Good morning, Decatur.

A family of five was displaced on Wednesday after a house fire on Wilcar Ct. in Decatur around noon—firefighters battled heavy flames starting in the garage that quickly spread and left the home a total loss.

Decatur police said 6-year-old Noah Edwards was hit by a car while crossing Oakland Avenue at 7:21 a.m. Thursday — he later died at the hospital and the driver, a 41-year-old woman, was not under the influence.

The Decatur Schools District lost nearly $2M in federal funding after the Department of Education reversed a funding extension, forcing the district to cover four nearly completed projects from its general fund.

School officials said the sudden shift has meant reassigning money that could have helped with other needs—such as addressing teacher shortages.

The Illinois Department of Revenue reminded taxpayers on April 9 that the April 15 deadline for filing 2024 state income tax returns is quickly approaching—taxpayers are urged to file electronically for faster refunds and must pay any taxes owed by the deadline to avoid penalties.

Midwest Toy & Comic Fest Decatur 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Decatur Civic Center — $5 at the door — A family-friendly convention featuring toys and comics for all ages.

Molly Hatchet Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Lincoln Square Theater — $18-$75 — Experience the iconic Southern rock sounds of Molly Hatchet blending rock, blues, country, and gospel.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet 70th Anniversary Celebration

9 a.m. — Blain's Farm & Fleet — Check for details on savings — Celebrate 70 years of community service with fun demos, giveaways, and a chance to win a UTV.

True Blue Challenge

12 AM – 12 AM — Kirkland Fine Arts Center — Support our students — Celebrate Millikin University with a fundraising challenge for scholarships.

Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Plant Sale

9 AM – 2 PM — Macon County Fair & Event Facilities — Free entry — Explore a variety of plants including annuals, perennials, houseplants, and more at this community plant sale.

Decatur Craft Beer Festival 2025

7 PM – 4 PM — Decatur IL Central Park — Tickets on sale soon — Enjoy a variety of local brews at Central Park in Downtown Decatur.

Boots On The Ground Country/Urban Line Dancing Party

7 p.m. — 12 a.m. — 400 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL — Ages 21+ — Dust off those boots and hit the dance floor for an exciting night of country and urban line dancing with a live tutorial.