Randolph County News

Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) with an Award of Merit in the Community Outreach category for its Strategic Medical Office Building Transition, a comprehensive community engagement and communication campaign surrounding the transition of healthcare services to the hospital’s new Medical Office Building. L-R Back […]

Tribute took place at CHS vs Red Bud football game; Mehring is an Assistant Coach for the Musketeers and just returned from a 7-month deployment BY JIM BEERS             Chester High School recently recognized and honored a local soldier at a pre-game ceremony of the Chester vs Red Bud Football game, Friday October 9, 2026.

Students are rewarded for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and Empathy BY JIM BEERS  Chester Grade School recognized 33 students on Friday September 18, 2026 in grades Kindergarten through 8th, for demonstrating the “HIVE” PBIS good character traits of either Respect, Responsibility, Safety, or Empathy. There are four “HIVE” PBIS characteristics that teachers and staff at

October 19, 2026   William W. Freestone 45, Chester, arrested October 13, 2026 by Chester Police for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.  Pretrial Release.   Ruth A. Phoenix 63, Ava, arrested October 15, 2026 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for criminal damage to property.  Is incarcerated.   Cortez M. Nesbitt 27, Sparta, arrested October 16, 2026

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA October 19, 2026 CALL TO ORDER   ROLL CALL   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING    CORRESPONDENCE   REPORTS Mayor City Treasurer City Clerk Approve raffle licenses –     Approve Business Licenses and/or Incentive Applications –     Approve Excavation permits City Attorney City Engineer   COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee

CATHERINE “CHRISTY” C. WOOD, 57, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 12:58 pm, Thursday, October 15, 2026 at her residence. She was born to the late Dale Hill and Catherine “Cathy” (nee Bollinger) Vaughn on October 17, 1968 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christy married Doug Wood on December 29, 2003; he survives. She was a homemaker.