Randolph County News

Everyone is invited to explore SIU’s Rec Center during Jan. 11 Community Day

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. […]

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Three locals named to Columbia College Dean’s List

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Columbia College recently announced its dean’s list for the Fall 2025 Semester (August-December 2025). To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have completed 12 undergraduate credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale.   Among the local students named to

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Immigration law, policy scholar to present SIU Simmons Law School Lesar Lecture

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

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Chester Cemetery, Finance Committee meets this evening

CHESTER – The Chester Cemetery and Finance Committee meets this evening at 5 p.m. in the Chester Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street, Chester.   The tentative agenda was released Friday, January 2, 2026.   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING   CITY OF CHESTER CEMETERY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE   Notice is hereby given that the Cemetery and

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Chester High School has six Illinois State Scholars for the 2025-26 school year

Honorees include David August, Addison Gottschammer, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, and Camryn Wolff By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer CHESTER – Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle and School Counselor, , are pleased to announce that six students from the Chester High School graduating Class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. 

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State Representative David Friess reports on 2025 activity

RED BUD – In 2025, my office delivered real results—sponsoring key legislation, helping constituents with casework, and putting money back in their pockets. We connected with residents everywhere, from town halls and classrooms to local events across the district.     Thank you to everyone who reached out, showed up, and keeps our community strong.

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Chester Fire Department responds to house fire Monday morning

CHESTER – The Chester Fire Department was called out at 5:58 a.m. Monday December 29 for a structure fire at 1110 George Street in Chester. First units on the scene found the roof on fire at the time.   At 8:20 a.m. Fire Departments from Chester, Steeleville, Sparta, and Perryville were still on scene tending

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