37 honored on University of Illinois Dean's List

This week, the University of Illinois announced the names of students recognized for outstanding academic achievement with the release of the Fall 2020 Dean's List. Thirty-seven students with ties to The Sentinel area at Illinois' flagship university were among the 10,867 students earning recognition for their scholastic performance.

Students named to the UIUC Dean's List must complete coursework and grading to fall into the top 20% of a student’s college class or curriculum. Classes taken pass/fail are not counted toward their academic standing for this award.

The list below does not include Dean's List honorees added after Jan. 27 or students who did not list their hometown as Royal, Ogden, Philo, Tolono, Sidney or St. Joseph with the University.

Benjamin Albrecht, St. Joseph
Senior, Applied Health Sciences

Elanor Atkins, Tolono
Sophomore, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Emily Bluhm, St. Joseph
Junior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Nicholas Cagle, Ogden
Junior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sarah Chahine, St. Joseph
Sophomore, Applied Health Sciences

Zachary Chalmers, Philo
Junior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Hailey Collum, St. Joseph
Senior, Fine and Applied Arts

Andrea Cunningham, St. Joseph
Freshman, Education

Carson Florey, St. Joseph
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Tyler Gadbury, Tolono
Freshman, Liberal Arts and Sciences

William Gay, Philo
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Lauren Gherna, St. Joseph
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Christian Hasler, Philo
Junior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Evan Hawkins, St. Joseph
Senior, Media

Mason Housenga, St. Joseph
Senior, Engineering

Ian Hulette, St. Joseph
Senior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Kohlten Johnson, St. Joseph
Senior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Riley Knott, St. Joseph
Senior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Mark Maddock, St. Joseph
Junior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Mira McLain, St. Joseph
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Emma Messman, Sidney
Junior, Education

Abigayle Mizer, Ogden
Junior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Brendan Olauson, St. Joseph
Junior, Engineering

Natasha Plummer, Tolono
Freshman, Applied Health Sciences

Skylar Price, St. Joseph
Junior, Applied Health Sciences

Kassidy Reno, Philo
Sophomore, Applied Health Sciences

Jenna Schaefer, St. Joseph
Sophomore, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Abigail Schlueter, St. Joseph
Junior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Rylee Sjuts, St. Joseph
Sophomore, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Benjamin Snodgrass, Tolono
Junior, Applied Health Sciences

Emilee Sorensen, Ogden
Senior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Abigail Tierney, Philo
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Shelby Turner, Philo
Senior, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Israel Wells, Sidney
Senior, Applied Health Sciences

Madisyn Welsh, St. Joseph
Junior, Social Work

Madison Wilson, Philo
Senior, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Zoey Witruk, St. Joseph
Freshman, Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

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The list above does not include Dean's List honorees added after Jan. 29 or students who did not list their hometown as Royal, Ogden, Philo, Tolono, Sidney or St. Joseph with the University. If you were on this semester's Dean's List and your name were omitted from our list above please know it was not intentional. University communications and public affair offices typically provide or make available lists of fall and spring graduates by zip code. Quite often students living off-campus supply their school address in the city they live while attending school as their contact address instead of their hometown address. If you supplied the institution with a different home address, and would like to have your name added to the list hometowns we cover above, email us your information to editor@oursentinel.com. We'll be happy ato add your name to the listing.

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Commentary: Do your children make you cuss?

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American choir director, gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and author. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew. He is a beloved and influential figure in the gospel music world.

Instagram exploded recently with an audio of the famed gospel singer Franklin berating his 32-year-old son. The son posted the audio of the verbal exchange between he and his father. The audio was a profanity laced call that included his father the elder Franklin threatening to break his son’s neck.

According to the elder Franklin there has been a 14-year rift between he and his son. Many counseling sessions and the family’s attempts at trying to resolve the conflict have apparently remained unsuccessful.

For many years according to reports his son has avoided family dinners, holidays and other gatherings.

National television and various media outlets reported Franklin saying, "Recently, my son and I had an argument that he chose to record. I felt extremely disrespected in that conversation, and I lost my temper. And I said words that are not appropriate. And I’m sincerely sorry to all of you. I sincerely apologize," Franklin said.

Good Morning America, The Washington Post and various other national media sources have reported this story which is a sad personal family drama. For many years this tension has been a difficult rift for this very famous family. It’s unfortunate that the adult son chose to play it out on social media which has now become national news.

Many families have struggles and no one is perfect, including Kirk Franklin. He proves once again that most people have a breaking point and it’s never pretty when it happens. Most of the time it’s the people who we love the most and do the most for who have a way of flipping our switch.

We often can take a lot from strangers and casual acquaintances because we really don’t care that much what they think or even what they say. However, when it’s a child who you have invested your entire life into stomps on your heart then emotion and passion have a way of taking over. As Franklin proves, words may be said that are later regretted.

It’s unfortunate that even the best of people have feelings and words that can come out so ugly. Where do they come from? Ugly words often come from unresolved hurt and pain that have become toxic. Poison is deadly.

We allow poison to be bottled up deep in our hearts. In verbal altercations like the Franklin’s the bucket falls deep into the well of the heart and sadly what comes up is the pain and poison of past hurts that have been unresolved.

We all have to guard our hearts and what we allow to take root. None of us need anything that might spring up to hurt us and others.

Let’s pray for the Franklins. Most families have had moments not scripted for the national spotlight.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Village Crier: Easter Bunny coming to Sidney, area COVID cases soar

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Easter Bunny coming to Sidney

The Easter Bunny will be in Sidney on Saturday, April 3.

At 10am, the Sidney Fire Department will escort the Easter Bunny around town, who will be tossing bagged candy to onlookers. The fire department says they are planning on the same route as last year and will post it online prior to the event. In case of rain, the even will proceed on Sunday, April 4th at 10am.

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Cam's Auto Detailing accepting new clients

Now that the weather is much warmer and winter is on its way north, Cam's is open once again offering quality auto detailing and cleaning services at affordable prices in Tolono. Gift cards are available. For further questions contact Camden Hesterberg at (217) 607-7529 or camdenhesterberg0125@gmail.com.

Online quotes are available on their website.

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Fundraiser to help Tolono woman in progress

A friend of a Tolono resident who was attacked and received a stab wound to one of her eyes have set up a GoFundMe for the victim to help her and her family with bills and medical costs.

"I have know her for 42 years or longer and she helps anyone she can," it says on the page organized by Kathy Burkham. "She cannot go back to work and take care of her clients in the group homes. I know she misses them and they miss her. Please donate what you can."

So far, 19 people have donated $1,510 toward the $15,000 goal. Anyone wishing to contribute can do so on the page here.

According to The News-Gazette, three women, a 19-year-old and two 18-year-olds were charged with mob action in the incident.

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Area Covid-19 cases soar

On March 11 there were just 18 active Covid-19 cases. It was the lowest total since November 13 in The Sentinel area. Today, just seven days later, that number tripled to 54.

After weeks of steady decline, the number cases started to surge last Sunday. Today, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reported 20 new cases in addition to the 15 cases identified on March 14. In all this week, 47 new cases have popped in our six village area.

Forty-two of those cases occurred in the Unit 7 school district, prompting Unity to suspend all athletic activities this week.

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Church of Christ to hold Easter Egg Hunt

The St. Joseph Church of Christ is having a Easter Bunny scavenger hunt on Saturday, April 3 from 10am to 12pm.

This rain or shine event is for families that have children ages 12 and under only. The entire family is welcome to participate, but only those age 12 and under will receive candy at the conclusion of the hunt.

For more information visit the church website at https://sjcoc.com/easter

Commentary: It's been a year now, when we do get back to normal

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by Hilary Gowins, Vice President of Communications
Illinois Policy

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Most people have spent the past year wondering if and when we’ll get back to normal.

Denetta Flamingo is busy dealing with a new normal. It’s one that cost her the home where she raised her children. It’s taken other assets. Those sacrifices have kept her small business alive.

Still, the dream she invested everything in – Ottawa Nautilus Fit24, a gym in Ottawa, Illinois – is up for sale.

"I’m doing the best I can," she said. "Today I’m at the gym and a regular customer who had not been here since March of last year came in. Everyone was in tears. He has M.S. and came in for me to fix his phone and feel the gym out with the new rules. Although I have stayed in touch with him and many others that still haven’t returned, just having him here and seeing him to make sure he was OK means so much. We are a family – new members and old members. We help each other, whether it’s fixing a phone or just lifting each other’s spirits."

The weight of COVID-19 mitigation crushed the small business sector in Illinois. Owners like Denetta Flamingo sold off equipment and other assets to try and remain solvent.

Photo by Victor Freitas/Unsplash

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Nautilus Fit24 has been in business since 1974. Denetta began working at the gym in 2009 and purchased it in 2014 when the previous owner left Illinois.

"How can you let a business that’s been around that long go under?" Denetta said. She’s fighting to keep the gym open, even if that means it’s under new ownership. "A new owner will have the funds to bring this gym back to its prime."

Continuing to fight means struggling. Denetta has been steadily selling off equipment and personal items during the pandemic just to pay her bills. She ultimately had to leverage the equity on her home of 30 years by selling it to keep the business open. She was denied state grant money. She wasn’t eligible for federal Paycheck Protection Program money, either.

There’s a hole in Illinois’ economy. Denetta has been trying to fill her portion with heart and hard work.

Over 11,200 retailers in Illinois were forced to close up shop last year.

Small shops were hit the hardest – 35% of small businesses have closed in Illinois as of March 3, compared to Jan. 1, 2020, according to data from The Opportunity Insights Tracker.

Those retailers represent jobs on a large scale – small businesses have traditionally created the majority of new jobs each year in Illinois. And the loss of these businesses carries worrisome implications for the state’s workforce and its economic recovery more broadly.

So what happens next? How many of the small businesses left standing will survive in the long run?

The short answer is, 2021 will still be a grind.

"With each day that [the government] lets us open up, it is looking better and the weather has been very cooperative," said Kristan Vaughan, who operates Vaughan Hospitality Group, with six Irish pubs across the Chicago area.

It used to be seven pubs.

"We closed one location permanently and are maximizing PPP and Employee Retention Credit, but Illinois still tries to beat the small business when they are down with the property taxes, fee hikes and more," she said.

Those cost burdens are what Illinois needs to get under control. Otherwise, any bounce-back small businesses make will be hindered and likely continue to lag the rest of the Midwest. In Illinois the leisure and entertainment industry, which includes restaurants, lost jobs 61% faster during 2020 than the nation as a whole.

These numbers are a huge problem for Illinois: the people who live and work here, as well as the politicians tasked with running the state. Small businesses are the main job providers in the state – 69% of all new jobs created in Illinois come from firms with fewer than 20 employees.

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses. So did low-income families – 36% of workers in households earning less than $40,000 lost jobs.

COVID-19 is the reason for devastation of this magnitude. But it’s important to acknowledge that Illinois had been lagging the rest of the country for years on economic gains and opportunities for the people who call the state home, as well as for the people who used to call it home.

If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got. If Illinois doesn’t change, it’ll mean more public debt: which drives higher taxes, a decline in services and more people leaving. It’ll also make the odds even longer for business owners trying to survive.

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Hilary Gowins is vice president of communications at the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization that promotes responsible government and free market principles.

Prep Sports Notebook: SJO VB gets first win, no Unity sports for spell

Spartans open volleyball season with a win

The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team opened its 2020-21 season with a 2-0 win over Hoopeston Area at home on Monday.

In both sets, the Spartans played catch-up volleyball after slow starts having to erase 4-1 deficits.

In set one, SJO struggled to keep up falling behind 7-2 on the scoreboard. Kennedi Burnett then hammered back-to-back kills to whittle away at the Cornjerkers' lead. Two serves later she was on the back line hitting well-placed serves tallying a pair aces on two of her three serves, the score now 8-all, before Hoopeston called a timeout.

Two sideouts later, the Spartans would take the lead after a second tie at 9-9 and fight to a 25-15 win.

Much like the first set, SJO trailed until a 7-7 tie on the scoreboard. Another Burnett ace gave the SJO the lead, followed by a tie at 8s. From here, the Spartan offense took control rallying four unanswered points and, never in any real danger of relinquishing their lead, only had to glance over their shoulders once. The team closed out the match rattling off six consecutive points to a 25-13 finish.

Unity athletics on hold

According to an article in The News-Gazette, all sports activities and contests were postponed at Unity this week. Athletic director Scott Hamilton told the Champaign-Urbana paper "that football activities were paused last Friday, followed by those of volleyball and boys’ soccer over the weekend."

Hamilton, who is also the school's head football coach, didn’t cite any specific COVID-19 cases or contact-tracing issues among the Rockets’ spring sports programs that led to this step.

"We felt like pausing everything gave us the best opportunity to keep everybody safe and kind of stop the spread," Hamilton told The News-Gazette, "and get everybody back as soon as we could — and, most importantly, try to keep people safe in our community."

Last Thursday, the number of active cases within The Sentinel's area of coverage dipped to 18, a low not seen since November 13 last fall. As of March 11, the number of active cases reported by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has tripled in the six village area. A 15 case spike occurred last Sunday, 14 of them in the three towns in the Unit 7 school district.

With no practices this week, Unity's opening football game scheduled for Saturday against Olympia won't be played. Due to the IHSA's limited season there is little chance for the game to be rescheduled.