While creating a world, the launcher says "[17:42:05 INFO]: Client> [17:42:05] [Server thread/ERROR]: Tried to setBlockAndData(minecraft:torch/0) but it's an invalid state. Defaulting to minecraft:torch[facing=up] instead (minecraft:torch/5)" quiet often.
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And that would be the cause of MC-59928. Good find.
This occurs for me too, but it is not restricted to "while creating a world", it occurs regularly, even though it might be related to area generation/traveling on the server, I just saw it in the log.
I have also seen NPC villages with the torches on the black wool lightposts seemingly hovering next to the wool rather than being attached to it.