How To Curb Phone Zombies And Distracted Walking: Block Talk

Pedestrians staring at their phones while crossing busy streets put themselves and motorists in harm’s way. Can anything be done to stop it?

Dozens Of Wild Monkeys Cannonball Into River With Kayaking Couple: Weird News & Oddities

Sea otters are stealing surfboards again; AI picks winning Powerball numbers; pastor on prayer tour accused of setting church shed on fire.

Respect: What Does It Mean To You?

We know you have to give respect to get respect. But what IS respect, exactly? Five educators share their definitions.

Honor A Hero: How To Thank A Veteran For Their Service

From service to community impact, join Patch and T-Mobile in thanking veterans who make a difference every day.

2 Bright Comets Approach In Once-In-A-Lifetime Celestial Double Feature

As a bonus, the fireball-rich Orionid meteor shower peaks at the same time two newly discovered comets swing by Earth.

What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Weed ‘Smells Like A Skunk’s Behind’: Block Talk

Readers said part of living in a community is following not just explicit laws, but also social norms — like not polluting a neighbor’s air.

Divers Find $1M In Lost Spanish Coins At Aptly Named Location: Weird News & Oddities

Eeyore the dog “practically dragged” deputy to a woman who had fallen while walking him; escaped prisoner tried to hitch a ride in the nude.

Draconid Meteor Storm Outburst Possible With This Week’s Peak: What To Know

An international team of scientists and astronomers, including those from NASA, predicted that 2025 could be an outburst year.

Conversations Are Now On Patch!

You can join local discussions, share what's happening in the neighborhood, and celebrate your community with our new Conversations feature.

Popular MI Grocery Store To Be Featured On 'Good Morning America'

The popular store is best known for its different types of European-style olive oil.

Bear Breaks Into Home, Scares Napping Teen, Steals Food: Weird News & Oddities

Ghost ship found after 140 years; live World War II artillery shell found in garage cleanup; record for Yogi Berra; and some cat tales.

Neighbor’s Weed Stinks Up The Joint; What To Do: Block Talk

Do personal freedoms end when smoking pot disturbs neighbors? What’s the balance with others’ well-being, and how can that be achieved?

4 Ways to Help Your Child Develop Wisdom

Wisdom is a virtue that can be encouraged at school and at home, says National Heritage Academies’ Moral Focus expert

Fall Weekends Are Filling Fast: Get Your Event On Everyone’s Calendar

From big festivals to small gatherings, Patch gets your fall event seen by the right crowd.

He’s Aiming For Most Underpants Worn At 1 Time: Weird News & Oddities

Humpty Dumpty didn’t fall; he was ripped from his perch. Squirrels aren’t political; it just seems as if they are. Nudists are chafed.

Your Town’s Fall Calendar Is Filling Up — Don’t Miss Out

Locals are looking for things to do this fall. Make sure they see your event.

The Sheets Hit The Fan When We Asked About Scented Laundry Products: Block Talk

Readers cleared the air on dryer sheets and other scented laundry products. Some said they should be banned. Get over it, others implored.

Apple Unveils iPhone Air and Watch SE 3 Among ‘Awe Dropping’ New Releases

The newly unveiled iPhone Air combines Apple’s thinnest iPhone design yet with a ProMotion display and 256GB of storage, starting at $999.

Locals Are Making Weekend Plans — Is Your Event Listed?

Patch readers are searching for things to do this fall. Post your September or October event in quickly and affordably.

As Fire Pit Season Heats Up, Here Are Some Dos and Don’ts: Block Talk

Patch readers were split on the etiquette of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, vehemently so.

What A Long, Strange Summer It’s Been: Best Of Weird News & Oddities

Turtle smuggling in bras and pants; bat flies into woman’s mouth; man lets deadly snake bite him 200 times; far from Farfrompoopen Road.

What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Dryer Sheet Makes You Sick: Block Talk

A neighbor’s scented dryer sheets can cause a host of problems for others, including migraines and respiratory problems. What should you do?

How To Choose Patch As A 'Preferred' News Source In Google Search

Google has rolled out a new tool that lets users customize their searches to include more news from Patch and other favorite sites.

Got An Event? Locals Are Already Booking Calendars

Labor Day is the perfect time to make your fall festival, concert, or class the one people see — starting at just 25¢/day.

Hoagie, Grinder, Hero: Where You Live Changes What You Call These Foods

A spuckie and tonic combo is a common lunch order, although you probably call it something different where you live.

When You Don’t Love Your Neighbors’ Fire Pits As Much As They Do: Block Talk

Your neighbors are using their fire pit again, and the smoke is rolling into your back yard. What do you do?

Bat Flew In Woman’s Mouth And Now She’s Out Almost $21K: Weird News & Oddities

It’s been weird out there: Breast milk-like ice cream “like mom used to make”; X-Files-esque sighting in the sky; older than dirt.

It’s ‘One Big Goose Latrine’ In Some Neighborhoods But Solutions Vary: Block Talk

Tired of stepping around their mess, Block Talk readers offer remedies ranging from harassment with dogs to birth control to hunting.

Parade Of 6 Planets, Perseid Meteors Combine For Predawn Spectacle This Weekend

Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will form a giant arc in the predawn eastern sky Sunday as Perseids peak approaches.

​Vast Majority Of US Adults Stressed About Grocery Costs, Poll Finds

The cost of groceries is a "major" stressor for about half of Americans, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll shows.

Turtle-Stuffed Bra Prompts Hilarious TSA Warning: Weird News & Oddities

Revolutionary War history unearthed; ‘Chuck E. Cheese’ arrested; massive lizard, worms swimming in circles and fighting foxes, oh my!

Goose Poop Is A Problem, But What Should Be Done? Block Talk

An adult Canada goose defecates about half of what it eats every day, which is 4 pounds. With bird flu, it’s more than just a nuisance.

There Are Strong Opinions About Kids At Breweries: Block Talk

Many readers are opposed, but others want a judgment-free zone where they can grab a meal and socialize with other families with kids.

Everyone Has A Story: Patch Wants To Hear Yours For This New Feature

The aim of Patch People, a feature telling relatable stories showcasing readers’ diverse lives, is to make us all feel a bit more connected.

Take The 30-Day Kindness Challenge & Help Spread Joy In Your Community!

Start the school year with simple, meaningful acts of kindness. Download the free 30-day PDF now!

What You Can Do To Stop Speeding Drivers In The Neighborhood: Block Talk

Some communities contract with private security companies for traffic enforcement. Some Block Talk respondents think that’s a terrible idea.

Should Kids Be Allowed At Neighborhood Breweries And Bars?

Craft breweries across the country are appealing to families with young children. Some are reconsidering after safety incidents.

Paranormal Investigator Dies While Touring With ‘Demonically Possessed’ Doll: Weird News & Oddities

All is not as it seems with teddy bear “patched together flesh.” Elmo’s reputation was impugned with hacker’s antisemitic, racist screed.

3 Meteor Showers Are Intersecting: What To Know About Summer Shooting Star Shows

One of the best meteor showers of the year has started and two others will share a twin peak at the end of July

July’s Full Buck Moon Will Look Unnaturally Big And Colorful: When To See It

Also in July, the Perseid meteor shower intersects with two lesser-known shooting star shows, the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids.