Chango's

 It appears, according to posts on Facebook, that Chango's has reopened in its old location at 519 S. Illinois, next to Sal's Bistro.

Veo Scooters

 Not sure if the city will do any enforcement but here are the regulations regarding Veo Scooter usage in Carbondale. I have noticed the "lucky" zones marked off at various locations around town, primarily downtown, and a number of scooters parked there, though I am not sure how many of those are parked by riders and how many by the Veo Scooter Collectors. since users have to pay by credit card and must submit a photo of the scooter to end the ride, charging fines for improperly parked scooters should be easy to charge and collect:

-Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all lights, signs and signals

-Riding on sidewalks is permitted when deemed to be the safest option, but ride slowly and exercise extreme caution in pedestrian areas

-Must be 18 years or older to ride

-Only one person on an e-scooter at a time

-E-scooters should be parked in the following locations:

-in designated parking hubs

-in public right-of-way areas – for example, the grassy space between the curb and sidewalk

-on the edge of a sidewalk leaving at least 3 feet unobstructed (some sidewalks may be too narrow for e-scooter parking)

-E-scooters may NOT be parked in the following locations:

-on private property-in a way that blocks pedestrian, wheelchair, or vehicle access

-E-scooters should be parked up-right, using the kickstand

In coordination with City staff, VEO has taken the approach to financially incentivize the service to encourage safe riding and parking. At any given time, various parking hubs are designated as “lucky zones”, labelled on the app’s map with a $ symbol. Riders that park in a lucky zone will receive a discount on their ride!

Alternatively, riders not parking correctly may notice a difference in violations. Riders who improperly park an e-scooter now receive only one warning, as opposed to two as was the case previously. Fines have increased from $5 for the first violation and $10 for the second, to $10 for the first and $15 for the second violation.

Improper parking is detected by VEO with the assistance of the photo required to be taken by the rider in order to end their ride.

VEO and the City encourage community members to report improperly parked e-scooters when possible!

There are several ways to report:

-Use the City’s SeeClickFix app

-Use the Help Center in VEO’s app

-Call 1-855-VEO-2256

-Veo’s social media: @VeoMobility

For more information contact Public Relations Officer via call or text at 618-713-0711.

Water Supply

 Missed the cutoff point by .3%

o our residents- 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation. Surface water systems (or groundwater under the influence of surface water) using conventional filtration treatment (enhanced coagulation or enhanced precipitative softening) must demonstrate that Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removals are in compliance with either the Step 1 TOC removal requirements or meet the requirements of alternative compliance criteria. Our supply was unable to meet the requirements during the 2024Q2 monitoring period (2nd quarter 2024). 

What should I do? 

You do not need to use an alternative (e.g., bottled) water supply. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. 

What does this mean? 

This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. 

Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). 

Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer. 

What happened? What is being done? 

The City of Carbondale tests monthly for TOC removal in the treatment process. A 45% removal rate is required as a precaution to limit the formation of DBPs, which are potentially harmful above certain levels. TOC compliance is measured as a running annual average (RAA). The City of Carbondale’s RAA is typically 46 – 50%. In June, the RAA was 44.7%, falling short of the 45% required for compliance. DBPs, which are directly affected by TOC, were also sampled in June, with all samples testing safely within compliance. Additionally, the monthly TOC removal for July was 48.4%. 

Customers do not need to take any action. The water is safe for normal use. TOC does not have any health effects, but is monitored since it may affect other water quality parameters. This is a required public notification. 

For more information, please contact Clayton Greer, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent at (618) 529-1731 option 2. 

Old Phoenix Cycle Location

 From what I am hearing, the plans are to put a cannabis smoking lounge in the old Phoenix Cycle location. Consume wanted to put a lounge in the Newell Building but apparently plans for that fell through, possibly because, from what I understand, a location with a cannabis store cannot have any other businesses in the same facility.

I would figure a similar regulation applies to a smoking lounge which would be why the other businesses in the Phoenix Cycle building were moved out. 

Charging stations

 Unless you want to charge up at your home, there are five EV charging stations located in Carbondale, one bank at Vogler Ford, Bantera Center, Home 2 Suites, Ward Chrysler and Auffenberg's .

Free Water at Schnucks

During the hottest parts of the day, Schnucks is offering free water. Limit one bottle per person. During the week, the civic center is also open, though I do not think the city is promoting it as a cooling center. Water fountains are available there as well.

Hollywood 22 Vape

 Hollywood 22 Vape has expanded to a second location. It has taken over 618 Vape, which was located in the Wall & Grand Center at the corner of, well, Wall and Grand. By my count, that puts three vape shops in Carbondale, about half what the city had about 10 years ago but still shows there is a significant demand for the product.