Randolph County News

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — Set your calendars to commemorate the nation’s music history as the 22nd season of the nationally recognized Southern Illinois Music Festival (SIFest) will celebrate “America at 250.” Southern Illinois Music Festival orchestra members rehearse for a June 2025 performance in John A. Logan College’s O’Neill Auditorium. The 22nd festival, which celebrates […]

CHESTER – The Chester Parks and Recreation Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 1330 Swanwick Street, Chester, Illinois.   The meeting is open to the public.   The tentative agenda for the meeting:   PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA 1330 SWANWICK STREET, CHESTER, ILLINOIS 62233 TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026, 6 P.M.  

by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. — If you’ve ever wondered what all Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Student Recreation Center has to offer, here’s your chance to find out. Community Day at the Rec includes access to cardio equipment and weight rooms. (SIU Carbondale photo) Everyone is welcome at the Community Day at the Rec, set for 1-4 p.m.

CHESTER – The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office has released its latest report of arrests.   Arrested were:   Starla S. Balsom 33, Sparta, arrested December 30, 2025 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on a Perry County MO warrant for probation violation.  Transported to Perry County MO.   Freddie R. Brimmage 31, Chester, arrested January 1, 2026

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — Immigration law and policy scholar César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández will discuss federal courts and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies when he presents the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Southern Illinois University’s Simmons Law School. Garcia Hernández’s free, public presentation, “Immigration Law in Turbulent Times,” is at 6