Randolph County briefs: Blood drive; Bost town hall

<b>Blood drive Feb. 17 at American Legion</b>

Weather permitting, the February Red Cross Blood Drive in Chester will be held from 12:45 to 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the American Legion. All donations are tested for coronavirus antibodies. The Red Cross will notify each donor if their body has produced antibodies to the coronavirus regardless of if they have developed any symptoms. Such tests are not meant to diagnose the illness, just to determine if the immune system has produced antibodies. All donors are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing. Residents are asked to not donate if they are not feeling well the day of the drive. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

<b>Bost reschedules telephone town hall</b>

Congressman Mike Bost of Murphyboro has rescheduled his telephone town hall to 6:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22. People who have signed up to participate, do not need to sign up again. To sign up, visit bost.house.gov/participate. Bost is the U.S. representative for the 12th district in southern Illinois.

<b>Local libraries get CARES funding</b>

The Chester, Red Bud and Sparta libraries are each getting $500 in CARES Act funding from the office of Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White. The money is meant to help prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our public libraries and schools continue to be the cornerstones of our communities, and they have never been more important to their patrons and students," said White. The money will go to personal protective equipment, the safe handling of library materials or to buy cleaning and PPE supplies, such as masks and acrylic barriers to ensure the safety of staff and patrons.