Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Boys & Girls Club announced it will no longer offer summer programming due to financial challenges. It will help families find local youth organizations for camps (effective Friday). WAND
- ➤ Clay Gerhard from the Decatur Park District discussed plans for Memorial Day openings and summer family activities during a Byers & Co podcast on May 20 (the discussion detailed improvements to community recreation). Now Decatur
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Decatur veteran Jodi Maddox has transformed a trailer found online into SoulSmoothies, a mobile plant-based smoothie truck serving fresh juices in downtown Decatur behind Happy Hut. The business operates Monday through Friday from 5pm and builds community wellness (drawing on his caregiving background). WAND
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater begins its seventh summer concert season this week with performances starting Friday night (The 1985: Totally 80's Mixtape Live!). The venue will host country, hip-hop, and tribute acts while offering new food and beverage options and a clear bag policy to speed up entry. WAND
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ ADM welcomed 123 summer interns with orientation events that began May 20 — including a tailgate, leadership talks and a culture session — as 50 interns will work in Decatur while others travel to ADM sites for summer assignments. Now Decatur
- ➤ Decatur schools welcomed the return of the D.A.R.E program this spring at Johns Hill Magnet School after nearly 20 years, offering students drug abuse resistance education. Herald & Review
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Airport has begun its first construction project of the year, with crews improving its parking lot over several months (the northern entrance remains open as the southern entrance is closed) and Everyone's East End Grill parking (still accessible) stays available. WAND
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Memorial Hospital's Dr. Omar Al-Heeti joined Tanya Andricks on a podcast with Byers & Co on May 20, sharing his journey in internal medicine and infectious disease and discussing lessons learned during COVID — his insights guide how DMH plans to face future health challenges. Now Decatur
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Weekly Book Sale
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Decatur Public Library — Free entry — Browse a variety of books, DVDs, and puzzles while supporting local literacy efforts.
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Boots On The Ground Country/Urban Line Dancing Party
7-11:45 p.m. — Decatur Conference Center & Hotel — Free entry — Kick up your heels and enjoy a night of line dancing to urban and country beats.
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Community Game Afternoon
1-4 p.m. — Decatur Public Library — Free entry — Bring your family and friends to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of board games and card games.
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
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
~ Beverly Sills
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