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🌱 Patch AM: Why an appellate court threw out a Decatur father’s conviction

Be sure to catch Zach Rushing on the Decatur Patch calendar

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Hi Decatur! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why an appellate court threw out a Decatur father's conviction
  • How a Decatur park shooting led to an eight-year sentence
  • See how Decatur's newest heritage marker honors Black business history.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 99 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Near-record temperatures, temps: high: 98, low: 72.
  • Friday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 99 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Decatur father's child pornography conviction reversed by appellate court (wcia.com) — An Illinois appellate court has overturned a Decatur man's child pornography conviction, ruling that photos and videos of his daughters did not meet the state's legal definition of lewd content. The decision vacates his prison sentence and lifetime sex offender registration, though a separate Macon County sexual assault case against him is still moving forward.
   

2. Decatur man sentenced to prison for involuntary manslaughter connected to roommate's death (wcia.com) — A 23-year-old Decatur man has been sentenced to eight years in state prison for the December 2025 shooting death of his roommate at Sportsman Park. The victim, an 18-year-old from nearby Mt. Zion, died at Decatur Memorial Hospital, and his family expressed disappointment that the judge did not impose the maximum possible sentence.
   

3. New Heritage Trail Marker Honors Decatur Black Entrepreneur Samuel Houston Singleton (nowdecatur.com) — A new African American Heritage Trail marker in downtown Decatur now honors Black entrepreneur Samuel Houston Singleton and the wider legacy of Black-owned businesses in the city. Local groups hosted a ribbon-cutting at Merchant and Main Streets, and residents can explore more trail sites and stories highlighting African Americans' impact on Decatur and Macon County.
   

4. Decatur mural designed to encourage, inspire (herald-review.com) — Public art is flourishing across Decatur, with a new mural on the Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy building joining a growing collection of colorful works downtown and along East Eldorado. Local artists and the Decatur Area Arts Council have spent years transforming building walls with images celebrating advocacy, music, local history, and even the origins of the Chicago Bears.
   

5. New law gives police tools to enforce e-bike, scooter safety (wandtv.com) — Decatur police are preparing to enforce a new Illinois law starting Jan. 1 that sets age limits, licensing, and where e-bikes and e-scooters can be ridden. Chief Brad Allen says officers are educating riders now, but citations will follow once the rules take effect, so parents and teens should double-check what devices are allowed for their age.
   

📸 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 ★

    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!

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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hey all!
    I just tried a new groomer. Chelsea's Robertson at Jen E Fur. My little one had bever been groomed before she's about 1 yr and we recently got her. I… (Nextdoor GM Square)
  • Congratulations to the Decatur Public Library and local artist Shannon Cook on this awesome new public mural inside the library 🎉
    The new mural at Decatur Public Library was hand-painted by Shannon Cook and funded through the Illinois Arts Council's America's 250th Public Art… (Nextdoor )
  • Decatur Public Schools posted a job opening for MS Girls Softball Coach in Decatur. Apply here.
  • Arby's - Sun Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member 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: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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