Du Quoin area briefs
<b>Local students get McKendree degrees</b>
Two Pinckneyville students received degrees from McKendreee University during commencement on May 8. Rana Hodge got an MAT in secondary education and Sarah Stutes, her BSN in nursing.
<b>Elverado Dist. 196 meeting now May 19</b>
The school board of Elverado Unit District 196 is moving its regular May 20 to a day earler, on May 19. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Elverado High School Library, 514 S. 6th St., Elkville. The meeting remains open to the public.
<b>Bost, others bring Back the Blue Act</b>
In honor of National Police Week, Republican Illinois congressmen Mike Bost, Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood have introduced the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, authorizing $15 billion through the U.S. Department of Justice to help state and local law enforcement agencies hire and retain officers. It is named for David Dorn, a retired St. Louis police captain, who was killed on June 2, 2020, while protecting a friend's store during a night of rioting in St. Louis.
<b>Jackson County Health Department planning vaccine clinics at local schools</b>
Following federal approval earlier this week, the Jackson County Health Department has started offering the COVID-19 vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds this week in Carbondale.
The health department also announced this week that it is working with local school superintendents to plan vaccination clinics at schools around the county.
These are expected to occur in June, and details are forthcoming.
Children in the 12-to-15 age group are immediately eligible to be vaccinated at the mass vaccination site located in the west lobby of the Banterra Center on the SIU campus in Carbondale. The clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made online at jchdonline.org.
Anyone under the age of 18 seeking vaccination must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to provide consent.
The mass vaccination site is open to all Illinois residents age 12 and up.
Vaccinations are free.