Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Decatur community reacts as shooter of local teen gets eight years
Happening soon: Zach Rushing on the Decatur Patch calendar
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:
- Decatur community reacts as shooter of local teen gets eight years
- See how Decatur High's historic pillars are coming back to life
- Step inside some of Decatur's most storied historic homes
Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 99 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Near-record temperatures, temps: high: 99, low: 72.
- Saturday: Hot and humid with a t-storm, with a high of 94 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Joshua Gregg gets 8 years for manslaughter of Decatur teenager (pantagraph.com) — A Macon County judge in Decatur has sentenced Joshua Gregg Jr. to eight years in prison for the 2025 shooting death of teenager Landin Bodine. During the sentencing hearing at Macon County Circuit Court, Bodine's mother delivered an emotional victim impact statement, underscoring the lasting toll the killing has taken on the Decatur family and community. 
2. Decatur High School pillar pieces return to former school site (wandtv.com) — Pieces of the original Decatur High School pillars have been installed at the Decatur Civic Center plaza, and will be formally unveiled as the "Pillars of Remembrance" on Monday, Sept. 7. The display honors the former Franklin Street school's 115-year legacy, using sandstone sections saved by city workers and supported by alumni donations and local preservation advocates.
3. 7 of Decatur's most historic homes (herald-review.com) — A look back at several of Decatur's most historic homes highlights properties like the Oglesby Mansion and the former Millikin residence that became the Decatur Art Center on North Pine Street. Archival photos trace how these buildings evolved, from private homes to apartments, hospital use during the 1918 flu, and eventual restoration as cultural landmarks.
4. Tracking mosquito activity with the Macon Mosquito Abatement District (wcia.com) — West Nile virus activity is being closely tracked in the Decatur area by the Macon Mosquito Abatement District, which has found 37 positive mosquito batches this summer. The district covers more than 100 square miles, relies on frequent trapping instead of blanket spraying, and urges residents to eliminate standing water and use repellent during evening games and outdoor events.
5. Brit Miller to Serve as Honorary Captain vs. UAB - University of Illinois Athletics (fightingillini.com) — Decatur native Brit Miller, now head football coach at St. Teresa High School in his hometown, will serve as honorary captain for the Illini's season opener against UAB. The former Illinois linebacker starred on the 2007 Rose Bowl team and later played four seasons in the NFL before returning to coach local high school football.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
- Zach Rushing →
Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plz, Decatur
7:00 pm
Saturday September 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- NO SCHOOL/District Offices Closed
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523 - Board of Education Meeting
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
6:30 am - Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce (DRCC) Free Commercial LED Lighting Day →
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 101 S Main St #102, Decatur
8:00 am - ADM CCS Community Learning Day
National Sequestration Education Center at Richland Community College, 3357 N. President Howard Brown Blvd, Decatur
3:00 pm
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Tuesday September 15
📣 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
- Baseball vs. Argenta →
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
4:30 pm - Effingham Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Mt. Zion →
Mt. Zion Junior and Senior High School, 305 and, Mt Zion
5:00 pm - MMS Open House →
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
6:45 pm - Intermediate Picture Day
MT ZION CUSD 3 Mt Zion, IL 62549 - SIP Day - 11:10/11:30 Dismissal
Meridian CUSD 15 Macon, IL 62544 - MS Runathon Fundraiser
Warrensburg-Latham CUSD 11 Warrensburg, IL 62573 - NHS Blood Drive
Warrensburg-Latham CUSD 11 Warrensburg, IL 62573
9:00 am
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Free to a good home
Organically grown in my own garden. The Summer has been too bountiful. Please take some. (Nextdoor Millikin Heights) - Found fur baby at Village Apartments.
3990 N Water. Has caller but no tag. Walks well on a leash. Animal control will be picking her up shortly to check for an I. D chip. (Nextdoor Nelson Park/Lion Park)
- Arby's - Sun Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Decatur. Apply here.
- Decatur Public Schools posted a job opening for Middle School Social Studies Teacher for 2026-2027 School Year 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: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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