.::. December 15, 2024 .::. December 19, 2024
Area Holiday Event Calendar
.::. December 15, 2024 .::. December 19, 2024
Unity East Elementary fall school calendar announced

First Semester
Back to School Open House (5:30-7:00pm) August 13 - Teachers’ Institute – No School August 14 - First Attendance Day for Grades 1-5 August 14 & 15 - Kindergarten Conferences with Teachers August 16 - First Attendance Day for Kindergarten September 2 - Labor Day - No School September 4 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm September 27 - Teachers’ Institute - No School October 2 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm October 7-11 - Homecoming Spirit Week October 11 - School Improvement Day (Student dismissal at 11:15am) Homecoming October 14 - Columbus Day – No School October 24 - School Improvement Day (Student dismissal at 11:15am) Parent/Teacher Conferences; 3:00-9:30pm October 25 - No School November 6 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm November 5 - Election Day - No School November 26 - Student dismissal at 2:05pm November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break – No School December 4 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm December 20 - Student dismissal at 2:05pm December 23 - Jan 3 - Winter Break – No School

Third quarter Honor Roll for Unity Junior High School

6th Grade Honor Roll
Ashlyn Nicole Alt
Rya Jolee Bialeschki
Isaac Mathew Boitnott
Bradley Roger Bruhn
Brailey Marie Cain
Greyson Zachary DeHart
Luke JR Dougherty
Brady Gallagher Eckstein
Collin Daniel Eckstein
Kenzlee Rae Evans
Libbey Marlene Ethel Griffin
Natalie May Gumbel-Paeth
Jessica Marie Hamilton
William Timothy Huntington
Finnegan Samuel Bowie Isberg
Matthew Stephen Kroes
Adeliah June Little
Jack Thomas Ludwinski
Finn Alexander Merkle
Caylynn Josie Parker
Ellie Rose Parker-Johnson
Maxwell Tyler Pound
Raelyn Marie Prosser
Jordan William Pruitt
Makena Jade Pruitt
Riker Alan Rogers
Kyle Sean Roosevelt
Jonah Ryan Schriefer
Layla Marie Scott
Aria Marley Shafer
Daisy Mae Stierwalt
Silas Richard Swim
Jaycob David Tatman
Justin Michael Tempel
Meah Ann Tieman
Owen Robert Vasey
Colby Aaron Weaver
Lucy Jeane Weaver
Levi Nelson White
Kadence Ryleigh Wiese
Phoebe Ashlynn Witheft
7th Grade Honor Roll
Grace Bailey
Ty Craig Benedict
Elizabeth Joanne Berkey
Carter Ryan Bickers
Ella Addyson Bromley
Alec Joseph Daly
Jase Charles Eisenmenger
Ian Robert Gaines
Jaxson Edward Glad
Aubrie Paige Gumm
Owen Dean Hottman
Holly Marie Howey
Cora Dee Leonard
Owen Michael Lighty
Jauniyah Rosemarie Lisanby
Liam Hayes Logsdon
Russell Patrick McCabe
Addyson Jo McIntosh
Lane Lucas Meharry
Baeden Edward Millsap-Moore
Lillian Calen Mohr
Jaxon David Pendleton
Logan Harvey Reimer Couch
Henry Scott Ritchie
Grace Catherine Schriefer
Jaylan Serczyk
Jasper Lee Souza
Cade Robert Styan
Virgil Laurence Summitt
Jayden Michael Terven
Nicholas James Thomas
Quentin Stephen Webber
Hallee Ann Weber Patterson
Lucas Neal Williams
8th Grade Honor Roll
Cameron Pierre Barnes
Beckam Krystopher-Wayde Brown
Brayden Michael Burke
Brilynn Creola Cain
Sadie Jo Carpenter
Madison Grace Castor
Skyler Andrew Chilton
Garrisan Martin Cler
Devlin Davis
Soren Lovell Davis
Kinzey Nicole Duitsman
Nolan Myles Elliott
Haley Elizabeth Ennis
Cohen Fincham
Zoe Margaret Fish
Shae Lin Fournier
Hallie Lynn Handal
Brady Cullen Harris
Roman James Hastings
Brooke Raelynn Henson
Joel Ryan Hoewing
Kane William Knudsen
Jax Hunter Logsdon
Payten Renee Niles
Larissa Marie Parr
Clayton Wyatt Pruitt
Kandace Lachelle Reed
Mia Lynn Reifsteck
Journee Lynn Ring
Lillian Yvonne Ring
Ian James Skibbe
Ava Sommer
Bodie Springer
Gavin James Warren
Philo recycling reminder

Giving Place continues to help local families in need
The Giving Place seeks donations
Two area student make WIU fall Dean's List
Area Covid Dashboard for December 6
1534
Net change in the county: 47Royal • 1 (1)
St. Joseph • 102 (-3)
Urbana • 413 (21)
Sidney • 27 (2)
Philo • 41 (4)
Tolono • 76 (4)
Sadorus • 13 (-3)
Pesotum • 13 (0)
Total Active Local Cases:
700
Net change in local cases: 29Total local Confirmed Cases: 11731
Net Change: 120
19 earn spots on ISU Dean's List
Shelby Hatchel
St. Joseph:
Elena Cotter
Joshua Sexton
Tyler Haake
Makenzie Pence
Sydney Kelso
Kalli Ingram
Abigail Izard
Sidney:
Nathan Shotton
Tolono:
Elizabeth Hughes
Briley Ackerman
Nicole Bagwell
Elijah Miller
Gabrielle Moore
Brianna Woodworth
Briley Smith
Keaton Eckstein
Noah Marvin
Logan Flesch

Philo Exchange Bank to host community shred day in May

Village Crier: March 30, 2021
Killer in St. Joseph double murder convicted
A jury of six men and six women took just two hours on Thursday, March 11, to reach a mutual agreement that Jonathon Perry, 30, murdered his girlfriend, Kimberly Coyne, 54, and her daughter, Blair Coyne, 24, in their home on the north side of St. Joseph a year ago this past weekend.
Perry was quickly arrested after the incident after Champaign County sheriff’s deputies were informed of statements he made to a family member consistent with the crime. During trial, prosecutors for the state noted that Perry had said he had killed the "Antichrist and Satan" when he was taken into custody last year at 4am on Sunday, March 29.
Three months after his arrest, a court-appointed psychiatrist examined Perry and declared him fit for trial.
Found guilty of first degree murder of both women, Judge Randy Rosenbaum is left no leeway to hand down nothing other than a life sentence during the sentencing phase on April 22.
St. Thomas trivia night on April 9
St. Thomas Catholic School in Philo will host a Virtual Trivia night from 6-10pm on April 9.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle during the online ZOOM event. Each table package will include a Dead or Alive game sheet and one Mulligan to use for each trivia round. Reservations for tables are being accepted now.
"We are continually adding to our silent auction items, so make sure to check back often to see what has been added," it says on the event page. "Silent auction bidding will be open from 6 pm - 10 pm on Trivia Night".
For more information contact the event organizers at tcain@stthomasphilo.org
Franzen to take middle school reigns
The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted to hire Alisyn Franzen as the new principal at the St. Joseph Middle School starting this fall. Franzen, who will take over the position with the retirement of Chris Graham, currently teaches English at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.
Nursery to host spring open house
Schuren Garden Center, located at 1709 County Rd. 2200E, St. Joseph, will host their annual spring open house on Saturday, April 10.
The open house will start at 8:30am and run through 5:30pm. In addition to door prizes and refreshments, shoppers will be able to save 20% off their entire purchase. The business will hold purchases until Mother's Day if needed. Visit their website or call (217) 469-7962.Over 180 students at Unity Junior High make Honor Roll

Alex Martin Bromley
Berkley Jane Cloud
Caleb Benjamin Coy
Hudson Lee DeHart
Danika Ann Eisenmenger
Allison Renee Fenter
Bailee Mae Gadeken
Colton Ray Harmon
Kathryn Clara Knoll
Carson Wesley McCune
Landrey Michelle Mohr
Brooklyn Marie Mumm
Adam Lucas Reedy
Max Warren Rossi
Allyson Lynn Shaw
Isaac Benjamin Siegwald
Evalyn Alexandra Skibbe
Piper Estelle Staley
Grace Lynne Tempel
Jacob Michael Ward
Leah Marianne Watson
Elizabeth Johnna Wayne
Rylan Kade Wolf
Kendal Lea Zerrusen
Grace Michele Bickers
Paige Nicole Bradley
Clare Faustina Bryant
Brody Ray Butler
Cadence Marie Chandler
Addison Tyler Davis
Aidan Dean Ellis
Reese Bella Frye
Journey Maddison Gabbard
Keegan Patrick Germano
Olivia Ashlyn Hall
Walker Dale Hall
Dustin Rose Harris
Broderick Wayne Irwin
Avery Nicole Kamradt
Rush Matthew Little
Cash Cohen McCann
Audrey Claire McDaniel
Sadie Jane Polonus
Evan Alexander Puckett
Skylar Osheania Sanders
Ethan Daniel Schaefer
Lane Edward Sexton
Alyssa Renae Shields
Jackson Leo Smith
Madison Amanda Spohn
Baileigh Marie Thomas
Grace Ann Wherley
Kendall Grace Wysong
Joel Mitchell Yergler
Cameryn Dayle Cobb
Eli Samson Crowe
Ella Jean Darnall
Callie Marie Ellars
Camden Michael Fairbanks
Margaret Rose Garcier
Isabel Grace Grob
Caden Maddox Hensch
Miles Kennedy Johnson
Mylie Emily Margaret Loftsgaard
Claire Lynn Meharry
Mason Robert ONeill
Harry Matthew Polonus
Ty Steven Rodems
Theda Marva Roether
Katie Marie Ruggieri
Vanna Lee Schriefer
Hunter James Shike
Annalise Rose Shunk
Caden Alexander Stierwalt
Ginna Mae Stierwalt
Madelyn Rose Stierwalt
Emma Marie Swisher
Paula Louise Wilson
Crewe William Gene Eckstein
Olivia Breann Egelston
Dane Robert Eisenmenger
Collin William Graven
Kenley Jo Harris
Brooke Autumn Hartman
Joshua Todd Heath
Brayden Jonathon Henry
Tyler Jason Henry
Sophia Katherine Hewerdine
Lucas Alexander Hood
Logan Phillip Jeurissen
Faith Lyn Lampe
Johanna Ilene Langley
Isabelle Joy Levingston
Maxwell Cort McCabe
Deakin Frederick Moore
Isaac Julian Neverman
Dallas Jordan Porter
Mackenzie Rose Pound
Olivia Grace Rawdin
Kyla Lanae Reed
Jillian Brooke Schlittler
Liana Grace Sheets
Shelby Lynn Smith
Lauren Patricia Stratton
Ian John Taber
Sophia Louise Jean Toney
Alexander Lane Wells
Claire Morgan Zorns
Avery Jean Alagna
Lindy Marie Bates
Molly Kay Baxley
Paige Leeanne Brewer
Noah Michael Bryant
Elle Makenna Cheely
Josephine Rose Cler
Madelyn Rae Darnall
Jordan Kathryn Daugherty
Ashlyn Brielle Denney
Kade Ryan Dubson
Ava Maureen Fenter
Catharine Elizabeth Ford
Sophia Safrona Frye
Sophia Ruth Hartke
Lauren Mellissa Hellmer
Dallas Anthony Hollingsworth
Alex Nathaniel Mowrer
Brady James Parr
Camryn Elizabeth Reedy
Ashley Lynn Rennels
Lydia Claire Rossi
Maegan Denise Rothe
Savannah Renee Rubin
Lauren Anne Shaw
Joseph Robert Tempel
Avery Elise Watson
McKinley Mae Weller
Emmerson Matthew Bailey
Sophia Cathryn Beckett
Kolton Andrew Black
Michael Allan Bromley
Dakota Michael Brown-McClain
Bentten Matthew Cain
Logan Reid Church
Jacob Ivan Davidson
Ava Jane Davis
Ezekiel De Los Santos
Nathaniel Gojam DeNeal
Chloey Ryanne Duitsman
Piper Ann Farney
Paige Ann Garretson
Kadence Lynn Goff
Faith Marianne Hall
Caleb James Hoewing
Wyatt Matthew Huffstutler
Sydney Marie Jackson
Andrew Jason King
Elias Anthony Eugene Lawlyes
Kaitlynn Christine McEvoy
Avery Jarrod McGraw
Gracie Marie Meharry
Maliyah Marie Ortiz
Reigna Jolie Price
Taylor Aiyana Marie Prough
Oliver Mason Hyeok Joon Rawlings
Korben Dale Ray
Nolan Scott Remole
Garrett Francis Richardson
Ryan Benjamin Rink
Ryan James Robinson
Braden Allen Roderick
Brock Jacob Schlittler
Abigail Ruth Smith
Daniel Christopher Stein
Grant James Steinman
Owen Michael Taylor
Jacob Howell Thomas
Gavin Henry David Weaver
Jordan Jeanne Whittington
Tessah Rae Williams
Lauren Anne Williams-Scroggins
Nolan Allen Wishall
Who's making a difference in your town? Let us know

Christmas Parade in Philo December 4
The parade will make its way through town starting at 7 p.m. on December 4. Organizers are tying up one last detail before releasing the official route, which should be announced in the next week.
"We selected a route that allows for plenty of parking and open spaces to allow for social distancing," Pioletti said. "We need to confirm that we can use one more space before the map is posted."
The organizers want to light up the streets of Philo to put fellow residents in a festive, holiday mood and infuse the Christmas spirit throughout the village.
"We would like to take this time to invite you to participate in what we believe will be an exciting and memorable parade!" organizers said in a release. "We hope you will take the opportunity to decorate your golf cart, car, etc. with lights and festive decorations!"
It is not too late for your business or organization to register a float for the parade. There is no fee for this year's participants as there will not be a judged competition or entry contests.
The applications for entries are due November 20. All parade motorized entries must have a "lighted component to the float". In the event of severe and potentially dangerous weather - ice or snowstorm, driving rain with lightning - the parade will be cancelled.
One more thing - Santa imposters will not be permitted on parade entries. The official Santa Claus will be there and will appear at the end of the procession.
For more information contact Julie Pioletti at piolett1@yahoo.com or call 217.649.2156.
Spectators are asked to observe the current public health recommendations during the parade.
Community shred day in Philo

The staff will accept up to five boxes or bags of material per person to be shredded during the hours from 9 to 11am.
Depositors are ask to bring non-perishable food or canned goods to donate to their food drive. Free snacks will be availableVisitors can also spin the Philo Exchange Bank wheel to win prizes during the two hour event. The grand prize is a programable multi-cooker. Other prizes include gift cards, uChoose Rewards Points, wireless bluetooth earpods, Philo Exchange Bank swag, and other items.
For more information call (217) 684-5500.Transitions: Edwin Dalton, 82
Unity JFL canceled this fall
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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.


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.