Area News

     The public is invited to attend the February meeting of CONO (Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The meeting will begin at 5:30pm in the Madden Room on the first floor of the Decatur Public Library, 130 North Franklin Street. The organization hosts public meetings the third Tuesday of each month. It…

The memorable performance comes to campus on Feb. 14, and tickets are on sale now. DECATUR, Ill. — Millikin University will welcome the acclaimed musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’” to the Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2025–26 Kirkland Fine Arts Center Artist Series. Tickets are…

     The Prairie Land FAME program, in partnership with ADM, Workforce Investment Solutions and Richland Community college, will host a Family Recruitment Night event on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5 – 7 p.m. The event will be held at the National Sequestration Education Center, located at 3357 N. President Howard Brown Blvd., on Richland Community College’s…

Responding to More Disasters Than Ever — Red Cross Needs Your Help      In the past week, American Red Cross volunteers responded to 13 home fires across Members Grove, Louisville, Effingham, Mason, West Frankfort, Decatur, Centralia, Witt, Springfield, Buffalo, Strasburg and Johnston City—providing critical support to 55 people, including families and children. Red Cross volunteers were…

     Operation Enduring Support is now accepting donations to be sent to our deployed troops for Easter. We are collecting addresses for deployed military and donations that are needed by March 12th. We have a shorter collection time because Easter is April 5th.      Items needed are Girl Scout cookies, puzzle and game books, playing cards, duct…

     Join the Macon County Democrats on Saturday, January 31 for “Coffee with the Candidates”. Stop by Democratic Headquarters, 152 S. Church St., Decatur anytime between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. for coffee and a donut and an opportunity to meet candidates running for state and local offices in the March 17 primary election.      This event is…

DECATUR, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) is announcing her second Valentines for Seniors card drive and is encouraging you to participate. Rep. Deering’s office is collecting cards starting on Tuesday, January 20, through Monday, February 9. Cards may be dropped off or mailed to State Representative Regan Deering, 419 E. Ash Ave., Decatur, IL…

     Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) convention at…

by Christi Mathis A special presentation, featuring screenings of a powerful documentary about Black political organizing and influence within the Chicago Democratic political machine, is coming to Carbondale and Springfield on Jan. 19, courtesy of a Southern Illinois University System Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday event. The free, public “Citizen Bowen DocuFilm and Book…

     The Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine is offering two lab internship opportunities for undergraduate college students in 2026.      Selected students will explore cutting-edge research associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The nine-week internships run June 1 through July 31.      “We’re thrilled to continue providing this opportunity for young researchers interested in learning more about aging and…