2024 Vermilion Valley All-Conference Team announced this week

Oakwood - Senior Jaydah Arrowsmith, along with Salt Fork duo Alexa Jamison and Macie Russell, received first-team selection by Vermilion Valley Conference coaches this week. Arrowsmith, who dropped 32 points against Hoopeston Area in their game back in February, was the lone Oakwood player earning first-team honors. Haven Meyer from Watseka and Cissna Park's Addison Luchts rounded out the roster for the conference's top team.

Below is the complete list of players and the schools they represented in the 2023-24 season.

VERMILION VALLEY CONFERENCE

All-Conference Teams

First Team

Addison Lucht
Sophomore • Cissna Park

Jaydah Arrowsmith
Senior • Oakwood

Alexa Jamison
Junior • Salt Fork

Macie Russell
Senior • Salt Fork

Haven Meyer
Senior • Watseka

Second Team

Lauryn Hamrick
Sophomore • Cissna Park

Kendall Roberts
Senior • Georgetown-Ridge Farm

Claire Dixon
Junior • Hoopeston

Hunter Mowrey
Senior • Milford

Megan Martin
Junior • Watseka

3rd Team:

Marleigh Schmitt, Sr. Bismarck-Henning Rossville Alvin; Sophie Duis, So. Cissna Park; Addison Spesard, Jr. GRHS; Maddie Barnes, Jr. Hoopeston; and Amelia Scharp, So. Iroquois West.

Honorable Mention:

Elle Jameson, Fr. (Armstrong); Ella Myers, Sr. (BHRA); Olivia Radke, Sr. (Chrisman); Josie Neukomm, So. (CP); Madi Spesard, Fr. (GRHS); Brylie Cox, Jr, (HOOP); Ilyana Nambo, Sr. (IW); Kami Muehling, Fr. (Milford); Nikita Taylor, Sr. (OAK); Brycie Hird, So. (SF); Addison Forsyth, Fr. (Schlarman); Jasmine Essington, Sr. (WAT); and Lani Gondzur, Jr (WEST).

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Allergy season is coming soon, 3 ways to help combat seasonal allergies

BPT - If you regularly experience the symptoms of seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you. The congestion, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes can really disrupt your daily routine. During the months when pollen counts are high for common allergens you are sensitive to, it's a good idea to take some proactive steps to help reduce the presence of those allergens in your home, as well as your exposure to them.

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Photo: sweetlouise/Pixabay

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Here are simple steps you can take that can make a big difference for your symptoms.

Stay updated on current pollen counts

Checking on the daily pollen counts in your area can help you make smart decisions around exposure for you and anyone else in your household who has allergies. On days when the counts are high, you may want to limit the time you spend outdoors, or wear an N95 mask if you do need to be outside for a while. This can help reduce your direct exposure to the pollen that's floating in the air.

You'll also want to make sure to keep all your windows closed on high pollen count days, and let the filter in your HVAC system (and any free-standing air purifiers you may use at home) get to work on keeping your home's air as clean as possible. Regularly replacing filters is also a good idea - and even more frequently than manufacturers' recommendations, if your allergies are severe.

Keep clothes and other items free from allergens

Did you know that you can help remove allergens from clothes and fabrics in your own home? With LG Styler® Steam Closet with TrueSteam® Technology and Exclusive Moving Hangers, you can keep all your clothing and any other items clean, refreshed and deodorized while also helping remove airborne allergens like pollen, pet dander and dust - without using any harsh chemicals.

The LG Styler Steam Closet is easy to install - all you need is a standard outlet - and has a slim design, so it's easy to find a place to use it in your laundry room, bedroom or elsewhere in your home. TrueSteam Technology is a chemical-free steam-generating powerhouse that uses hot vaporized water to penetrate all kinds of fabrics. As the hot steam circulates, the hangers included will vibrate side to side to help shake out dust, allergens and odors.

Because of its effectiveness in helping remove airborne allergens, the LG Styler Steam Closet is certified by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). You can even use it for cleaning and removing pollen from hard-to-wash items including backpacks, stuffed toys, gloves, jackets and towels.

Even better, you can pair the LG Styler Steam Closet with Alexa or Google Assistant, or use the ThinQ App to download specialty care options, remotely check on remaining cycle time and more. Visit LG.com to learn more.

Reduce pollen, dander and dust on floors

It's all too easy for allergens to settle on the floors throughout your home, so it's best to keep them as clean as possible. If you can replace carpets with flooring that's easier to keep clean, that is one recommended tactic. If not, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to keep carpets clean, at least once or twice a week. Consider shampooing your carpet every two to three months to keep it as clean as possible, or you could hire a professional carpet cleaning service.

For hard surfaces, regular vacuuming and mopping can help keep airborne allergens from accumulating. Make sure to wear an N95 mask while you're vacuuming to help protect yourself from dust, dander or pollen that gets kicked up while you're cleaning.

You don't have to be at the mercy of allergens, even on days when the pollen count is high. Following these strategies should help you reduce your allergy symptoms this season - and throughout the year.

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Editorial |Enemies of the state

Khalil Bendib / OtherWords.org

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Op-Ed |Where did all our local newspapers go?

Photo: Zo Willibrord/Pexels

from Jim Hightower

I no longer receive my local newspaper, the Austin-American Statesman.

Oh, the paper still comes, but it’s just paper, minus the news part — news that our community once counted on to keep up with local government doings, corporate shenanigans, citizen actions, and other critical features of our city’s democratic life.

What happened? Wall Street profiteers swept in a few years ago to conglomeratize, homogenize, and financialize the Statesman.

Jim Hightower

It’s now a money cog in the Gannett/USA Today chain of some 200 major dailies that the syndicate seized. Indeed, Gannett itself is wholly owned by SoftBank, a Japanese hedge fund. Those distant bankers are not interested in local news, but in slashing news staffs to fatten their profits. In Austin alone, Softbank has cut two-thirds of the paper’s journalists since taking over — and coverage of local stories has also plunged by two-thirds.

Interestingly, the Statesman recently ran a front-page piece about a local union protest by flight attendants demanding fair wages. On that same day, the paper also reported that Uber and Lyft drivers were striking in Austin.

But at the same time, the Statesman journalists were picketing right in front of the paper’s office, protesting the greed of SoftBank/Gannett and the demise of local news. Curiously, Statesman editors did not consider this local news about our newspaper to be news, so they cravenly kept this important information from the people.

Austin was not alone in this news blackout by the chain’s managers. Journalists at a dozen other Gannett papers — from Akron, Ohio to South Bend, Indiana — were picketing, yet, none of those papers ran a peep about their journalists’ defense of local news. Nor did Gannett’s flagship paper, USA Today, mention this nationwide union rebellion by its own journalists.

To support journalists and real journalism, go to newsguild.org.

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About the author ~

OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

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Healthcare tip: 7 can't-miss steps for Medicare annual enrollment

Photo: Brandpoint

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BPT - It's here - your yearly opportunity to make changes to your Medicare coverage. Medicare Annual Enrollment happens every year Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, during which you can review your current plan, compare your coverage options, and make any necessary updates. Any changes you make then go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Whether you're enrolling for the first time or not, it can be a lot of information to sift through. To help you stay organized and make sure you check every box, ClearMatch Medicare created the following handy checklist. Follow these steps to find the coverage that works for you.

1. Create a provider list

Make a list of all your current medical providers, including your primary doctor as well as any specialists or services you use regularly. This should also include the clinics or hospitals you visit most. Listing this information will help you decide which Medicare plan is right for you.

2. List your prescriptions

Do you take any prescription drugs? If so, write them down. Medicare plans change each year, and it's possible that your current plan may stop covering your prescriptions. Have your medications top of mind before comparing plans for the coming year.

3. Plan ahead

If possible, have a conversation with your doctor about what screenings, tests or medications you might need in the coming year. While you can't see into the future, try to note any healthcare changes you expect over the next 12 months.

4. Review your plan's Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage

If you have any coverage outside of Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which you should receive in September. If you don't receive one, contact your plan. These documents provide details about upcoming changes to your coverage. Compare them to your current and projected medical needs to determine if it's time to change plans.

5. Review your current Medicare and other insurance coverage

Think about your existing plan. Is it meeting your needs? Are you OK with the cost? Reflect on what's working and what's not - then plan for any changes you need to make for next year.

And if you have other health insurance benefits besides Medicare, talk to your benefits administrator to determine how your Medicare enrollment impacts your additional health coverage.

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6. Review Medicare Advantage options

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as prescription drug coverage and routine dental and vision care. You may find that a Medicare Advantage plan saves you money thanks to this increased coverage. These plans also have a yearly out-of-pocket maximum, unlike Original Medicare.

7. Confirm your total cost

The total cost of your Medicare plan may include monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. When comparing plans, dig a little deeper for an accurate picture of total costs so you're prepared for the year and know what you can afford. Keep in mind:

* For Part D plans, you need to consider the monthly premium, co-pays and the drug formulary. Most insurers use tiered pricing for prescription drugs. If your prescriptions are on one of the upper tiers, your co-pay could be substantial.

* Most Medicare Advantage and Part D plans with extremely low premiums have higher co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

Overwhelmed by all these steps? Don't worry, free help is just a phone call away. ClearMatch Medicare is dedicated to making Medicare easier to understand so you can choose the plan that's right for you. Their highly trained and licensed insurance agents are patient and helpful, and if they find you're already in the right plan, they'll tell you so.

Call 1-888-441-7382 (TTY:711) for a free Medicare review, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (ET) or visit ClearMatchMedicare.com, open 24-7.

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Guest Commentary | Who should you vote for in the next election?

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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I’m voting for the Presidential candidate who will promise to keep Social Security solvent. I’ve hit the age where I’m finally on the receiving end of some of this government money and I want to keep it going. Never fear, I’m still paying plenty of taxes. I’m still holding down a job so Uncle Sam takes a big slice of every paycheck.

Seventy million Americans feel the same way I do when It comes to Social Security. For over 30 million Americans, Social Security is all they have and many do not even collect $2,000 a month. Many receive far less and so every month they have to juggle their money to survive.

I do agree with the perspective that if we could have put our money into a 401k or stock from ages 18 to 62, we would have more than a million dollars. The monthly check from a million-dollar stock portfolio would be much more than what most are collecting form monthly Social Security. You would also have some money to leave your kids, maybe. However, keep in mind that Social Security is a safety net for millions of Americans who become disabled before retirement age. I know many who started collecting full benefits in their fifties. In these situations, the monthly income is greater than if their money had been placed into a stock fund, most likely. So overall, I’m still a fan of Social Security.

I will further support the candidate who promises to keep Medicare going. I’m at the age now where I have doctor’s appointments. I have traditional Medicare, not “advantage.” I do have to pay for a supplement every month which is not cheap. However, I can walk into any doctor’s office in America and they are thrilled to see me when they find out I have traditional Medicare. I don’t enjoy going to doctors but knowing the bulk of the cost is covered relieves some of the pain.

Next, are our military and Veterans. Our military is hurting. They are having trouble recruiting. Attracting young men and women has become a challenge. The military population has gotten older. Keeping military pay, benefits and adequate housing up to date is crucial in order keep a stable, strong military. Plus, take care of our Veterans who served. It breaks my heart when I meet a homeless Veteran. This should never be in America.

We have to have border security. We do not have it now. Millions of illegal migrants have entered America. Thousands are still entering illegally each and every month.

The list goes on. We need a strong positive emphasis on growing and supporting our police force and a broad approach to energy. Let’s use all of our resources, electricity, oil, gas and coal. Why can’t we have a balanced approach to our energy needs? We can and should. Manufacturing and farming are critical to America. We need to build and grow. Everything our government can do to encourage both of these should be welcomed and applauded.

Of course, there is plenty more that’s very important and we’ll be talking about it in the months ahead.

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Dr. Mollete was a senior minister for 39 years and served as President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He is the author of 13 books including Uncommon Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

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The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. 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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