Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a new grant is reshaping food education in Decatur schools
And check out TRSAF 6059 -02 Traffic Safety - Decatur, IL 2026 on the Decatur Patch calendar

Good day Decatur! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a new grant is reshaping food education in Decatur schools
- Why is Decatur topping national lists for housing affordability?
Also on today's calendar: CAPM Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL and 1 more event.
Find out what's happening in Decaturfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one elevator say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Decatur Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Decatur Patch AM possible.
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Find out what's happening in Decaturfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 46 and low of 34 degrees.
- Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 51, low: 36.
- Wednesday: A rain or snow shower; colder, with a high of 38 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
• U of I Extension provides nutrition education to DPS students thanks to Heart of Illinois grant (nowdecatur.com) — Families in Decatur Public Schools recently took part in hands-on nutrition activities funded by a Heart of Illinois Community Foundation grant and led by University of Illinois Extension. From MyPlate lessons to “food math” and budget-friendly meal ideas, students and parents at multiple DPS schools learned practical ways to build healthier breakfasts and family meals tailored to their tastes and finances.
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• Cheapest Places in America to Buy a House in 2026 (noradarealestate.com) — Decatur is singled out nationally as an Illinois “gem,” recognized as the most affordable place to live for 2025–2026 with typical home values under $100,000. The broader piece surveys cheap housing markets across the Midwest, South, and beyond, but underscores Decatur’s unusually low prices and potential appeal for budget-conscious buyers and families considering a move.
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📸 Around Decatur
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- TRSAF 6059 -02 Traffic Safety - Decatur, IL 2026
One College Park, Progress City USA, 4275 E Mound Rd, Decatur
6:00 pm
Wednesday January 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- CAPM Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL
Business Center of Decatur , 2121 S Imboden Ct , Decatur
9:00 am - PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL
Business Center of Decatur , 2121 S Imboden Ct , Decatur
9:00 am - TRSAF 6059-03 Traffic Safety - Decatur, IL 2026
One College Park, Progress City USA , 4275 E Mound Rd , Decatur
1:00 pm
Tuesday January 27
Saturday February 7
📣 Decatur Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Volleyball vs. Sangamon Valley
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
6:00 pm - Edinburg at Sangamon Valley
Sangamon Valley High School , 398 N Illinois St , Niantic
6:00 pm - TC (CO-OP) Boys Varsity Basketball @ Argenta-Oreana
Argenta-Oreana High School , 500 N Main St , Argenta
7:00 pm - Thursday Trivia at Golden Fox Brewing
Golden Fox Brewing, LLC , 3025 N Kandy Ln , Decatur
6:00 pm - Volleyball at Sullivan
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
6:00 pm - BB’s BFE – Latham, IL
BB’S B.F.E. Bar & Grill , 2371 IL-121 , Latham
6:00 pm - Jim Hollis Live at Golden Fox Brewing
Golden Fox Brewing, LLC , 3025 N Kandy Ln , Decatur
7:00 pm - Crochet Foundations: Getting Started with Crochet
Harristown Community Center , 185 N Kembark St , Decatur
6:00 pm
Tuesday January 13
Wednesday January 14
Thursday January 15
Friday January 16
Saturday January 17
Tuesday January 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Decatur PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Mommy update mom and puppies are doing great finally was able to get her to get comfortable and feed the puppies and now she's doing it on her own The puppies are getting big a couple of them are really fat you could tell they didn't miss a meal 🤣🤣🤣
we got her in our room in the closet with the door open so she has her own safe place to be at with her puppies and now she's doing really good a vet… (Nextdoor Hess Park) - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CCz2thcp6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Hi! I’m not sure many of you in our new neighborhood know that they are so close to Mama Bear Bakery! My bakery stand is out today! It’s in our… (Nextdoor Windsor Village)
- Decatur Public Schools posted a job opening for Elementary Art Teacher in Decatur. Apply here.
- Old Dominion Freight Line Inc posted a job opening for Dock Worker/Forklift Operator -Part Time in Decatur. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Decatur here.
🗞 Nearby News
Clinton
- 2,033 white students enrolled in DeWitt County districts in 2024-25 school year (maconreporter.com)
Monticello
Ok Decatur! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I think I’m coming down with something!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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