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🌱 Patch AM: Why Decatur just posted one of Illinois’ sharpest jobless jumps

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Good morning to you Decatur! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Decatur just posted one of Illinois’ sharpest jobless jumps
  • What investigators are looking for after the Hickory Street house fire
  • What the planned UP–NS merger could mean for Decatur rail jobs

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (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.

  • Monday: Breezy with thickening clouds, with a high of 45 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Areas of morning fog, temps: high: 54, low: 36.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 57 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Payroll Jobs Up, Stable in Majority of Metro Areas in September (myradiolink.com) — Decatur’s unemployment rate rose to 5.9% in September, the highest increase among Illinois metro areas and up 0.5 points from last year, while total local jobs inched up by 100. Macon County mirrored that 5.9% rate, as state officials highlighted mixed job trends across Illinois but record employment in some other metros.
   

2. Vacant house heavily damaged by fire (decaturtribune.com) — Decatur firefighters knocked down a major blaze early Sunday at a vacant, boarded-up house at 1628 E Hickory St, preventing damage to nearby buildings and avoiding any injuries. Crews used defensive tactics and a Truck 1 master stream, and the Fire Prevention Bureau is now investigating what caused the fire.
   

3. Merged UP-NS anticipates no locomotive purchases; some shops to be idled (trains.com) — Decatur’s Union Pacific locomotive maintenance facility is slated to be idled or downsized if the proposed UP–Norfolk Southern merger is approved, with positions relocated elsewhere. The railroads say they can meet future growth by reactivating stored locomotives and railcars instead of buying new ones, while consolidating other mechanical operations around major hubs like Chicago and St. Louis.
   

4. Decatur Memorial Hospital marks 60 years of nurse anesthetists training (aha.org) — Decatur Memorial Hospital is celebrating 60 years of training nurse anesthetists who serve patients in Decatur and across Central Illinois. Now partnered with Millikin University, the 36‑month doctoral program blends classroom work, anesthesia training, and clinical rotations at DMH, with scholarships available through the Decatur Memorial Foundation.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • (SCAM ALLERT)
    I would like to make everybody aware of a new scam that is going around (ND) NextDoor. It is a pop up that looks to be from (ND) but it is absolutely… (Nextdoor Millikin Heights)
  • If you go to the park in Forsyth, be careful not to drive over these metal rods sticking out of the parking spots by the tennis courts.
    I’m thinking the snow plow must have driven up too far and pushed the concrete parking barriers. (Nextdoor Windsor Village)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Aerotek posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist 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 your pane.
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