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🌱 What did the Carthage R-9 Board change at local schools?

You won't want to miss Precious Moments: Music of Christmas on the Carthage Patch calendar

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Morning Carthage! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What did the Carthage R-9 Board change at local schools?
  • How investigators say lottery tickets vanished from a Carthage gas station
  • Which Carthage Christmas lights should you visit first this year?

Also on today's calendar: “Christmas Belles”.

Find out what's happening in Carthagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Carthagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Breezy and not as cool, with a high of 59 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 46, low: 26.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 49 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Carthage R-9 Board meets for work session, closed session (blogspot.com) — Carthage R-9 school leaders met Monday for a special closed session and work session at the Early Childhood Center, approving a staff transfer that names a new activities director at Carthage High School. Board members also toured the Early Childhood Center and Pleasant Valley Elementary while receiving updates on facility conditions and early childhood programming that will shape services for local families.
   

2. Employee at Pete's in Carthage charged with stealing lottery tickets (blogspot.com) — Carthage police and Jasper County prosecutors say a Carterville woman is charged after lottery tickets were allegedly taken from Pete’s gas station on East Central Avenue and cashed for personal use. Investigators report the employee admitted manipulating ticket sales and also discussed prior financial troubles and employment issues during a recorded interview.
   

3. K-O-A-M area Christmas lights list 2025, directions to each! (koamnewsnow.com) — Carthage families have several Christmas light displays close to home this year, from the Workman Family display on South Grand to Sparkle in the Park at Central Park and The Way of Salvation drive‑thru lights. KOAM also links to video of the 2025 Carthage Christmas Parade, plus other regional displays if you’re up for a short drive.
   

4. Top KOAM Articles of 2025: Fatal crash, theme park lawsuit (koamnewsnow.com) — One of KOAM’s most‑read stories of 2025 was the death of an 18‑year‑old Carthage resident in a crash near Duenweg, underscoring how deeply that loss resonated locally. The roundup also revisits a Joplin shooting case, a major Oklahoma theme park lawsuit, a deadly I‑44 crash, and an unusual mobile‑home towing incident.
   

📸 Around Carthage

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Other local events
    Saturday December 13
  • “Christmas Belles”
    Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre , 2466 Old 66 Blvd , Carthage
    6:30 pm

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I fell getting into bed last night and Thor immediately ran over to the edge of the bed to peak over.
    When he saw I was ok, he got all excited and started pushing on me and mouthing my hand before finally pressing himself against me in a big hug as if… (Nextdoor Kimberly Ln)
  • Barnabus was so trusted as to be sent by the Jerusalem Church to investigate the reports of Gentile converts in Antioch.
    He rejoiced in what he found God had done, and through him, many more were added to the Church. Barnabus was full of the Holy Spirit, meaning… (Nextdoor Oak Street)
  • Price Cutter posted a job opening for Meat Clean-up in Carthage. Apply here.
  • Carthage School District R9 posted a job opening for Business Teacher - 2025-2026 School Year in Carthage. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Carthage here.

Ok Carthage! 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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