The Sentinel: 01/19/25

Six ways to make this Valentine's Day super special

SNS - Celebrate Valentine's Day in a special and budget-friendly way this year with these unique and creative ideas. From thoughtful DIY gifts to romantic at-home dinner dates, there are plenty of ways to show your love without breaking the bank. Whether you prefer outdoor adventures or a cozy spa day for two, there's something for every couple looking to make this Valentine's Day memorable without spending a fortune. Here are six innovative ways to celebrate love on a budget and create lasting memories with your significant other.

Creative DIY Gift Ideas

If you're feeling crafty, why not try making some handmade love coupons? These personalized vouchers are a fun and thoughtful way to show your partner some love. You can get creative with the offers, such as a free massage or breakfast in bed. Another idea is to create a personalized photo collage featuring your favorite moments together. It's a sentimental gift that won't break the bank.

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Romantic At-Home Dinner Date

Who says you have to go out to have a romantic dinner date? Cooking together can be a fun and budget-friendly way to spend Valentine's Day. Choose a recipe you both love, put on some aprons, and get cooking! To set the mood, light some candles, play your favorite tunes, and enjoy a cozy night in together.

Budget-Friendly Love Notes and Letters

Express your love with heartfelt poems and quotes written on small notes or cards. Leave them around the house for your partner to find throughout the day. You can also spice things up with a love letter scavenger hunt. Write clues on each note that lead your partner to the next until they find the ultimate message of love.

Outdoor Adventure Date Ideas

If you and your partner enjoy the great outdoors, consider a picnic in the park for a romantic and budget-friendly Valentine's Day date. Pack some delicious snacks, a cozy blanket, and enjoy each other's company surrounded by nature. For a more celestial experience, plan a stargazing night. Find a quiet spot away from city lights, bring a telescope or just enjoy the stars together. It's a magical way to celebrate love under the night sky.

Ready to pamper yourselves without breaking the bank? Why not indulge in a DIY spa day at home with your significant other? Whip up some homemade face masks and scrubs using simple ingredients from your kitchen. You'll be glowing and relaxed in no time! And hey, who says you can't unleash your inner massage therapist? Learn some couples' massage techniques to take your spa day to the next level.

Virtual Movie Night with a Twist

Looking for a fun and budget-friendly way to celebrate Valentine's Day? How about a virtual movie night with a twist! Coordinate your snacks and drinks with the theme of the movie you choose for the night. Get creative and pick a unique movie theme that both of you will enjoy.

Whether it's a romantic comedy marathon or a superhero showdown, make it a night to remember from the comfort of your own couch.Embrace the spirit of love this Valentine's Day by thinking outside the box and cherishing the simple moments spent with your partner.

Get creative with a few personal touches

These budget-friendly ideas are to help you get your romantic creative juices flowing in a meaningful way to celebrate your boo and create lasting memories without the need for extravagant expenses.

When customizing celebration ideas for different preferences and interests, consider incorporating personal touches or elements that hold special meaning to you and your partner. This could include favorite activities, foods, or locations that are significant to your relationship. To ensure that budget-friendly activities still feel special and romantic, focus on creating a memorable experience through thoughtful gestures, such as handwritten notes, surprise gifts, or planning a unique date night that shows your partner how much you care.

Whether you choose to craft a personalized gift or enjoy a romantic evening at home, the most important thing is the love and connection you share.

Share your most memorable
Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and The Sentinel would like share your story of your most romantic Valentine's Day ever. Send us your story in 1,500 words or less for consideration in our daily upcoming V-Day vignettes starting February 7. We don't want Cupid's little tushy to blush so keep the stories PG and family friendly.

Send your submission to editor@oursentinel.com by February 4, 2025, for consideration.

Accident at Coler and University in Urbana injures four, leaves one dead

URBANA - Early Sunday morning, Urbana Police responded to a tragic scene at the intersection of University Avenue and Coler Avenue, where a severe traffic collision claimed the life of a young woman and left several others injured.

The incident, reported at 1:55 AM, involved a Honda Civic traveling eastbound on University Avenue, which had come to a stop at Coler Avenue due to a red traffic signal. According to preliminary investigations by Urbana Police, moments later, a Mitsubishi SUV traveling in the same direction approached at a high rate of speed and collided with the Civic. The impact resulted in extensive damage to both vehicles and caused severe injuries to all five occupants of the Civic.

In a statement from the Urbana Police Department, emergency responders from the Urbana Fire Department were quickly summoned to the scene, where they worked to extricate the injured passengers and administer life-saving measures. Of the five individuals in the Civic, two were discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for minor injuries. Tragically, a 20-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Civic succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family members by the Champaign County Coroner’s office.

Following the collision, the driver of the Mitsubishi SUV fled the scene on foot, heading southbound on Coler Avenue. Despite efforts by law enforcement, the driver remains at large. Urbana Police detectives, along with an accident reconstruction investigator, conducted a thorough examination of the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Urbana Police have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They can contact the Urbana Police Department at 217-384-2320. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers via phone at 217-373-TIPS (217-373-8477), online at 373tips.com, or through the "P3 Tips" mobile app.

While the investigation is ongoing, the Urbana Police Department plans to release further details as the investigation progresses.

Staying warm in the winter, and comfortable all year long

Photo provided

BPT - Transforming unused areas of a home into comfortable, functional spaces can be easier than one might think thanks to modern heating and cooling solutions. Whether it's a sunroom that's too cold to enjoy in the winter, a garage that turns into a sauna during the summer, or a basement that's always chilly, the right systems can help create a comfortable environment in every corner of a home. These innovative solutions improve comfort while maximizing a home's usability and value. Following are tips on how homeowners can unlock the full potential of their home's living space, making it enjoyable 365 days a year.

Transform a Sunroom into a Four-Seasons Retreat

Sunrooms offer a bright, inviting space, but they're often underutilized due to extreme temperatures. Installing a ductless mini-split system provides efficient heating and cooling, making a sunroom comfortable no matter the season. Mini-splits, such as a Friedrich® Floating Air ™ Mini-Split System, are ideal for spaces without existing ductwork, offering an easy, non-invasive installation. These systems allow precise temperature control, ensuring the sunroom stays cozy in winter and cool in summer. Plus, its energy efficiency helps homeowners enjoy this space without worrying about high utility bills. Operating quietly, mini-splits let users relax or entertain without background noise disrupting the peace.

Turn the Garage into a Temperature-Controlled Bonus Space

Garages are often overlooked when it comes to heating and cooling, leaving them uncomfortable for extended use. Garages can serve as home gyms, workshops or extra storage. However, without proper heating and cooling, they're often too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Installing another ductless option like Floating Air ™ Pro can combat that problem, converting a garage into a comfortable, climate-controlled space fit for year-round use.

Photo provided

Their advanced smart technology allows the user to set customized, true room-by-room comfort with individually controlled indoor options. Quiet and efficient, a mini-split transforms a garage into a functional extension of the home.

Enhance Basement Comfort with Zoned Systems

For any homeowner planning to upgrade their HVAC system, it's the perfect time to think about the entire home - especially those spaces that are underutilized, like the basement. With the right heating and cooling solutions, every corner of the home can be comfortable and functional all year long, including areas that aren't used every day. Combining Rheem's Heat Pump with an Air Handler can create a zoned system that offers tailored comfort while maximizing energy efficiency. Pair that system with the company's EcoNet Smart Thermostat's Zoning Solution to make it easy to condition the basement only when needed, which is ideal for spaces that are not used year-round. With a simple adjustment on the EcoNet Smart Thermostat, the master control for the zoning system, a homeowner can open a damper to direct airflow into the basement, ensuring it's comfortable when occupied and conserving energy when it's not. By adding home solutions such as mini-splits, heat pumps and air handlers, homeowners can unlock a home's full functionality and comfortably enjoy each room year-round.

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Needed clothing often out of reach thanks rising cost of living, one company is helping change that

BPT - Families in poverty often spend over 80% of their income on food, housing, childcare and healthcare, leaving little room for essentials like winter clothing. Unfortunately, many children miss school or cannot fully participate because they do not have warm coats or shoes. This lack of warm clothing has a ripple effect and is one of the reasons 32% of children in the poorest school districts are chronically absent.

A new partnership between the national nonprofit Operation Warm and Subaru is helping to provide these essentials, offering brand-new, high-quality coats, shoes and socks for children in need.

The Subaru Loves to Help initiative will help over 630 Subaru retailers deliver winter clothing to underserved communities across the country.

Subaru retailers will also host on-site gifting events or coordinate drop-off deliveries based on the community's needs. Events will provide children the opportunity to select brand-new coats, shoes and socks.

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Affordable internet service in rural communities is limited now that government programs have ended, there are some options

Photo: Keren Fedida/Unsplash

NewsUSA - Rural Americans often enjoy unique lifestyle benefits, but many still face significant challenges in accessing reliable internet connectivity. With the conclusion of the Affordable Connectivity Program in June, which had offered government-subsidized discounts to eligible households, those in remote areas are now seeking alternative solutions to stay connected.

Despite federal initiatives like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program of 2021, a substantial portion of Americans who lacked high-speed internet access in 2009 remain disconnected today, as revealed by a study from Arizona State University.

For those in rural communities, access to reliable, high-speed internet is not just a convenience but a critical resource that enhances opportunities for virtual learning, remote work, telehealth, and maintaining social connections with loved ones across distances. After all, the internet has become such an integral part of life that it’s hard to imagine completing daily tasks like paying bills, refilling prescriptions, or staying in touch with distant friends and family without it.

Better access to digital resources stands to enrich rural living in many ways:

Economic Impact: Internet access is the gateway to a host of job opportunities, including remote work which requires high-speed internet. Job seekers need to be able to apply to opportunities online and interview virtually. Reliable connectivity also offers opportunities for online networking, professional development, and industry news.

Educational Opportunities: Many students today access information and coursework for their classes online. Those based in rural areas with unreliable internet at home often turn to public Wi-Fi in local libraries, stores, or coffee shops. Remote learning can become much more fulfilling for rural students with reliable access to digital resources.

Accessible Healthcare: Telehealth has become a modern-day practice for a range of healthcare appointments. The elderly, people living with disabilities, and people who face other challenges accessing healthcare in-person especially benefit from telehealth. Americans in rural areas can gain better access to all these resources with a reliable internet connection.

Social Connection: Connecting with friends and family is important to our well-being. Reliable internet connections can help rural Americans build connections outside their communities through social media, email, and other resources. Additionally, information on local events and news in the community can be more easily accessed with a reliable internet connection.

Many wireline internet service providers (ISPs) are investing in connectivity infrastructure in cities due to their high population density. Rural areas often don’t meet these density requirements – building out miles of cable and fiber and installing poles and other equipment to provide internet to only a handful of homes is a costly investment.

On the other hand, satellite internet companies have continued to invest in rural America. Bridging the digital divide, satellites eliminate the need for local infrastructure, unlike wireline internet providers, making satellite more affordable and accessible. Rural Americans are able to connect and be involved in our online world thanks to satellite internet’s ability to reach areas others won’t.

Hughes, the inventor of satellite internet, offers high-speed, reliable Hughesnet service plans that allow rural customers to connect wherever they live. Hughes newest satellite, JUPITER 3, is the world’s largest and most advanced commercial communications satellite that provides connectivity to rural areas.

In this digital age, the internet should be accessible for all Americans. Satellite connectivity makes the internet available to all Americans, providing basic needs such as connecting with a health provider, applying for a job, doing homework, or reading the news. Satellite internet offers reliable connectivity for rural America.