Randolph County News

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is receiving a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to help with this year’s programming for the nationally recognized Southern Illinois Music Festival (SIFest). The funds will go toward the 22nd season of the festival, held June 18 to July 4 at various

CHESTER – The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has released its latest report of arrests.   Those listed as arrested include:   Katie M. Wagoner 36, Coulterville, arrested February 11, 2026 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on a Randolph County warrant for petition to revoke probation.  Is incarcerated.   Lucien L.T. Smith 19, Chester, arrested February 11,

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS — Olivia Schilling, of Evansville, IL is among nearly 1,400 students graduating from Mississippi State University in fall 2025. Schilling received the Bachelor of Business Adm Summa Cum Laude from MSU’s College of Business. MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated graduates as the December ceremony’s keynote speaker, emphasizing the world-class education they received

CHESTER – The Beautification/Tourism Commission of the city of Chester will meet Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 1330 Swanwick Street in Chester.   The meeting is open to the public:   The tentative agenda: Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission Agenda February 19, 2026   Pledge of Allegiance   Approval of Previous Meeting

MURPHYSBORO, IL – New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show Illinois continues to lose residents to other states at one of the highest rates in the nation.   Illinois State Senator Terri Bryant says in a recent posting on her web site: “Between mid-2024 and mid-2025, more than 40,000 Illinois residents moved to other