Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hello Southern Illinois! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Phone ban results, LEGO ultimate brick show, and pickle fest + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Southern Illinois help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Unified worship production network: Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon deployed Clear-Com LQ and intercom tools, linking volunteers across campuses including Carbondale to coordinate lighting, video, audio and live sermons with minimal delay -- see how it works.
New rules take effect: Carterville City Council adopted new Illinois regulations for e-bikes and mobility devices after safety complaints. The city ordinance is now in effect, while most statewide rules start January 1, 2027 -- see the new rules.
A shift in classroom norms: Vienna High School reports higher test scores and calmer classrooms after banning phones, as Illinois will require plans for bell to bell restrictions by start of the 2027-28 school year -- see the phone ban results.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your local geodesic legend: Check out the newly restored R. Buckminster Fuller and Anne Hewlett Dome Home, the only geodesic house Bucky and Anne ever actually lived in. Tour the home museum, get a feel for his big ideas, and stand where he spent his SIU-Carbondale years writing books... a quick jolt of inspiration for your week.
Fresh-baked Latin American treats: Panaderia La Unica is Carbondale’s go-to for Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Mexican breads and pastries baked fresh daily. Treat yourself to something warm from the case, maybe their jalapeño and cream cheese Saluki Bear Claw, and upgrade your morning coffee or late-night snack situation.
Peak peach alert: Rendleman Orchards has been growing peaches, nectarines, and apples since 1873 in the Shawnee hills, and this week it’s all about those juicy, tree-ripened peaches. Hit the farm market for fresh fruit, summer peach smoothies, and pantry favorites like family-recipe baking mixes, apple butter, and Apple Blossom or Wildflower honey.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦈 Shark Story Hour @ Marion Carnegie Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:30 AM – Got a kid who thinks bath time is shark week? This story hour reads a sharky book, adds singing and dancing, and sends them home with a fin-tastic craft, leaving you with happy offspring, fewer couch acrobatics, and a lull in the Baby Shark chorus.
🌙 District Nights, August 6th @ Downtown District (O'Fallon) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Summer evenings call for live music, so catch District Nights with Scott Keller Band on main stage and Thursday’s Hazy on the second. Free entry, five bucks for the refillable cup, plus a Newbold car cruise-in. Bring chairs, skip the Stanley, enjoy the neighborly chaos.
🚗 Thrillville Cruise-In @ ThrillHouse Family Entertainment Center (Marion) | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – First Fridays, April through October, Cruise Night settles at Thrillhouse Family Entertainment Center, and the lineup is more eclectic than your uncle’s tool drawer. Corvettes, classics, muscle, modern builds, all gleaming while the kids defect to arcade games, bowling, laser tag, and go-karts.
🚗 Williamson County Fair Car Show @ Williamson County Fairgrounds (Marion) | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – The fairgrounds are rumbling for the Williamson County Fair Car Show, where vintage classics sidle up to modern muscle. Expect shiny paint, light judging, a 50/50 raffle, and tunes from Big Elvis. Showing off your ride is ten bucks, first 50 get dash plaques.
🍉 Watermelon Festival @ O'Fallon Station | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Take a break from errands and wander over to Vine Street Market for the annual Watermelon Festival. Fresh melons from local farmers, clever watermelon-themed goods from artisans, and that sweet summer smell you forgot you missed. Bring your appetite, not your fancy shoes.
🧱 LEGO Ultimate Brick Show @ The Pavilion (Marion) | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Remember when the kids played quietly for five minutes? This is like that, only bigger, brighter, and at The Pavilion in Marion, with towering LEGO creations, hands-on building zones, and enough nostalgia to make you pocket a minifig, then deny it.
🥒 Glaciers End Pickle Fest 2: The Pickling @ Glaciers End (Marion) | Saturday (8/8) at 11:00 AM – If your fridge already doubles as a cucumber retirement home, Glaciers End Pickle Fest 2 is your natural habitat. Expect briny bites, favorite local vendors, live music, and games, all bigger, better, and more dill-lightful than last year. Casual, salty, and charmingly small-town.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — Southern Illinois report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 2 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 29%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 10pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South southeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wild1319 Union Hill Rd spreads across ten quiet acres just outside Carbondale, delivering the kind of elbow room that feels increasingly rare. This four-bedroom, two-bath home pairs comfortable living spaces with a flexible layout and a primary suite for easy unwinding. Separate living quarters offer exciting potential for guests, rental income, or a private studio, all wrapped in peaceful Southern Illinois scenery.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
