Organizers say it’s a chance to celebrate community in a relaxed setting with food, music, and memories for all ages.

June 18 or 618 day is an informal day of supporting businesses in the 618 area code. Area businesses celebrate with specials on their products to encourage customers to shop local.The SIU Alumni Association is using 618 day to support businesses and students in the 618 area code next week.Molly Hudgins, the executive director of the SIU Alumni Association says they're supporting the 618 Day effort to highlight and support businesses in the southern Illinois region. 618 day refers to the date June 18th to represent the southern Illinois phone area code. To Hudgins, this is an opportunity to support SIU students who live in the 618 area code.

Mayor Harvey will offer brief remarks at noon, followed by icebreaker games.

Carbondale United is focused on providing healing and community safety. This is something they're working to accomplish through awareness, education, and activism.One of the programs that falls under all three of these efforts is their Violence Interrupters program. The goal is defuse stressful situations before they become violent.Earlier this June, Carbondale United hosted training for people wanting to help with this effort. Find out how this program is as much prevention as it is reaction.

Director Dr. Sameer Vohra says Pride Month is about unity and ensuring everyone can live authentically.

The Southern Illinois Airport is turning 75 years old. They will celebrate that milestone this Sunday, June 1st.The airport is hosting an open house guests can tour the terminal and learn about airport operations. Visitors will also be able to enjoy cake and ice cream to celebrate the milestone. Other activities feature food discounts at the St. Nicholas Brewing restaurant in the main terminal. There will also be fuel discounts for those that fly in to the event.The SIU school of aviation is also celebrating 65 years at the airport with tours and aircraft displays.

The utility company says $750,000 will go to partner groups like the Red Cross, United Way, and the Salvation Army

Earlier in May Illinois Treasure Frerichs announced 10 small profits would receive $200 thousand in Charitable Trust Grants. Each non-profit would receive $20 thousand.The charitable trust grants help nonprofits fulfill their missions to serve people in need by providing housing, food, and workforce and economic development assistance. Night's Shield in West Frankfort was one the recipients who won the award. They were selected from a group of 110 applicants.

On May 15th, The Illinois State Bar Association announced the newest round of Fellows for their Rural Practice Fellowship Program. The program is part of the ISBA's effort to take on what they say is a lawyer shortage in the state.Looking at the numbers, you find Illinois counties with fiver or less lawyers. Even some with just two or three - including counties in southern Illinois.The shortage becomes more widespread when comparing the number of lawyers to the number of residents in these counties. The American Bar Association says these areas are "legal deserts". They define legal deserts as areas with less than one attorney per one thousand residents.To tackle these shortages, the ISBA developed their Rural Practice Fellowship - trying to incentivize law students and lawyers to practice in these underserved counties.

Recognizing the dedication and cooperation of organ donation