Authorities identified the woman who was killed when a vehicle crashed into the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon late Friday morning 82-year-old Sharon Harpster was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash An 86-year-old woman was flown from the scene to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana where she was listed in critical condition Mattoon Fire and Police Department members extricated both women from the room A SUV ran off Lafayette Avenue East and came to rest inside the north wall of the building The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle Mattoon police arrested Meadows for suspicion of Aggravated DUI Mattoon Police and Fire were assisted in the incident by Lake Land Police Department and the Coles County Coroner’s Office Illinois State Police were working to reconstruct the crash scene View Full Calendar Mattoon firefighters and police officers work the scene Friday of a fatal crash at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon traveled across the lawn and came to rest completely inside a residential room of the nursing home UPDATE: Driver in fatal crash at Mattoon nursing home arrested for aggravated DUI https://jg-tc.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/article_77ed7979-68ad-4c40-803e-e72f00607dec.html MATTOON — One person is dead and two others injured Friday after a vehicle crashed into the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon According to Mattoon Police Chief Sam Gaines a passenger vehicle driven by a male left Logan Street and traveled south across the front lawn before crashing into a residential room on the north end of the nursing home portion of the building Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss said crews arrived to find “a car completely inside of the building” and initial reports of four possible victims — two residents in the room Hilligoss said the visitor was located unharmed One resident was airlifted to a regional trauma center for treatment Gaines said it was unclear at this time what caused the car to leave the roadway The Mattoon Police Department is being assisted with the investigation by the Illinois State Police Hilligoss said a structural engineer will examine the integrity of the building residents are being relocated to other areas of the facility and to an off-site location This crash comes just days after four young girls were killed in Chatham after a vehicle struck a building that housed an after-school camp Six other children were injured at the scene and hospitalized Illinois State Police released preliminary toxicology results Thursday that showed no drugs or alcohol in the system of a driver “Some evidence has been developed indicating the possibility of a medical emergency leading to the crash,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Springfield news conference the investigation of this information and other evidence has not yet concluded and we will continue until all leads and research has been exhausted.” Email notifications are only sent once a day identified the man as 54-year-old Curtis A Four people were killed in a small plane crash Saturday morning along the Coles-Cumberland county line Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers has c… The four people killed in an airplane crash Saturday morning in Trilla were from Menomonie nearly seven hours away from this small… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account MATTOON — The newly elected Mattoon City Council is scheduled be sworn into office Tuesday evening and then consider appointing City Administrator Kyle Gill as manager The agenda for the new council's first meeting, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 208 N. 19th St., also includes consideration of a special use permit application for a cannabis dispensary in the former First National Bank building Dave Cox and David Phipps and newcomer Erica Butler won seats on the council in the April 1 municipal election Incumbent Sandra Graven did not seek re-election They will be the first mayor and council to serve under the new city manager form of government placed on the ballot by Citizens to Advance Mattoon Prosperity to switch from the commissioner form of government to the city manager style Administrative tasks previously handled by council members will be shifted to a city manager while the council continues serving in its planning and policy making roles staggered terms will be implemented on the council Butler and Closson will serve two-year terms the new council also will consider adopting an ordinance that will update the municipal code to reflect the change in government Gill has served 12 years as city administrator and was appointed interim city manager on April 1 as the council prepared for implementing the new form of government Gill said then that he appreciates the council's support plus the support of the city employees who petitioned for him to become manager I enjoy working for the city," Gill said of his 30-year career with Mattoon Regarding the proposed cannabis dispensary the Mattoon Planning Commission voted 5-0 on April 22 to recommend that the council approved the permit application of developer TC AppliCo There are currently no dispensaries in Mattoon TC AppliCo applied for a permit to open a Justice-operated dispensary in the former Long John Silver's building at 1208 Charleston Ave The City Council voted 3-2 against this past application in September 2022 The Long John Silver's site met the city cannabis ordinance's requirement that no dispensary be located within 1,000 feet of a public or private preschool or school including about this site being a few blocks from the Mattoon School District's LIFT vocational training center and from after-school programs at the public library and the YMCA "We worked closely with city staff to make sure it better fits the metrics," said TC AppliCo attorney Craig Krandel of the new proposed location during the April 22 hearing Krandel said the former bank branch would be subdivided into two approximately 3,000-square-foot sections for the dispensary and for another commercial tenant to be determined The dispensary would follow state cannabis sales law by having identification checks at the front door and sales counter and surveillance cameras and on-site security Products would be stored in secure areas away from the display cases and no consumption would be allowed on the premises Staff and customers would have to be age 21 or older The full agenda for Tuesday's meeting and information about attending remotely are posted at https://mattoon.illinois.gov/government/citycouncil/ Senior Madden Johnson signs to play for the Lake Land College Lakers baseball team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School prepares to sign to be part of the Southern Illinois University Saluki dance team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School Senior Nadya Paredes is introduced by Athletic Director Trent Duckett as she prepares to sign to play on the Danville Area Community College volleyball team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School Senior Blair Powers is accompanied by her parents after signing to play for the Eastern Florida State College Titans golf team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School poses for a photo with her Mattoon High School softball teammates after signing to plan on the Greenville University Panthers softball team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School Senior Joey Stewart poses for a photo alongside Kaskaskia College recruiting coordinator Kyle Floyd after signing to play for the Blue Devis baseball team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School Senior Trysten Sewell poses for a photo with his coaches from over the years after signing to play on the University of St Francis football team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School Senior Gavin White displays his Illinois Army National Guard scholarship certificate during the Signing Day on Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School This event celebrated 14 Greenwave team members who will be continuing as student athletes at various colleges plus a recruit who will serve with the Illinois Army National Guard Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter The council also will consider having retiring City Manager Scott Smith serve in an interim role as city manager emeritus to help with the transition The judge granted the petition of the Illinois Attorney General's Office to deny pretrial release for the defendant and another is injured after a car crashed into a nursing home in Mattoon on Friday Mattoon Police and Fire were dispatched to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into Odd Fellow Rebekah Home responders located a Nissan Pathfinder that had come to rest inside the north wall of the building The single occupant of the vehicle was identified as Curtis A An 86-year-old female and an 82-year-old female Both residents were extricated by the Mattoon Fire and Police Departments The 82-year-old Sharon Harpster was pronounced deceased on scene shortly after the crash The 86-year-old female was flown from the scene to Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign The driver of the vehicle was arrested at 12:05 p.m by Mattoon PD for suspicion of Aggravated DUI Mattoon Police and Fire were assisted in this incident by Lake Land Police Department The Illinois State Police are reconstructing the accident scene Odd Fellow-Rebekah posted an update on Facebook about the crash: We will bring you more updates as they become available completely inside a room of the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon MATTOON — The driver of the vehicle that crashed through the wall of a Mattoon nursing home has been arrested for aggravated driving under the influence Police Chief Sam Gaines told the JG-TC that Meadows was in police custody at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health where he is undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the crash shortly after emergency crews were dispatched to Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana where she is listed in critical condition Both residents had to be extricated from the crash scene by firefighters Coroner Ed Schniers said they are withholding the identity of the victim pending notification of family No further information was available Saturday a vehicle left Logan Street and traveled south across the front lawn of the facility before crashing into a residential room on the north end of the nursing home portion of the building Marks were left in the grass showing the path the vehicle The Mattoon Police Department is being assisted by an Illinois State Police accident reconstruction team Also providing assistance with the incident were the Lake Land College Police Department the Charleston Fire Department and the Coles County Sheriff's Department Carol Kaufman’s thoughts immediately went to those who continue to live and work the facility She worried about how the ordeal will affect the close-knit community at this facility "They are probably all shook up," said Kaufman who worked for 15 years in housekeeping and laundry at the nursing home before retiring who was accompanied by her friend Wanda Beasley said it was "devastating" to see a crashed vehicle inside a resident's room and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life,” Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home said is a statement “Our team and emergency personnel responded swiftly and we are grateful for their prompt and professional efforts The safety and well-being of our residents and community continue to be our highest priority.” “We are actively assessing the situation in cooperation with city and state emergency response officials to gather all necessary details and ensure all appropriate safety protocols are being followed we are offering support to our team members and residents on site to help them cope with the emotional impact of this incident This crash comes just days after four young girls were killed in Chatham after a vehicle left the roadway crossed a field and struck a building that housed an after-school camp Karl Kimble of Greenup charged in Cumberland County Circuit Court with dissemination of child pornography and possession of child pornography First honors came to Mattoon in the big field and track meet at Charleston Saturday under the auspices of the Eastern Illinois Teachers College the local boys capturing the pennant by garnering a total of twenty-nine and a half points It was the first time in fifteen years that the metropolis of Coles county had captured the pennant at this annual athletic affair and to do it the Mattoon high had to send some material of the first class to compete with and defeat the athletes which competing schools had entered … A trail of 19,000 dead and more than 450,000 injury lay in the wake of automobiles as they sped over the highways of the nation in 1924 was the closing day of the Fullers Point school Arrangements had been made at the last Community Club meeting to serve supper for the teacher and pupils and about six ‘clock the entire district arrived at the school with well filled baskets … CHARLESTON — Between 9 and 10 o’clock Saturday night three unmasked men entered the grocery of Fred Swengel two blocks north of the Big Four freight depot and held up and robbed the proprietor of the day’s receipts With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history Take a glance at local stories from years past Mattoon High School senior football player Trysten Sewell University of St MATTOON — More than a dozen Mattoon High School Greenwave athletics team members are preparing for their May 17 graduation knowing that they will continue on as student athletes at various colleges from the class of 2025 were celebrated Wednesday afternoon during Mattoon High School's annual Signing Day they signed documents regarding their post-graduation plans and posed for photos with their coaches "We are very proud of each and every one of our athletes and the service members They are going to go out and do great things," said Athletic Director Trent Duckett as he opened this event The Greenwave athletes who took part in the Signing Day included golfer Blair Powers who will now be playing for the Eastern Florida State College Titans golf team "It just has always been a dream of mine to play in Florida," Powers said adding that the weather is a big factor there because "you get to play year-round."  Powers said she visited several campuses in Florida while considering colleges and she was drawn to Eastern Florida State because she likes the coaches Duckett said Powers is "one of the top golfers to ever play at Mattoon High School," noting that she puts in extensive practice hours at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club no matter the weather Francis Joliet football team during the signing day event Wednesday afternoon at Mattoon High School The Greenwave football team was represented at Signing Day by linebacker Cale Kimbro who will play football and study criminal justice at Eastern Illinois University who will play football and study criminal justice at the University of St Mattoon head football coach Jarad Kimbro was unable to attend this event due to a track meet but provided a statement about Sewell for Duckett to read Kimbro said Sewell has come a long way since he was a novice middle school football player "He has transformed himself into a great football player The coach noted that Sewell led the class of 2025 in rushing yards and touchdowns for the season "He plays the game the way it should be played Sewell said his favorite memories of his senior season include the Greenwave winning against Mt Zion during homecoming and then topping Charleston in the Coles County Clash the following weekend Francis because of the opportunity to be a starting player and compete during his freshman year there The new addition of military enlistments to the Signing Day debuted with Gavin White filling out papers to serve as a motor transport specialist iin the Illinois Army National Guard He received a scholarship certificate for pursuing a master's in automotive studies Other Signing Day athletes and their planned area of study included: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox said he learned a strong work ethic growing up because Kingspan Insulated Panels North America President Alswinn Kieboom said the company's manufacturing facility along DeWitt Avenue East in Mattoo… LIFT students have constructed a playhouse kit this year and are now guiding fifth graders at Riddle and Williams elementary schools in assemb… Purple Riders baseball players Brody and Braden Phillips and Tanner Thomas are on a team with regional title prospects coached by their father… EIU Athletics reported that freshman Abbi Hatton of Neoga drove home six runs including hitting her first career grand slam as the Panthers so… The agenda for the new council's first meeting at 6:30 p.m Tuesday in City Hall also includes consideration of a special use permit applicati… The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo is assisting the family and Chris (Maggie) Thomas; daughter Tracey Daniels; 12 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com MATTOON — Local car enthusiasts held the first Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event on May 22 as an opportunity for families to go outside and socialize amid the COVID-19 pandemic's shutdowns of indoor gathering spaces "It was a way to get the kids out of the house and show them what we liked to do when we were kids," classic car owner Kevin Hamilton said of the inaugural cruise organized by Angela Bradbury and Gary Voudrie the Cruising Broadway season has become an annual tradition that continues to grow The cruises are typically held the second Friday of every month from April to October hot rods and other showpiece vehicles gather in the First Mid Insurance Group parking lot for the Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event on Friday hot rods and other showpiece vehicles gather in the First Mid Insurance Group's parking lot to display their rides and visit Other enthusiasts drive back and forth on Broadway Avenue where spectators park to watch the procession "I am very grateful to First Mid Insurance this cruise wouldn't be happening," said Hamilton who has been organizing the cruise since its third session in 2020 The cruise's parking lot also has the benefit of being next to The Original Burger King a locally-owned Mattoon landmark that predates the unrelated corporate Burger King's presence in Illinois Jeff Gowin and Steve Kukich look at Gowin's 1955 Chevrolet 210 Townsman station wagon during the Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event on Friday Cruise participant Paul Hargis of Humboldt said a lot of car enthusiasts from outside of Coles County like to eat at Burger King while they are in town for this event Hamilton noted that the cruise regularly draws participants from Effingham "It just keeps getting bigger," Hargis said Car enthusiast Joe Trueblood of Mattoon added we see vehicles coming to the event that we have never seen before." The cruise is held on Fridays so it will not conflict with weekend car shows but Trueblood said the cruise also appeals to owners who don't like car shows but still want a venue for their prized vehicles where they can "take them out and show them off." Hamilton said he encourages attendees to try downtown restaurants and the SweeTea'z drink trailer that is often at this event He said the cruise's partner businesses also include Melissa Harden with Studio 21 who takes car photos in the fall in front of the illuminated marque of the former Time Theater on Broadway talks to other car enthusiasts during the first Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event of the season on Friday who is president of the Camp New Hope board said the cruise also is a great place for selling raffle tickets T-shirts and other fundraising items for this Lake Mattoon camp's recreational programs for people with developmental disabilities He said car enthusiasts tend to be supportive of the camp "The cruise is a really good thing for the community," Trueblood said have been driving a restored 1970 Chevrolet C10 pickup truck to the cruise Hamilton said he and his wife often bring their 1955 Chevrolet and 1973 Camaro Z28 to this event have been displaying their 1972 El Camino and 1968 Camaro at the cruise but he is preparing to debut a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback there This same Mustang was Hargis' first car when he was 16 Hargis said he tracked down the Mustang nearly four years ago to an area barn Hargis said he has been restoring this vehicle from his youth and recently took it on a test drive adding that he looks forward to showing the Mustang to his fellow car enthusiasts at the upcoming cruise Names written in chalk cover the truck of car enthusiast David "Dump" Rardin as a memorial to him during the Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event on April 11 Dan Hines signs a message on the truck of David "Dump" Rardin of Mattoon during the first Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event of the season on April 11 was an active and beloved member of the Mattoon car community who passed away on April 6 "He was a staple in this county," said Hines The family of car enthusiast David "Dump" Rardin get together for a photo as they memorialized him during the first Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event of the season on April 11 The first Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event of the 2025 season was held in memory of David "Dump" Rardin who was an active and beloved member of the Mattoon car community Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter Check out these local events happening soon Mattoon's 2025 Signing Day celebrated 14 Greenwave team members who will be continuing as student athletes at various colleges plus a recruit who will be serving with the Illinois Army National Guard Purple Riders baseball players Brody and Braden Phillips and Tanner Thomas are on a team with regional title prospects coached by their fathers EIU Athletics reported that freshman Abbi Hatton of Neoga drove home six runs including hitting her first career grand slam as the Panthers softball team rolled to an 11-1 victory at Western Illinois to close out the regular season MATTOON — The driver of the vehicle that crashed through the wall of a Mattoon nursing home has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence The Coles County State's Attorney's Office filed those felony charges Monday morning against Curtis A. Meadows, 54, of Neoga following his arrest by the Mattoon Police Department Police Chief Sam Gaines told the JG-TC on Monday that Meadows is still in police custody at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Gaines said he anticipates that Meadows will be released from the hospital later Monday and then booked into the custody of the Coles County jail The front door canopy of the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home frames the wall where a vehicle crashed into a room on Friday represent the Odd Fellows motto of "Friendship Due to Meadows being at the hospital and unable to attend his scheduled detention hearing on Monday shortly after emergency crews were dispatched to Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss has said crews arrived to find “a car completely inside of the building” and initial reports of four possible victims — two residents in the room Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers confirmed on Monday that one of the residents of Charleston died on Thursday at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah home of natural causes The wall where a vehicle crashed into one of the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home's rooms on Friday has since been boarded up for repairs at this nursing home was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana where she was listed in critical condition Friday afternoon Gaines said on Monday that he has not received an update on her condition Speaking to the media on Friday, Gaines said at about 11:28 a.m. a vehicle left Logan Street and traveled south across the front lawn of the facility before crashing into a residential room on the north end of the nursing home portion of the building the Charleston Fire Department and the Coles County Sheriff's Department also provided assistance with this incident and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life,” Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home said is a statement on Friday we are offering support to our team members and residents on site to help them cope with the emotional impact of this incident." Read through the obituaries published in Journal Gazette/Times-Courier as an opportunity for families to go … Lost your password? Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link ← Back AROUND SECOND — Mount Vernon’s Diedrich Smith runs toward third base Friday against Mattoon.Sentinel Photo/PAUL HINES PICKOFF PLAY — Mount Vernon’s Cale Maurer catches a pickoff throw at first base Friday against Mattoon.Sentinel Photo/PAUL HINES MOUNT VERNON — A pair of big innings propelled the Rams baseball team past Mattoon on Friday Mount Vernon won the home matchup 6-4 with a strong effort from the bullpen in addition to the offense Cale Maurer was the winning pitcher in relief for the Rams “I thought that was one of our best games of the season,” Mount Vernon coach Pierce Borah said Max (Nowak) gave us a start on the mound and really all he had today was a fastball but he battled with it and gave us a chance to win the game The two teams traded the lead several times early in the contest before the Rams took control for good with a three-run bottom of the fourth Mount Vernon entered the inning trailing 4-3 Mount Vernon sent eight batters to the plate in the inning The Rams scored a trio of runs on four hits to grab the lead Ryker Perigo and Tyler Curry started the rally with back-to-back singles Eli Prost stepped to the plate with one out and evened the game with an RBI single A two-out walk to Maurer loaded the bases for Nolan Mast The junior drove in a pair of runs with a single to give the Rams a two-run cushion “We weren’t playing afraid of anything,” Borah said Ty Pierce recorded the final three outs to earn the save Maurer pitched three innings in relief of Nowak Nowak worked three innings allowing four walks and fanning a pair of batters Mattoon took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning Mount Vernon answered back with a trio of runs in the bottom half of the inning Ryker Perigo scored a run with a groundout to second base Curry evened the game 2-2 with an RBI single Alex Kiefer gave the Rams a 3-2 lead with an RBI double down the first base line It has to be a total team effort one through nine playing for one another and just keep the intensity where we just have base runners and it’s wave after wave of base runners,” Borah said “When we’re able to have that type of intensity and that type of energy Mattoon took the lead again in the top of the third with two scores to go up 4-3 Mount Vernon improved to 8-13 this season while Mattoon dropped to 11-11 The Rams travel to Murphysboro on Monday followed by a pair of South Seven Conference matchups against Centralia on Tuesday and Wednesday One resident died and another was injured after a man driving a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder crashed into Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home according to Mattoon Police Chief Sam Gaines The driver of the vehicle was a white male who is being investigated for a DUI The driver was making the sign of the cross while waiting to take a breathalyzer test Gaines said first responders were called to the scene at 11:28 a.m Authorities later discovered the driver was traveling south on North Logan Street where the vehicle “blew past” the stop sign traveled through the yard and crashed into the resident’s room in Odd Fellow’s West Hall The injured resident was airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Room in Urbana but the extent of their injuries and current condition are unknown according to Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss Hilligoss said the other residents were safely evacuated and will be moved into East Hall with residents in hospice care on West Wing being relocated to Sarah Bush Lincoln in Mattoon temporarily for Illinois State Police to do a reconstruction of the crash “They are making room for everybody in the other rooms.”  a 12-year clinical research nurse at Odd Fellow was one of the first to respond to the crash scene discovering the two residents trapped under the car after it crashed into their room “It sounded like the ceiling was falling in,” Savoie said A full report of the crash will later be released on MPD’s Facebook page Luke Brewer can be reached at 581-2812 or at lsbrewer@eiu.edu.  The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston One person is dead Friday after a vehicle crashed into the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon by Scott Hurley SHAWANO COUNTY (WLUK) -- Two tornadoes touched down in western Shawano County Monday night the National Weather Service has confirmed it covered a path 1.88 miles long and 55 yards wide A second tornado touched down just after 10 p.m a mile south of Mattoon in the town of Hutchins It was just west of the intersection of Park Avenue and Ranch Road The tornado was also rated EF0 with estimated peak wind speeds of 80 mph it covered a path 6.25 miles long and 65 yards wide If you can safely take a photo or video of damage where you are The roof of an outbuilding was damaged in the Birnamwood tornado Wisconsin Public Service reported about 800 customers without power Tuesday morning No injuries or deaths were reported from either tornado Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBIRNAMWOOD (WSAW) - The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-0 tornado went through Birnamwood Monday night It traveled nearly 2 miles and was on the ground for 2 minutes The National Weather Service also confirmed a tornado touched down in Mattoon for about 10 minutes Mattoon looked like any other village with a baseball field and a neighborhood next to it the dugout to the field is basically gone and will need to be rebuilt many can be seen with trees covering their driveways Some have them through carports or even their houses Monday isn’t the first tornado that’s rocked this area “When we had it two years ago, a lot of people came and helped us, and I mean guys that working on the village board and stuff cleaned up, and I mean that’s what it takes as a community,” K&S Landscaping Owner Scott Breitrick said everybody will be helping everybody here ‘cause this is a good community here.” The tornado Breitrick is referring to happened in Bowler A farm in Birnamwood that has been standing for 30 years now has been reduced to rubble after Monday night’s severe storms While there were warnings to keep people aware of what’s going on the damage left behind can still be staggering What surprised Mark Stadler was that his farm ended up being right in the path of destruction and we come out to the kitchen to go to the basement and it had already passed,” M&J Harvesting Owner Mark Stadler said “We looked out the window and the silo was gone and fell onto the barn.” he was shocked to see the other shed was down he says he’s really just glad his family’s safe They’re also on the same level of cleanup as this farm Western Wisconsin communities also saw severe weather as the National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes in Eau Claire County MATTOON (WLUK) -- Some people in Shawano County are waking up to storm damage Tuesday morning had tree and power lines down across town with some poles even being snapped Crews are out to help clear out the damage Shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, a tornado warning was issued for Shawano County A radar-indicated tornado was identified in northwest part of our area Have any storm damage? You can share your photos and videos with us here: Wisconsin Public Service reports more than 800 hundred people in Wisconsin's northern counties are without power. HARPSTER, Sharon Lee, 82, Charleston, died Friday (May 2, 2025). Adams Funeral Chapel, Charleston. WILKERSON, Louise J., 99, Charleston, 2-3 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Charleston.  TILFORD, Randy, 66, Neoga, died Wednesday (April 30, 2025). Schilling Funeral Home, Mattoon. DAVIS, Jack E., 88, Charleston, died Wednesday (April 30, 2025). Adams Funeral Chapel, Charleston.  NOTTINGHAM, Marsha Marleen, 75, Mattoon, died Friday (April 25, 2025). Schilling Funeral Home, Mattoon. JACKSON, Marshal, 73, Casey, died Sunday (April 20, 2025). Markwell Funeral Home, Casey.  CRIST, Gerald, 73, Salem, died Wednesday (April 23, 2025). Central Cremation Center, Forsyth.  Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. David “Dump” Rardin, 69, of Mattoon, Illinois passed away at 9:30 a.m. on April 6, 2025, at his residence. President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft. WATCHMattoon man charged with murder of his motherby WICS (WICS) — A 60-year-old woman was found dead with blunt force trauma to her head on Friday morning prompting a homicide investigation by Mattoon police Officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of Oak Ave During the initial stages of the investigation was located in Moultrie County at 10:46 a.m and brought in for questioning by Mattoon police Reed admitted to striking his mother several times in the head with a hammer in the early morning hours of February 7 He reportedly left the residence after the incident and fled the area in his mother's vehicle Reed has been charged with first-degree murder and was transported to the Coles County Safety and Detention Center Wisconsin were killed in the crash of a small plane near Mattoon Saturday morning Illinois State Police report the crash occurred at approximately 10:15am on Coles County Road 1400 North in Trilla approximately three miles south of Mattoon The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating the cause of the crash All four occupants were pronounced dead on scene The aircraft remained in the roadway with the roadway closed until 5pm Sunday Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers identified those killed as 46-year-old Ross R Illinois State Police were assisted in the investigation by the Coles County Sheriff’s Office (JBSS) on Wednesday reported profit of $20.2 million in its fiscal thi… The driver of the vehicle that crashed through a wall at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home has been charged with reckless homic… Residents of a small central Illinois city are mourning the loss of three children and a teenager who were killed in a startling vehicle colli… (WICS) — A Mattoon man is facing attempted first-degree murder charges after a hit-and-run accident in a Walmart parking lot Mattoon Police Officers were dispatched to the Walmart parking lot in reference to a hit-and-run accident involving two pedestrians It was reported that a white colored truck struck two individuals and fled the scene They were transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital by ambulance He was charged with attempted first-degree murder leaving the scene of an accidnrt with injuries He was transported to the Coles County Safety and Detention Center 2025 at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Arcola Don't miss Wednesday's most popular stories from Journal Gazette/Times-Courier LIFT students have constructed a playhouse kit this year and are now guiding fifth graders at Riddle and Williams elementary schools in assembling this wooden structure leading some jurisdictions to take shortcuts by arresting or disciplining the women for prostitution which experts say is punishing the victims without solving the problem Charleston boys’ basketball snapped its three-game winning streak losing 52-43 to the Mattoon Greenwave Saturday evening at Baker Gym 2-4) were outscored by the Greenwave (7-17 and were unable to keep up with Mattoon’s offense “Ultimately we just didn’t make shots tonight,” Charleston head coach Brian Deadmond said We had a lot of balls that hit the net and came out.” Charleston had a scoring drought of over six minutes in the first half, allowing Mattoon to score seven unanswered points before senior guard Luke Bonnstetter stopped the drought with a layup The Trojans were forced into difficult shots ones that they were making in Friday’s 60-56 win at Taylorville Charleston couldn’t get those similar shots to go in the hoop over the course of this game whenever we struggle to score from the perimeter sometimes that’s kind of the result unfortunately,” Deadmond said Mattoon took the lead with the first points of the second quarter and never gave it up. Senior guard Madden Johnson was left open from beyond the three-point arc and connected with his shot “I thought he did a great job controlling the offense,” Mattoon head coach Jimmy McKee said He found the bottom of the hoop more times than not.” One of Johnson’s three-pointers ended Charleston’s hopes of a comeback connecting on a shot that ended a Greenwave scoring drought of over three minutes with 2:45 remaining in the game Both teams were off to a slow start offensively with the halftime score being 18-14 in favor of Mattoon both teams picked it up in the second half The Greenwave scored 18 points in the third quarter compared to the Trojan’s 13 Both teams scored 16 points in the fourth quarter Mattoon had three players score double figures, while Charleston only had two.  Bonnstetter scored 12 points and junior guard Tyler Oakley led the Trojans with 13 points but we [play Mattoon] again on their senior night,” Bonnstetter said “We’ll remember how we feel right now and go back at them then.” The game was part of a full day of basketball between Charleston and Mattoon which included the varsity girls’ game as well as two junior varsity games before it the start of the boys’ game was delayed for over 30 minutes The late start was no issue for the fans in attendance nor the pep band “They’re definitely loud in here and it gets everybody fired up to play their best Charleston will remain at home for its third Apollo Conference game in a row is on the list of locations that the parent company plans to close as part of bankruptcy proceedings MATTOON — The Joann fabric and crafts store at the Cross County Mall is on the list of locations that are closing due to its parent company's bankruptcy proceedings Joann spokesperson Amanda Hayes provided a link to the store closure list and the following prepared statement from this Hudson Ohio-based retailer "As part of the ongoing Chapter 11 process and our efforts to maximize the value of the business JOANN has filed a motion seeking court authority to begin closing approximately 500 stores across the nation This was a very difficult decision to make given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members our customers and all of the communities we serve." "A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN." The list includes hundreds of locations set for closure across more than 40 states 722 West Town Center Boulevard in Champaign and more than 20 other locations in Illinois Mattoon's Joann location opened in 2014 on the front of the Cross County Mall in an extensively renovated storefront that previously housed Walgreens Joann is located in the Cross County Mall's west wing from which Bath & Body Works recently moved to the Emerald Acres shopping area closer to Interstate 57 Neighboring Maurices in the mall is set to make this same move in coming weeks Emerald Acres has brought new national retailers to Mattoon but the community is also set to lose Big Lots in coming weeks due the parent company's own bankruptcy proceedings Steve Beresford of Georgetown and Janet Buchanan of Charleston listen to “The Dark Side of the Moon” while watching the solar eclipse reach its peak at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Hubert McCoy takes the American Legion Post 68’s 1937 fire truck on a test drive through Wyman Park in Sullivan on Thursday Lisa Best hugs incumbent Shelby County Board member Carol Cole after unofficial results showed her as the winner at a Shelby County United watch party at the Shelbyville VFW Tuesday night “I love Democrats and Republicans coming together for a big change,” said Best Eastern Illinois University basketball player Blake Goodman lifts Colin Woods to dunk the ball during a Court of Dreams event organized by the Beautiful Lives Project in Groniger Arena in Charleston on Monday Charleston Trojets captain Libby Weiss rehearses with the Coles County Dancers a collaboration between the Trojets and the Mattoon Wavettes ahead of their halftime show performance at the Coles County Clash high school football game in Charleston on Tuesday The Shelbyville competitors including Lily Woolery and Tessa Bowers react together after placing second in the 4x800 relay during the IHSA 1A Girls State Track & Field Championships at O‘Brien Field in Charleston on Saturday A combine makes its way through a soybean field Monday looks at the new statue commemorating the 75th anniversary of the St Anthony Hospital fire in Effingham on Sunday Sidener is one of the last remaining survivors of the blaze that took 77 lives Lynn Graves receives hugs after the burial service for the recently identified remains of her uncle Army private killed in action in Germany during World War II Navy sailors fold the flag from the casket of Charles Brown to present to his family during a burial ceremony at Arcola Township Cemetery on Saturday Navy sailor killed on the USS West Virginia during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks and his remains were just recently identified Spectators watch the Sky Elements drone show light up the sky with local icons and Christmas characters after the Celebrate Downtown Mattoon Christmas Parade on Friday Mattoon cheerleaders welcome the players onto the field at the start of the season opener football game against MacArthur at Mattoon High School Friday night Mattoon takes the field against MacArthur during the season opener football game at Mattoon High School Friday night Chet Shrader shows his swine in the ring during the youth livestock auction at the Coles County Fair in Charleston on Thursday plays on the new pickleball courts at Peterson Park in Mattoon on Wednesday grabs a haul of bagels and candy during the Mattoon Bagelfest parade on Saturday waves to his church group marching in the Mattoon Bagelfest parade Saturday morning The Mattoon Jewish Community Center holds a community Seder at the Burgess-Osborne Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday during open play before the Midwest Pickleball Championship at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on Friday Mattoon's Blair Powers swings a drive during day one of the IHSA Girls’ Class 2A State finals at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth on Friday Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly The Artistry by Kee photo studio in Mattoon is seeking clothing school supplies and other essentials for a family who was displaced by a fire… Here is a developing list of closures and cancellations for the Coles County area