🌱 Patch AM: Who really paid for Decatur’s $93 million Brush College overpass?

Good morning Decatur! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Who really paid for Decatur's $93 million Brush College overpass?
• How you can help Macon County's overcrowded animal shelter today
• See which Macon County 4-H kids topped the State Fair

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Saturday: A stray thunderstorm, with a high of 95 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Sunday: Variable clouds; not as hot, temps: high: 87, low: 61.
• Monday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 85 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Where did the $93 million for the Brush College Road overpass cover from? (herald-review.com) — If you've been driving the new Brush College Road overpass in Decatur, here's exactly how its $93 million price tag was covered. Federal freight and rail grants, state programs, the Illinois Commerce Commission, Norfolk Southern, the City of Decatur, and ADM land contributions all played a role. The breakdown shows how multiple partners funded this long-awaited traffic and safety upgrade.
   

• Macon County animal shelter at capacity, seeking help from public (wandtv.com) — Macon County's animal shelter in Decatur is full and has stopped accepting owner surrenders while it cares for about 150 dogs and cats. With adoption fees dropped to $25, staff are urging residents to adopt, foster, volunteer, and visit the shelter to help ease crowding and give more animals a chance.
   

• Area 4-H members place at the Illinois State Fair (theclintonjournal.com) — Local 4-H members from Macon County, including many from the Decatur area, brought home Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, and Inspire Awards at the Illinois State Fair's general project judging. Youth showcased everything from cooking and welding to costume design and civic engagement. The strong showing caps a busy year that saw more than 250 4-H participants across DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 26
• Zach Rushing →
  Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plz, Decatur
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday September 7
• NO SCHOOL/District Offices Closed
  DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
Tuesday September 8
• Board of Education Meeting
  DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
  6:30 am
Wednesday September 9
• 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
Tuesday September 15
• ADM CCS Community Learning Day
  National Sequestration Education Center at Richland Community College, 3357 N. President Howard Brown Blvd, Decatur
  3:00 pm

📣 Decatur Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday September 6
• Russell Dickerson →
  Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 2686 E Cantrell St, Decatur
  10:00 am
• Russell Dickeron - 95Q Fan Appreciation Concert ... →
  Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 2686 E Cantrell St, Decatur
  10:00 am
Monday September 7
• Labor Day-No School
  MT ZION CUSD 3 Mt Zion, IL 62549
• NO SCHOOL/District Offices Closed
  DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
• No School - Labor Day
  Meridian CUSD 15 Macon, IL 62544
Tuesday September 8
• ES PTA POP Fundraiser
  Warrensburg-Latham CUSD 11 Warrensburg, IL 62573
• Board of Education Meeting
  DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
  6:30 am

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I am 45 years young.
  I am on here to look for some local work. I do just about anything but roofs. I have 15 years experience as a residential, commercial, and… (Nextdoor Bayview)

• Family Dollar posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Decatur. Apply here.
• Sonic posted a job opening for Cook in Decatur. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Decatur here.

🗞 Nearby News

Macon

• Lowest price for E85 gas in Macon County at $2.81 in week ending Aug. 29 (maconreporter.com)
• 26 FC 32, PNN Sale Other (Legals) (herald-review.com)
• City, county and state leaders mark completion of Brush College overpass (wandtv.com)

Clinton

• The 'apple-solutely' best time of the year: Central Illinois pumpkin patches, apple orchards open for the season (wcia.com)
• The Illinois Department of Public Health confirms rabid bat specimen in DeWitt County (theclintonjournal.com)
• TRIAD Senior Academy 2026 (theclintonjournal.com)

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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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