Randolph County News

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute announced today (May 11) four recipients of the 2026 Paul Simon Democracy Prize. The institute is awarding four $5,000 prizes to current students at Illinois colleges and universities for designing and implementing projects aimed at revitalizing democracy in their communities. The winners are: Miguel Alvarez from

by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. — Adults can get in on summer arts and crafts fun at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The Student Center Craft Shop is offering a full slate of adult craft workshops in addition to the full lineup of children and youth camps there and across campus. The shop, located in the lower level of the Student Center, will

by Brooke Keltner CARBONDALE, Ill. — Beginning with the fall 2026 semester, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will become the first public university in Illinois to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence Plus (AI+). “Artificial intelligence technology is advancing rapidly,” said Xiaoqing “Frank” Liu, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and

by Caleb Hale CARBONDALE, Ill. — The doors are wide open to the SIU Alumni Association’s online marketplace, Saluki Market, which is now taking applications for a wide variety of new vendors. Since it launched in December, the Saluki Market has welcomed thousands of online visitors.  The early cohort of pilot vendors has been instrumental in helping the SIU Alumni Association build a strong platform that creates opportunities

CHESTER – The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has released its latest reports.   Jason L. Merrell 47, Wright City MO, arrested May 4, 2026 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Armed Violence, Home Invasion, Domestic Battery, Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon, and Criminal Damage to Property.  Is incarcerated.   Thomas

CHESTER – The tentative agenda for Thursday’s meeting of the Chester Beautification and Tourism Commission has been released.   The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in city hall.   It is open to the public.   The tentative agenda:   Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission Agenda May 14, 2026   Pledge of Allegiance   Approval of

JEFFERSON CITY – A 23-year-old Red Bud, Illinois woman was one of two persons who suffered moderate injuries in a traffic crash on I-64 in St. Charles County Thursday evening.   The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the woman was taken to SSM Health St Joseph Hospital-Lake St. Louis by the St. Charles County Ambulance