Randolph County News

May 2026 Mobile Market serves 110 households

By Jim Beers CHESTER – The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) held its May 2026 Mobile Market Wednesday May 27 at the Chester Cohen Recreation Complex. Approximately 110 automobiles gathered at the main parking lot of the complex to take their turn in the food distribution line. Pictured are the volunteers from the First […]

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Local students named to UA Dean’s, President’s Lists

TUSCALOOSA, AL – Five students from the River Region were among 14,306 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2026 at The University of Alabama who were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).   The local students include:   Stella Murry of

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Safer skies: SIU master’s student designs drone airbag to protect people below

by Tim Obermiller CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Brady Villiger’s experimental drone plunged toward a concrete testing platform on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus during a recent drop test, nearly a year of research and design was on the line. In the split second before impact, a compact airbag autonomously deployed beneath the dummy aircraft,

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Memorial Hospital strengthens de-escalation skills

CHESTER — Memorial Hospital recently partnered with the Chester Police Department to provide an impactful Verbal and Physical De‑Escalation Training for staff, reinforcing the hospital’s ongoing commitment to workplace safety and high‑quality patient care.     The training, held on June 9 at the hospital, was led by Sergeant Joe Jany and Officer Steve Laramore.

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Friess announces grant funding for first responders in his district

RED BUD – Illinois State Representative David Friess announced last week that more grant dollars are returning to the 115th district.   He said eight local fire departments, ambulance services, and fire protection districts have been awarded more than $164,000 in grants through the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Small Equipment Grant Program.   Departments

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Students named to Dean’s List at University of Maryland Global Campus

ADELPHI, MD — More than 20,000 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 term. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintain a

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June Friess Frame

By David Friess, Illinois 115th District RED BUD, Illinois — Happy June, everyone! The 2026 Spring Legislative Session has officially come to a close, with both the House and Senate adjourning in the early morning hours of June 1. This year, we worked past the May 31 constitutional deadline before approving a record-breaking state budget

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SIU’s Simon Institute director to discuss ‘Ike’ and JFK at Eisenhower Presidential Library

CARBONDALE, Ill. — John Shaw, director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, will discuss the presidencies of Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy on Tuesday, June 30, as part of a special program at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas. Shaw will speak about the two

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SIU professor debunks legend surrounding redband trout

by Brooke Keltner CARBONDALE, Ill. — There’s a legend in the Missouri Ozarks that a train from the Wild West carrying the now rare McCloud River redband trout derailed. To save the fish, the railroad workers released them into the nearby rivers. These fish were supposedly the ancestors of today’s rainbow trout. Now nearly 150

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