THE
Daily Egyptian SERVING THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1916.
DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025
InsiDE
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SIU football beats UNI, page 3
VOL. 109, ISSUE 11
A battle over student press, page 4
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MVC bball preseason poll, page 9
Carbondale’s Homecoming, Halloween festival brings thousands to Strip
Yahri Edmond yedmond@dailyegyptian.com
The streets of downtown Carbondale transformed into a festive hub of art, music and family fun on Friday, Oct. 24 as the city hosted a hybrid Homecoming and Halloween street festival on The Strip. This year’s festivities shut down the town’s iconic Strip and included two stages with four bands, a variety of vendors and food trucks, and interactive activities like a rock wall provided by Touch of Nature. Dena Haun, Carbondale’s Tourism and Special Events Coordinator, helped organize the event in collaboration with sponsors, city departments and community partners. Haun noted that the event grew out of previous years’ successful Sunset Concert and Off the Rails concert series and the Strip has evolved to include more cultural and artistic aspects. “We wanted to make it a wellrounded event — family-friendly
with student engagement, live music, and the Candy Walk,” Haun said. “It was a big collaboration, but when everyone contributes what they offer, the community benefits.” For many attendees, the event was a mix of thrills and sweet treats. A young girl with her parents who was dressed in a police officer costume, Dre’leigh Moore said, “I like this thing. It’s the best thing ever.” Navaya Johnson, who cosplayed as Chuckie said, “It’s actually a great day. It feels good… a lot of stuff for the community.” Yahaira “Yaya” Vargas emphasized the importance of local art and youth participation. “All of these items showcase local artists — kids and adults alike. Artistic expression
teaches positivity and resilience,” Vargas said. “It keeps creativity flowing and gives young people something to work toward.” To also celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Varsity hosted a traditional altar that featured intricate markers, butterflies, flowers and other symbols that honor departed loved ones. Vargas explained that the altar also included a student-produced corrido — a Mexican folk song — that tells the story of a local figure, highlighting the creative efforts of Carbondale youth. “This is our second year hosting the Community Altar,” said
Vargas, executive director of Southern Illinois Culture and Arts and Bilingual Education. “Last year we went electronic, but this year, thanks to generous donations, we were able to do a more traditional altar. We also hosted a design contest for local students. The first-place winner gets a pop-up gallery downtown during one of the highest traffic times.” With the streets alive with color, music and laughter, the Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival reflected the town’s community spirit. “Events like this provide a higher quality of life for the southern Illinois region and bring everyone together,” Haun said. “And we’re already looking forward to next year.” For more information on ongoing events in Carbondale this Halloween season, visit carbondalehalloween.com. Staff Reporter Yahri Edmond can be reacged at yedmond@dailyegyptian.com
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGES 6-7
Design by Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
University Baptist Church holds final Memorial held for Collin Rice, SIU student who died in a service after decades of fellowship motorcycle crash
Yahri Edmond yedmond@dailyegyptian.com
After decades of serving the community, University Baptist Church held its final service Sunday, Oct. 26, marking the end of an era for its longtime members. The sanctuary was filled with several emotional congregants who
gathered to share memories, sing hymns and say goodbye to the place that had been their spiritual home for generations. Mary Wright, a devoted member and the church’s organist, reflected on the moment. “This has been my church home… for over 40 years, which is amazing to
me,” Wright said. “So it’s very, very sad to see the church close, but it’s now time to move on.” The church leaves behind a lasting legacy in Carbondale. Though the building will close, members say the spirit of University Baptist will live on through the continued community service BAPTIST CHURCH | 2
Pastor John Annabelle walks down the aisle holding a commemorative candle during the final service at University Baptist Church on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Carbondale, Illinois. Amilia Estrada | @aestrada@dailyegyptian.com
Orion Wolf Owolf@dailyegyptian.com
The sun had just crested over Campus Lake by the time Collin Rice’s friends gathered for a vigil behind Bowyer Hall. Rice died in a motorcycle crash last week on Oct. 11. On Oct. 21, mourners lit tea candles, fished and told stories about their friend under the light of the lake fountain. Rice was set to graduate in December as a senior in Aviation Management at SIU. He was a member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. He enjoyed fishing, bowling and playing pool with his friends. Those gathered at the memorial said he left quite the impact on many people during his time as a student in Carbondale, and that he was a light to his friends and community, always ensuring that no one was left out. Liam Dunn, Rice’s close friend, said that they had met each other at Neely Hall during the first few weeks of school, and that was one of his favorite memories of Rice. “I went onto his floor... a few other floormates were there and we were just hanging out. We just chatted for a
few hours in the hallway,” Dunn said. Some students, when asked by an associate professor of Aviation Management, Matthew Romano, offered some kind written words about Rice. “He never met a stranger,” OBAP member, Bisola Saliu, wrote, “... always welcoming everyone with that unforgettable smile and open heart. His kindness and energy left a mark on everyone who knew him.” Not only was Rice a positive force, he was always himself, friends said. “Collin always stood out in a crowd,” Rice’s friend and fellow Aviation student, Jerome Johnson, said. “We’d joke with him that he had an ‘old soul’ and would always count on him to outdress others.” “You (Rice) spoke your mind, stood your ground and were always yourself,” fellow OBAP member Barakat Adeniji wrote to Romano about Rice, “You always lived life fearlessly and to the fullest.” Tyler Hill, the other motorcyclist involved in the crash, was in attendance. He was one of Rice’s friends, and declined to comment. Staff Reporter Orion Wolf can be reached on Instagram @orionwolf6