Randolph County News

by Brooke Keltner CARBONDALE, Ill. — White-tailed deer are a staple of Southern Illinois culture. Pope County celebrates with a festival dedicated to the animal, hunters of all ages skip school or work for the first day of bow or shotgun season, and some residents run seasonal taxidermy side businesses to create deer mounts, which […]

By Pete Rosenbery  CARBONDALE, Ill. —There will be plenty of Dawgs running loose during the Homecoming 2026 Parade through downtown Carbondale beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Southern Illinois University Carbondale honors 12 former Saluki mascots who donned the costume between the early 1990s and 2018. They’ll be serving as grand marshals.  “We

by Maxbiya English CARBONDALE, Ill. — Artificial intelligence learns to imitate people. In “AI Robot,” four Southern Illinois University students return the favor. The show, devised by the cast and director, Jonathan Gray, runs at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 15-17, at the Marion Kleinau Theatre on the second floor of the Communications Building.

The Chester Chamber of Commerce has named Barb’s Bounty Jams and Jellies as its October Business of the Month. Barb’s Bounty has a wide selection of jams and jellies, relishes and pickles made with locally grown produce.

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — It’s a diamond anniversary for Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s unique mascot during the 2026 Homecoming festivities. After all, there is only ONE Saluki! “Decades of the Dawg: 75 Years of Saluki Pride,” Oct. 12-17, promises to be memorable with a giant pep rally, Homecoming Music Street Festival, numerous activities,

by Maxbiya English CARBONDALE, Ill. — A fall tradition at Southern Illinois University Carbondale returns for its 21st year as students in the glass program sell glass pumpkins they designed and made themselves. The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, on the lawn in front of the breezeway