Good morning, Decatur.

Local animal shelters advise caution when gifting pets, noting that a surprise gift can lead to complications and unmet care needs.

They recommend checking with shelter staff and planning adoptions carefully to ensure a pet finds a committed home.

Decatur City Schools selected two educators as elementary and secondary teachers of the year — both recognized for classroom excellence — as part of their annual awards.

The district underscored the winners' commitment to student success.

Austin High School honor society members are volunteering locally to help the community, and Arden Breedlove said his experience taught him to be more selfless (a value shared by the group).

The Limestone County Health Department published inspection scores for food and lodging venues in Athens inspected Dec.

8–12, 2025. Bonsai Coffee Company earned a perfect score while several establishments corrected critical issues on site.