SIMMS

 Well apparently the official name of the multi modal station is the Southern Illinois Multi Modal Station (SIMMS). I would think naming it for someone important in Carbondale history would be a nice touch and the official drop off point for passengers is still not ready.

The City of Carbondale announces that the planned relocation of the transit and passenger drop-off entrance at the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS), originally scheduled for March 18, 2026, has been postponed due to construction-related issues.

As a result, the current temporary transit and passenger drop-off entrance on South Illinois Avenue will remain in use until further notice.

Passengers, transit users, and drivers should continue using the existing entrance and follow current signage for drop-off and pick-up at SIMMS.

Streets

 I see the city has been doing some work patching holes on West Willow. for some reason, despite the concrete slab construction, the holes get really bad in some locations along there. Unfortunately, the patching consisted of filling the holes with asphalt and tamping it down so it will probably wash out in the next rain.  Street needs resurfacing but that probably won't happen until after the Wall Street and Poplar Street construction is finished.

Heather Heaslett

 I saw the Heather Heaslett campaign using an old fashioned method of compaigning today. Guy walking around the downtown area with campaign signs on his front and bank and using a bullhorn to solicit votes.  Have not seen that method of campaigning in years.

Meet and Greet

 I stopped by Sunday's candidate Meet and Greet. Suprised at the lack of information there about the candidates. Only two had brought any campaign literature and there was not a lot of information about postions on it. I did see Tamiko "TC" Mueller there, who is running in the Democratic primary for the 59th State Senate seat.  Here is her Balletpedia page as well as her Facebook campaign page.

Nobody approached me as I walked around, though to be fair, I did get there late in the evening and did not approach anyone either.

Candidate Meet and Greet

 Meet and Greet with three local candidates at Pag's tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No indication in the article as to what each is running for but I think Mueller is a candidate for State Representative

Gunfire

 Had several incidents of shots fired in town in the past week.  A couple of 14 year olds shot at houses on North Bridge and S. Beveredge. No one hurt but there was damage to houses.  There was also another instance of shootings over at the Fields.

Trees

 I really wish the city woud put some trees back in place along West Main and West Walnut.  A number of them were removed several years ago because of age and disease nd the spaces where they stood still sit empty. We are a tree city so lets put more trees in.