Decatur Local News – Wednesday, January 7th, 2026

Daily Decatur

Wednesday, January 7th, 2026

Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 7th of January.

COMMUNITY NEWS

➤ Decatur Blaze held a food drive contest that raised over 4,100 pounds of food for local pantries — youth hockey teams participated and the winner earned a tour bus trip to a tournament. The club said the event will become an annual tradition. WAND
➤ On Jan. 6, 2026, Natalie Beck of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation joined Byers & Co to discuss her trip to Australia, a busy year in 2025, and plans for 2026 including the African American Heritage Trail. Now Decatur

BUSINESS NEWS

➤ Yesterday, Kyle May of Fleet Feet joined Byers & Co to discuss end-of-year deals, new products, running events, and nutrition. The podcast offered insights for those planning their fitness routines. Now Decatur

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

➤ A new solar farm project is set to be developed on more than 12 acres of a 21-acre private parcel at the corner of North Westlawn Avenue with West Mound in Decatur. It will generate clean energy for the local community. Herald & Review
➤ City of Decatur is recycling living Christmas trees as fish habitats in Lake Decatur after the holidays. Residents can drop off cleared trees at Nelson Park from Dec. 26 through Jan. 16 + partners include Decatur Park District and Primient Veterans ERG to boost the lake’s ecosystem. WAND

HEALTH NEWS

➤ Dale Colee joined Byers + Co on Tuesday, Jan. 6 to preview Pharmacy Facts with Friends and discuss reduced medication prices and shortages; the podcast outlines key factors affecting cost and availability for local consumers. Now Decatur

DECATUR EVENTS

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT

No new events today. You can submit one here.

DECATUR REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

DECATUR JOB BOARD

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

DECATUR ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENT SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.

Know who said this? Send us an email!

Reveal the author

About Daily Decatur

Welcome to the Daily Decatur, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Decatur, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Decatur, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Decatur.

Advertising Opportunities

Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Decatur and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.

Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.

Community, delivered

Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.

Subscribe to Daily Decatur

A free Decatur community newsletter.

Daily local news: We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
6AM City: A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.