Good morning, Decatur.

Residents at Wabash Crossing apartments are worried about poor living conditions and abandoned buildings, with a recent inspection finding 75 code violations (heightening renter safety issues).

City council will host a public forum for renters on May 11 at the Decatur Public Library.

On Apr. 29, Clay Gerhard and Micky McNaughton from the Decatur Park District discussed the groundbreaking for a new senior center and planned programming for people 55 and older during a podcast with Byers and Co (the update highlighted enhanced community activities).

The family of Samuel Ward laid a wreath at a Workers’ Memorial Day ceremony in Decatur on Tuesday, April 28 to honor the union electrician who died last November while on the job.

Firefighters responded to a house fire on Decatur’s east side Wednesday afternoon at around 12:08 p.m.; the blaze left one woman and four children displaced and the American Red Cross has been contacted for assistance as crews extinguished heavy flames.

Dr. Mark Tonelli of Millikin University joined Byers & Co on April 29 to discuss his Brasiliana project, which features an album and a documentary capturing his time in Brazil.

The podcast interview is now available for listeners.

Young entrepreneurs from the Central Illinois CEO program will launch 15 student-run businesses at a trade show on Wednesday, May 6 in the former Sears corridor at Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth.

Community members are invited to browse the products and support local future leaders.

State grants awarded yesterday helped several Decatur schools plan field trips for 3rd- and 4th-grade students to local nature sites (for example, Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School will soon visit 4-H Memorial Camp).

Over $101,000 funded outdoor learning statewide.

State senators may pass House Bill 3409 in the coming weeks to ban PFAS from beauty products (like makeup and lotion) to ensure consumer safety.

The bill passed the House last year as lawmakers work to protect public health.

Decatur Public Library will host Teen Mental Health Week from May 4 to May 9 to support local teens with interactive events such as a teen meetup, fidget toy testing and mini therapy animal visits, aiming to provide a welcoming space for discussion and positive coping techniques.