Daily
Decatur
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Joe Dively, CEO of First Mid Bank and Trust, joined guest host Kevin Breheny on Byers & Co on Dec. 30 to explain the bank's mission and introduce the new Soy City Buzz. Now Decatur
- ➤ A Chick-fil-A will open in Forsyth, replacing the shuttered Applebee’s building after a planning and zoning review on Jan. 15 — the village board will meet on Jan. 20. Residents have long awaited this addition to the community. ABC 20
- ➤ Chick-fil-A will open soon in Forsyth as village leaders celebrate its long-awaited arrival after years of local persuasion. The restaurant’s debut is expected to boost business and offer residents a taste of its well-known menu (a result of persistent community efforts). Herald & Review
- ➤ David Hoffmann, a Florida-based billionaire and Missouri native, will become chair of the Herald & Review owner after a $35 million deal gives him a controlling stake in Lee Enterprises. The deal is set to change leadership at the paper. Herald & Review
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Decatur Area Arts Council announced winners for its Christmas Card Lane exhibit at Preston Jackson Park on Dec. 30. Delta Sigma Theta took first prize ($200), Johns Hill Middle School came in second ($100), and Callie Walsh earned third ($50) after community votes. Now Decatur
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned residents on Tuesday, Dec. 30 that scam texts falsely claim traffic violations or toll issues and threaten license suspension, saying his office never sends such messages (it only sends DMV appointment reminders) while urging reports to the Federal Trade Commission. ABC 20
- ➤ Macon County officials scheduled a storm debris pick-up for unincorporated areas hit by the Dec. 28 storm; the service will occur on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026—residents must have debris curbside by then. Decatur Tribune
- ➤ Macon County's Emergency Management Agency will provide storm debris pick-up on Monday, Jan. 5 for residents in designated road segments—like Sandcreek Road and Bentonville Road. Residents must have woody debris and household/construction waste separated at the curb or call 217-424-1330 if their area is not listed. WAND
- ➤ County officials announced a storm debris pick-up for unincorporated areas affected by the December 28 tornadoes. Residents must have all debris curbside on Monday, Jan. 5 and separate woody from construction materials — requests from non-designated areas will be evaluated. Now Decatur
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Dec. 30, 2025, HSHS St. Mary's Chief Administrative Officer Tim Layman spoke on Byers & Co about hospital modernization plans that include upgraded technology & improved facilities for better patient care. Now Decatur
- ➤ Local libraries will soon stock opioid overdose reversal medication as required by state law on Thursday, Jan. 1 + the measure follows reports of multiple overdoses in a library and aims to protect lives. Decatur Radio
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Mark Tupper previewed the Illini-Tennessee Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2025 — discussing the Illini basketball team's win over Southern University and start of conference play — in a podcast that local fans can listen to. Now Decatur
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Decatur
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