Daily
Decatur
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Clay Gerhard of the Decatur Park District and Mike Berkes of Lindsey Life joined Byers & Co for a podcast on February 18 that discussed future plans for senior activities and adult day care. The discussion focused on enhancing local opportunities for older adults. Now Decatur
- ➤ Last week, a reporter saw an older woman fall in front of the downtown post office and two young locals step in to help while a passerby gathered her scattered mail; she refused hospital care but remained in good hands, showing Decatur’s commitment to community care. Decatur Tribune
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Central Illinois students will compete in the 2026 STEAM Olympics hosted by For a better Tomorrow, featuring school competitions in science, technology, engineering, arts + mathematics. The event aims to foster teamwork and hands-on learning among participants. Herald & Review
- ➤ Millikin University partnered with the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation yesterday (for its 125th anniversary initiative) to offer donors a 25% state tax credit through the Illinois Gives Tax Credit program. The effort supports scholarships, academic programs, and other needs. Now Decatur
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City officials said several parts of Decatur are under a boil order until further notice, affecting areas such as W Center (from Florian to Wyckles), Wyckles Road, W Main, and the Wilcox neighborhood. WAND
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Heritage Behavioral Health Center is starting the second phase of its Northgate Plaza Project (2800 N. Water Street) with a $44M state grant to transform nearly 150,000 sqft into a new facility that will serve up to 4,000 clients; construction will start July 1 and take two years. WAND
- ➤ More than 500,000 Illinois residents are now free from medical debt after Governor J. B. Pritzker announced an initiative that wiped out $1.1 billion in unpaid medical bills — a relief for families facing financial hardship. Officials say the program will expand in coming months. Decatur Radio
- ➤ Illinois is one of seven states where a drug-resistant Salmonella strain is linked to Rosabella brand moringa powder capsules, the CDC said. Ambrosia Brands LLC recalled the capsules in white plastic bottles with green labels from 52 lot codes expiring in 2027 and urged consumers to return or discard them. Decatur Radio
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Today, 672 wrestlers from 250 high schools begin competing in 14 weight classes at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships at the State Farm Center - in Urbana-Champaign at 11:00 a.m. - after Macon County wrestlers advanced in sectional meets. Now Decatur
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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.
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2026 PBA Illinois Classic
3-5 p.m. — Victory Lanes - Decatur — Contact for spectator passes — Experience thrilling bowling with PBA legends at this exciting tournament.
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
The hard part isn't making the decision. It's living with it.
~ Ryan Holiday
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