Hangar 9 has a sign flashing on the marquee that they will close until Jan 7th. No idea why as I would think that New year's Eve would be a very busy night for them. The parking lot by The Cellar is full as are the lots around PK's
On the other hand Thai Taste has closed the whole week between Christmas and New Year's, which again I thought would be a particularly busy time for them.
More a personal note but my long time neighbor Bob Spain passed away last week. Visitation is today from 4 to 7 at Meredith Funeral Home with a memorial service at 7 p.m. He was retired for as long as I knew him but at one time owned the long closed Frankie's Bar and Grill in downtocn Carbondale.
Was tooling around downtown Carbondale after service Chirstmas Dinner at St. Francis Xavier Churst and was bemused tonotice that the only places open, besides mine, were alcholol related establishmented. ABC Liquor, Hollywood Lounge and PK/s all were open and had customers. Of course, PKs does advertise on its sign that it remains open 365 days a year (usually).
Friday Dec 17 Jackson County 8835 infected,114 dead, 8514 recovered, Randolph County 5978 infected 102 dead 5780 recovered, Union County 3361 infected, 52 dead 3361 recovered and Williamson County 13716 infected 182 dead 12813 recovered.
Friday Dec 24 Jackson County 89039 infected,115dead, 8649 recovered, Randolph County 6122 infected 102 dead 5929 recovered, Union County 3427 infected, 52 dead 3361 recovered and Williamson County 4004 infected 184 dead 12813 recovered.
No city council meeting on the 28th. newxt one will be Jan 11th. I understand that most personel will be off until Jan 3rd.
"The Carbondale City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, 2021, has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, January 11, 2022."
appears that when Spring semester starts at SIUC, everyone will be required to get tested within 48 hours after returning to campus. Non vaccinated staff and students will be required to continue to get tested every week through the semester.
Might be a good idea to have several testing locations on campus so as to not run everyone thorugh Grinnel Hall.
Friday Dec 10 Jackson County 8673 infected,111 dead, 8401 recovered, Randolph County 5861 infected 101 dead 5699 recovered, Union County 3351 infected, 49 dead 3333 recovered and Williamson County 13358 infected 178 dead 12813 recovered.
Friday Dec 17 Jackson County 8835 infected,114 dead, 8514 recovered, Randolph County 5978 infected 102 dead 5780 recovered, Union County 3361 infected, 52 dead 3361 recovered and Williamson County 13716 infected 182 dead 12813 recovered.
Mayor Henry referenced Kozy Cakes in his State of the City address but I was not sure where it was located. Appears, according to their Facebook page, on Sweets Drive on the eas side of town and opened at the end of August. Alwasys glad to see new business coming to the city.
In case you want to read it, here is the transcript of Mayor Henry's State of the City address. Due to the effects of the pandemic, the room was not nerly as full as it has been during past State of the City Addresses. I would estimate around 120 or so in attendance with plenty of seating space remaining Pre-epidemic addresses drew easily twice that number with standing room only for latecomers.
A couple of items of note:
SIUC- I still think it too early to proclaim that SIUC has turned attencance around. The univeristy has seen a leveling off of declining attencance in past years, following by proclamations that the university has "turned the corner", only to have enrollment drop again the next year. Wait a few years and see if increases are consistent before proclaiming things fixed.
Multi-modal Transit Center--The mayor is exaggerating a bit when he stays the city has made signifcant process towards the Multi-modal transit Center. The city has selected a design team but does not expect to see ground broken until Fall 2022 at the earliest. Maybe they have made some decisions but last I heard, the council had not finalized the design.
Solar Energy-The city has certainly embraced it with panels on top of the civic center and a field of them sout and east of the Public Safety Center. Moving all city vehicles to electric powered will be costly in the short term but should save money over the next 5 to 10 years.
Attended the Mayor's State of the City Address this afternoon (more on that later) but one thing that struck me was that SIUC and SIH are the two largest employers in the region and SIH has spent about $132 million for uncompensated healthcare since the beginning of the epidemic
Friday Dec 3 Jackson County 8556 infected,110 dead, 8316 recovered, Randolph County 5792 infected 101 dead 5665 recovered, Union County 3264 infected, 49 dead 3150 recovered and Williamson County 13059 infected 177 dead 12813 recovered.
Friday Dec 10 Jackson County 8673 infected,111 dead, 8401 recovered, Randolph County 5861 infected 101 dead 5699 recovered, Union County 3351 infected, 49 dead 3333 recovered and Williamson County 13358 infected 178 dead 12813 recovered.
According to this, the number of reported shootings taking place in Carbondale has tripled since the start of the epidemic. Police reported 19 or fewer in the year 2019 and the revious years but 59 in 2020 and that many so far this year. I would hazard a guess that the sheer number of guns floating around the country has driven the numbers up, not only here but nationally. Gun sales went up about 40% in 202 with about 20% of those sold to first time buyers.
Caught on the news today that the BOD of Lee Enterprises, owner of the Southern Illinoisan, rebuffed a takeover bid by the Alden Capital Global hedge fund, calling the offer greatly undervalued. Alden is a venture capital fund that specializes in buying up newspapers, selling off their real estate and offering buyouts to the staff, reducing costs and pulling as much profit out of the paper as possible.
Although much of the material in the Southern comes from wire services and Lee Enterprizes other papers (when was the last time you saw a Thumbs Up Thumbs Down column), it still covers local sports and local news on the frront page as well as the odd city council meeting. We need a local paper. Research sshows that, without a local paper reporting on local politics, voter particpation drops and taxes increase, generally because residents of the community pay very little attention to the activities of their city council. Most city council meetings I have attended have fewer than a dozen people in the audience and most of those leave after their issue is adressed. Despite how the Southern has shrunk over the years, it still performs an important service to the city, one that would be further reduced should Alden gain control.
Carbondale Main Street did a fine job promoting the cookie walk last Satureay, we had roughly 150 people through the doors at the store between 4 and 5. As the time for the parade drew closer traffic dropped dastically, of course, but still we had about 18 dozen cookies ready to go and ended the night with about 2 dozen. Note to self, gluten free and oatmeal raisin cookies the least popular.
Seeing decorations for each up now. I am rather surpirsed to see at least 4 houses in town with Halloween decor still up. At least they are outnumbered by the houses with Christmas lights and decorations up.
Friday Nov.26 Jackson County 8428 infected,109 dead, 8221 recovered, Randolph County 5745 infected 100 dead 5605 recovered, Union County 3175 infected, 49 dead 3080 recovered and Williamson County 12764 infected 174 dead 12315 recovered.
Friday Dec 3 Jackson County 8556 infected,110 dead, 8316 recovered, Randolph County 5792 infected 101 dead 5665 recovered, Union County 3264 infected, 49 dead 3150 recovered and Williamson County 13059 infected 177 dead 12913 recovered.
Just a reminder that the Lights Fantastic Parade takes place tomorrow and downtown streets will start closing at 5 p.m. If you park on S. Illions prior to that, you will need to move your car prior to 5 p.m. as your car will either be towed or stuck there until 8 p.m. when the streets reopen.
I remember sitting in at meeings, during the Rita Chang administration, when the destruction of the Towers was actively discussed with the planned replacements a series of three-story halls surrouding a central commons area like those over by Campus Lake. However, lack of funding precluded the univeisty from moving forward with the plans.
Was walking thorugh Univeristy Mall the other day and I would estimate 50-75% of the storefronts are empty. Gloria Jean's pulled out so no place to even buy food out there, unless you want to get something from a vending maching. The entrance to the abandoned food court is not an extrance to the healthcare adminstration complex and the Macy's section got leased out to Spirit Halloween in October and a Christmas decoration store now. Not sure how, or if, the mall can come back from this, especially with the national decine of anchor stores.
Friday Nov.19 Jackson County 8388 infected,109 dead, 8190 recovered, Randolph County 5730 infected 10 0 dead 5594 recovered, Union County 3164 infected, 48 dead 3065 recovered and Williamson County 12619 infected 171 dead 12230 recovered.
Friday Nov.26 Jackson County 8428 infected,109 dead, 8221 recovered, Randolph County 5745 infected 100 dead 5605 recovered, Union County 3175 infected, 49 dead 3080 recovered and Williamson County 12764 infected 174 dead 12315 recovered.
While in Normal Illinois over the holiday, I saw several signs around the downtown area that showed a map of downtown with number indicating the locations of assorted busineses. Somewhat similar to what you would see a a mall. I know you can look up something like that on your phone but sometimes having something tangle in front of you provides an impetus to visiting the store and taking a look. Plus, your phone generally only shows the location you are seeking, not ones around it.
City of Carbondale Level 9 Department heads still have to live within the city limits. Under discussion at this week's city council meeting was a proposal, in the name of fairness, to remove the requirement that Level 8 city cemployees live within the city limits. Assistant Fire Chiefs and Police Lieutenants were exemtpted from the requirement some years ago, in order to encourage applications, and the council decided to apply the exemption to all level 8 employees.
According to this, out of 244 city employees, only 3 are not vaccinated, all three of which are polic officers. Caught on the news this morning that more police officers have died of COVID in the past year than from all other sources combined.
Friday Nov. 12 Jackson County 8311 infected,109 dead, 8141 recovered, Randolph County 5690 infected 10 0dead 5563recovered, Union County 3113 infected, 48 dead 3031 recovered and Williamson County 12502 infected 170 dead 12230 recovered.
Friday Nov.19 Jackson County 8388 infected,109 dead, 8190 recovered, Randolph County 5730 infected 10 0 dead 5594 recovered, Union County 3164 infected, 48 dead 3065 recovered and Williamson County 12619 infected 171 dead 12230 recovered.
Numbers slowly increasing but not as bad as in other parts of the state.
The Warming Center on East College has expanded its hours and will stay open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on nights when the temperture drops below 40 F. I am not sure what other "existing shelters" the city has, aside from Good Samaritan House, which is a private instituiont but I guess there are some.
The TRAP training facility has moved into the old Attitude Designs location at the south end of Illinois Avenue. I can think of at least 4 exercise facilities that have moved into and out of downtown Carbondale over the last decade so hope this one stays around a good long time.
Appears that Kat's Krab and Go will expand to take over the entire building that it was going to share with Hoops, Hookah and Grill. Plans for a hookah bar ran afoul of city regulations barring any inside smoking and Hookah, last time I checked is all about inside smoking.
With the opening of Epic 360 in the 618 Vape location, the last vaping shop in Carbondale has closed down. At one time, the city had 6 if I remember rightly and now none. According to the owener of Epic 360, he felt too many regulations of vapes and juice were on the way from the FDA and it would be too difficult to remain profitable while complying with them so looked for a new trend and glomed onto Virtual Reality.
Friday Nov. 5 Jackson County 8237 infected,108 dead, 8031 recovered, Randolph County 5651 infected 100dead 5537 recovered, Union County 3076 infected, 48 dead 3008 recovered and Williamson County 12430 infected 170 dead 12131 recovered.
Friday Nov. 5 Jackson County 8311 infected,109 dead, 8141 recovered, Randolph County 5690 infected 10 0dead 5563recovered, Union County 3113 infected, 48 dead 3031 recovered and Williamson County 12502 infected 170 dead 12230 recovered.
Dairy Queen closes for the year today so if you want to partake of a Carbondale tradition, do it today, even though it is quite brisk or wait until likely next February.
History of the 1970 Black Panther shootout on North Washington Apparently the only known incident of this kind that did not end with casualties on none side or the other.
Resutls of a study comissioned by the city council on the condition of streets in Carbondale. About 15% of them fall into the classifications of "poor" or "very Poor"
For example, North Poplar north of the hospital is classified as "poor" while East College east of the police/public safety station is classified as "very poor". According to the study, if nothing is done to upgrade street conditions in the next five years, the percentage of poor and very poor streets will increase to 23%.
Appears there are fewer people needing short term, extremely high interest loans inCarbondale these days as two of the payday loan places on East Walnut are closed and the properties up for sale. By my count that leaves 4 in Carbondale as well as two pawnshops.
One of the locations has an online auction for the property with a minimum bid of $50,000. Given that the old Wiffle Boy's Pizza location a block away has been up for sale for the better part of a decade, I do not see anyone scrambling to take ownership of another destination property. Very few people walk by there so any business going in there will have to generate its own traffic.
Chancellor Lane just announced that, due to 3 students getting killed this semester, classes will be canceled on Friday for a day of reflection and rest.
The univeristy had promised "mental health days" last semester to help people deal with stress from the epidemic but they never happened.
Jackson County numbers stayed flat this week.
Friday Oct. 30 Jackson County 8237 infected,108 dead, 8031 recovered, Randolph County 5616 infected 99 dead 5487 recovered, Union County 3060 infected, 48 dead 2983 recovered and Williamson County 12354 infected 165 dead 11985 recovered.
Friday Nov. 5 Jackson County 8237 infected,108 dead, 8031 recovered, Randolph County 5651 infected 100dead 5537 recovered, Union County 3076 infected, 48 dead 3008 recovered and Williamson County 12430 infected 170 dead 12131 recovered.
City has said they play music in the town square from appoximately 4:30 p.m. until 4 a.m. and did turn the loudspeakers down after receiving comments from people in the surrounding neighborhoods. Apparently the plan is to concentrate the sound on the square. It does seem to be working. According to today's Southern, the number of police calls to the square dropped from 196 in August, averaging almost 6 per day to 157 in September and 138 in October. OF course, without some research, the city cannot say if this is causal or just ocrrelated.
Appears that the reason the lines are so long at the Carbondale Kroger Pharmacy is that most or all of the techs that worked there quit a couple of months ago. From what I understand Kroger mandated that they get vaccinated for COVID-19 and, rather than do so, they walked off the job. Pharmacists are still working but the company had not hired any techs to replace them yet.
It appears that, unless the city votes at the next election to maintain it, Carbondale will lose its home rule status. Population , according to the census, has taken a nosedive to 21,857, dropping below the 25,000 level required to maintin home rule status according to Illinois statues. Under home rule status, a city may take any action and pass ordinaces, as long as they do not confict with Illinois and Federal law.. A community without home rule authority "may only exercise powers for which express authority is provided by state law. This means that non-home rule communities are dependent on obtaining grants of authority from the General Assembly and Governor."
Looks like S. Gleview was the nexus of trick or treating last night. One house reported over 450 kids came to the door that night . A couple of blocks away, trick or treaters were much sparcer with only about 20 coming to the door .
Missed a week I see:
Friday Oct. 15 Jackson County 8158 infected,108 dead, 7853 recovered, Randolph County 5584 infected 98 dead 5437 recovered, Union County 3012 infected, 48 dead 2921 recovered and Williamson County 12190 infected 162 dead 11478 recovered.
Friday Oct. 30 Jackson County 8237 infected,108 dead, 8031 recovered, Randolph County 5616 infected 99 dead 5487 recovered, Union County 3060 infected, 48 dead 2983 recovered and Williamson County 12354 infected 165 dead 11985 recovered.
Appears someone is upping the musical ante at the town square or the city has decided to forego classical music for the nonce in favor of Halloween themed music from the Loudspeakers. Just heard Thriller playing from a block away but not sure if the city did it or one of the hangers-on at the square decided to bring their own music source.
Keep Carbondale Beautiful will host a tree planting on November 13 to restore the location of the old Econo Lodge/ Day's Inn.
You have, no doubt, driven by the flat, blank, urban decayed space that is 801and 827 E Main. This site is the location of the Econo Lodge that was perennially flooded and finally torn down. Keep Carbondale Beautiful intends to renew and beautify the blighted area with a tree planting project. Grant funded, through the Illinois Forestry Development Council, this urban reforestation project will restore this location with selected native, site appropriate trees, and pollinator plants and, eventually, an informational sign, elaborating on the local ecology of Southern Illinois.
Volunteers are welcome to join Keep Carbondale Beautiful in tree planting on Saturday, November 13th, 9 a.m. until 2 pm. Tree plantings will be flagged for location in a staggered, grid-like, pattern for ease of mowing and to create a park like atmosphere. Shovels, gloves and all other supplies will be provided. Parking for volunteers is located at the Ashley Furniture warehouse, 715 E Main.
Carbondale Main Street will host its downtown Trick or Treat on Main Street this Saturday from noon to 2 pm. Here is a link to the list of places particpating. Looks like about 26 locations with the Carbondale Public Library the furthest west and Italian Village the furthest east.
Trick or treaters do not have to go inside to get candy. Each location will have a table outside stocked with bags of candy which Carbondale Main Street will replenish during the event.
Listening to the city council meeting and it appears the city plans to hire a consulting firm to help with allocating out the COVID-19 grant money the city will be receiving.
Discussing the proposed TIF districts now. Looks as if the revised TIF Districts will inclue all of the properties between Main, Walnut, Oakland and University as well as most of the Northwest and northeast sections of Carbondale. The southeastern section of Carbondale is left out of the proposed TIF districts because the overwhelming majority of properties in that area are rental properties, while owner occupied homes are more common in the areas included in the proposed TIF districts.
Looks as if the city will put in a 4 way stop at the intersection of Violet and West Sunset and issue more bonds.
Noticed a couple of days ago that Carbondale Troph on North Illinois appeared emptly. Stopped by yesterday and the shop has closed up. Signs in the window direct potential and part customers to The Trophy Room in Pickneyville.
Another shooting at a party, this time on West College. One would thing these morons would know enough not to go to a party carrying a gun and that someone would realize that guns and alcohol do not mix.
Still no developments in the West Cherry shooting, as far as I know. Does look as if the property remains empty.
The city council will met next Tuesday remotely at 6 p.m. Here is the agenda if you want to take a look
Major items on the agenda include setting up a process for groups to request funds from the American Rescue Act funds the city received, a four way stop at the intersection of Sunset and Violet and authorizing three additional TIF districts in reseidential areas of the city.
IDOT plans to eventually have a bike path running from Murphysboro to Marion. Through Carbondale would be the problem as I see it. We have bike paths on the east side of town and one runs fromthe east side to SIUC , though not in a straight line. Problem would be if IDOT wants to run it as straight through as possible, meaning continuing it on Main and Walnut as the road gets pretty light west of Poplar, not leaving much room to add in the bike lane. Maybe converting one of the three lanes to a bike lane and parking?
Sat in on a presentation by IDOT and one of the things mentioned was that they expect work on the I24 bridge over the Ohio at Paducah to get completed this December
Just happened to read a list of 10 things someone else liked about the United States and thought I would list 10 things I like about Carbondale. your likes may be differenent of course and you may not agree with mine and you know what? That's perfectly OK.
1. SIUC
2. Boo Rochman "Castle" Park
3. New Kahala Fast Food
4. The Town Square
5. A bike friendly city
6. Civil City Council Meetings
7. How responsive the city is to "See Click Fix"
8. Dairy Queen
9. Trees Throughout the city
10 Woodlawn Cemetary
Feel free to post your likes in the comments
Saw quite a bit of foot traffic in downtwon yesterday. Teh twon square parking lot was packed most of the day and both Mary Lou's and The Celler did good business. After dark, Lines waiting to get into Traxx and Hollywood Lounge both extended half a block out the door. About 10% of those out last night wore costume.
Friday Oct. 9 Jackson County 8035 infected,107 dead, 7781 recovered, Randolph County 5529 infected 96 dead 5397 recovered, Union County 2980 infected, 47 dead 2901 recovered and Williamson County 12084 infected 158 dead 11478 recovered.
Friday Oct. 15 Jackson County 8158 infected,108 dead, 7853 recovered, Randolph County 5584 infected 98 dead 5437 recovered, Union County 3012 infected, 48 dead 2921 recovered and Williamson County 12190 infected 162 dead 11478 recovered.
SIUC Homecoming parade starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow, although lineup of floats and bands starts at 8 a.m. The line up of floats and bands will fill up S. Washington and East Mill so be sure to avoid that area the morning of the 16. The acual parade Starts at Mill and Illinois, goes up Mill to College, left on College to University then down University to the Univeristy grounds. I heard some talk of the parade going an extra block up to Cherry and then over to University so you may want to avoid that area until noon.
Nope, not downtown although there will be something happinging in the event spack on Washington Street Halloween Weekend.
The city sent out an email announcing that, Halloween night, Slenview Drive from Walnut to Freeman will close due to the popularity of the street with trick or treaters. Don't want to see any of them get hit by a car.
On Sunday, October 31, the City of Carbondale will close a section of Glenview Drive to accommodate the large number of trick-or-treaters who converge on the neighborhood in search of treats!
Glenview Drive from W. Walnut to W. Freeman will be closed to ALL traffic from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Halloween night.
The FBI's Springfield office is offering $10000 and the Carbondale Police Department is offering $5000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the murder of Keeshana Jackson on August 22.
Since there has been little mention of the case in the past couple of months, I assume the investigation is ongoing but behind the scenese. It does not look as if anyone currently lives in the house where the shooting occured.
Friday Oct. 1 Jackson County 8000 infected,107 dead, 7701 recovered, Randolph County 5482 infected 96 dead 5248 recovered, Union County 2949 infected, 47 dead 2874 recovered and Williamson County 11955 infected 154 dead 9185 recovered.
Friday Oct. 9 Jackson County 8035 infected,107 dead, 7781 recovered, Randolph County 5529 infected 96 dead 5397 recovered, Union County 2980 infected, 47 dead 2901 recovered and Williamson County 12084 infected 158 dead 11478 recovered.
Looks as if the numbers are trending down slowly. Let us hope it continues.
A new grocery store, focusing on halal foods, has opened at the corner of Wall and Main in the old Main Street Laundromat location. There is a small sigh affixed to the building and a much larger one on the signpost closer to the street reading "We are Open." Hope they get a sign up there soon with the name of the grocery so that more people are aware of its existance. Set back from the road, as the building is, care will pass right by it withou a larger street presence, at least until more popel grow aware of it.
Thai Taste has reopened for inside seating for dinner only. The restaurant only seats from 5 to 8 p.m. during the week and 5 to 9 on Friday and Saturday. They would have reopened inside seating a couple of weeks ago but had a little problem with a car going into their wall.
Carbondale Main Street receive a grat to put some benches in downtown Carbondale and has a survey posted to determine which are the most popular styles. You can take the survey here.
Friday Sept 24 Jackson County 7877 infected,104 dead, 7288 recovered, Randolph County 5383 infected 95 dead 5198 recovered, Union County 2934 infected, 47 dead 2842 recovered and Williamson County 11767 infected 152 dead 9185 recovered.
Friday Oct. 1 Jackson County 8000 infected,107 dead, 7701 recovered, Randolph County 54823 infected 96 dead 5248 recovered, Union County 2949 infected, 47 dead 2874 recovered and Williamson County 11955 infected 154 dead 9185 recovered.
Indigo Event Space and Lounge had its ribbon cutting on Oct. 1st . Nice looking facility with a bar, small stage and a one table pool room. Look as if their primary focus will be on booking receiptions, birthdays, parties, etc. with the lounge aspect a secondary focus. The big problem, I see, is the same problm that has plagued all of the busiensses that have opened in that location over the past decade: lack of parking. Bistro 51 delt with the problem successfully by offering and promoting their valet parking, which also served to enhance the image of the business. Curbside tried the same thing but not as successfully and the Icebox had an arrangement with the Methodist church across the street to use their parking lot when the church was not using it. . Probably working out some sort of lease arrangement with the church is the best way to assue parking for Indigo's clientile.
The city has announced that Trick or Treating will take place on Halloween (I should hope) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other events are listed on the city's Carbondale Halloween page and the city even has banners hung this year promoting Halloween
According to this, the Eurma C. Hayes Center will receive a $25,000 grant for repairs and upgrades from State Farm. There were 200 finalists competing for grants and the top 40 each received money from State Farm.
Combined with the $450, 000 the city committed Tuesday night to the Center from the COIVD-19 America Rescue Funds it will receive from the federal government, the money should go a long way towards long needed repairs on the building.
Took a look at the town square lighting last night and the east side of the squre is definititely brighter than the west half, though the west half is brighter than I remember it from the last time I took a look. That being said, both of them dim in comparison to the lighting along Illinois avenue, which the city put in last year. It defnitely brightend up Illinois.
If I was Tres Hombres or Global Gourmet or Longbranch, I would welcome anything the city could do to move the police calls away from the parking lot in front of my business.
Friday Sept 17 Jackson County 7696 infected,100 dead,6926 recovered, Randolph County 5226 infected 94 dead 5050 recovered, Union County 2899 infected, 38 dead 2794 recovered and Williamson County 11400 infected 148 dead 8645 recovered.
Friday Sept 24 Jackson County 7877 infected,104 dead, 7288 recovered, Randolph County 5383 infected 95 dead 5198 recovered, Union County 2934 infected, 47 dead 2842 recovered and Williamson County 11767 infected 152 dead 9185 recovered.
I do like seeing the Christmas lights left up year round on the light posts around the town square. I would like to see brighter lights on the west half of the Square. Once you get away from the sidewalks, which are well illuminated along Illinois, it gets pretty dark around the Pavillion> I have felt some trepediation at times walking arcross the Pavillion parking lot after dark. I will have to take a look tonight and see if the lighting there has improved with the new lights the city installed on the east half of the Square.
The city recently installed loudspeakers and brighter lights in an attempt to break up later night gatherings on the town square. According to the city website, the police department has had more than 1150 calls to the town square. While some of the calls are for motorist assistance and bar checks, the majority "are shootings, fights, drunk and disorderly conduct, public urination, bathing in the fountain, defecating on public property, bullying, drug use, and drug sales".
By my calculations, that comes out to an average of four police calls to the town square a day since the start of the the year. That's an awful lot of police activity in a small part of town. Barrring posting police presece there permanently, I am not sure what else the city can do to mitigate the calls there. I am not sure how effective music will be at moving people around but brighter lighting should make people going to restaurants int he area more secure.
given that the roundabout on Chautaqua has been operational for about four months, the city posted a link on the effieincy of roundabouts vs. traffic lights. the city has plans to install a second roundabout at the intersection of Grand and Lewis lane but wanted to see how they worked in operatioin first. Now that the Chautaqua one has proven successful, and if funding comes available, I imagine we will see one installed at Grand and Lewis sometime.
Given the historical importance, at least to the local community, I was nonplussed to find the flyer holder with the walking tour of the cemetary emply on a visit last week. The material in the flyer replicates the information on the plaque standing next to the brochure holder so pele visiting the cemetary still have access to the information but the brochure provides a convenient guide to the graves and sites of note within the grounds. Maybe the city could post a PDF of the brochure online and link it to the history of Woodlawn?
The AAA Auto lot buildings on North Illinois have ben razed and the contractor is now creaming the brick and concrete from the site. I still expect U Haul will expand onto the lot but there is no signage indicating that is the case.
Looking at the multi-block long back up caused by trains coming through town, primarily around 9 a.m. , noon and aournd 4 p.m. makes me wish for downtown underpasses or overpasses sinilar to what we have at Mills street and Pleasent Hill Road. The city looked at putting underpasses for Main and Walnut back in the 1960s but pushback from the downtown business community put the kibosh on that.
I asked about the feasabiltiy of puttin in overpasses on the two streets but was told in order to make the gradiant a reasonable one, IDOT would have to raxe the buildings on either side of Main and Walnut for a block east and west from the tracks, destroying waht reamins of the early architecture of downtown Carbondale. An underpass is a bit more reasible but would require each street's closure for several months, if not years. Again not feasible so we are looking at blok long backups with trains come through for the foreseeable future.
Keep Carbondale Beautiful has introduced its Legacy Bright Spot Award, given to previous winners of the Bright Spot Award who have undertaken long term care of the property. From the press release
The Legacy Bright Spot award is an award
given by Keep Carbondale Beautiful to recognize previous recipients of the
Bright Spot award. This recognition is intended to encourage and maintain long
term care and stewardship to the local environment of Carbondale. One of the
missions of Keep Carbondale Beautiful is to preserve and maintain the local
natural beauty of Southern Illinois.
The inaugural Legacy Bright Spot award
winner is kicking off with 601 W. Walnut. Kathy and Austin Rigney recall
receiving the Bright Spot award in July of 2004. “A sign just showed up in our
yard one day, and that was the bright spot award” Kathy laughs, telling what
she remembers. The home was built in 1917 and has been added on to over the
years. They moved to the residence in 1988. Preparing for a growing family,
Kathy began gardening in the front yard. In this nesting garden, irises,
spiderwort and Pocomoke crape myrtle were planted. The oldest surviving plants
are Jerusalem roses, over 20 years old.
The May 8th storm
shifted their yard around, an 80 ft oak lodged in their attic. Getting the tree
out, “we were entertainment for the whole neighborhood” Kathy recounts. After
that, they had the bug for reorganizing the landscape. A white blooming redbud
took its place, casting its canopy over hydrangeas and boxwoods lining the
front of the home. A Japanese maple shades a horseshoe shaped garden with
English ivy and ferns. Around the side of the home is an oasis from the busy
city street, birdfeeders are set among a variety of herbs and large
hostas.
Friday Sept 10 Jackson County 7329 infected, 90 dead,6592 recovered, Randolph County 5112 infected 92 dead 4952 recovered, Union County 2847 infected, 37 dead 2727 recovered and Williamson County 11012 infected 138 dead 8369 recovered.
Friday Sept 17 Jackson County 7696 infected,100 dead,6926 recovered, Randolph County 5226 infected 94 dead 5050 recovered, Union County 2899 infected, 38 dead 2794 recovered and Williamson County 11400 infected 148 dead 8645 recovered.
Sounds like (pun intended) the city or someone is playing classical music very loudly in the fountain area in an attempt to encourage the people that hang out there to move to another location. I would guess whomever though up the idea heard the anedotal evidence of classical music played at malls got teenagers to vacate the malls and move to other locations. However, the ontly time I see anyone down on the square is when there is an event such as a concert taking place. Few of the community spend time socializing on the square.
The rest of the AAA Auto buildings just north of U Haul on N. Illinois Ave have been demolished. Given that the operation has already rented the old Southern Illinoian complex to expand its self storage operation, I would expect that U Haul will expand on the the razed property, using it as more parking for its fleet of rental vehicles
Since the 47.8 million grant to Carbonale is supposed to mitigate the effect of COVID-19's econodmic effects, how about using the money to send out a $700 check to each household in Carbondale? According to the Census there are about 10,400 households in Carbonale so by my math, that would mean roughly $700 for each household. That way, no worrying about which organizations get the funds. Give the money to residents and let them pump it into the city's economy.
However, if the city does want to pass out funds to organzaitons that got hit hard by the epidemic, I would recommend the Varsity Theater: central to the community, privately funded, shut down for a year and could really use the money forgone over the past year.
I see Southeast Missouri State is doing something similar with the grants they have received for their students From the email:
| As you may know, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), a federal stimulus package responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. A portion of the ARP provides funding to support students at institutions of higher education in covering unexpected expenses due to COVID-19. Southeast received $10.4 million in HEERF III funds to distribute directly to students. This amount is based on a formula in the ARP and funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Education. |
| Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 22, funds will be distributed to students, with the exception of dual credit and pre-college, using an institutional formula that takes into account need and enrollment intensity (number of credit hours) as of Sept. 1, 2021. The formula ensures as many students as possible benefit from HEERF III. To view more details about this and other COVID-19 relief funding, visit semo.edu/sfs/heerf. |
| You do not need to do anything to receive these funds. However, a couple of notes: |
| It is my sincere hope that this aid will help ease some of the stress, burdens, and other challenges many of you have faced during the pandemic. |
According to a survey by the Illinois Department of Publich Health, we have no available ICU beds in southern Illinois Hopefully no one else in southern Illinois gets seriously sick from anything else.
Carbondale has about a dozen positions open requiring various levels of skill. Here's the link.
According to today's DE, AD Liz Jarnigan was fired over a lack of response to sexual harassment charges brough against women's swim coach Geoff Hanson by several SIUC swimmers. I do find it interesting tha Jarnigan is gone but a quick search on Google does not find anything about Hanson getting put on adminstrative leave while the charges are investigated.
Indigo Event Space and Lounge will hod a ribbon cutting/grand opening at 4 p.m. on Sept 24.. Located in theHouse of Leisure/Icebox/Curbside/ Coal City Diner location in the 200 block of West Main. Have seen activity for the past couple of months so it appears the remodeling is completed. I fear they will suffer from the same problem every other business that has gone in there had: lack of parking. There is parking behind the 200 block but it is all reserved for adjoining businesses. the Indigo building readed back to the alleyway running behind it, not leaving any place to park.
Curbside and Bistro 51 attempted to deal with this by offering valet parking and Icebox had an agreement, for a time, to use the church parking across the street For Indigo to prove viable, the owners will have to figure out a way to address the parking problem.
One of the topics at tonights city council meeting is the best way for the city to spend a $7.8 million grand fromthe federal government for COVID relief. Money could help with COVID related health emergencies or with the negative economic impact on individuals, small busineses and organizations. As a federal grant, it likely comest with spending guidelines but still, $7.8 million injected into the city's economy would help a lot.
First SIUC gets rid of its Athletic Director with no warning and now the univeristy has put the women's soccer coach on administrative leave, once again without giving any reason. Certainly does not look good for the althleting department to have two high profile releases within such a short period of time.
The city is enforcing metered parking again. If you park in downtown frequently, it might be worthwhile to pick up a parking pass at the Water office in City Hall.
Downtown merchants pushed pretty hard in 2019 to get these parking passes so seems a shame not to make use of them. Of course, if I remember rightly, downtown merchants were also lobbying for free parking for their employees and free parking period so reduced price parking is not exactly what they wanted but still better than downtown had before.
It apears this idiot posted someting indicating he had aboused a dog badly enough to kill it. The post appears on Fb last week and got widely shared enough that the Carbondale PD got involved and arrested him.
Took a walk through downtown after 9 pm. last night and saw no house parties for the second weekend in a row. However the lines waiting to get into both Traxx and the Hollywood Lounge. Line to get is to each stretch for about half a block. Not nearly as many people trying to get into either the Cellar, Hangar 9, P.K's or Tres Hombres, at least not at that hour. .
Friday Sept 3 Jackson County 7122 infected, 89 dead,6452 recovered, Randolph County 5071 infected 91 dead 4885 recovered, Union County 2785 infected, 34 dead 2663 recovered and Williamson County 10571 infected 136 dead 8369 recovered.
Friday Sept 10 Jackson County 7329 infected, 90 dead,6592 recovered, Randolph County 5112 infected 92 dead 4952 recovered, Union County 2847 infected, 37 dead 2727 recovered and Williamson County 11012 infected 138 dead 8369 recovered.
For those interested in the history of Southern Illinois, especially its gangster era, SIUC has put together an interactive 4 module series based on the book and podcast A Knight of Another Sort: Charlie Birger and Prohibiition Days in Southern Illinois. Especially designed for middle school and up teachers who want to introduce their students to a unique part of southern Illinois History.
Electric Larry's had moved from its Univeristy Plaza locatin on S. Illinois to the 200 block of West Main. If you are not familiar with them, you can find their Facebook Page here.
The Quonset Hut shaped garage facility that sat on the AAA Auto property has been demolished. No idea what will go in there but I would guess that U Haul has puchased or leased the lot and will demolish the buildings to make room for expanded UHaul parking.
The long empty location of BookWorm has finally been filled. Ashely Furnishings expanded their store space into the area so not as much space as when Ashley had two locations and an outlet store in town but somewhat more than Ashley had for the past fewyeras.
According to the sign in the window, South Illinois mainstay China Express has decided not to reopen. The store closed up shortly after the lockdown started in 2020. The sign in the window said they would be reopening. I always wondered why they did not since their location and size meant they always depended on delivery for their business so a delivery heavy economy should have proved tailor made for them. However, the "reopening" sign has been replaced by a large "For Sale" sign.
According to a sign on their door, Dunkin Donuts is closed today and tomorrow. Not able to get enough staff to work the hours. apparently was taking GrumHub over a hour to get deliveries from the shop over the weekend and the business had closed the lobby entrance, only allowing drive through.
Friday August 28 Jackson County 6766 infected, 86 dead,6120 recovered, Randolph County 4976 infected 90 dead 4750 recovered, Union County 2722 infected, 34 dead 2605 recovered and Williamson County 10028 infected 136 dead 8199 recovered.
Friday Sept 3 Jackson County 7122 infected, 89 dead,6452 recovered, Randolph County 5071 infected 91 dead 4885 recovered, Union County 2785 infected, 34 dead 2663 recovered and Williamson County 10571 infected 136 dead 8369 recovered.
Here is a link to which city department is responsible for mask enforcement. The business is subject to a $250 fine for not enforcing the city's ordinance. I was mildly bemused by a sign I saw posted at Hobby Lobby statating that if a customer did not wear a mask, the business assumed they were exempt from state/local regulations:
SIUC was ranked among the top 30 LGBTQ Friendly univeristies by the website Campus Pride. According to the website
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center is one of four resource centers in the Center for Inclusive Excellence. The LGBTQ Resource Center provides programming that engages the entire SIU campus and community on LGBTQ issues through a calendar of events, support services and facilitation of a variety of training opportunities throughout the year. The Center for Inclusive Excellence space is a dedicated Safe Zone that provides a welcoming and affirming location on campus for all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The LGBTQ Center maintains a library that communicates an all-too-often hidden history. The Center is the primary point of contact for members of the LGBTQ community as it works collaboratively with campus departments, student organizations, university administration, and local community groups to connect students with resources, activities, and support services. The LGBTQ resource center offers LGBTQ and Ally students an opportunity to come together in solidarity and learn about issues that impact the LGBTQ community and allies. We offer Safe Zone trainings regularly, Queer Mentors and Trans*itions as programs out of the resource center to support our LGBTQ students. Additionally, we collaborate with the Saluki Rainbow Network, our LGBTQ student organization, and other individuals and groups to teach and promote diversity and inclusivity.
Thai Taste was getting ready, after almost a year, to reopen to seated dining. They have extesively repainted and redone the interior. However,t he recent accident in which a car hit the side of the building had delayed the reopening. The car did enough structural damage that the wall will have to undergo repairs before the restaurant is safe to reopen.
Friends of the Carbondale Dog Park annonunced today Carbondale will recieve a $25,000 grant from PetSafe to finish construction of the dog park on West Sunset. The press release is below
Friends of Carbondale Dog Parks is thrilled to announce that Carbondale has been selected as a winner of the PetSafe Bark for Your Park $25,000 new dog park grant.
North Oakland is closed for two blocks at the intersection of Oakland and Willow northbound for today and tomorrow. Street reparts getting clompleted from damage caused to the street from last winter. Should be open to through traffic again by the weekend.
Once you get past the happy talk of the first three paragraphs, fall attenance at SIUC is down another 1% from last year or as the university puts it "essentailly flat". The problem is, the univeristy has seen this small declines in student population consistantly for over 2 decades and, while on their own, the drop in number is insignficant, taken in total the univeristy has seen a drop of about 14000 students over the past 20+ years.
The city will create an "entertainment district" website that will show the boundaries and restrictions of the new district. Distirct boundaries currently are Illinois Ave from Jackson on the north end to Grand on the south, west to Univeristy and east to Washington. It includes the block between Main and Walnut then cuts down Washington before heading east to the railroad tracks at Cherry St. then parallels the railroad tracks south to Grand.
Essentially, the district will comprise the area between Illinois and University from Jackson to Grand with an extension east to include Consume, Buckwater and Italian Village.
Along with the mask madate, the city council also approved an ordinance establishing a downtown entertainmnet district. The ordincance waives the beer garden license fee, lowered the legal entry age to 18 for class B license holders, allows public consumption of alcohol from 5 p.m. to 2 am Monday through Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Also relaxes the noise restrictions for the district, whcih consists, as far as I can tell, South Illinois Ave but not sure from where to where is not clear. I would assume from East Grand to East Oak as that would go past Keeper's Quarters on the south end and Hollwood Lounge and Longbranch on the North end but have an email into the city to find out specifics.
In case you would like to see which landlords own which properties in Carbondale, here is a handy map. You can "turn off" assorted landlords if you are interested in seeing the results for only one landlord. Last time I checked, nearly 70% of Carbondale was rental property.
Spirit Halloween will open in the old Macys location this weekend. Likely Sept. 4. Will be interesting to see how Carbondale embraces Halloween this year, given this will be the second pandemic Halloween. last year was pretty quiet. I remember seeing fewer than half a dozen costumed folks wandering the Strip.
As expected, and following on the heels of the state mask mandate, tonight the city council unanimously passed a citywide mask mandate. Violations punishable by a $250 per day fine. Ordinance immediately applicable and lapses on Deck 31 2021 or whenever repealed by the council, whichever comes first.
By a separate vote, all city employees will have until Nov. 15 to get vaccinated or show proof of vaccination.
Currently, about 40% of Jackson County residents are vaccinated and about 70% of city staff are.
Appears the Gold's Gym on the west side of town either lost or gave up its franchise as the Gold's logo has been removed from the building, replaced by a much more generic Legacy Fitness logo. At least this one is completely lit up.
Friday August 20 Jackson County 6475 infected, 79 dead, 5902 recovered, Randolph County 4773 infected 89 dead 4556 recovered, Union County 2677 infected, 34 dead 2541 recovered and Williamson County 9647 infected 135 dead 8066 recovered.
Friday August 28 Jackson County 6766 infected, 79 dead,6120 recovered, Randolph County 4976 infected 90 dead 4750 recovered, Union County 2722 infected, 34 dead 2605 recovered and Williamson County 10028 infected 136 dead 8199 recovered.
Incidentally the total population of Williamson County is 66579 so just over 15% of the county has been infected. About 12% of Jackson County has been infected since the start.
Took a drive along Cherry and College streets this evening and saw no parties taking place. It did look as if the fraternity house at the corner of University and Cherry had something going on earlier in the day as there were a number of cups on their outside tables but no people visible. Last week's shooting appears to have put a lid on any outdoor parties in the area.
today is the last day to vote for the Eurma C. Hayes Center to get a $25000 grant from State Farm.
The award of $25,000 would support some of the Center’s infrastructural needs, including automatic doors and new windows. These improvements are necessary to enhance American Disability Act (ADA) accessibility and energy efficiency. The anticipated timeframe for opening the Center is in September of 2021. This grant would assist in restoring a historic commercial property for the betterment of the African American community within Carbondale. Like State Farm, we recognize that being a good neighbor is about giving back to one’s community. The ECHC’s board members and community stakeholders have already begun investing in the Center; however, without outside funding sources such as the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program, the progression towards reopening may be prolonged. The community has a 30% poverty rate with fully subsidized government public housing projects adjacent to the Center. Therefore, the ECHC will provide some of the programs for free through income-producing tenants.
Also the 31st is the last day to vote for a similar grant for the Carbondale Dog Park.
Carbondale deserves a PetSafe® Bark for Your Park™ grant because the need is great, the community has shown its support, and the region lacks areas where people from diverse backgrounds and their dogs can socialize informally. The Carbondale area has a limited economic base, with few tax dollars for public amenities. The Carbondale Park District manages several parks but lacks the resources for this project. In 2017, community volunteers created Friends of Carbondale Dog Parks to build an off-leash facility using only private funds. Sustained outreach and media coverage have earned it widespread support from individuals and organizations. At 2.5 acres, Carbondale’s first public dog park will be the largest in the region. It aims to attract dog lovers from near and far with events and activities. This community effort deserves – and needs – to win the $25,000 grant to fulfill Carbondale’s vision of an off-leash dog park for all.
Also, all educators in Illinois from kindergarten to college, will either have to get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. This means you SIUC:
Illinois health care workers and educators from kindergarten through college will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday in announcing new safety protocols that also include a fresh statewide mandate for masks to be worn indoors.
Looks as if the city council will not have to pass any mask mandates. Gov. Pritzker announced today a statewide mask mandate for all indoor locations. According to the graphic in the linked article, every county in southern Illinois has "stressed" ICU capacity and has less than 50% of the population vaccinated.
Hear that the city council is considering passing a mask mandate again. I was listening to one of the health care workers with SIH and was told that her hospital has no open ICU units.
Sign announcing this on the side of the old Reema's building on South Illinois. I guess it will share space with the walk up fish place that opened there last month. Sounds like a combination sports bar and hookah lounge.
Multiple shooters in the Cherry Street Shooting case but police currently not getting much cooperation from those in attendance. I can understand if this was a case of a police shooting but this was someone in attendance at the party shooting someone else at the party. Police did not show up until after the shooting was over.
As far as I can tell, no where near as many shots fired as in a shooting that took place in Champaign over the weekend. Victim was wounded and 50 shell casings found at the site.
ASIUC student was fatally shot and three more people wounded at the party at the corner of Cherry an Beveridge Shooting took place early Sunday morning, which meant the party, which started sometime Saturday afternoon, lasted long into the night
Saw two large parties on West Cherry Street yesterday evening, one in the fraternity house at the corner of Cherry and University and one at the corner of Cherry and Beveridge. The University Ave party had a deck filled with roughly over a hundred students which the Beveridge event had few students but they stretched across the street, blocking traffic. No masks visible of course and no apparent attempts and staying separate but the fact that everyone is outside should help mitigate any spread.
Friday August 13 Jackson County 6174 infected, 78 dead, 5465 recovered, Randolph County 4677 infected 88 dead 4428 recovered, Union County 2616 infected, 34 dead 2466 recovered and Williamson County 9230 infected 134 dead 7834 recovered.
Friday August 20 Jackson County 6475 infected, 79 dead, 5902 recovered, Randolph County 4773 infected 89 dead 4556 recovered, Union County 2677 infected, 34 dead 2541 recovered and Williamson County 9647 infected 135 dead 8066 recovered.
The U-Haul operation on N. Illinois has expanded significantly over the past month or so. It now owns or rents the Southern Illinoisan complex and now has vans parked on the lot and has repurposed the building as storage facilities. Also AAA Auto Sales, a fixture on N. Illinois just north of U-Haul, has closed up or moved and U-haul has expanded onto its lot as well.
Hwy 127 is now open all the way from Old Highway 13 to 146. The closure of the road at Alto Pass allowed IDOT to remove both the crumbling overpass leading to Bald Knob and finish the repairs on 127 from wen part of the roadway collapsed following a lot of rain. that stretch has been a one lane road for almost three years now so glad to see it back to normal with a wider roadbed and, hopefully, more secure support to prevent the collapse from happening again.
The City, Carbondale Main Street and Consume Cannabis Company and partnering to host a pair of Friday night concerts in the Washington Ave. concert space in August and September. Those same night will allow public consumption of alcohol in downtown Carbondale. I assume this means on sidewalks, etc. Not sure how good of an idea it is to have a lot of people drinking alcohol that close to the train tracks but at least the embankment makes in a bit harder to get up to them.
Apparently shopping traffic has been quite heavy out at Wal-mart, though nowise as a bad as a picture purporting to be taken at the Carbondale Wal-mart that actually came from a Black Friday event, would make it out to be. I have not seen any particularly heavy traffic at Kroger or Schnucks and auto traffic through down town does not seem particularly heavy either. The only increase I have really noticed is more students crossing East Grand to get to the Rec Center. All summer, no one ever stopped traffic there to get across and but I have seen (and been stopped by) several students crossing there in the past week.
Listening to the news on NPR this morning, I heard the spike in COVID-19 infection rates in southern Illinois mentioned in the same breath as the increase in rates in Florida, Mississippi and Texas. Not the sort of company I really want to be in I received an email today that SEMO is mandating masks inside buildings until Sept. 16, at which time they will re-evaluate the situation. No word on how long SIUC will mandate masks inside.
Friday August 6 Jackson County 5800 infected, 76 dead, 5443 recovered, Randolph County 4361 infected 87 dead 4308 recovered, Union County 2544 infected, 32 dead 2402 recovered and Williamson County 8798 infected 131 dead 7628 recovered.
Friday August 13 Jackson County 6174 infected, 78 dead, 5465 recovered, Randolph County 4677 infected 88 dead 4428 recovered, Union County 2616 infected, 34 dead 2466 recovered and Williamson County 9230 infected 134 dead 7834 recovered.
Mayor Henry is away. Council member Harvey presides
.Sound is pretty bad. Meeting opens with a man who contracted COVID-19 telling about his experience while sick. Pretty bad and he encourages people to get vaccinated.
I could not out anything the second speaker said
3rdspeaker announced a community clean up this Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church's parking lot.
Father got up to speak about his son's death, which currently is ruled a suicide, though still under investigation. Father says was murder. He has attended council meetings regularly to push this point and continuing investigation. His sister gets up later to request further investigation as well.
Invitation to attend a meeting to discuss work by the Sustainability commission
Discussion over the findings of the Hollywood Lounge investigation. Owner appears concerned about some issues regarding to the outcome. Again very hard to hear.
Plug for voting for a grant for the Carbondale Dog Park and a nationwide Alert Test.
Possible collaboration with Jackson County Board to fund replacement of the HVAC system at the Eurma Hayes Center.
Presentation by Keep Carbondale Beautiful on landscaping the area where the Day's Inn used to stand. Cannot put any benches or anything permanent structures in because the location is classified a flood plain.
3 items pulled from consent discussion for discussion. Consent agenda minus those items approved. Apparently Mayor-protem Harvey is concerned about letting contracts out to bid to contractors outside of Carbondale and Jackson County . All are approved.
Discussion of the design for the Multi-Modal Transit Station. Preference appears for the traditional design for the building. Council voted to appropriate money for the building and to tentatively approve the traditional design, incorporating a potential parking garage and pedestrian overpass should funding come available.
Last item of business was selling a piece of property the city had acquired from the country because the owner failed to pay taxes.
Adjourned after about two hours.
Update--Due to no new business, the meeting has been cancelled. Nothing going on folks.
Carbondale Preservation Committee meets this Monday at 7 p.m. According to the agenda, almost noting to report or going on.
The Miou Meow Cafe, or was it the other way around, located in the University Plaza strip on South Illinois has finally shuttered and the overhead sign removed. I always wanted to give the place a try but never did find a time when they were open. With Electric Larry's moving to West Main, that leaves Slabz as the only business in the strip.
Friday July 30 Jackson County 5586 infected, 75 dead, 5301 recovered, Randolph County 4506 infected 87 dead 4214 recovered, Union County 2472 infected, 32 dead 2332 recovered and Williamson County 8464 infected 131 dead 7509 recovered.
Friday August 6 Jackson County 5800 infected, 76 dead, 5443 recovered, Randolph County 4361 infected 87 dead 4308 recovered, Union County 2544 infected, 32 dead 2402 recovered and Williamson County 8798 infected 131 dead 7628 recovered.
According to this Facebook post, Magickal Hippie will be a New Age supply store that will carry herbs, crystals, etc. Owned by the same people that run Hemp 'n Stuff in the same small shopping area.
Freshmen and Transfer students start their week of welcome at SIUC on Sunday August 8th so be prepared for an increase in the number of cars driving the wrong way on Carbondale's one way streets. Classes start August 16th.
New store located where Campus Comics used to be. From the spelling of "Magickal", I would guess it deals in New Age products as well as smoking paraphernalia but have not been in yet.
supporters of the Carbondale Dog Park are in the running for a $25000 grant to help build it. As is apocryphal about Illinois politics, vote early and often. From the email I received
Carbondale is one of twenty finalists for a $25,000 PetSafe Grant to build Carbondale's first public dog park. Five winners with the most VOTE totals will each win $25,000 to build a dog park. Go to barkforyourpark.com to vote August 3 through August 31. Anyone across the US and world can vote once a day, every day during the voting time period. Or you can register and vote here: https://barkforyourpark.petsafe.com/locations/carbondale-il which takes you directly to the Carbondale page to vote for Carbondale.
Tell your friends, family, and neighbors to vote daily and help Carbondale be one of the WINNERS.
