Du Quoin briefs: New stop sign coming; how to pick up new backpacks

<b>New stop signs coming to Roosevelt/Pope</b>

The Du Quoin City Council has approved placing stop signs at Roosevelt and Pope streets. City Attorney Aaron Atkins said the request came from residents in the area who complained about drivers speeding on Roosevelt. He also pointed out that since the city didn't do a traffic study to justify the need for stop signs, it's possible the city could lose a lawsuit if someone challenges those signs in court. The council agreed to move ahead with the signs.

<b>Dist. 300 hires new special ed teacher</b>

The Du Quoin Unit District 300 school board has voted to employ Haley Stanton as a special-education teacher at Du Quoin Middle School for the 2021-2022 school year.

<b>Backpack pickups</b>

With the Back To School Party canceled, children who have reserved a school backpack for the coming year must pick them up at the Du Quoin City Clerk's Office. The deadline to pick them up is 4 p.m. today, Aug. 13. The city has 288 donated backpacks to pass out. Children who did not reserve a backpack still might be able to get them between Aug. 16-20, also at the Clerk's office. Note: Children must be present when the backpacks are handed out.