Daily
Decatur
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 5th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Operation Enduring Support is collecting donations for Easter care packages for deployed military personnel, with items to be dropped off at Grace Methodist Church (901 North Main Street) in Decatur from Monday through Thursday until March 12. Monetary contributions to cover shipping costs over $31 per box are also requested. Now Decatur
- ➤ United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois has launched a program that recycles wheelchair ramps to help neighbors who cannot afford new ones. The program has already provided four ramps, including one for resident Nellieann Kotty who needed help before her surgery (the ramp once belonged to director James Keith). WAND
- ➤ Clay Gerhard of the Park District spoke on Feb. 4 at Byers & Co, previewing takeaways from the state parks conference which included plans to convert a golf course, hold a hiring fair, and launch two newly announced Devon shows alongside Dessert with a side of Heart and Soul. Now Decatur
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Goes Country: Nashville Broadway Experience will be held Saturday, March 28 at Skywalker International Complex — doors open at 4 p.m., and Nashville recording artist Lily Rose, local band Third Shift and other acts will perform as live music starts at 5 p.m. Now Decatur
- ➤ Bryan Diver from Millikin University joined Byers & Co on Feb. 4 to discuss the upcoming performance of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Kirkland Fine Arts Center, outlining details for the local community to enjoy classic jazz soon. Now Decatur
- ➤ Rikki Parker from the Children’s Museum of IL joined co-hosts Dr. Juanita Morris & Dr. Jeremy Morris on Thee Morris Code on Wednesday, Feb. 4 to discuss the museum’s upcoming Mardi Gras event. Now Decatur
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Public Transit will install new fare validators that accept QR codes, rider cards, cash, and tokens and will launch the Decatur Transit Pay app (for managing fare transactions) with validators expected to be ready in early March. WAND
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ During American Heart Month, four Memorial Health hospitals earned national recertification for their cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, with Decatur Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Springfield Memorial and Taylorville Memorial receiving the honor as Dr. Nadal Aker urged regular checkups and healthy habits. WAND
- ➤ DMH CEO Tanya Andricks introduced cardiologist Dr. Nakeya Dewaswala during an interview with Byers & Co on Feb. 4, where the discussion focused on her journey to Memorial & her passion for medical illustrations. Now Decatur
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Strings of the Heart: Candlelit Valentine’s Concert & Dinner
7-9:30 p.m. — Decatur Conference Center & Hotel — Cost varies — Enjoy a romantic evening of live strings and a curated dinner in a candlelit atmosphere.
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Pirate & Princess Party
10-11 a.m. — Forsyth Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy games, crafts, and treats while dressed as your favorite pirate or princess.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you want to remember something, write it down. If you want to understand something, explain it to someone else.
~ Richard Feynman
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