Randolph County News

SIU hosting 7th annual hemp, cannabis symposium

by Brooke Keltner CARBONDALE, Ill. — Registration is underway for the seventh annual Southern Illinois Hemp and Cannabis Symposium, which has grown from a regional event to one that attracts speakers and participants from across the country.  During the day-long symposium, nine speakers will cover a variety of topics including state and federal policy, hemp/cannabis agronomy […]

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Randolph County Sheriff’s Report

                 September 7, 2026   Carol L. Fitch 44, Coulterville, arrested August 31, 2026 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on for unlawful possession of methamphetamine, Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and defective windshield.  Pretrial Release.   Christa D. Poynor 39, Prairie Du Rocher, arrested September 1, 2026 by Randolph County Sheriff’s Office

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Professor Sharp is In Initial Group Of 8 Significant SIU Donors Honored

James Franklin Sharp grew up in Chester, Illinois, a small Mississippi River Town in southwest Illinois.  He graduated from Chester High School in 1954. SIU Tedrick Welcome Center He then attended the two-year Pre-Engineering Program at nearby Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. At SIU, he lived in Doyle Dorm, that housed just 60 boys,

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Registration open for SIU’s fall arts and crafts workshops, open to the public

by Brooke Keltner CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale invites artists of all skill levels—from beginners to experts—to express their creativity at the Craft Shop’s annual fall workshop series. Running from Sept. 11 through Nov. 17, the series offers a wide variety of hands-on arts, including pottery, crochet, fused glass, sewing and more. Workshops

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SIU’s THRIVE event on Sept. 16 focuses on mental health, suicide prevention

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host an entertaining, informative event focusing on wellness, mental health and suicide prevention on Sept. 16. Wellness and Health Promotion Services is sponsoring THRIVE from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Faner Plaza. While the focus is especially on students, everyone is welcome. Held during Suicide

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SIU Carbondale delivers historic enrollment and retention growth

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale has delivered one of the most significant institutional turnarounds in its history — recording overall enrollment levels not seen in the last eight years — reaching above 12,000 students, with an incoming first-year class size not seen for 11 years. Fall 2026 semester enrollment grew to 12,066 students,

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Nominations Open for Annual Randolph Society Awards

CHESTER, IL – The Randolph Society Foundation has begun the nomination process for its annual awards to honor outstanding historical citizens of Randolph County and their achievements.   “Randolph Society Foundation is seeking to honor the prominent men and women who contributed to Randolph County by living extraordinary lives. Through their deeds and notoriety, they

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Chester’s “End of Summer Hose Down” was huge success

City officials hope to possibly make the event an annual affair! BY JIM BEERS             Tuesday September 1st was the first “End of Summer Hose Down”. This event couldn’t have come at a more convenient time with a late summer heat wave scorching the area. The event was well attended and a crowd favorite with

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Food Pantry Mobile Markets fill approximately 225 vouchers

BY JIIM BEERS             The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry (CACFP) continues to host its monthly Mobile Markets which distribute food items to qualifying families. The July and August 2026 markets served approximately 225 families. The Mobile Markets take place each month on the 4th Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m. at the Cohen Recreation Complex

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