Heritage Motel Sign

  I wish the city would contact the owners of the Heritage Motel and offer a grant or some other co-operation to repair the sign.  The Heritage is the last remaining non-chain motel in Carbondale and its sign is a reminder of an era when local owners competed to have the most eyecatching sign in order to pull in traveling motorists.

Unfortunately, what is happening is that the sign is slowly deteriorating and, instead of stepping in to address the problem, the city will likely wait until the sign is past the point of repair and require the owner to remove it, which will also remove one more bit of Carbondale history.

Notifications

 If you want to get alerts from the city, here is the link to set up your profile as to what sor of noticies you will receive.

The City of Carbondale uses the CivicPlus Mass Notification System to send emergency and routine alerts and notifications to help you stay informed about what matters most, whether it’s a weather warning, a public safety update, or important community news.

You can choose how you want to receive alerts: by text, email, voice call, or mobile app. It’s fast, reliable, and designed to keep you connected.

Sign up today or modify your existing notification profile to include weather alerts at: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/939/Alerts-Notifications.

Recycling Locations

 The city has updated its recycling drop off locations. There is still one in the Exodus Church Parking lot on S. Oakland and the one on East College is now in the parking lot half a block east of the fire station.

Lightning Detectors

 The city has installed lightning detectors  at various locations throughout Carbondale. Superblock, Evergreen Park and the New Era Events Plaza will provide sirens and strobe lights to alert visitors when lightning is detected within 10 miles of the location.  There is also signage at Poplar Camp Beach with a QR code visitors can scan to find weather and lightning information for that location.  Poplar Camp Beach's warning system is set to detect lightning strikes within 15 miles of the beach.

I guess it is useful but I thought that was what the city's storm warning sirens were for. This will give warning of a specific type of danger though.

The City of Carbondale Office of Emergency Management has implemented the Perry Weather automated lightning detection system to enhance public safety at designated City facilities and event locations. The system provides accurate, real-time lightning detection using atmospheric data to identify hazardous conditions and deliver timely notifications when lightning threatens the area.

Below is information on where these detection systems are located and how they can be utilized.

Monitored Sites with Notification Hardware (“Hard Sites”):

The following City locations are equipped with Perry Weather notification hardware that provide automated alerts:

• Superblock
• Evergreen Park
• New Era Events Plaza (Robbie Stoke Memorial Stage)

These locations are equipped with:

• Audible warning sirens
• Voice public address (PA) announcements
• Visual warning strobes
• Informational signage with QR codes that provide real-time weather information, safety recommendations, and all-clear countdowns

“Soft Sites”:

The City also monitors designated "soft sites" that do not have installed notification hardware. The only soft site currently equipped with official signage is Poplar Camp Beach, while there are other locations being identified to be monitored and designated with signage with further project development. 

At soft sites:

• Site signage with a QR code that provides:
  • Site-specific weather conditions
  • Lightning information
  • Safety recommendations
  • A countdown to the all-clear
• City staff can receive real-time Perry Weather alerts.
• If City Staff are present, they are responsible for notifying the public when hazardous weather conditions exist.

Additional locations where City staff are not routinely present may also include QR code signage. These locations provide public access to site-specific weather information only and do not include audible or visual notifications.

All sites (excluding Poplar Camp Beach) detect lightning within a 10-mile radius. Poplar Camp Beach is set to detect lightning within a 15-mile radius.  

Assistent City Manager Position

 Think you can run Carbondale better than the people now doing it?  Here is your chance. The city has an assitant City Manager positon open and is accepting applications with the first review of them starting August 21st:

The City of Carbondale is accepting applications for the position of Assistant City Manager, seeking a highly qualified and strategic professional to join the City's executive leadership team. The position will work directly with the City Manager to enhance organizational capacity, improve interdepartmental coordination, and advance key City priorities.  

The Assistant City Manager will provide leadership on strategic initiatives and special projects while supporting day-to-day municipal operations. Responsibilities include coordinating major City initiatives, overseeing grant development and administration, supervising public relations and communications, tourism and community promotion, and violence prevention programs, while fostering partnerships that enhance the quality of life for Carbondale residents. 

Carterville Water

A damaged valve on a large water main has meant all water in Carterville has been shut off while repairs are made. The city does not indicate when water service will return but a boil water order is in place until the morning of July 4th.

In all my years in Carbondale, I have never heard of the city issuing a boil water order for any part of the city.  People complain a lot about Carbondale but its water quality and service is far superior to the communities surrounding us

Emergency Exercise

  Do not be worried if you see a number of emergency vehicles on the south side of Carbondale on June 9th  as a number of emergency reponse groups are particpating in a tornado response exercise that will probably last most of the day. From the email:

Emergency response agencies from across Jackson County will participate in

the Jackson County/Carbondale Tornado Response 26 Full-Scale Exercise designed to evaluate

and enhance the community's ability to respond to a major tornado disaster.

The exercise, scheduled for June 9, 2026, will simulate the aftermath of a severe tornado

impacting multiple areas on the Southwestern side of Carbondale. Participants will include Local

Emergency Management, Fire Departments, Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Medical

Services, Public Health Officials, Hospitals, Public Works Departments, Volunteer Organizations, and Private-sector Partners.

Water Office Closed

 Water office closes at 2 p.m .this Thursday for training

The City of Carbondale water office will be closed on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 2:30-5:00 PM for department wide training. In person payments and other services will not be available at this time.   

Silver Bicycle Friendly Award

 The City has received the Silver Bicycle Friendly Business Award from the League of American Bicyclists.  I have questions:  1) is there a Gold Bicycle Friendly Business Award or is the Silver one the highest we can get?  2) I can see being a Bicycle Friendly Community but what is meant by A bicycle Friendly Business Award. Do we have bicycle friendly businesses? If so, what makes a business "bicycle friendly"?

Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Carbondale Civic Center/City Hall with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award, earning it a place alongside more than 1,100 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. 

Marketing Study

 the city is going to be conducting a marketing study later this year. It would certainly be cost effective and a show of confidence in SIUC, if the city would engage the Marketing Research class at SIUC to conduct the research. That class has done research for both Quatro's and Carbondale Main Street. since we have such a resource, it would make sense to make use of it.

South Grand

 Looks like the city has restriped South Grand.  After resurfacing the street last month and their restriping it for that it had four lanes, now the ciy has restriped it so that there are 2 main lanes, 1 center turn lane and bike lanes on either side of the street, as the proposed plan anounced in 2024 called for.

Good. South Grand did not neeed to be a four lane street and this new sriping should slow down traffic and make bicycling safer along the street.  Maybe eventually, the cty will put curbs or poles up to further protest cyclists.

Homeless Center

 The city will be getting $2 million to apply to the Homeless Shelter Facility Rehab Project.  I assume this will go towards the property on West Mill the city is negotiating to receive from NeroRestorative as, from what I have heard, it would cost far more than that ro rehab the East College facility.

The City of Carbondale will soon receive $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the City’s Homeless Center Facility Rehab project. 

Earlier this year, Senator Duckworth, on behalf of the City of Carbondale, submitted a Congressional Directed Spending request for the City’s Homeless Center Facility Rehab project for $2 million that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.  

H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, was signed into law on February 3rd, 2026. 

The funding for the Homeless Center Facility Rehab Project will be used for the shelter improvement initiative that will provide updated amenities and accessibility.  

America at 250

SIUC,  in conjunction with the city, has launded a website listing local events tied into the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.   If you know of an event, you can submit it on the website.

Maybe it is just age but I remember the celebration of the 200th anniversary back in 1976 as getting a lot moe attention. There was the parade of the tall ships into New York Harbor as well as hundreds of other events throughout the year focusing on the nation's history. I have not heard about anything of that magnitude for this year's celebrations, though New York city will host another Parade of Tall Ships on July 4th

Victims Rights Presentation

 Short notice but the city will host an event at the Town Square Pavillion promoting National Crime Victims Rights week this Sunday from 1 p.m to 3 p.m.

The City of Carbondale has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the U.S. Department of Justice, to support a regional awareness campaign during the 2026 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19–25, 2026.   

In partnership with the Carbondale Public Library and the Survivor Empowerment Center, the City will promote the 2026 NCVRW theme, Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims, Serve Communities, by celebrating victim advocates, service providers and the everyday individuals who listen and act to support victims of crime across Southern Illinois.

On Sunday, April 19, the City will host a NCVRW Kick-Off Celebration at the Carbondale downtown pavilion from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring information on local services, light refreshments, and entertainment. On Thursday, April 23, the Carbondale Public Library will host a Know Your Rights presentation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., highlighting victims’ rights and available resources. These event are free and open to the public.

Snow

 Kudos to the city for getting the streets cleared.  I heard from several people that even the side streets, which have been bypassed during the past few snows, got cleared.  Even the alley running paralel  to North Oakland, which has never been plowed in the 20 yars I have lived there, got plowed this time. 

Sidewalks

 

I see the city expects sidewalks cleared by the end of tomorow. I have seen street adjacent sidewalks with 2 feet of snow piled on top of them from the plows. This in addition to the 6 to 9 inches of snow that fell last weekend. Even the city sidewalk on the east side of the civic center parking lot has not been cleared yet. Couple that with a week's worth of below zero temperatures adn it is no wonder most sidewalks have not been cleared. Hope city government sends out another notice giving people another week until the weather has warmed a bit and the heaviest snowfall in 25 years has a chance to melt.

Plowed Streets Map

 Councilperson Roberts put together this map showing which streets in Carbondale have and have not been plowed. I think the city and state did a pretty good job of getting streets and downtown city sidewalks cleared in a timely manner, especially given this was the worst snowfall the city has seen since 1999. Official reports put the accumulation in Carbondale at 9 inches.

Fire Chief

 Well, we got a new fire chief pretty quickly.  Makes sense to appoint the assistant fire chief as he knows the inner workings of the department.  Problem with appointing him is that  he will likely have a blind spot towards any existing problems. From the press release:

City Manager Stan Reno appointed Jay Crippen as the City of Carbondale’s new Fire Chief, effective February 1, 2026. 

Chief Crippen brings more than 27 years of fire service experience to the position, including 24 years with the Carbondale Fire Department. A lifelong Carbondale resident, Crippen is a graduate of Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. 

Throughout his career with the Carbondale Fire Department, Crippen has served in numerous leadership and operational roles, including Firefighter, Shift Captain, Training Officer, Emergency Management Coordinator, Arson Investigator, and Assistant Fire Chief. His extensive experience and strong connection to the community position him to lead the Fire Department into the future. 

City Manager Stan Reno expressed confidence in the appointment, citing Crippen’s demonstrated leadership, institutional knowledge and long-standing commitment to public safety in Carbondale. 

The City of Carbondale congratulates Chief Crippen on his appointment and looks forward to his continued service and leadership.  

For more information and media requests contact Public Relations Officer, Eva Fisher, at 618-713-0711 or via email at efisher@carbondaleil.gov. 

Grocery Tax

 Carbondale was going to see the end of the regressive 1% tax on groceries as the state eliminated it at the end of 2025. However Carbondale, and a number of other local cities ( Anna, Cobden, DuQuoin and Herrin), opted to enact their own 1% grocery tax. Nothing really changes as grocers continue to send the tax revenue to the state, which then sends it back to the city, the same process as before. It just means no tax reduction on food.

city Jobs

 Looking for a job?  Looking for a job with the city of Carbondale?  Several openings available including3 in the police department