Congressional challenger to hold three weekend events
Julie Fortier, the Democratic challenger to Republican Congressman Mike Bost, will hold three southern Illinois town halls this weekend. Each event will also feature food drives for nonperishables to stock southern Illinois food pantries and mutual aid networks. Fortier, a cancer researcher and military veteran, is challenging Bost for the 12th Congressional District seat, considered a Republican stronghold. She’ll hold a Randolph County Town Hall 6:45 to 9 p.m. Friday at KC Hall, 209 Church St., Chester. Saturday, Fortier will host a Clark County Town Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marshall Public Library, 612 Archer Ave., Marshall. Sunday’s Marion County Town Hall is 2 to 4 p.m. at the Salem Community Activities Center, 416 Oglesby St., Salem.
Trans Pride Picnic features arm-wrestling, hiking
MAKANDA — Transgender folks in southern Illinois and allies will find arm-wrestling, s’mores, hiking and more at the second annual Trans Pride Picnic Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring a dish, drinks, or disposable cutlery and cups if you’re able. The picnic is organized by the Downstate Illinois Trans Organization, social network by and for trans people and takes place at Giant City State Park Nature Trail, 235 Giant City Road.
Free meals for Carbondale kids, teens through Aug. 10
CARBONDALE — Kids under 18 can find free breakfast and lunch at two schools through Aug. 10, courtesy of Carbondale schools’ Summer Food Service Program. Sit-down breakfast and lunch are available Monday through Friday at Carbondale Community High School, 1301 E. Walnut St., from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Familes can also sign up for take-home breakfast and lunch meals from Carbondale Middle School, 1150 E. Grand Ave., every Monday and Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. At Monday meal pick-ups, each child will receive three breakfast meals and three lunch meals; Thursday’s pick-up will provide four of each. Register here for the meal pick-ups.
