Valerie Wells

Decatur

Education Reporter and Writer at Herald & Review

Music and birds and dogs make life better.

Featured in: Favicon

herald-review.com Favicon

usnews.com Favicon

mdpi.com

chron.com

seattletimes.com Favicon

washingtontimes.com Favicon

stltoday.com Favicon

charlotteobserver.com Favicon

kentucky.com Favicon

newsobserver.com + 117 more

Articles

Decatur Juneteenth event provides fellowship and fun despite summer heat

5 days ago | bnd.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR - Alex Fonder can tell you all about Juneteenth. "I got some teachings that I learned," he said. His grandmother, Roslyn Anderson, wearing a "Black Girl Magic" T-shirt, said she loved Saturday's event in Decatur, even though it was hot. JuneteenthAlex Fonder and his grandmother, Roslyn Anderson, enjoy lunch in the shade at Central Park's Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Decatur Juneteenth event provides fellowship and fun despite summer heat

6 days ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR — Alex Fonder can tell you all about Juneteenth. “I got some teachings that I learned,” he said. His grandmother, Roslyn Anderson, wearing a “Black Girl Magic” T-shirt, said she loved Saturday's event in Decatur, even though it was hot. “Everybody can get together and learn about Juneteenth and solicit some of the businesses (that were represented by the vendors),” she said.
Juneteenth

6 days ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

Skip to main contentSkip to main content You don't have any notifications. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics News Alerts Subscribe Breaking News Subscribe Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account?
Former Mayor Mike 'Tuna' McElroy inducted into Decatur Hall of Fame

1 week ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR — Anyone who knew Mayor Mike McElroy, fondly known as “Tuna,” also knew of his love for Decatur. McElroy served on the Decatur City Council for six years before running for mayor in 2009, and had been overwhelmingly elected to a second term before his unexpected death in July 2015 at the age of 63. On Friday, he was inducted into the Decatur Hall of Fame, located in the lobby of the Decatur Civic Center, and the plaque honoring him was unveiled before a crowd of family and friends.
Former Mayor Mike 'Tuna' McElroy inducted into Decatur Hall of Fame

1 week ago | pantagraph.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR — Anyone who knew Mayor Mike McElroy, fondly known as “Tuna,” also knew of his love for Decatur. McElroy served on the Decatur City Council for six years before running for mayor in 2009, and had been overwhelmingly elected to a second term before his unexpected death in July 2015 at the age of 63. On Friday, he was inducted into the Decatur Hall of Fame, located in the lobby of the Decatur Civic Center, and the plaque honoring him was unveiled before a crowd of family and friends.
Woman killed by train in Mount Zion

1 week ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

MOUNT ZION — A 19-year-old woman was killed Thursday morning after she was struck by a train. According to Mount Zion police, the woman was riding her bike on the bike trail at the Baltimore Road crossing around 11 a.m. when she was struck and killed by the train. Both the pedestrian and vehicle crossings will be closed while the investigation is underway. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts No additional information has been released.
Kavari Drisdell remembered as kind and loving

1 week ago | bnd.com | Valerie Wells

Kavari DrisdellDECATUR - Kavari Drisdell's mother and siblings were on the front porch of their home when a car hit the 12-year-old on his bike. "His brothers and sisters saw and ran off the porch to try to help him," said Denise Boyd, Kavari's mother. "The car just came zooming down the street, and he flew up off the bike.
Kavari Drisdell remembered as kind and loving

1 week ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR — Kavari Drisdell's mother and siblings were on the front porch of their home when a car hit the 12-year-old on his bike. “His brothers and sisters saw and ran off the porch to try to help him,” said Denise Boyd, Kavari's mother. “The car just came zooming down the street, and he flew up off the bike.
Golden Apple Accelerators program helps second-career teachers meet their goal

1 week ago | bnd.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR - With approximately 4,000 teaching vacancies in the state of Illinois, districts and educator organizations are trying everything they can to bring new people into the profession. One way to do that is Golden Apple Accelerators.
Golden Apple Accelerators program helps second-career teachers meet their goal

2 weeks ago | herald-review.com | Valerie Wells

DECATUR — With approximately 4,000 teaching vacancies in the state of Illinois, districts and educator organizations are trying everything they can to bring new people into the profession. One way to do that is Golden Apple Accelerators.