Good morning, Decatur.

Clay Gerhard of the Park District and Heather Perdeu from Scovill Zoo joined Byers & Co on April 16th to discuss the new Mountain Lion exhibit and a ribbon cutting and unveiling scheduled for April 28th — they shared details on how the event will introduce this exciting attraction. The discussion provided clear next steps for bringing this new exhibit to the community.

Taylorville police arrested three Decatur residents—Tiffany Coverstone, Mason Benjamin and Allison Miller—early Tuesday in a drug trafficking bust that charged them with multiple methamphetamine offenses including possession with intent to deliver and delivery for controlled substances involving between 15 and 100 grams.

A sixth grader from Maroa-Forsyth Middle School, Ashley Rebong, won a national art contest with a design that uses Southwest's colors to show a sunset, an airplane, and hearts—she said she was very surprised by the win.

Pilot Ashley Higar, who teaches in the Adopt-a-Pilot program, will wear her tie design on his flights for the rest of the school year.

On April 16th, Millikin students Aven Mrosko and Max Cline joined Byers and Co to discuss their groundbreaking partnership, Shakespeare Corrected, which provides professional theater training to Decatur organizations and is working with women at the Decatur Correctional Center.

On April 16, Millikin University was ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Graduate Schools list (released April 8) for its Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

The program was named the top option in Illinois outside Chicago (No. 1 outside Chicago and No. 4 statewide) and was ranked No. 135 nationally among DNP programs.

On April 16, Aly Delatte of the Decatur Parks Foundation and Heather Perdeu of Scovill Zoo joined Byers & Co to discuss the upcoming Judy Locke Memorial Field Trips that will begin on April 21.

The program will offer Scovill Zoo field trips to over 750 DPS61 1st graders.

The Macon County Conservation Foundation announced Wine in the Wild— a new fundraising event set for Saturday, June 14th at Woodbine Farm outside Dalton City.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. and include drinks, appetizers, games, dinner, live music, a reenactment of a Chautauqua style speech, district project updates, an auction, and a cash bar for attendees 21 and older with tickets priced at $75.

Millikin University Football will host a two-day Coaches Clinic — featuring Millikin alumnus and Army head coach Jeff Monken — at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel on April 25th-26th.

Additional speakers including University of Kentucky Senior Assistant Derek Shay and retired Illinois Wesleyan head coach Norm Eash will appear while tickets are priced at $50 per person or $400 per school staff, with sponsorship provided by McLeod Express.

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.

Rock Springs Ramble 5K Run/Walk

8 a.m. — Rock Springs Conservation Area — Registration details pending — Lace up for a community-friendly 5K run or walk in the scenic Rock Springs Conservation Area.