Good morning, Decatur.

First Financial Corporation and First Illinois Corporation signed an agreement on August 27 to merge Decatur-based Hickory Point Bank into First Financial’s Illinois operations in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $111.3 million.

The merger will close in the fourth quarter once regulatory and shareholder approvals are obtained.

Former mayor Paul Osborne appeared on Byers & Co's podcast to recall Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's Millikin University performance and preview a public presentation on data centers in Macon County, an upcoming Labor Day event, and a new e-bike bill in Illinois.

High school students interested in teaching will explore the profession at Millikin University’s Tomorrow’s Teachers Conference on Oct.

19. The event offers interactive sessions (including STEAM, special education and multicultural education) and hands-on experiences with faculty.

On August 27, 2026, 4-H members from DeWitt, Macon and Piatt counties earned top honors at the Illinois State Fair in the Orr Building — 101 local participants received awards for projects in cooking, agriculture, robotics and arts.

A federal judge blocked a new assisted suicide law set to start on Sept.

12 after Catholic leaders including Bishop Thomas Paprocki raised concerns that it conflicts with church teachings and two local hospital systems are now protected by the court's order.

Macon County residents can register through Sept.

1 for the free eight-week Community Public Safety Academy offered by Dawson Civic Leadership Institute, running on Tuesdays from Sept. 8 to Oct. 27 at 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with tours of local public safety facilities and dinner provided.

Heritage Behavioral Health will host its fourth annual Overdose Awareness Day event on Monday from 3-6 p.m. at the Fairview Park pavilion in Decatur, offering free Narcan, arts and crafts, giveaways, an ice cream truck and personal recovery stories.