🌱 Patch AM: Ready to reserve your table at Decatur’s 2026 Princess Ball?

Cheers Decatur! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Ready to reserve your table at Decatur’s 2026 Princess Ball?
• Evergreen Park’s Madrigals are headed to Millikin University in Decatur
• How a Decatur farm show previewed 2026 aid for struggling farmers

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Sunny, windy and much colder, with a high of 27 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 31, low: 27.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Decatur Park District to Host Annual Princess Ball for Young Royalty (nowdecatur.com) — Families in Decatur can now reserve their spot for the Princess Ball, hosted by Arts at the Decatur Park District on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Scovill Banquet Facility. Kids ages 5–12 and their grown-ups will enjoy dinner, dancing, and photos, with tickets at $40 per couple and $15 per additional sibling, available by phone reservation.
   

2. EPCHS Madrigals sing their way through December (southwestregionalpublishing.com) — Evergreen Park Community High School’s Madrigals will bring their Renaissance-style holiday music to Decatur when they perform at a choir concert at Millikin University on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. The group has spent December singing at hospitals, churches, schools, and village events, becoming a festive fixture in their home community.
   

3. Year in review: Trade, budget reconciliation, input costs, outbreaks, USDA reorganization dominate ag news (agri-pulse.com) — National farm policy decisions in 2025, from Trump administration trade moves to a major USDA reorganization and new “bridge” aid, shaped the backdrop for farmers visiting the Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Local growers heard early hints there about financial assistance aimed at helping them make it into 2026, alongside broader debates over farm bill extensions and agency budget cuts.
   

4. Why are health insurance premiums spiking in 2026? Here's what to know (shawlocal.com) — Decatur residents relying on Affordable Care Act plans could see steep premium hikes in 2026, as federal tax credits expire and Illinois enrollees face average increases of 78%. A Decatur-based broker describes clients choosing between food and coverage, while state health leaders and lawmakers debate causes and possible relief as enrollment deadlines approach in January.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday January 27

• CAPM Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL
  Business Center of Decatur, 2121 S Imboden Ct, Decatur
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• Comic Invasion
  Golden Fox Brewing, LLC , 3025 N Kandy Ln , Decatur
  7:30 pm
• New Years Eve COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA at GOLDEN FOX BREWING!
  Golden Fox Brewing, LLC , 3025 N Kandy Ln , Decatur
  8:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Mary Miller's Mobile Office Hours
  Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce , 101 S Main St #102 , Decatur
  2:00 pm

Saturday January 31

• The Roaring Murder by CICEO
  Richland Community College , 1 College Park , Decatur
  6:00 pm

Tuesday February 24

• PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Decatur, IL
  Business Center of Decatur , 2121 S Imboden Ct , Decatur
  9:00 am

Monday June 8

• Mt. Zion - Brazilian Soccer Camp - Mt. Zion, IL 2026
  Goodwin Park , 1030 North Ct , Mt Zion
  9:00 am

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

• Anyone seen our dog TJ?
  He is very friendly, but won’t come to anyone as he’s scared. Please call 217-520-8053 with any sighting. Been missing since 12/26 @ 7am. Thank you (Nextdoor Home Park)
• We are visiting my in-laws and I went to a hot yoga class with my sister in law.
  I’m looking for a class in Decatur. I saw that Studio Yoga has a hot yoga class. Has anyone attended that one? If so, do you like it? Are there any… (Nextdoor Windsor Village)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Decatur. Apply here.
• Old Dominion Freight Line posted a job opening for Driver Check In Clerk - Part Time 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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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