Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a storm chaser picked Decatur as ground zero this summer
Happening soon: Zach Rushing on the Decatur Patch calendar
Good morning Decatur! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a storm chaser picked Decatur as ground zero this summer
Today's riddle: What gets bigger the more you take away? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Decatur Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Decatur Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Decatur. 
- Sunday: Breezy and warm with some sun, with a high of 89 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Clouds and sun; breezy, hot, temps: high: 95, low: 70.
- Tuesday: Sunny and sweltering heat, with a high of 97 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Sparks' summer stormchasing (cm-life.com) — A storm chaser's June pursuit of severe weather brought him and friends to Decatur as their initial target before they tracked a powerful tornado near Effingham. His account explains how chasers plan routes, relay real-time reports to the National Weather Service, and balance adrenaline with safety while helping communities hit by dangerous storms. 
📸 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
- FRP for Cloud-Based Time and Attendance Management System →
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce 101 S Main St #102, Decatur, IL 62523 - Half Day of School
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523 - Mary Miller's Mobile Office Hours
Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce 101 S Main St #102, Decatur, IL 62523
2:00 pm - NO SCHOOL/District Offices Closed
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523 - Board of Education Meeting
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523
6:30 am
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
📣 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
- Say Uncle! (Sullivan, IL) →
Golden Fox Brewing, LLC, 3025 N Kandy Ln, Decatur
3:00 pm - Softball vs. Cerro Gordo →
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
4:30 pm - Half Day of School
DECATUR SD 61 Decatur, IL 62523 - Baseball vs. Monticello →
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
4:30 pm - Softball @ Monticello →
Meridian Middle School Macon, IL 62544
4:30 pm - MS Runathon Fundraiser
Warrensburg-Latham CUSD 11 Warrensburg, IL 62573
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
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
- If you haven't ordered BBQ from Jared Smith yet, you are seriously missing out!
We got two plates loaded with tender, smoky ribs and pulled pork, along with barbecue baked beans and coleslaw. The meat is so flavor-packed and… (Nextdoor West End) - We join the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Decatur Counseling Center on their rebrand and reintroduction to the community 🎉
Decatur Counseling Center, located at 3040 N University Ave. #2, is a locally-owned practice continuing the work of a counseling office that has… (Nextdoor )
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Decatur. Apply here.
- Aramark Corporation posted a job opening for Groundskeeper - Millikin University - Groundskeeping in Decatur. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Decatur here.
🗞 Nearby News
Macon
- 2025: Maroa Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 administrators rank 330th lowest in state for average salary (maconreporter.com)
Clinton
- Clinton County 4-H Leader Inducted Into IL Hall Of Fame (wgel.com)
Monticello
- East Central Illinois High School Football Week Two recap & scores (foxillinois.com)
- Cence Power's DC Lighting System, Glamox Q2 Results & LEDucation 2027 Call for Speakers (edisonreport.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: A hole (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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