State Basketball |
Something to cheer about, Homewood-Flossmoor wins 4A state basketball title

Homewood-Flossmoor basketball fans
CHAMPAIGN - Homewood-Flossmoor student fans cheer for their basketball team during the awards ceremony for their newly crowned state champion team. The Vikings won this year's Class 4A championship after defeating Normal Community 60-48 at the IHSA Boys' Basketball State Finals on Saturday. The victory is the first state title for the Southwest Suburban Conference school that has made eight previous state tournament appearances.

Sentinel/Clark Brooks

State Basketball |
Taking it home, DePaul wins second-consecutive state basketball title

CHAMPAIGNWith Rob Walls, Jaylan McElroy, and Rashaun Porter around him, DePaul Prep's PJ Chambers' carries the team's newest piece of state hardware to the locker room at State Farm Center on Saturday. The Rams beat Mt. Carmel 49-41 in the Class 3A championship game. Walls (left) finished with 10 points, Chambers and McElroy had eight each, and Porter contributed five points in the title win.

Sentinel/Clark Brooks

State Basketball |
Caravan state title dream stalled, Mt. Carmel falls 49-41

CHAMPAIGN - Mt. Carmel's Noah Mister looks for a shot in the paint after slashing his way past a DePaul College Prep player during fourth quarter action of their Class 3A championship basketball game. The Caravan (34-3) could not erase a first-quarter slump in the remaining three, losing 49-41 to the Rams at the IHSA Boys' Basketball State Finals on Saturday.

Sentinel/Clark Brooks

State Basketball |
Phillips wins 2A state basketball title

CHAMPAIGN - Wendell Phillips Academy's Derrick Brooks is hoisted up with the team's IHSA Class 2A championship trophy on Saturday at the State Farm Center. The Wildcats defeated the Benton Ranger 54-47 to win this year's state title.

Sentinel/Clark Brooks

State Basketball |
West-Central finishes 2nd at State

Antonio Flenoid
CHAMPAIGN - Meridian's Antonio Flenoid hides his anguish before the final buzzer in his team's Class 1A championship basketball game at State Farm Center. The Bobcats (26-9) fell 62-43 to the West-Central Cougars to earn the program's third runner-up trophy. Flenoid, a freshman finished the game with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Sentinel/Clark Brooks




Food & Dining |
Recipe-of-the-week: 3 Layer Arkansas Possum Pie

The star of your next spread can be hidden away in the refrigerator for a surprise delight for your guests. It's topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans, and your loved ones just may vote it to be their favorite dish.

It's an Arkansas Possum Pie, made with three delicious layers and crunchy toppings for a show-stopping dessert.




Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 75% of U.S. high school students said they have had at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE.

Research has shown ACEs can alter a child's brain chemistry and produce a prolonged toxic stress response. Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems in adulthood, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.


Op-Ed |
Tipped wage system isn't working, removing taxes won't save it
Both major presidential candidates have called for eliminating taxes on tips. But that won’t help most restaurant workers.

What will? Replacing the subminimum wages that tipped workers make with one fair wage nationwide.

The federal minimum wage for most workers is just $7.25. But for workers who get tips, employers are allowed to pay them $2.13 an hour. If tips don’t raise your hourly pay to at least the ...
Health & Wellness |
Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

The culprit? She says symptoms of common mental health issues like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can overlap. So, it’s important to stay in contact with your provider to make ...

In case you missed it |
America is ready for cheer, brightness and hope
When I was a child, I thought Christmas would never come. The weeks dragged by while I wore out the toy sections of the Sears and Penny's catalogs hoping Santa might stop by. I always looked for Santa Claus and tried to stay awake on Christmas Eve just to catch a glimpse of the jolly big guy.