Good morning, Decatur.

Last Friday, more than 500 volunteers raised over $1 million at the WSOY Community Food Drive at the Kroger Parking Lot to help those facing food shortages.

The event also awarded cash prizes to local schools, with St. Teresa winning first place & three schools receiving recognition.

FFA students from Central A&M High School provided free lunches during the fall harvest in Moweaqua and Assumption, handing out bags with pork burgers, chips, a cookie, trail mix, and water (a service they perform annually) to support local farmers.

WAND News announced that award-winning Jacob Gordon will host weekday mornings on Wake Up from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. starting Oct.

19. He will join local anchor Lacey Spence and meteorologist Nick Patrick as they deliver local news and weather updates.

Former mayor Paul Osborne joined Byers & Co on Oct.

8 to discuss Decatur history, political integrity, and the WSOY Community Food Drive in a local podcast. He recalled community methods from the 1940s & the evolving role of local newspapers.

The Oasis Day & Resource Center in Decatur closed permanently on Oct.

8, leaving local residents without its community services and officials without a plan for a replacement.

The Governor Richard Oglesby Mansion will host a presentation by Mikito Muroya on Governor Oglesby's military and political career on Saturday, Oct.

10 at 2 p.m. followed by tours until 4 p.m. at 421 West William Street with suggested donations of $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Lake Land College hosted its annual Career Day on Tuesday, Oct.

6 — drawing over 1,200 high school students to explore career paths on its campus.

On October 8, 2026, Millikin University hosted a community partnership training with local university leaders, a Decatur Chamber representative and an alum to discuss the R.I.S.E.

Real Estate Summit and Millikin WORKS initiatives. The session aimed to strengthen local ties between education and community efforts.

MillikinWORKS and the Chamber launch AI for Business, a five-session workshop series starting Oct.

22 that gives local professionals hands-on skills in AI for marketing, planning, cybersecurity, and finance — sessions are held at the public library and at Millikin University.

The Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual State of Education Business Luncheon on Tuesday, November 10 at Richland Community College’s Shilling Salons — doors open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at 11:45 a.m. Chamber members can register for $30.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal reminds residents to follow safe charging habits this Fire Prevention Week from Oct.

4 to Oct. 10; officials advise using chargers approved by the manufacturer and charging on hard, flat surfaces—avoiding use of batteries that overheat or swell.