🌱 What really happens during 24 hours inside Charleston Fire Station 2?

Hi Charleston! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What really happens during 24 hours inside Charleston Fire Station 2?
• Why a Coles County pastor remains jailed in Charleston
• How did a second-half surge sink EIU on its home court?

Also on today's calendar: Mattoon Middle School (MS) vs Edison and Shelbyville and 2 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: Snow late in the afternoon, with a high of 30 and low of 27 degrees.
• Friday: Cold; breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 31, low: 15. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: Snow and flurries at times, with a high of 18 and low of -8 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Inside Charleston Fire Station 2: not quite ‘Chicago Fire' (dailyeasternnews.com) — Firefighters at Charleston’s Station 2, just off Lincoln Avenue, give a candid look at their 24-hour shifts filled mostly with medical calls, training, and constant equipment checks. The story follows a young crew balancing station chores, online training, and county volunteer work while backing up Charleston’s other firehouse near the downtown square.
   

• Coles County pastor charged with child porn possession (wandtv.com) — A Coles County pastor has been jailed in Charleston after a judge denied his pretrial release on a serious child pornography charge. Authorities say the 51-year-old was arrested Friday and is accused of possessing and sharing an explicit video involving a minor. He has been suspended from his church role and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 15.
   

• Early second half run sends EKU to road win in Illinois (wkyt.com) — Eastern Kentucky’s men’s basketball team handed Eastern Illinois a 68-59 home loss in Charleston after a decisive 12-2 run to open the second half. Playing on EIU’s court, the Panthers briefly rallied but couldn’t overcome cold shooting and EKU’s late free throws and rebounding edge.
   

📸 Around Charleston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Charleston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• Taylorville Girls Varsity Basketball @ Charleston
  Charleston High School, 1615 Lincoln Ave, Charleston
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 13

• Mattoon Middle School (MS) vs Edison and Shelbyville
  Mattoon Middle School , 1200 S 9th St , Mattoon
  10:00 am
• 2025 - Celebration Lunch Open House
  MCKENNA YOST CONVENTION CENTER , Charleston
  11:00 am

Friday December 19

• Early Out Movie Matinee
  Charleston Carnegie Public Library , 712 Sixth Street , Charleston
  2:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• DOTY & DEXTER
  Jackson Avenue Coffee , 708 Jackson Ave , Charleston
  7:00 pm

📣 Charleston Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Franklin Preschool Holiday Family Night
  Mattoon CUSD 2 , 1201 S 6th St , Mattoon
  6:00 pm
• Williams Elementary 3rd Grade Concert
  Mattoon CUSD 2 , 1709 S 9th St , Mattoon
  6:00 pm
• North Dakota State Bison at Eastern Illinois Panthers Women's Basketball
  Groniger Arena , 2150 4th St #2046 , Charleston
  6:00 pm
• Riddle Elementary 5th Grade Musical
  Mattoon CUSD 2 , 4201 Western Ave , Mattoon
  6:00 pm
• ISD Boys Varsity Basketball @ MCA
  Maranatha Christian Academy , 3516 W Powell Ln , Mattoon
  7:00 pm

Friday December 12

• Mahomet-Seymour Boys JV Basketball @ Mattoon
  Mattoon High School , 2521 Walnut Ave , Mattoon
  7:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Winter Band/Choir Concert & Art Show
  Mattoon CUSD 2 , 2521 Walnut Ave , Mattoon
  7:00 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

• McDonald's posted a job opening for 4am Janitor/Grounds Keeper needed. in Charleston. Apply here.
• Eastern Illinois University posted a job opening for Assistant Professor, Political Science in Charleston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Charleston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Mattoon

• Newly reopened Mattoon multiplex theater gets a marquee (jg-tc.com)
• Carolyn Marie Rich (wtyefm.com)
• Grace Kathleen (Kull) Moffett, 92 (effinghamradio.com)

Casey

• FOIA request sent to City of Casey regarding new or amended contracts on December 9, 2025 (eastcentralreporter.com)
• Wildcats Fall To #19 Nashville (southernillinoisnow.com)

Ok Charleston! 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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