Town Hall , Ashland
  5:30 pm

📣 Ashland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Jack Frost Family Escape Room
  Ashland Branch Ashland Meeting Room A (Kitchenette Side), Ashland Meeting Room B (Projector Side),
  11:00 am
• Play Mahjongg!
  Rockville Branch Rockville Meeting Room A (Kitchenette Side), Rockville Meeting Room B,
  1:00 pm
• Teen Hangout
  Mechanicsville Branch Mechanicsville Meeting Room A (Kitchenette Side),
  4:00 pm
• Wrestling @ Brookland
  Brookland Middle School , 9200 Lydell Dr , Richmond
  5:00 pm
• Wrestling at Hungary Creek
  Holman Middle Glen Allen, VA 23059
  5:00 pm
• Basketball Home vs Brookland
  George H. Moody Middle School , 7800 Woodman Rd , Henrico
  5:00 pm
• Holiday Express Tour back ( Bus Loop)
  Glen Allen Elementary Glen Allen, VA 23060
  5:00 pm
• Chess at the Library
  Montpelier Branch
  6:00 pm
• Wrestling: V
  Highland Springs High School
  6:00 pm

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We clear junk & debri residential & commercial
  Demo & haul away misc items boats, campers, etc call 804-382-9741 (Nextdoor Ashland Virginia)

• Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. posted a job opening for Sanitation Worker in Ashland. Apply here.
• STXZ posted a job opening for Private Lacrosse Coach in Ashland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ashland here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hanover

• Global industrial valve manufacturing company expands Hanover headquarters by 40% (wbaltv.com)
• Caroling at the Hanover Historic Bridge celebrates 20 years (hometownsource.com)
• Hanover Weekly Spotlight on Town Boards, Departments & School Events (tapinto.net)

Glen Allen

• Henrico Fur Finder: Dec. 10, 2025 (henricocitizen.com)

Ok Ashland! 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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