Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
Serving the Southern Illinois University community since 1916.

The Daily Egyptian
All content by Leah Sutton | @leahsuttonphotography
Mel Foster places her pistol into her holster at the Women's Shooting Club at the Tombstone Gun Range on April, 11, 2021. Before joining the group, Foster had taken a couple of home defense classes. Foster has been taking classes for several years and is a concealed carry license holder.

[Photo] ‘More American:’ Minority Communities and Gun Ownership

May 14, 2021
Mel Foster places her pistol into her holster at the Women's Shooting Club at the Tombstone Gun Range on April, 11, 2021. Before joining the group, Foster had taken a couple of home defense classes. Foster has been taking classes for several years and is a concealed carry license holder.

[Photo] ‘More American:’ Minority Communities and Gun Ownership

By Oreoluwa Ojewuyi, Staff Reporter
May 14, 2021
Sadhbh Mowlds, a second year MFA student from Ireland, works in the glass blowing hot shop at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. Feb. 12, 2021. “It was really last minute that I decided to get a master’s. I was just feeling like I was in a rut and North America has the best reputation for glass schools,” Mowlds said.

[Photo] From Ireland to the United States: International student pursues glass blowing at SIU

March 6, 2021
Sadhbh Mowlds, a second year MFA student from Ireland, works in the glass blowing hot shop at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. Feb. 12, 2021. Mowlds said that she had a rough summer in regard to travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said was able to get into Ireland because she has citizenship there, but had trouble getting into Germany. “When the borders went down, I was able to get into Germany to see my friends,” Mowlds said.

Sadhbh Mowlds, a second year MFA student from Ireland, blows into a blow pipe in the glass blowing hot shop at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. Feb. 12, 2021.

Sadhbh Mowlds, a second year MFA student from Ireland, uses a jack in the glass blowing hot shop at SIU in Carbondale, Ill. Feb. 12, 2021. Jacks can be used to separates the blowpipe from the molten glass.

Camille Davidson, the first Black female Dean at the SIU School of Law, poses for a portrait Feb. 22, 2021, at the SIU School of Law in Carbondale, Ill.

[Photo] SIU’s first Black, female Dean of Law on why diversity matters

By Leah Sutton, Photo Editor
March 3, 2021
Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co. explains that he keeps a photo of him and his grandma in his workspace to help keep him motivated while making candles Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale Ill. James said that he was 3 years old in picture and his grandma was 57. “I just wanted to add something with her name on it that would push me to the spirit of excellence just because I know that it is attached to my grandmother,” James said.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co. works on candle orders in his apartment Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale Ill. “Every month my customer basis is increasing so I’m obviously doing something right,” James said. He started his business in 2019 after having a dream about pouring candle wax. “I just joined the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and the president ordered a candle, so I just got done making his,” James said.

[Photo] Victoria Candle Co.: An entrepreneur's dream of wax becomes a reality

February 26, 2021
Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., holds up one of the first candle vessels that he ever used Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. “This was one of the candles from the very first batch that I made, and I never lit it and held onto it as a reminder of where Victoria Candle Company started and as motivation to keep me going," James said.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., holds up the first candle that he ever made Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. James started his candle company after having a dream about pouring wax in 2019. “I had the dream September and there was a pop-up shop that next weekend and I thought it would be a great way to get my candles out there, so I had to immediately order the materials,” James said.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., pours the lavender scented wax into the mason jar Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. James said that he customizes the scents of the candles based on the clients' request. “I will order all of the fragrances but some I will mix because I have some customers that will like lavender and eucalyptus, but usually, eucalyptus is paired with peppermint, but they don’t like peppermint,” James said.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., pours the lavender fragrance into the mason jar Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. James said that he customizes the scents of the candles based on the clients' request. “I will order all of the fragrances but some I will mix because I have some customers that will like lavender and eucalyptus, but usually, eucalyptus is paired with peppermint, but they don’t like peppermint,” James said.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., holds up a wooden wick Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. "All of my candles are featured with wooden wicks," James said. He said that this is because they look homey and make a soothing crackling sound when they are lit.

Dre James, owner of Victoria Candle Co., melts a pitcher of wax on his stove Feb. 21, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. James said that he uses a Double boiling method so that the wax doesn't burn from the heat. He sources his wax from an American company that sells soy wax. “The first candles I made, I went to Dollar Tree and bought the candles that were already made and remelted them and it didn’t turn out too well. So that’s when I really started to research candle making,” James said.

Andrea Weaver, 19, takes off her work coat at Triple C Meat in Anna, Ill. Weaver is the niece of the owner of Triple C Meat and chose to move to Illinois until March to help her family with their family meat processing plant. “It seems like in general, if people do come in with masks, a lot of times they will ask if they need it and if I say it's up to them, they say 'O.K.' and take it off. For us in the plant, for sure, life is pretty much like normal. We don't take a lot of precautions among us because we are close family. We're also friends and work together anyways and work together after hours, so it's pretty much normal,” Jason Martin, owner of Triple C Meat said. Martin explained that it is normal in southern Illinois for people to not wear masks and go about their lives as if there were not a pandemic.

[Photo] Daily Egyptian wins 18 awards in Illinois College Press Association annual competition

By Staff Report, News Desk
February 20, 2021
Melayne Ross dances during worship on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. According to Neophansya Robinson, the women who sing on the praise team sing every Sunday and have not missed one Sunday during the pandemic.

Bria McNutt dances during worship on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill.

Rosie Miller, 96, attends church on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. Miller has not been able to attend every church servicer due to the pandemic, but chose to be there on the first Sunday of Black History Month.

Melayne Ross holds her hands up during worship on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. According to Neophansya Robinson, the women who sing on the praise team sing every Sunday and have not missed one Sunday during the pandemic.

Zion Temple COGIC church's senior pastor, Stephen Robinson Jr., preaches in the church Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. He was installed as senior pastor in 2014. "During these 28 days [in February] we are making it a point to gear our sermons and our Bible studies toward Black history events or toward things that will remind us who we are and the stuff that we come from," Pastor Robinson said.

Stephen Robinson Jr., senior pastor at Zion Temple COGIC church, closes out the service with a time of worship Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. "Lesser persons would have crumbled and collapsed and would have withered away, but we come from a people that said 'I won't go out like that, I'll go out on my own terms.' They had a song that said before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave and go home to where I'm going to be free," Pastor Robinson said.

[Photo] Gallery: Zion Temple COGIC church celebrates Black History Month

February 10, 2021
Zion Temple COGIC church's senior pastor, Stephen Robinson Jr., preaches in the church Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill. "During these 28 days [in February] we are making it a point to gear our sermons and our Bible studies toward Black history events or toward things that will remind us who we are and the stuff that we come from," Pastor Robinson said.

A member of Zion Temple COGIC church follows along with the sermon with his bible on his phone Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Murphysboro, Ill.

Neophansya Robinson, First Lady of Zion Temple COGIC, leads the church in a prayer hosted over Facebook Live Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, at Zion Temple COGIC church in Murphysboro, Ill. "We do Facebook, we're starting to have a YouTube presence," Pastor Robinson said. "I will be honest, I have a lot to learn as it relates to the social media aspect, but we're thankful for some of the younger members that are up to date with some of the policies and how to go about making a larger social media presence, so thankfully, we've had Facebook and YouTube and there are some other vehicles that we are going to be looking into as well just to try and expand our reach as much as possible." Leah Sutton | @leahsuttonphotography

Danielle Pollard leads worship on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, at Zion Temple COGIC church in Murphysboro, Ill. According to Neophansya Robinson, the women who sing on the praise team sing every Sunday and have not missed one Sunday during the pandemic.

Neophansya Robinson, First Lady of Zion Temple COGIC, holds up her hands during worship Sunday, Feb. 8, 2021, at Zion Temple COGIC church in Murphysboro, Ill.

Protestors stand on the corner of Main St. and Illinois Ave., in Carbondale, Ill. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, during a protest on the U.S. involvement in the war on Yemen. Due to Biden's announcement to end the U.S. support of the Saudi war in Yemen on Feb. 4, the Peace Coalition decided to dedicate their vigil this month to supporting the end of the war in Yemen.

Trump tower is located at 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. It is the second tallest building in the country standing at 98-stories. Overlooking the Chicago River, the skyscraper houses the Trump International Hotel, condominiums and a retail space.

[Photo] New Chicago ordinance could remove Trump Tower sign due to impeachment

By Leah Sutton, Photo Editor
January 22, 2021
Molly Gabel and her dog, Amaya, pose for a portrait in her at home studio Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Gabel said that she loves working from home because she is able to make her own schedule.

[Photo] Meet the artist behind Carbondale's butterfly jewelry

December 20, 2020
Molly Gabel works on some earrings in her at-home studio Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Gabel averages six to twelve pieces each day. She loves mixing colors and using gemstones and various metals with the wings.

Molly Gabel sits with her dog, Amaya, in her at-home studio Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Amaya is an aussie doodle heeler and "has tried to perfect sitting on my lap while I work,” Gabel said.

Some completed products sit in Molly Gabel's at-home studio Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Although Molly Flower Designs gets a lot of inquiries through social media and Etsy, Gabel said that some people stop by her studio to purchase leftover pieces from previous shows or at the Co-Op in Carbondale.

A package gets prepared to be shipped to a client Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Gabel likes to include personalized touches before sending her products to her clients.

Molly Gabel holds a butterfly with its wings still attached to the abdomen Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Most butterflies only have a lifespan of about one to three weeks. After the butterfly dies, the wings are available for purchase in either a bundle, where the wings have already been removed from the abdomen or individually, where the wings are still attached to the abdomen.

Molly Gabel holds a bundle of butterflies that had been sold with their wings still attached to the abdomen Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Carbondale Ill. Most butterflies only have a lifespan of about one to three weeks. After the butterfly dies, the wings are available for purchase in either a bundle, where the wings have already been removed from the abdomen or individually, where the wings are still attached to the abdomen.

Crosby Gardner, 24, completes his ninth dive with instructor Tish Kinseykautz Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Gardner graduated last year, 2019, with honors and a 3.10 GPA from the West Kentucky University Autism School. He had been chosen out of 80,000 applicants for one of five seats at the school. “When I was first diagnosed with autism, I was four years old and they told me that I would never walk, that I would never have balance, that I would never drive, that my life would be shit and I proved them wrong when I graduated [from the West Kentucky University Autism School],” Gardner said. He had been talked into trying scuba diving by a friend and has been diving since September 29, 2020.

Dan Pender, U.S. Army veteran, shows his tattoo sleeve in memory of his father and to honor active and inactive service members on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. "This is tribute to my father because he is no longer with me. He died of cancer, but he served in the Korean War he was shot there and got a purple heart so the folded flag is him no longer being here. This is his name and service number [on the dog tag] and his purple heart that he received," Pender said. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries.

Randy Hammersley, a U.S. veteran, prepares to tee off on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. "We golf about every day that we can" We're members at Pine Lakes but we play everywhere. We give Tim a lot of business because he does a lot for the veterans," Hammersley said. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries and their families. Throughout the year, they also offer discounts to veterans on membership.

Dan Pender shows his tattoo sleeve in memory of his father and to honor active and inactive service members on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. "I was in the Army in 1980 to '84. I just followed my dad in. He was my big influence. He got wounded when he was in Korea and I started my sleeve because of him. I've got the Marines, the Air Force, Navy, and this one here [top of the sleeve] is for all the ones who never made it home," Pender said.

Dan Pender, left, and Randy Hammersley, right, play a round of golf on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries and their families.

Rodney Miller, 15 year Marine Corps veteran, wears his Marine Corps pin during a free game of golf for veterans on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.

Randy Hammersley, left, and Dan Pender, right, pose for a portrait on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries and their families.

Rodney Miller, 15 year Marine Corps veteran, and Michael Bailey enjoy a game of golf on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries.

Dan Pender, a four year Army veteran, tees off on Veteran's Day at the Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course in Makanda, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Each year on Veteran's Day, owners and veterans Tim Chrzan and his son Jason, host a veterans golf free event to honor those who have served their countries.

David Hester submits his ballot at the Senior Center in Belknap, Ill. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

David Hester stands at the polling booth at the Senior Center in Belknap, Ill. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

[Photo] River Region Evening Edition interviews Paul Simon institute director about election

November 3, 2020
David Hester signs in to receive his ballot at the Senior Center in Belknap, Ill. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Steve Barnes submits his ballot at the Senior Center in Belknap, Ill. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Steve Barnes signs in to vote at the Senior Center in Belknap, Ill., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Mike Cullison and his brother, Tony Cullison, fill out their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Mike and Tony both live in Belknap, Ill. and Mike is the owner of Mike's Saw Shop in Belknap, Ill.

Tony Cullison, a Belknap local, receives his ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Belknap, Ill.

[Photo] Carbondale community speaks on the issues driving them to the polls

November 5, 2020
Jack Dunker, owner of Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery in Belknap, Ill., submits his ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Belknap, Ill.

Jack Dunker, owner of Cache River Basin Vineyard and Winery in Belknap, Ill., submits his ballot Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Belknap, Ill.

A Trump 'Make America Great Again' hat sits on the ballot table where a voter was asked to remove it due to the state law for election petitioning that you can campaign within 100 feet of a polling place Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Belknap, Ill. "Yeah, just like we had to move the campaign signs because they were too close [to the poll], Deborah Brown, a Belknap poll worker, said.

Chile, an educational barred owl, makes an appearance at one of the booths for people to learn more about owls at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill.

Stacia Petersen looks at the pelicans with her daughter, Lena, at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill. Lena said that her favorite animal at the center was Vixey, the red fox. The Petersen family is visiting Illinois from Texas while staying with their grandma who lives in the area. “When we’re in town we come here at least once and if they’re having an event, we’ll come to that to walk around and see the animals. When the inside is open, you can keep the kids busy forever,” Stacia Petersen said.

Lena Petersen looks at the memorial wall for Treehouse Wildlife Center's celebrity red fox, Chuckles, at the first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill. “She did pass away, the memorial fence is over there, and then starting tomorrow I’ll have to pick a date so we can burn them [memorial notes] with everybody’s messages. Today is the last day for people to put messages up on the fence for her. It’s kind of like the idea of a Tibetan prayer [flag] site," Kelly Vandersand, TreeHouse's fundraising coordinator, said. Chuckles was admitted into Treehouse as an orphan in 2007 with head trauma that resulted in a permanent brain injury. Since 2008, she had helped raise over 60 young, orphaned red foxes for release back into the wild. Chuckles passed away in the middle of September.

Matt Otte and his son, Elijah, look at some of the birds at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween event Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.

Elijah Otte points while looking at the coyotes at the Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.

Vixey, a red fox stands by a carved pumpkin at the Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill. “They’re under Carnivora [red foxes], so they are carnivores, but they can and will eat plant matter [pumpkins]. Their success rate of catching live prey in the wild isn’t that high, so they have to sometimes supplement their diet with other things," Treehouse rehab advisor, Rachael Heaton said. Pumpkins are safe for most animals to eat. “A lot of times they’ll drill holes and hide treats in there… it’s an enrichment so that they have something to do instead of sitting around all day,” Kelly Vandersand, TreeHouse's fundraising coordinator, said.

Coleman and Will Kuebrich wait in line to receive a balloon animal at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill.

Will Kuebrich reaches for his balloon animal that was made by Professor Longhair from Professor Longhair's Grande Illusions at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill. Professor Longhair and his grandson, Corbin, practice magic together and have done a lot of shows in Edwardsville, Ill. "A very good friend of mine from Blackburn College is a volunteer there and she said something about Owl-A-Ween. She asked if I would be interested in doing [magic]. I’m very interested in doing rehabilitation for wild animals, so I thought I would love to come out here and entertain the kids and help raise some money. We have a little tip hat out for the animals. It’s a great cause and all of these people volunteer their time and I thought, well, I can do that too," Professor Longhair said.

Sarah Linn and her daughter, Tessa, look at the carved pumpkins given to the foxes at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill.

[Photo] Gallery: Halloween 2020

October 31, 2020
Sara and Josh Linn show their kids, Tyler and Tessa, the coyotes and foxes at Treehouse Wildlife Center's first-ever, Owl-A-Ween Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Dow, Ill.

Matt Ahlfield, co-owner of Backwoods Axe Throwing in Murphysboro, Ill., practices his axe throwing Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Isaac Gibson, co-owner of Backwoods Axe Throwing in Murphysboro, Ill., practices his axe throwing Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Isaac Gibson, co-owner of Backwoods Axe Throwing in Murphysboro, draws back to throw an axe Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Matt Ahlfield and Isaac Gibson, co-owners of Backwoods Axe Throwing in Murphysboro, practice their axe throwing Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

[Photo] Backwoods Axe Throwing to host Halloween activities

October 29, 2020
Currently, the Fermentation Science Lab at SIU is not making any more Saluki Sanitizer due to the decrease in demand Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. Mandy Rothert, lab manager at the Fermentation Science Institute at SIU, said, “It seems like the demand has really slowed down and people aren’t buying it anymore, so the SIU Foundation bought a bunch of these little bottles from us and they would send them out to their alumni with a Saluki mask.”

Mandy Rothert, lab manager at the Fermentation Science Institute at SIU, describes testing sanitizers for impurities in the Fermentation Science Lab Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. “This is where we were testing some commercial hand sanitizer and we were [looking for] any of the byproducts, the impurities, in the ethanol, I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed how some hand sanitizers smell like bad tequila, so that’s all of those byproducts in there that we don’t want,” Rothert said, “we use this to measure the alcohol percentage to make sure that we were at 80 percent.”

[Photo] SIU professors contribute to COVID-19 research

November 1, 2020
Mandy Rothert, lab manager at the Fermentation Science Institute at SIU, “Campus had us make ten 55-gallon drums for them and then they took them to a centralized location and that’s where they pump it out and then put it in containers to distribute, but then we had made this [stock] and planned on selling it at some point,” Rothert said. “It seems like the demand has really slowed down and people aren’t buying it anymore, so the SIU Foundation bought a bunch of these little bottles from us and they would send them out to their alumni with a Saluki mask,” Rothert said.

Glen Faith, the owner of Mermet Springs, poses for a portrait in one of the air tank refill stations on-site Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. “My ideas, if I was going to open up a quarry, I really wanted it to be a scuba destination where dive centers could come, instructors could bring their students, there was professionalism, there was adequate equipment for rental, and air fills were efficient,” Faith said, “We fill probably 3-4 maybe 500 cylinders this past weekend. No one waited more than 10 minutes for an air fill.”

[Photo] Gallery: 'Dive in first class' in southern Illinois

November 20, 2020
Community members walk quietly in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered in Nov. of 2019, and to bring awareness to gun violence Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. The gathering was organized by the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition. There will also be events going on throughout the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25 to help raise awareness on gun violence.

Nancy Maxwell attempts to keep her candle from blowing out due to wind during the moment of silence in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered in 2019, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill.

[Photo] Carbondale community members hold vigil to stop gun violence

October 23, 2020
Community members walk quietly in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered in Nov. of 2019, and to bring awareness to gun violence Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. The gathering was organized by the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition and started near the apartment that Campbell was shot at on Freeman St. in Carbondale, Ill. There will also be events going on throughout the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25 to help raise awareness on gun violence.

Julian Wells and her daughter, Rumi, 6, observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered outside of a relative’s apartment in 2019, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. The memorial march started almost a minute away from where Campbell was shot. The quiet, march was the kickoff event for a weekend of Stop the Violence events hosted by the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition.

Emerald Avril holds a phone flashlight at the Kick Off Candlelight March during a moment of silence in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered in 2019, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. Those in attendance had to resort to using flashlights instead of candles due to wind.

Julian Wells and her daughter, Rumi, 6, march in remembrance of Xe’Quan Campbell, a 16-year-old Carbondale Community High School student who was murdered in 2019, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill.

John Weyers and his son, John demonstrate how to properly dismount a boat while scuba diving by doing a “back roll” Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at Mermet Springs. “Do you know why you do a back roll from a boat? Because if you did a front roll, you’d still be in the boat,” Faith joked.

John Weyers and his son, John demonstrate how to do a “giant stride,” which is common to do from boats and docks as a way to enter the water while diving, Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at Mermet Springs.

David Shepard, who is in the process of becoming a staff member, finishes filling air tanks Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. To be on staff at Mermet Springs, people have to volunteer for one or two years to ensure that they are dedicated and want to be on staff.

Landen Robison, 7, feeds a catfish a hotdog on a dock at Mermet Springs Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. “I’ve never really seen a place that you can go scuba diving like this before,” Landen's mom, Haley Robison said. She has been bringing her son to see the fish in the quarry. “His favorite thing in the world is fish,” Haley Robison said. Having just learned to swim, Landen Robison is looking forward to being able to swim with the fish. “Next spring, I get to snorkel here,” Landen Robison said. Having been to Mermet Springs one time the previous weekend, Robison was excited to go back and told his mom that he was sure the fish were hungry.

David Shepard, who is in the process of becoming a staff member, finishes filling air tanks Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. To be on staff at Mermet Springs, people have to volunteer for one or two years to ensure that they are dedicated and want to be on staff.

Katie Robison sits on her brother, Landen Robison, while he feeds the catfish at Mermet Springs Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.

Protestors gather across from the Makanda Boardwalk at the planned site for a Canada National Railroad 185-foot, communications tower Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2020. "They don't think that they have to get a permit to put up a tower on a flood plain, they say they're exempt and we're just saying that 'no you're not exempt because if you put a tower up here it's going to create flooding all around here and even worse you're not supposed to build anything on a flood plain," Laura Ashby, one of the protestors said. Many of the protestors did not want to comment or be identified.

University Honors Assembly President, Martiece Arrington helps hand out snacks at the Moon Light on the Lake event hosted by the Honors Assembly Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.

A Trump supporter follows the Trump Train around the roundabout off of hwy. 127 and hwy. 146 in Jonesboro, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020.

Trump supporters gather in an empty lot in Anna, Ill. for the Trump Train on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020.

Takiyah Coleman, center, and a group of Black Lives Matter protestors argue with a Trump supporter who refused to give their name at the Trump Train on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Anna, Ill.

Pam and Ed Hickam, Shade Tree Farm, talk with fellow farmer, at the Humpday Farmer's market on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. Shade Tree Farm sells tomatoes, eggs, cucumbers, okra, garlic, house plants, and Pam does flower arrangements. "When school starts in September, the market traffic starts slowing up a little bit and historically gets down to about half of what it is in the summer. We're still doing pretty good. We've been pleased we're still having a pretty good attendance," Ed Hickam, president of the farmer's market, said. The Hickam's started the Humpday Farmer's Market last year in a downtown location in Carbondale, ILL., but decided to move into the parking lot across from Gold's Gym in Carbondale, Ill. in order to be closer to their central customers.

Marla Biller sells homemade baked goods at the Humpday Farmer's Market on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Carbondale, ILL. Biller and her family, along with some family friends, bake all of the baked goods that get sold at their stand at the farmer's market. Biller said that her favorite of the pies was the pecan pie.

Tonya Green talks with Loraine Reinhardt about the masks made by a farm that she partners with at the Humpday Farmer's Market in Carbondale, ILL., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Green sells sweet peppers, green peppers, and squash and the farm that she partners with was selling tomatoes, honey, and masks. Green attends the Humpday Farmer's Market every Wednesday.

Richard Bochantin, DuBois, ILL., sells a variety of watermelons, spaghetti squash, pumpkins, and peppers at the Humpday Farmer's Market on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Carbondale, ILL. "I always use crimson [watermelon] or sangria [watermelon] and then I got these big melons. They sell pretty good too," Bochantin said. "The sangria [watermelon] is a different texture, the meat inside. This one [crimson] is more blocky, you know, chunky. This one [sangria] is more smooth." Bochantin said that he would have orange watermelons next year due to the number of inquiries that he has had this year.

Al Morgan, a local Native American artist, plays a flute at the Humpday Farmer's Market on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Carbondale, ILL. Morgan makes and sells jewelry, dreamcatcher, baskets, and more. He began creating art when his wife got sick from Parkinson's as a hobby and has continued to expand the types of art that he makes. "I like to sell to people in person, I like to talk to people,” Morgan said. “I’ve got blood from three native tribes as well as good ole’ Appalachian Scotts Irish and we had little things like that [flute] that we used to try all the time.” Morgan used to be a history and science teacher and said that he is able to teach people to play the flute as well.

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Kyle R.L. Baker, Chief Strategy Officer at EcoBuds, watches as spectators get to try controlling SPOT at SIU’s Horticulture Research Center on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020.

[Photo] Photo of the Day: SIU introduces “SPOT,” an agricultural robot dog

By Leah Sutton, Photo Editor
September 29, 2020
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