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🌱 Patch AM: Which Decatur-area volleyball teams could make deep postseason runs?

And on the Decatur Patch calendar - That Arena Rock Show

Friday August 21st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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:

  • Which Decatur-area volleyball teams could make deep postseason runs?
  • Why did a clean audit still spark tough questions in Springfield?
  • How Illinois Guard medics turned training into a real-life highway rescue

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 83 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 82, low: 58.
  • Sunday: Nice with periods of sun, with a high of 81 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 5 things to watch for in the Decatur-area volleyball season (herald-review.com) — High school volleyball fans around Decatur can look forward to a 2026 season packed with strong postseason contenders and rising local programs. The piece highlights several Decatur-area teams and players to keep an eye on, building anticipation as one of the last fall sports finally gets underway.
   

2. Audit finds no issues with spending on Discovery Partners Institute, Innovation Network (wandtv.com) — From a Decatur dateline, state auditors report no problems with how Illinois has spent money on the Discovery Partners Institute and the Illinois Innovation Network. The review, ordered by lawmakers, found hundreds of payments were properly documented, though State Sen. Chapin Rose still plans to question University of Illinois leadership about the abandoned Chicago project.
   

3. Illinois National Guard medics aid injured motorcyclist in Michigan (wandtv.com) — From their home base in Illinois, National Guard medics highlighted in a Decatur-datelined report used their training to save an unconscious motorcyclist during exercises in Michigan. The four soldiers quickly stabilized the injured rider until paramedics arrived, drawing praise from local law enforcement and the Illinois National Guard's top commander.
   

4. Housing Affordability Worsens on Higher Mortgage Rates (nahb.org) — Decatur ranks as the least cost-burdened housing market in the nation, with typical families needing only about 16% of their income for a median-priced existing home. While higher mortgage rates and prices are squeezing buyers nationwide, Decatur stands out alongside Peoria and Springfield as a relative bright spot for affordability, especially compared with coastal cities where families spend well over half their income on housing.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Edit: she came back!
    Thanks all!! If anyone sees stormy cat please let me know. Forest Knolls near Children's museum. My husband let her out last night (without my… (Nextdoor Scovill Gardens)
  • **CURB ALERT**
    Free low hanging hammock with frame on the curb of w Main Street and Linden (Nextdoor West End)
  • Decatur Public Schools posted a job opening for High School Boys Assistant Football Coach (3 Positions) in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut - Flynn Group posted a job opening for Shift Leader 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 sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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