Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are longtime downtown Decatur shops finally shutting their doors?

Also check out Christmas Day on the Decatur Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Decatur! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are longtime downtown Decatur shops finally shutting their doors?
  • How Decatur schools compare in new Macon County enrollment breakdown
  • How Decatur’s Night to Shine is rolling out the red carpet

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Areas of fog in the morning, with a high of 54 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, temps: high: 55, low: 46.
  • Thursday: Warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 56 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Another small business in Decatur closes, highlights main challenges (newschannel20.com) — Small business owners in Decatur say weather, online competition, and changing shopping habits are making it harder to survive, with two longtime downtown shops closing or already gone. Owners describe how snow hurt Small Business Saturday, how later events helped them recover somewhat, and why they still believe shopping locally keeps more money and energy in the community.
   

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

2. Macon County Education: 4,091 Black students enrolled in school districts in 2024-25 school year (maconreporter.com) — Decatur School District 61 now enrolls 3,902 Black students, accounting for just over half of the district’s 7,740-student body and the vast majority of Black enrollment in Macon County. Countywide, 4,091 Black students attend public schools, making up 27.8% of all K-12 enrollment, according to new Illinois State Board of Education figures.
   

3. Decatur's Night to Shine Promises a Magical Evening for People with Special Needs (nowdecatur.com) — Decatur families of individuals with special needs can now register for Night to Shine, a free prom-style celebration set for Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at GT Church. Coordinated by GT Church with First Christian Church and Macon Resources, the evening will feature a red carpet, dancing, photos, and a crowning ceremony, with volunteers needed to help create a welcoming, inclusive experience.
   

4. Penny for your hearts: Daughter honors father known as 'Penny Man' (wandtv.com) — In Decatur, a local woman is keeping her late father’s legacy alive by sharing the story behind his decades-long penny collection and the tiny houses he built from coins. As the U.S. Mint stops producing pennies, she reflects on how his simple hobby taught her to find joy and meaning in even the smallest things.
   

5. Decatur fire department battles early blaze, no injuries reported (newschannel20.com) — Decatur firefighters quickly knocked down an early-morning house fire Monday on the 2100 block of North Monroe Street, preventing injuries but leaving the home with heavy smoke and water damage. Crews attacked the blaze from inside, searched for occupants, protected neighboring houses, and the department’s Investigation Bureau is now working to determine what sparked the fire.
   

📸 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!

📣 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog got out last night.
    He is a yellow lab/pit mix with white on his chest and feet. He is friendly but scared of traffic. If you see him please call 217-413-8424 thank you (Nextdoor Galloway)
  • “3rd time’s a charm”?
    SMH This is the 3rd time, I’ve had to post this request. I’m going to try, to make this, as simple as possible. (My previous post, was filled with… (Nextdoor St. Mary's)
  • Crown Equipment Corporation posted a job opening for Mechanic - Auto / Diesel / Forklift Technician in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Decatur