Tuesday, July 21, 2026

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. 

Parking

 I keep harping on this and I will bring it up at the next city council meeting I attend but the city needs better signing pointing out the parking behind the buildings on the East side of South Illinois. There is as much parking in downtown at there was before Storyboard nee Evolve took over the 710 parking lot but it is not nearly as visitble and there is little signing pointing it out.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

CommuniTEA Social Hour

 At the Civic Center until 2 p.m.  About a dozen local not-for-profits are set up to provide information about themselves and what services they offer. Finger food and door prizes as well

Rip's Pizza For Sale

 Just after announcing the business was shifting to 2 nights a week, the owner posted yesterday that they have found some other business opportunities and is putting the pizzeria up for sale. That makes 2 restaurants with good name recognition in town available:  Rip's and Thai Taste. Anyone buying Rips would have to compete with at least 7 other pizza places in town while there is only one Thai restaurant.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Ryan Livingston Murder

 July 13, 2006, Ryan Livingston was murdered on the south side of West Walnut in the 300 block. For a number of years, flowers were left and the sidewalk chalked at the location but as years have passed, the memorials stopped.  As the article notes, the case gets revisited from time to time and is not closed but barring someone coming forward, it is unlikely to ever be solved.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Mint Indian Restaurant

 Mint Indian Restaurant has opened in the space formerly occupied by Tandoor and Tadka. Here is hoping it lasts longer than the former did. When I get a chance, I need to compare it and Bombay Olive since I have not heard much about the Olive in recent years.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

SIMMS

 Do you have any idea what SIMMS is?  If you are not familiar with downtown Carbondale, you probably do not but someone thinks emough people are familar enough with the acronym to put it on a directional sign (Southern Illinois Multi Modal Station) pointing east from S. University along West Cherry/ Buckminiser Fuller Way. I am glad the same sign points toward the Amtrak station as more people will know what Amtrak is than SIMMS and are likely looking for the same location.