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🌱 Patch AM: How new hospital visitor limits could change your next Decatur visit

Happening soon: CAPM Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL on the Decatur Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 30th Patch AM
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Greetings Decatur! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new hospital visitor limits could change your next Decatur visit
  • How Decatur’s new clean energy hub could reshape local jobs
  • How Central Illinois kids turned skating and gadgets into STEM learning

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Decaturfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 33 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 38, low: 17. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 29 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Memorial Health limits hospital visitors amid rise in respiratory illnesses (wandtv.com) — If you have a loved one at Decatur Memorial Hospital, be prepared for tighter visitor rules as Memorial Health responds to rising COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases. Inpatient visits are now limited to two healthy adults at a time, with masks encouraged and good hygiene strongly stressed. Outpatient clinics, urgent care, and lab services in the system are not affected.
   

Find out what's happening in Decaturfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Illinois Celebrates Economic Development Milestones In 2025 (riverbender.com) — A new $45 million Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Decatur will support EV component manufacturing, create local jobs, and offer advanced training through Richland Community College’s Clean Energy Workforce Academy. The project is part of a broader year of record economic gains statewide, including major investments, tourism growth, and workforce programs that could bring additional opportunities to central Illinois.
   

3. Highlights in education from 2025 (wandtv.com) — STEM education in and around Decatur got a big boost this year, with local coverage spotlighting hands-on programs that make science and math more engaging for kids. From figure-skating math lessons at the University of Illinois to traveling physics demos and a Springfield STEAM camp, Central Illinois students are getting more creative ways to explore STEM close to home.
   

4. These IL Retail Stores Could Shutter In 2026 As Business Closures Continue (patch.com) — Major retail chains are planning hundreds of U.S. store closures in 2026, and Kroger confirms it operates in Decatur, though it hasn’t said which Illinois locations might shut down. Other brands like Macy’s, Walgreens, and Wendy’s are also trimming underperforming sites statewide. Decatur shoppers could see changes, but no specific local closures are confirmed yet.
   

5. Merton Lee Scroggins (66) of Farina - Effingham's News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3 (thexradio.com) — A man born in Decatur, Merton “Mert” Lee Scroggins, has passed away at age 66, with services set for January 2 in Edgewood and burial near Farina. He grew up in central Illinois, worked at the Masonic Home and S&S RVs, and was known for his love of camping, fishing, and time with family and friends.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Thursday January 1
  • New Year's Day
    Decatur, IL Calendar
    • Wednesday January 7
  • Mary Miller's Mobile Office Hours
    Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce , 101 S Main St #102 , Decatur
    2:00 pm

📣 Decatur Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sort of a general question and sorry if it sounds silly but how common are tornadoes in Decatur?
    I'm from Wisconsin and we had one form but not touch my entire life until I moved. I know there were some a few years ago. There's so many old houses… (Nextdoor West End)
  • Heads up out there.
    Things could possibly get a little hairy today between noon and 4 PM. Not sure how accurate this is but just a heads up. (Nextdoor Millikin Heights)
  • Richland Community College posted a job opening for Diesel Technology Adjunct Faculty (continuous recruitment) in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Senior Meat Cutter PT in Decatur. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Decatur here.

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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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