Bayne Hughes

Decatur

Staff Writer and Reporter at Decatur Daily

Decatur Daily reporter. I cover politics, business and current events in Decatur and Calhoun Community College.

Articles

Mack asks city to add deputy chief position

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Just four days into his new job, Police Chief Torry Mack was moving quickly to bring in his own staff to lead the Decatur Police Department. On Thursday, the city’s Personnel Board agreed to recommend Mack’s request to add a deputy chief while voting to let him fill the position with a longtime friend and colleague. The requests to create a new deputy chief position and then fill the position with former Birmingham Police Lt. Eric Stisher are Mack’s first since starting his new job.
City could lose $16 million of bike trail grant to DOGE cuts

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Decatur officials are concerned they could lose $16 million of the $18.41 million grant meant for the Dr. Bill Sims Bicycle Trail as President Donald Trump tries to claw back federal funding. In March 2024, the city was notified that it was a recipient of $18.4 million from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot and Neighborhood Access and Equity discretionary grant program.
Tree work continuing Thursday on Johnston Street SE

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Tree work in the area of Johnston Street Southeast between Sixth and Eighth avenues is continuing for a second day. The city has closed his portion of the road until about 2:30 p.m., Thursday. — [email protected] or 256-340-2432
New indoor pickleball facility has a 'soft opening'

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Let the games begin — pickleball games that is. Point Mallard Park’s new indoor pickleball facility is now open. Stephanie McLain, Parks and Recreation interim operations manager, said the city received its certificate of occupancy late Friday afternoon on the new $3 million ClearSpan facility that is now part of the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center.
Decatur closes sections of 2 roads

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Decatur Parks and Recreation has closed two city streets for Wednesday so it can safely do tree work. The closures include the southbound lane of Somerville Road Southeast between Ninth Street and Medical Drive; and the section of Johnston Street Southeast between Sixth and Eighth avenues. The city did not provide an estimated time for completion and reopening of the two streets. — [email protected] or 256-340-2432
Council selects Cross as planning director

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Bayne Hughes

Jun. 4—The Decatur City Council majority agreed Monday night to offer the planning director's position to Clifford Cross, of Belleville, Illinois, despite Councilman Billy Jackson's push to interview an additional person. The council voted 4-1 to approve a resolution offering the planning director's job to Cross, Belleville's director of Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, at an annual salary of $121,241, plus moving expenses and benefits.
Local delegation reviews recent legislative session

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Bayne Hughes

Jun. 4—The Morgan County legislative delegation reviewed Tuesday morning the bills and the roughly $80 million in appropriations for local projects approved in the state Legislature's spring session that ended May 14. The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce sponsored this annual Legislative update breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. As chairman of the Finance and Taxation Education committee, state Sen.
Council selects Cross as planning director

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

The Decatur City Council majority agreed Monday night to offer the planning director’s position to Clifford Cross, of Belleville, Illinois, despite Councilman Billy Jackson’s push to interview an additional person. The council voted 4-1 to approve a resolution offering the planning director’s job to Cross, Belleville’s director of Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, at an annual salary of $121,241, plus moving expenses and benefits.
Local delegation reviews recent legislative session

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

The Morgan County legislative delegation reviewed Tuesday morning the bills and the roughly $80 million in appropriations for local projects approved in the state Legislature’s spring session that ended May 14. The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce sponsored this annual Legislative update breakfast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. As chairman of the Finance and Taxation Education committee, state Sen.
Swearing-in of new police chief met with optimism

3 weeks ago | decaturdaily.com | Bayne Hughes

Decatur residents, police officers, and local and state officials filled Ingalls Harbor Pavilion on a day of change and optimism Monday for the swearing-in of new Police Chief Torry Dewayne Mack. With Mack’s wife, Lin Mack, holding the Bible, Judge Thomas Thrash, of the Civil Division Circuit Court in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County, administered the oath to Mack. Lin Mack then had the honor of presenting the badge and insignia to Decatur’s new police chief.