A capital campaign to raise money for a planned outdoor aquatic center in Carbondale will begin in earnest at a public event planned for Sunday, May 20. The family-friendly event, set for 1 to 3 p.m. at Attucks Park on North Wall Street, will begin a fundraising effort aimed at collecting close to $1 million to construct a planned aquatic facility on the city’s east side.

In the weeks that have passed since Corey Gowin was killed April 26 crossing Rt. 13 in front of University Mall, candlelight vigils, moments of silence and fundraisers have been held in his honor on both the campuses of SIU and John A. Logan College in Carterville.

Chris Wallace has been hired to serve as the city of Carbondale’s Development Services director. Wallace, who has been employed by the city since 2006 and most recently served as the city’s senior planner, will lead the divisions of Planning Services, Building and Neighborhood Services and Housing Programs Administration.

Carbondale Middle School is hoping to get the word out about changing how its students present themselves during the school week. And administrators and staff are asking for parental input in hopes of gauging how well a new dress policy would be received in the district.

The Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau director’s practice of repeatedly steering state grant money to her daughter may have put her work directly at odds with a state conflict-of-interest policy, which lists possible severe penalties for failing to disclose such activity in writing.

Carbondale Police continue to investigate an incident involving fighting and gunfire that took place in the early-morning hours of April 8 at the Premiere Lounge, located at 104 W. Jackson St. Officers responded to the club at about 1:55 a.m. after receiving a report of a disturbance. Upon arriving, officers learned that two unknown suspects had been seen firing handguns.

The popular Friday Night Fairs sponsored by Carbondale Main Street will return for a second year beginning May 4. The events, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday through Sept. 21 at the Town Square Pavilion in downtown Carbondale, will feature local vendors, produce, artisans and entertainment. Also, live music will be featured each evening, and a kids’ corner will feature crafts, games and educational activities.

District 95 Superintendent Roger Pfister called on community action to urge local lawmakers that pending legislation on redistricting transportation funds for schools could have a detrimental effect on future financial years, including the nearest one on the horizon. Also during the March meeting, Superintendent Mike Shimshak provided the board with information to show the board a potential financial issue that might impact future district budgets.

A homeless man has been arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular burglary after an incident April 13 on Carbondale’s northwest side. Carbondale Police say DeMarcus D. Watson, 29, was taken to the Jackson County Jail after officers responded to reports of a suspect entering vehicles in the 600 block of West Elm Street.

The Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau will formally sever its ties with Jackson County this summer, eliminating about $12,000 in annual county-supplied funding that had been part of the bureau’s yearly operating budget.