Good morning, Decatur.

The Salvation Army will close its Food Pantry on Tuesday, Oct.

20 and Thursday, Oct. 22 to process Christmas applications; regular hours resume the week of Oct. 26, and applications will be accepted on Monday in the gymnasium (10 a.m. to noon and 1–4 p.m.).

Clay Gerhard of the Decatur Park District discussed Halloween events at Scovill Zoo, School’s Out Day Camp, MidState Soccer Club’s winter league for adults & Super Saturday Recess and addressed the impact of the Oasis Day Center closing in an interview recorded yesterday.

The Children’s Museum will host its annual Halloween CeleBOOration on Sunday, Oct.

25 from 12 pm to 5 pm where families will enjoy a rubber duck hunt with prizes, temporary tattoos, and crafts, plus a new bake sale offered by the Kids Council in partnership with The Little Pink Kitchen.

The school board approved new student achievement goals to improve English language arts, math and reading proficiency and boost attendance and graduation rates (an update on the Roadmap process was provided) at its latest meeting.

Nomination petitions for Decatur mayor and three City Council seats will be accepted Monday, Oct.

19 to Monday, Oct. 26 at the City Clerk’s office in the Decatur Civic Center (1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza), ahead of a primary election on Feb. 23 and a general election on Apr. 6.

Illinois Department of Insurance announced on Oct.

14 that health insurance rates will rise 14.1 percent for 2027 on the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace, down from a 28.8 percent increase last year. Consumers can preview plans on Oct. 19 and enroll from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15.

Millikin University and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital will promote breast cancer awareness at the Real Men Wear Pink game on Saturday, Oct.

17 at the football field.