Hometown Headlines: Your Mattoon & Charleston Update

Happy Thursday, Coles County! We’ve got plenty lined up in today’s edition so grab your morning coffee or tea, settle in, and let’s get you caught up on everything happening around the county this week.

Let’s get to it.

The City of Mattoon hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11th. The community came together to honor local veterans and show appreciation for their service. Mattoon LIFT students served a free meal to veterans as part of the celebration and many local schools celebrated with a ceremony and local refreshments. Thank you to our Veterans for their service to our community and country.

Eastern Illinois University announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, that the reported campus threat on November 10th, was a hoax but acknowledged that some of its emergency alerts caused confusion. University officials thanked UPD and local law enforcement for their rapid response and emphasized that campus safety remains the top priority.

EIU plans to review and strengthen its emergency communication protocols, using campus and community feedback to improve clarity and response in future incidents. The university encouraged students and residents to sign up for the Alert EIU system for timely updates.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that disaster relief assistance will soon be available to Coles County businesses and nonprofits impacted by the harmful algal bloom that occurred over the summer. The program is expected to help offset financial losses tied to the water-related disruptions in July.

Residents say they hope the new assistance will ease the burden on affected businesses but emphasize their desire for long-term solutions and clearer accountability moving forward.

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The former AMC CLASSIC Mattoon 10, which closed in August, is aiming to reopen in November under the VIP Cinemas brand. VIP Cinemas Director of Operations Josh Ward stated they are excited to bring back life to a theater that is a huge part of the community.
To buy tickets, click here.

Mattoon Lightworks Opening

Mattoon Lightworks returns from November 20th through December 28th at Peterson Park. The beloved holiday tradition features hundreds of lighted displays filling the park, promising warm, nostalgic holiday cheer for the whole family.

Annual Mattoon Made Artisan Fair

The Mattoon Made Artisan Fair takes place on Friday, November 21st, 2025. This event showcases local artisans and craftspeople from the community

Mattoon & Charleston City Council Meetings

November 18, 2025 @ 6:30 PM

📅For more local events, visit out Events page here.

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