Area News
CITY BEAT: PLENTY OF JOBS AVAILABLE IN AREA, BUT FEW APPLICANTS
A local woman reportedly went to a Walmart Pharmacy recently to pick up her prescription and was told the pharmacy was closed — due to a lack of help. She had to call her doctor’s office and change her pharmacy to Walgreen’s in order to get her medicine. Hopefully, by the time you read…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: POLICE OFFICER CHRIS OBERHEIM WAS A SPECIAL PERSON
Memorial Day is a special day on the calender — especially this year. As we approach Memorial Day weekend and the services planned to remember our fallen heroes in all wars, the life and tragic death last week of Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim weighs heavy on my thoughts. Officer Oberheim was shot and…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: ANOTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANT IS OPENING DOWNTOWN
The first ribbon cutting for a grand opening of a local business that I did after becoming mayor was for Pastabilities, an Italian restaurant located at 134 East Main Street. The restaurant was successful for many years, and I was a frequent customer since it was about a half block from my office and…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: PRESERVING AND MARKETING OUR HISTORY AND OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY
As indicated in the front page story in this week’s print and online editions of the Decatur Tribune, a group called “History of the Heartland” is focusing attention on the old Van Dyke interurban station that is in danger of being another local historic structure to disappear from view. As someone who has spent…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: THANK YOU PATRICK McDANIEL FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE DECATUR CITY COUNCIL
Patrick McDaniel’s service on the Decatur City Council has ended with the swearing in of newly-elected Ed Culp to take his place at Monday night’s meeting. Pat, a long-time friend and a past reporter for me at this newspaper, served ten years as a city council member and was mayor pro tem when…
Read MoreHOWARD G. BUFFETT ANNOUNCES 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR MACON COUNTY SHERIFF
Former Sheriff Howard G. Buffett has filed a Statement of Organization with the Illinois State Board of Elections establishing “The Committee to Elect Buffett for Sheriff” with the intention of seeking the office of Macon County Sheriff in 2022. Buffett will make a formal announcement at a later date.
Read MoreABBY KOESTER NAMED PRESIDENT & CEO AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ILLINOIS
Abby Koester has been named President & CEO at Children’s Museum of Illinois. Koester assumes the position after serving in an interim capacity for the past 8 months. Former President & CEO Amber Kaylor departed in August of 2020. Koester has been responsible for the museum’s survival through a thirteen month shutdown due…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: GOOD NEWS CONTINUES IN DECATUR IN THE MIDST OF BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19
• BIG CONGRATS to St. Teresa High School English Teacher and department head Arlis DeJaynes, for being chosen (out of 875 teachers in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois) as the winner of the 2021 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki presented DeJaynes with the award during a surprise celebration at…
Read MoreMACON COUNTY AT WARNING LEVEL FOR COVID-19
Decatur, IL – The Macon County Health Department would like to remind residents that our county has moved into and maintained its presence in the warning level status for COVID-19 metrics. A county is put at warning level when two or more risk indicators increase. In Macon County, the number of cases per 100,000…
Read MoreSTAIND CANCELS ILLINOIS STATE FAIR STOP
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Staind has cancelled their performance at the 2021 Illinois State Fair due to scheduling conflicts. “We are disappointed that Staind will not be a part of our 2021 grandstand lineup,” said State Fair Manager, Kevin Gordon. “We are working on filling the spot and can assure you the grandstand will be…
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