2015 Betsy Smith Memorial Run will be the final year
DECATUR –This weekend marks the 10th and final year for the Betsy Smith Memorial 5K Run/Walk along the shores of Lake Decatur. The race honors Betsy Smith, daughter of Dr. Dan and Jeanie Smith, who passed away on April 26, 2006, just a few weeks prior to her graduation from Taylor University in Indiana. …… Continue Reading
Man arrested in Decatur indicted on a charge of enticement of a minor
SPRINGFIELD – A Springfield man, arrested in Decatur in late July, has been indicted on a charge of enticement of a minor. Public Information Officer Sharon Paul says 58-year-old Jeffrey Parkhurst of the 1100 block of Reynolds St. entered his plea of not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long. The indictment…… Continue Reading
Decatur City Council to vote on new member tonight
DECATUR– The Decatur City Council tonight could fill the open city council seat that’s been vacant since mid-August. Atop the agenda for tonight’s council meeting is a vote on making Christopher Funk the 7th and newest member to the council. Funk would fill the seat left vacant by Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe when she was…… Continue Reading
Shoreline Classic features 1500 runners Sunday morning
DECATUR– Nearly 1,500 runners turned out for the 26th annual Shoreline Classic along the shores of Lake Decatur on Sunday morning making it one of the largest races on record. Race Director John Pranschke credited the beautiful weather on race day as well as new technology that allowed for same day signups for the…… Continue Reading
IWU coaches travel to Decatur to teach lacrosse camps
DECATUR– One of the nation’s fastest growing sports is lacrosse, and thanks to a grant, the Decatur Park District is hoping it catches on in Decatur. On Saturday morning the park district, along with some of the coaching staff and team from Illinois Wesleyan’s men’s lacrosse team held their first training camp for…… Continue Reading
Young Eagle flights at the Decatur Airport
DECATUR – Decatur’s skies were dotted with airplanes this weekend for the Young Eagle Flights at the Decatur Airport. The Experimental Aircraft Association held a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday and also offered free airplane rides to young, aspiring pilots. EEA Board member Al Gerhold says kids ages 8-17 got a chance to…… Continue Reading
Richland’s Student Success Center build halted due to budget impasse
DECATUR –While the budget situation in Springfield is seemingly at a standstill, so too is the building process of the new Student Success Center at Richland Community College. Executive Director of Public Information Lisa Gregory says the new building was a state-funded project in which they would receive $6 million to build the structure. …… Continue Reading
Jesse Jackson Jr. officially completes prison sentence
CHICAGO (AP) — The Bureau of Prisons says former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has officially completed his 2½-year prison sentence for spending $750,000 in campaign money on personal items. Bureau spokesman Edmond Ross says the Illinois Democrat’s home confinement in Washington, D.C., will be lifted Friday and his ankle monitor removed. Ross says…… Continue Reading
Illinois’ unemployment rate down; job availability down, too
SPRINGFIELD– The unemployment rate is down in Illinois, but so is the number of available jobs. The August jobless figure is down to 5.6%, but the number of non-farm payroll jobs dropped 900 from July. Ron Payne is with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and says July turned out to be not as rosy…… Continue Reading
Weekend festival brings art to Central Park
DECATUR– This weekend Central Park will be at the center of Decatur’s art world with the 53rd annual Arts in Central Park event taking place. The annual event is being sponsored by the Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510. Gallery 510 Chief Financial Officer Barb Dove says they will have 76 booths…… Continue Reading