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🌱 Patch AM: See how one Decatur group brightened the holidays for homeless neighbors

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Hello again Decatur! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • See how one Decatur group brightened the holidays for homeless neighbors
  • What a proposed rail merger could mean for Decatur shop jobs
  • How one Decatur family’s grief is becoming a Christmas lifeline

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

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Weather forecast:

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

  • Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 41 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Monday: Increasing cloudiness, temps: high: 47, low: 40.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Local group spreads holiday cheer to Decatur's homeless (wandtv.com) — Homeless neighbors in Decatur received about 100 holiday gift bags Friday, thanks to Families Assisting the Next Generation and CEO Keenan Jackson at the Oasis Day Center on Cerro Gordo Street. The effort aims to bring comfort and essentials to people with nowhere else to go during the holidays, emphasizing care for those most in need locally.
   

2. Merged UP-NS anticipates no locomotive purchases; some shops to be idled (trains.com) — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s proposed merger could idle or reduce operations at the Decatur locomotive maintenance facility, with positions likely relocated elsewhere. The railroads say they won’t buy new locomotives soon, instead pulling engines and railcars from storage as traffic grows, while consolidating other shops nationwide to cut costs and streamline maintenance work.
   

3. Family remembers 5-year-old Andreas "Dre" Woodland with Christmas toy drive (wandtv.com) — Decatur residents are rallying around the family of 5-year-old Andreas “Dre” Woodland with a new Dre Forever 5 Foundation Christmas toy drive to help local families in need. Donations are being accepted through Christmas Eve, turning the community’s grief into a tradition of giving in Dre’s honor.
   

4. Bears Considering Move to NW Indiana (wrbiradio.com) — Decatur gets a brief but notable shout-out as the original home of the Bears, while the team now weighs a possible move from Chicago to Northwest Indiana after state officials signaled no stadium funding in 2026. The story explains why Arlington Heights plans have stalled and how Indiana leaders are courting the franchise.
   

5. LOCALIZE IT: Recipients on the list of 2025's biggest philanthropic gifts based in several states (newspressnow.com) — A major Warren Buffett donation this year went to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which is headquartered in Decatur and focuses on global food security and conflict mitigation. The piece lists other huge 2025 gifts nationwide, but Decatur’s connection is through hosting one of the key recipient organizations.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I called Jeremy Jones yesterday because my awning was almost all the way off due to the wind.
    My backdoor was pulled out of the screws as well. Jeremy came today and fixed it like new. A very polite young man and did a great job. Everything is… (Nextdoor South Shores)
  • Thank you God for another fantastic Friday!!!
    Gmornin neighbors! Hope everyone has an awesome day!!! (Nextdoor Southside Improvement Association)
  • Decatur Public Schools posted a job opening for DPS Extended Day Site Coordinator in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Veterans Staffing posted a job opening for Director Global Animal & Pet Nutrition Quality 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 feel lightheaded!
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