The Sentinel: 02/24/25

Seven area girls ready to compete for state wrestling titles on Friday in Bloomington

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Phoenix Molina wrestles Prairie Central's Chloe Hoselton in the 235 pound championship match at the IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals in 2024. Molina, a 28-5 junior and last year's runner-up, returns to Grossinger Motors Arena with her eye on besting Hoselton, a senior with a record of 23-0, looking to defend her title.

URBANA - Seven area wrestlers will travel to Bloomington on Friday in search of a state wrestling title at the fourth Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals.

Maddie Wells will be one of the five, heading to Champaign-Urbana's sister twin city as the first female SJO wrestler to compete for an IHSA state title. She finished second at the Pontiac regional meet, falling to Urbana's Rickasia Ivy in the title match by major decision, 15-6. A week later, she took third at the Highland sectional after losing her quarterfinal bout against eventual champion Taylor Dawson from Collinsville. Wells heads to state with an 18-6 record.

"I feel privileged to be able to pave the path, but I'm excited to see the girls that follow," said Wells, coached by longtime wrestling coach Bill Gallo. She is optimistic about the future for other girls taking up the sport. "I hope I inspired girls younger than me to not be afraid of trying new things despite their gender and to follow their dreams."

Representing Urbana High School, Rickasia Ivy (28-5) will compete in the 140-pound category, and Lillian Disanto (34-9) in the 235-pound category. Coached by Phil Sexton, the Tigers secured their girls program's first regional title on February 8.

Unity head coach Logan Patton will returns to the girls' state finals with veteran Phoenix Molina (28-5) wrestling at 235 pounds along Anna Vasey (32-4) at 155.

Centennial's Ava Beldo (24-6) qualified for state in the 130-pound division after finishing second at the Highland sectional meet on February 15. The first and only Charger to advance to state, she is coached by Ron Beldo.

"I love the sport," she told the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association after winning the Pontiac regional title. "It takes dedication and mental strength. That was the biggest part for me—being able to push through no matter what. It doesn’t matter the ranking or the name; what matters is giving it 100 percent on the mat. Win or lose, you learn. I drill a lot with the boys. Last year, I was the only girl on my wrestling team, so it’s amazing to open up the environment for more girls. I just love the environment when I wrestle."

Completing the group of seven area state qualifiers, Mahomet-Seymour freshman Jaycee Weitekamp, under coach Jeff Castor, will also make the trip to Bloomington on Friday. Weitekamp, in her first varsity wrestling season, holds a 19-14 record. She finished fourth at both the Pontiac regional and Highland sectional.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. on Friday with action on six mats. Quarterfinal matches and first-round wrestlebacks start at 11 a.m.

Admission is $10 per session at the arena. Tickets are available online via Ticketmaster or by calling the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777. The tournament will be live-streamed on the NFHS Network.

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Create a cozy outdoor space this spring and summer with a backyard firepit

Photo: Jesse Bridgewater/Pixabay

Family Features - A firepit can serve as a warm and inviting backyard retreat, perfect for roasting marshmallows for s'mores or stargazing while wrapped in cozy blankets. Before you can share time around the firepit with loved ones, however, consider these tips to elevate your outdoor space.

Choosing the Right Design

When it comes to building a DIY firepit, the design you choose can significantly impact the aesthetics and functionality. From classic stone pits to modern metal designs, the options are nearly endless. Think about the size and shape as well. Circular designs are traditional and encourage conversation while square or rectangular pits offer a more contemporary look.

Gathering Materials and Tools

Essential materials include bricks, stones or metal parts for the structure, as well as gravel or sand for the base. Fireproof materials are a must to ensure safety and longevity. You'll also need tools such as a shovel for digging the base, a level to ensure even construction and adhesive or mortar for binding materials together. Depending on your design, you may require a metal fire ring, grill grate or mesh cover.

Keeping Safety in Mind

Safety should be your top priority when building and using a backyard firepit. Always place your firepit at least 10 feet away from any structures, trees or flammable materials.

Make sure the area is clear of dry leaves and other debris that could catch fire. Consider installing a spark screen to prevent embers from escaping and always keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.

Enhancing Ambiance with Seating and Lighting

Creating a cozy atmosphere around your firepit involves more than just the fire itself. Comfortable seating is essential for making your outdoor space inviting.

friends around firepit

Whether discussing the latest political news or planning a wedding, a backyard firepit is a great place to entertain family and friends.

Photo: Pexels/Kindel Media

Choose weather-resistant chairs, benches or DIY log stools arranged in a circle to foster conversation. Ambient lighting from string lights, lanterns or solar-powered path lights can elevate the mood and extend the usability of your firepit into the evening.

Consider adding citronella candles or torches to keep insects at bay while enhancing the ambiance.

Visit eLivingtoday.com to find more ideas to make your home even cozier.

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Does the grocery store scare you? Does Washington even care?

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Does the grocery store scare you? What about buying eggs? Do you dread driving to Walmart? Do you remember a day when it was fun?

I remember the old days of going to my Grandfather Hinkle’s grocery store in old Stidham, Kentucky. Today, that would be South Milo Road in Tomahawk, Kentucky. I could buy a Pepsi Cola or Dr. Pepper for eight cents. A candy bar was a nickel. An ice cream drumstick was a dime. A bag of chips or a pastry cake was a nickel or a dime. You could buy a lot for a quarter. When I was in elementary school, if I had a quarter, I could buy quite a bit at Fred Mills grocery store which was located next door to the Tomahawk school. I could buy a coke, a bag of chips and a French pastry cake. I sold Grit newspapers when I was a kid and I could make $1 a week. That gave me four quarters. My dad also worked really hard in an underground coal mine.

Those were the days my friend. We thought they would never end, but they did a long time ago. Today it would take about five dollars to buy what I bought back then with a quarter. I guess I must be old now, but I don’t have to guess about the high cost of groceries.

Groceries are expensive and people are sick and tired of worrying if they will be able to buy enough food to get through the month. There is too much food shortage in America. This means that people have trouble buying enough food to get through the month. This is why there are non-profit food pantries all over America. Many of these pantries are delivering truckloads of food to communities and hundreds of people line up for a sack of groceries. Ten years ago, it cost $1000 to sponsor such a project but today it’s closer to $3500 and growing.

In 2024, the average American spends around $418.44 per month on groceries, but the cost varies depending on location, household size, and personal habits.

Factors that affect grocery costs according to USA Today.

Location: Groceries cost more in some states and cities than others. For example, Honolulu, Hawaii has the highest cost of groceries in the US.
Household size: The number of people in a household affects how much they spend on groceries.
Income: Households with higher incomes spend more on food, but it represents a smaller percentage of their income.
Eating habits: Personal preferences impact how much is spent on food.
Shopping habits: Buying in bulk or choosing generic brands can help save money.

How to save on groceries? Create a budget, Stick to a shopping list, Buy in bulk, and Choose generic brands.

While Americans do all we can to stretch our dollars and shop wisely we ask our state and federal elected leaders to help us all they can. But, do they have the ability to understand? Many of our Congress leaders are multi-millionaires. They probably haven’t noticed much when going to the store. Senator Mitch McConnell’s net worth was reported at $34 million in 2024, Nancy Pelosi’s net worth was $120 million in 2024. Richard Blumenthal’s net worth was over $100 million in 2024, Dianne Feinstein, senator from California has a reported net worth of over $110 million. Marco Rubio’s net worth was $85 million in 2024. The list goes on. As reported often, our President is a billionaire.

Unfortunately, many Americans’ grocery lists are getting shorter because there is only so much a family can afford.

Does anybody in Washington have the ability to care?

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom 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.

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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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.