CHAMPAIGN - Aulani Whisler will join the Fighting Illini womens' soccer staff as an assistant coach working with the team's defenders. New head coach Katie Hultin, who replaced long time head coach Janet Rayburn this fall, announced the addition of Whisler last week.
Whisler transitions south to Illinois from Grand Valley State University in 2024, where she served under Hultin. Under her guidance, the Lakers conceded just nine goals in 24 matches en route to their NCAA DII Midwest Regional title.
“I am thrilled to welcome Aulani to the staff,” Hultin said. “She was an integral part to our team’s success last year and she will make an immediate impact at Illinois. She is a phenomenal recruiter and an outstanding coach, bringing the perfect balance of competitiveness and compassion. Her drive and dedication make her a tremendous asset and I am excited to see her make a different both on and off the field.”
Whisler, who will join assistant coach Sammy Jo Prudhomme, was as an assistant coach at Illinois State in 2023, following a highly successful one-year stint as interim head coach at Chicago State in 2022. Despite her short tenure, she earned well-deserved respect while guiding the Cougars to the most wins in program history.
We are excited to announce the addition of @aulani_whisler as an assistant coach!
“I’m honored and excited to be joining Illinois soccer,” said Whisler, who was was selected to the 2021-22 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under Program, a year-long education and mentorship opportunity designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger. “I would like to thank coach Hultin for the opportunity to continue coaching alongside her. I cannot wait to get started with our student-athletes and pour into all aspects of our program.”
Whisler has plenty of experience on the pitch. A four-year athlete, she played in 69 matches during her career from 2015 to 2018.
Reduced delivery days and "Forever" stamp price increases are just two of several strategies under consideration.
CHICAGO - Proposed changes to the U.S. Postal Service are causing concern for Illinoisans.
Reduced delivery days and "Forever" stamp price increases are just two of several strategies under consideration for 2025. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said his revisions for the nation's post offices would boost service reliability, curb excessive costs and improve overall productivity. One suggestion is to impose a one-day delay for any mail farther than 50 miles from a regional processing center.
Annie Norman, campaign manager for the Save the Post Office Coalition, said mail is a virtual lifeline, especially in outlying areas.
A postal worker delivers mail in Connecticutt. Proposed changes will negatively affect seniors and veterans who rely on the postal service to pay bills and receive monthly social security checks as well as other government services.
Photo: Clay LeConey/Unsplash
"Rural folks rely on the Post Office to deliver prescription medications, or live chicks for their farms," Norman pointed out. "We're talking about seniors and veterans, folks with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and they all need the Postal Service to pay bills and get their Social Security checks."
Adjusting mail pick-up and drop-off times between post offices and Illinois' five processing plants to lower transportation costs is another suggestion, which also could reduce carbon emissions from postal trucks. DeJoy said the changes would save the agency $3 billion annually. The Postal Service relies on postage and product sales and services to fund its operations.
The Postal Service has faced declining mail volume due to more technology-supported communication. Rising fuel costs for delivery trucks have hurt its bottom line, as well as keen competition from private delivery companies. The agency knows its traditional mail delivery model is outdated, so Norman argued Postal Service officials should find more revenue streams to stay afloat.
"No one in this country's asking for slower mail service at higher prices," Norman asserted. "One way that they can expand the revenue of the Postal Service and dig themselves out of a hole is to focus on new revenue, through services like postal banking, to places that really need it."
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cited the average wage for an Illinois postal worker is nearly $60,000 dollars a year. The agency is embracing partnerships with other package transport companies, like Amazon, to offer new services in hopes of generating additional dollars.
ST. JOSEPH - Looking for the program's first victory of the new year, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team will have to wait a few days after their 58-33 loss to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley at home on Saturday.
Drilling three treys each, Katie Erickson and Addison Brooks led the Spartan effort with nine points. The duo were responsible for all of SJO's six first quarter points. Kaitlyn Beyers came off the bench in the second half to chip in six points, both made outside the arc.
GCMS (13-2) took control early in the contest, going up 35-14 at the break behind a 15-point first-half rampage from the Falcon's Lilyan Sizemore. The sophomore shooting star finished with 32 points. Teammates Lizzie Giroux and Sophia Ray also reached double figures with 12 points.
Hopefully the rough, 6-9 start behind them, the Spartan ladies open their Illini Prairie Conference season this Thursday at home against Pontiac (7-9). Four days later, SJO heads to Prairie Central to take on the Hawks, who have won just four out of the 15 games they played so far.
Nearly half of older Americans can’t even afford basic needs
I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs.
Budget-Friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home
Renovating your home can be affordable with the right approach. Simple changes, like repainting walls or updating fixtures, can create a fresh, modern look without a high price tag. Whether you’re improving outdated spaces or enhancing functionality, these budget-friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home will help you achieve a stylish, updated space while staying within your budget.
Protecting your valuable works of art when you move, here is how
Transporting artwork can feel daunting, especially when it holds significant emotional and financial value. You want to ensure that your cherished pieces arrive at their destination in Illinois without a scratch. This guide will explore expert ways to transport valuable artwork safely. With the right approach, you can protect your investments and preserve the beauty of your art. Let’s dive into practical tips that make the process easier and more secure.
Protecting cherished pets from highly pathogenic avian influenza: A guide for pet owners
As the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) looms over both avian and domestic populations, pet owners face an urgent challenge: protecting their beloved companions from a virus that can turn a playful afternoon into a perilous health crisis. HPAI, primarily affecting birds, poses significant risks to pets, particularly those that may ...
What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue
Death, taxes and body odor.
They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.
B.O. basics
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.
