Expect Enyart & Costello in Du Quoin for County Clerk Josh Gross fund-raiser Saturday

Friends of Perry County Clerk Josh Gross will host a fundraiser Saturday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Du Quoin VFW on Rt. 51 north of Du Quoin.

Expected special guests of the day include Democrat Congressman William Enyart and Illinois State Rep. Jerry Costello.

The event will include a washers and bag tournament with prizes being awarded, a best ribs cook-off and most decadent dessert contest with trophies being awarded to the winners.

Ticket prices before the event are $10 or $25 at the door. The ticket price is discounted to $15 for rib and dessert contestants.

You can find the first annual rib cook-off on Facebook.

Congressman Enyart is still in Washington D.C., but is epected to return for the event.

Bill Enyart took House leaders to task Thursday for jeopardizing the long-term prospects of agriculture and nutrition support in Congress after a highly partisan farm bill debate. House Republican leaders on Thursday succeeded in a "split" approach that separated farm commodities and crop insurance from nutrition programs, both of which benefit Southern Illinois farmers and families. This joint coalition of interests has merged for decades to provide stability in America's food supply. The measure passed, 216-208 this afternoon with Enyart voting in opposition. "In representing Southern Illinois, I represent the two groups that need comprehensive legislation the most: Our agriculture community and the 100,000 people living in poverty in my district," Enyart said in addressing his colleagues on the House floor Thursday. "This approach puts both groups in jeopardy. I urge the House leadership to get serious, stop playing these foolish games with farmers and our families."