Good morning, Decatur.

God’s Shelter of Love held its annual Blue Jean Ball on October 12th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to support local women and children facing homelessness — former Executive Director Dan Watkins stepped down as Arianna Fane took over, with donations from the event set to help all shelter programs continue.

Three Decatur residents were displaced after a house fire occurred Saturday night at a home on the 1600 block of North Union Street—smoke detectors woke the occupants so they could escape safely before heavy fire, smoke and water damage made the home uninhabitable while friends and family offered help.

Decatur’s Theatre 7 announced its 2025 to 26 season at the Civic Center Theater; it will offer main-stage productions including The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940—scheduled for October 25, 26, 31 and November 1, 2—and additional events like Sister Act in May and a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening on October 24.

Millikin University Percussion Ensembles will host the 19th Annual Halloween Concert Series on October 29 and 30 at the haunted Albert Taylor Theatre on campus — tickets are on sale for the 7:30 p.m. show on October 29 and the 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows on October 30, with proceeds supporting the Percussive Arts Society Club.

A public presentation in Decatur will discuss the book Struggling to Survive: The Lincolns' Difficult First Year by Carolyn Harmon, published by Decatur's Words Matter Publishing.

Children’s Museum of Illinois introduced Teach the Tutor, a free tutoring program for junior high and high school students to learn math tutoring skills (designed to help younger children).

The five-week program will hold sessions every Thursday from October 23 to November 20 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (registration is required) at the museum on 55 S. Country Club Rd.

The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual State of Education Business Luncheon on November 4 at the Millikin University Commons Banquet Room — doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and local education leaders Dr. Rochelle Clark, Dr. Cris Valdez, and Dr. Dean Pribbenow will speak; early registration ends October 25 with ticket prices of $27 for Chamber members and $37 for non-members.

Decatur and Mount Zion businesses and residents are being asked to conserve water as lake levels drop—records show September was the second driest in 142 years— according to the National Weather Service.

The sidewalk along Lost Bridge Road—used for fence replacement—will be closed today until October 20 while city crews complete the work; drivers are advised to use caution in the work zone.

Millikin University and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital will hold the Real Men Wear Pink football game on Oct.

18 at 6 p.m. at Frank M. Lindsay Field to promote breast cancer awareness—cancer survivors get free admission and fans can access on-site health information.

Hospital Sisters Health System partnered with independent Medicare adviser Chapter to offer free Medicare consultations for patients aged 65 and older during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7.

Patients can schedule consultations online at askchapter.org/hshs + by calling 855-636-0583.

Autism Awareness Walk: Donuts for a Difference

9 AM – 12 PM — Fairview Park — Free entry — Enjoy delicious donuts while supporting autism awareness and acceptance in the community.

Open Mic Night with Bob Besser

6 PM – 9 PM — Golden Fox Brewing, LLC — Free entry — Showcase your talent in music, comedy, or poetry at this lively community event.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

4-6 p.m. — Kirkland Fine Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a festive spectacle of dance and music in a magical holiday setting.