Area News

     The language of flowers dates to the Victorian Era when flowers were given as a way to express emotions. Each flower conveyed a special meaning, especially for feelings that were forbidden from being publicly expressed. Learn the unique symbolism of flowers at the January Growing Community program presented by DeWitt and Piatt Master Gardeners. The…

  At approximately 2250 hours on 1/3/25, Decatur Police Officers were dispatched to the 600-700 block of South Side Dr reference a personal injury accident. Initial investigation revealed that a 2015 Chevy Equinox was traveling eastbound in the right lane of the 600-700 block of South Side Dr. A pedestrian was in the roadway in…

Books Between Bites – January 8, 2025 Please join us on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:15 in the Decatur Public Library’s Madden Auditorium for a Books Between Bites.      That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America by Amanda Jones Reviewer: Nancy Peterson, who retired from MacArthur High School where she was the librarian/media…

     State Representative Brad Halbrook has announced that regular, in-person office hours are coming to his Shelbyville office in the New Year. Beginning with January 2, 2025, Representative Halbrook’s staff will be on hand in his Shelbyville district office on the first and third Thursdays of each month to make it much more convenient for…

A Networking Opportunity for Volunteer Managers      The Volunteer Organizational League (VOL) invites volunteer managers and coordinators to our monthly meetings, held on the second Wednesday of each month from 2 – 3 pm. VOL provides an opportunity for professionals in volunteer management to connect, share ideas, and learn new strategies to enhance their work. Each…

     Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in area lakes after the holidays.      The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers.…

DECATUR, Illinois—Millikin University Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Decatur native Billy Riebock as the new Big Blue Head Football Coach.      Riebock comes home to Decatur with 18 years of collegiate coaching experience at all levels of NCAA football. Most recently, Riebock was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at NCAA Division II…

     Are you passionate about the environment and eager to make a difference in the community? Take the first steps in achieving that goal by registering for University of Illinois Extension’s yearly Master Naturalist training program. Master Naturalist Training will be offered on Tuesdays, from 6 to 9 p.m., from Jan.7 through March 25 at the…

     Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois will host a community blood drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm on Thursday, December 19 at 210 W McKinley Ave, inside the Donor Bus. All presenting donors will receive a gift card, a donation…