Unity fall semester honor roll students

TOLONO -- Students who achived a grade point average of 3.75 or better at Unity High School earn High Honor Roll recognition. Students earning a GPA of 3.20 to 3.74 are recognized as Honor students.

Senior High Honor Roll

Zayne Bonner
Grace Frye
Elise Johnson
Marie Baxley
Katelyn Allen
Shelbee Taylor
Annabelle Jokisch
Sydney Olson
Isabella Warner
Delaney Kamradt
Allyson England
Kaitlyn Reedy
Sara Steffens
Emma Bleecher
Lauryn Kennedy
Elise Swanstrom
Thomas Cler
Taylor Henry
Sarah Butler
Payton Kaiser
Erika Steinman
Malia Fairbanks
Alaina Scroggins
Taylor Cloud
Kelley Street
Samantha Ruggieri
Nolan Miller
Tyler Hensch
Carli Keller
Allison Shonkwiler
Hailey Flesch, Evelyn Eastin, Krystal Crossin
Tavius Hosley, Addison Montgomery
Grace Renfrow
Destiny Williamson
Madeline Reed
Savannah Alagna
Anna Burgoni
Shaelynn Carrier
Nolan Decker
Marshall Church

Senior Honor Roll

Ivy Wright
Phillip Hartke
Bridget Henry
Harper Hancock
Grace Brock
Calli Chandler
Macie Knudsen
Bailey Rice
Cole Newell
Riah Inman
Hanna Mataya
Carson Kleparski
Dillon Rutledge
Ryan Cole
Cameron Marvin
Claire Markstahler
Joseph Thompson
William Thompson
Carson Willard
Alida Maggio
Cameran Hansen
Nathan Weakley
Clayton Jamison
Christopher Conley
Christian Hite
Joel Neverman
Sophia Darnall
Blake Kimball
Anna Wodtka
Cody Broadfoot
Tristania Hansen
Grant Albaugh
Lucas Sommers

Junior High Honor Roll

Erin Lopez
Caleb Amias
Sophia Stierwalt
Sarah Rink
Brendan Graven
Raena Stierwalt
Kaitlyn Schweighart
Dylan Moore
Rachel Aders
Calvin Baxley
Mary Bryant
Jacob Maxwell
Anna Clark
Lauren Miller
Roger Holben
Andrew Mowrer
Avery White
Ellen Ping
Abigail Pieczynski
Annah Cloin
Emmalee Atkins
Ava Vasey
Audrey Remole
Julie Ping
Emily Anderlik

Junior Honor Roll

Ian Russell
Hunter Duncan
Mason Perry
Andrew Manrique
Emmilia Tiemann
Tyler Liffick Worrell
Jayce McGraw
Haylen Handal
Jolie Meyer
Kayla Nelson
Cale Rawdin
Annabelle Steg
Maria Buffo
Paige Farney
Lauren Cooke
Anthony Chaney
Lillian Montgomery
Kara Young
Logan Allen
Reece Sarver
Kiersten Reasor
Natalie Weller
Madison Loftsgaard
Anna Hamilton
Alivia Renfroe
Peyton Weckle
Garrett Wingler
Brandon Goyne
Boden Franklin
Bobby Kirkland

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Eden Johnson
Anna Polonus
Ava Price
Carsyn Smith
Madysen York
Lily Steffens
Shelby Hoel
Olivia Shike
Erica Woodard
Katelyn Moore
Rebecca Carter
Cassidy Keller
Jocelyn LeFaivre
Aubrey Sanders
Natalie Ellars
Analyse Carter
Caelyn Kleparski
Desire De Los Santos
Tanner Chilton
Isaac Ruggieri
Abigail Woolcott
Tatum Meyer
Briana Ritchie
Madison Henry
Lauren Neverman
Taylor Drennan
Dalton Oneill
Margaret Ingleman
Breanna Weller
Andrew Thomas
Logan Siuts
Caroline Jamison
Eric Miebach
Reagan Little
Ruby Tarr
Brooke Hewing
Henry Thomas
Meredith Reed
Brock Suding
Brenlee Dalton
Connor Cahill
Evelyn Albaugh
Jeremy Wells
Castillo Sanchez
Emberly Yeazel
Michael Porter
Piper Steele
Kamryn Edenburn
Bridget Vazquez
Maci Richmond

Sophomore Honor Roll

Bailey Grob
Nathan Bleecher
Bayleigh Jones
Dean Niswonger
Emma Plackett
Kendra Cromwell
Gabriel Howard
McKayla Schendel
August Niehaus
Zachary Lorbiecki
Kate Thomas
Carson Parker
Trevor McCarter
Aubrey Schaefer
Jay Saunders
Tanner Wells
Rylee Richardson
Gillian Rice
Sophia Wozencraft
Brooklyn Haas
Ava Holladay
Emma Fish
Darren Weckle
Keaton Roether
Thayden Root
Bryson Weaver
Grant Siuts
Carly Scroggins
Alexis Ritchie
Kolton Wells
Sebastian Allen
Trevor O'Bryan
Mason Davis

Freshman High Honor Roll

Joseph Temple
Ashley Rennels
Faith Hall
Avery Watson
Catharine Ford
Molly Baxley
Ashlyn Denney
Alex Mowrer
Ryan Robinson
Savannah Rubin
Camryn Reedy
Kade Dubson
Elle Cheely
Madelyn Darnall
Chloey Duitsman
Paige Brewer
Ryan Rink
Rylee Refisteck
Lauren Hellmer
Jordan Daugherty
Lindsey Johnson
Daniel Stein
Ava Fenter
Sophia Hartke
Meagan Rothe
Kadence Goff
Josephine Cler
Lindy Bates
Hunter Eastin
Lydia Rossi
Dallas Hollingsworth
Lauren Shaw
Kolton Black
Wyatt Huffstutler
Tessah Williams
McKinley Weller
Sophia Beckett
Sophia Frye
Gracie Meharry

Freshman Honor Roll

Ava Davis
Ezekiel De Los Santos
Reigna Price
Emily Decker
Noah Bryant
Brady Parr
Michael Bromley
Nolan Wishall
Paige Garretson
Estella Dodd
Caleb Hoewing
Bentten Cain
Alexis Gady
Gavin Weaver
Emmerson Bailey
Cohl Boatright
Lindsey Lewis
Logan Zumbahlen
Taylor Prough
Maddie Wheeling
Austin Mikeworth
Makayla Nonman
Riley McNeely
Grant Steinman
Jacob Davidson
Kathryn Lancaster
Logan Church
Brianna Blakley

SJO wrestling team nearly wins half their matches at dual meet

BISMARCK -- The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling squad notched seven individual wins in their road match at Bismarck-Henning on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for the Spartans to shoot past the Blue Devils on their way to a 47-38 final score.

Emmit Holt earned four points for SJO after he racked up a 14-0 major decision over Bismarck-Henning's Landon Toellner in the 113-pound weight class.

Lexi Wirth was on the mat twice for the Spartans at 120-pounds. She was pinned on the boys' side of the card in 53-seconds by Grahm Abbed in 53 seconds. In her second match of the evening, Wirth stuck Gianna Ingargiola after five minutes and 18 seconds. The victory closed the team-score deficit and put SJO behind by two points at 12-10.

Holden Brazelton (126-lbs), Garrett Denhart (138-lbs), and Matt Falls (145-lbs), also won their Tuesday night matches, contributing 15 points toward the final team score.

Spartans' Hunter Ketchum (182-lbs) recorded a 33-second fall on freshman Tyson Smith, and Owen Birt won his 195-pound bout after pinning Blue Devils' Gavin Golden in the second period.

Box Score -

106 Pattison (BH) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit
113 Holt, Emmitt (SJO) over Toellner (BH) Maj Dec 14-0
120 Abbed (BH) over Wirth, Lexi (SJO) Fall 0:43
120 Wirth, Lexi (SJO) over Ingargiols (BH) Fall 5:18
126 Brazelton, Holden (SJO) over Golden, A (BH) Tech Fall 20-3
132 Parish (BH) over Butts, Landen (SJO) Fall 2:00
138 Denhart, Garrett (SJO) over Carpenter (BH) Fall 2:27
145 Falls, Matt (SJO) over Gudauskus (BH) Maj Dec 12-3
152 Stevenson (BH) over Forfeit, (SJO)
160 Walton (BH) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit
170 Godwin (BH) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit
182 Ketchum, Hunter (SJO) over Smith (BH) Fall 0:33
195 Birt, Owen (SJO) over Golden, G (BH) Fall 1:16
220 Gnaden (BH) over Jones, Quincy (SJO) Fall 3:56
285 Wilson (BH) over Cotter, Austin (SJO)

Children with COVID-19-related MIS-C condition usually recover in months

This study details the cardiovascular complications or damage found during a three-month follow-up period to assess the short-term impact of MIS-C.

by American Heart Association

DALLAS -- Heart function recovery returned within three months in children who developed COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

MIS-C is a new illness identified during the COVID-19 pandemic that affects children about four to six weeks after exposure to COVID-19. The new condition has some overlapping symptoms with Kawasaki disease, however, MIS-C is associated with more profound inflammation. MIS-C can cause inflammation in different parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal organs. About 80%-85% of MIS-C cases across the U.S. and Europe have involved the heart’s left ventricle.

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Photo: American Heart Assoc.

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This study details the cardiovascular complications or damage found during a three-month follow-up period to assess the short-term impact of MIS-C. It also employs newer cardiac measurements, known as "strains," to assess heart function related to MIS-C. Strain testing is a more sensitive tool that can detect whether an area of the heart is deformed or if there are any subtle changes in heart function during cardiac contraction and relaxation.

"There is limited data at this time about how frequently and how long we should monitor heart function during the recovery state of MIS-C after the child leaves the hospital," said the study’s senior author Anirban Banerjee, M.D., a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and an attending cardiologist with the Cardiac Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, both in Philadelphia.

"Given that MIS-C was identified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, treatment protocols have not yet been standardized and follow-up care varies greatly, which may lead to confusion and anxiety among families of patients and their care team. Our research team hoped to provide some guidance and reduce the ambiguity on optimal care approaches, especially as it relates to sports participation," Banerjee added.

Researchers retroactively reviewed data on 60 children hospitalized with MIS-C due to COVID-19 exposure who were treated at two Philadelphia hospitals between April 2020 and January 2021. None of the children were initially diagnosed with COVID-19 before the onset of MIS-C symptoms. This group of children were 60% male, with an average age of 10 years. About 48% were Black children, 27% were white children, 15% were Hispanic children, 4% were Asian children and the race/ethnicity of 23% of the children was unknown. The participants were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and/or systemic steroids. Researchers reviewed echocardiographic and clinical data from medical records, including demographic factors, testing, treatment and hospital outcomes.

Data on another 60 children who had structurally normal hearts and did not have MIS-C or COVID-19 exposure served as control subjects. Their average age was 11.5 years, and 55% were male; 62% white children, 27% Black children, 7% Hispanic children, 3% Asian and 8% unknown. The control participants were divided into two groups: 60% had echocardiograms on file that were done prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 40% had echocardiograms under rigid COVID-19 protocols after October 2020.

For the children with MIS-C, researchers analyzed images of the heart taken at the initial hospitalization (acute phase) and examined additional imaging for a portion of the children who also had scans up to three additional times – one week after the first scan (subacute phase); at the one-month follow-up; and at a three or four-month follow-up. The children were screened using conventional echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography – an imaging technique that analyzes the motion of the heart tissue - and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for images of the heart.

The study found:

Based on echocardiogram imaging, systolic and diastolic function in the left ventricle and systolic function in the right ventricle improved quickly within the first week, followed by continued improvement and complete normalization by three months.

81% of patients lost some contractile function in the left ventricle during the acute phase of illness, yet, by months three and four, contraction function had returned to normal.

MIS-C did not cause lasting coronary artery abnormalities. During the initial hospitalization, 70% of patients had evidence of some heart malfunction, however, all scans were normal by the three-month follow-up.

Using strain parameters to measure cardiac function, the results suggest that there is no subclinical cardiac dysfunction after three months.

"Recovery among these children was excellent," Banerjee said. "These results have important implications for our health care teams managing care for children with MIS-C. Our findings may also provide guidance for a gradual return to playing sports after cardiac clearance three to four months later. Tests needed for clearance include electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. We also recommend cardiac MRI for children who have highly abnormal baseline cardiac MRI during the acute stage or show evidence of continued severe left ventricle dysfunction."

The study researchers note there are still important gaps in existing knowledge about MIS-C, since COVID-19 and MIS-C are both new illnesses. The most important question yet to answer is how these children are faring one to two years after their initial hospitalization.

There are important limitations to note: the study was retrospective for clinical purposes and was not standardized for research. In addition, follow-up data was missing for some patients who dropped out of the study during follow-up stages. Banerjee explained that because both COVID-19 and MIS-C were newly discovered diseases, the timing of follow-up echocardiograms was somewhat arbitrary and driven by preference of different clinicians, rather than standard research protocol.

"The strength of the study is that researchers performed a detailed, serial assessment of cardiac function over the initial three to four months of illness," according to AHA volunteer expert Kevin G. Friedman, M.D., a member of the American Heart Association’s Young Hearts Council and the AHA’s Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease Committee, an attending physician in pediatric cardiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston.

"This study provides additional evidence that myocardial involvement is transient and may not lead to long-term abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic or systolic function," Friedman said. "Although cardiac involvement in the acute stage of illness is common, it is reassuring that all patients recovered normal cardiac function within about one week. This data tells us that, fortunately, lasting heart injury is very uncommon in MIS-C. Even in those patients with significant cardiac abnormalities in the acute phase of illness, these changes resolved by 3-4 months."

Co-authors of the study are Daisuke Matsubara, M.D., Ph.D.; Joyce Chang, M.D., M.S.C.E.; Hunter L. Kauffman, B.S.; Yan Wang, R.D.C.S.; Sumekala Nadaraj, M.D.; Chandni Patel, M.D.; Stephen M. Paridon, M.D.; Mark A. Fogel, M.D.; and Michael D. Quartermain, M.D..

** Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 20 due to new information from the American Heart Association. The story initally said "During the initial hospitalization, 7% of patients had evidence of some heart malfunction". That number was suppose to be "70%".

Rockets pull off rally to win on Miller buzzer-beater

TOLONO -- Looking at a 15-point deficit with 5:15 left to go in the third quarter against an aggressive Bloomington Central Catholic team, the Unity girls' basketball team was going to have to wait a few days for that 18th win of the season. The Saints almost had the door shut until the Rockets clawed their way back into the game to trail by two with 1:05 left to play in the game.

Forty seconds later, Unity got possession of the ball on a rebound after Central Catholic missed a free throw and called time out. The last 21 seconds of the game are worth watching over and over.

After getting the ball past the half-court line, a couple of passes put the ball in the hands of Unity's Lauren Miller at the top of the key. Miller dribbled past three BCC defenders for a layup under the basket and missed. Teammate Raegan Stringer chases down the rebound and tosses the ball back to Miller.

Miller and every fan in the Rocket Center watched the ball after she launched it from in front of the Rockets' bench back in three-point territory. As the ball passed through the net, the backboard lit up. And then the final buzzer sounded. The junior guard was then mobbed and deservingly while head coach Dave Ellars celebrated with three victory hops, arms high above his head. The junior guard had just sealed the Unity's come-from-behind effort with the double-U, 45-44.

Dropping in 14 points for the night, Taylor Henry was the Rockets' leading scorer. The senior also had four rebounds and was credited with three steals.

Katey Moore, who had a solid night defensively, also finished the game in double figures with 12 points. The talented sophomore nabbed five boards and slapped down four shots in addition to her two assists and a team-high four steals.

Raegan Stringer and Maddie Reed rounded out the top three scorers for Unity with six points apiece. Stringer, whose rebound and pass helped make the game-winning shot possible, contributed four rebs and four assists to the comeback effort. Reed's six-point effort was from two 3-point shots converted in the third period.

The Rockets play their next two games on the road this week. Thursday, the team travels to Prairie Central for a conference match with the Hawks. Twenty-four hours later, Unity is back on the road again, this time to Mt. Zion.

Box Score

Final: Unity 45 - Central Catholic 44

	1	2	3	4	F
Unity	7	10	15	13	45
Central Catholic	8	16	17	3	44

Unity --
Ray 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Flesch 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Renfrow 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Miller 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, Steinman 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Stringer 3 (0) 0-0 -- 6, Moore 5 (0) 2-3 -- 12, Reed 0 (2) 0-0 -- 6, Alagna 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, T. Henry 5 (0) 4-6 -- 14, Chandler 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, B. Henry 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Central Catholic --
M. Uhren 0 (0) 2-2 -- 2, Evans 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Becker 3 (0) 1-4 -- 7, S. Shanks 0 (1) 4-4 -- 7, Schnierle 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, C Uhren 0 (0) 2-4 -- 2, L. Shanks 0 (0) 2-2 -- 2, L. Emm 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, E. Stenger 5 (2) 1-3 -- 17, I. Metzdorff 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Catch 8 area prep basketball games online tonight

Tonight's Live NFHS Broadcasts

January 14, 2022

URBANA
6:00 PM - Girls Junior Varsity Basketball @ Rantoul
7:30 PM - Girls Varsity Basketball @ Rantoul

UNIVERSITY HIGH
6:00 PM - Boys Junior Varsity Basketball @ Cornerstone
7:30 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Cornerstone

ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN
5:30 PM - Boys Sophomore Basketball @ Prairie Central
7:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Prairie Ridge
7:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Prairie Central

UNITY
5:30 PM - Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs St. Thomas More
7:00 PM - Boys Varsity Basketball vs St. Thomas More

Click here to watch these games live or on demand tonight

** Just so you know: The Sentinel is reader-supported. When you make a purchase via a link on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission that we will use bring you more area news and sports coverage.

St. Joseph-Ogden keeps undefeated conference streak alive

CHAMPAIGN -- Eight players delivered points in St. Joseph-Ogden's 43-28 road victory at St. Thomas More on Monday.

The Spartans (14-6 overall, 4-0 IPC) piled on points in the first two quarters against the senior-less Sabers. Up 28-10, St. Joseph-Ogden never needed to glance over their shoulders at the scoreboard.

SJO's starting five were responsible for putting 36 of those points on the scoreboard. Peyton Jones, who finished the night 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, drained a team-high 13 points to lead SJO in the team's fourth conference win of the season.

The rest of the starting five, including Ashlyn Lannert and Taylor Wells with six points apiece, Payton Jacob had seven, and Ella Armstrong added another 4 for 36 of the team's 43 points.

The Spartans received bench points from Alyssa Hamilton, Addie Martinie, and Taylor Hug.

Sophomore Ruari Quarnstrom led all scorers with 19 points, 16 of those delivered to the STM side of the scoreboard in the second half.

Box Score

Final: St. Joseph-Ogden 43 - St. Thomas More 28

	1	2	3	4	F
St. Joseph-Ogden	16	12	11	4	43
St. Thomas More	3	7	6	12	28

St. Joseph-Ogden --
Lannert 2 (0) 2-6 -- 6, Hug 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Williams 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Frick 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Jacob 2 (1) 0-0 -- 7, Wells 3 (0) 0-0 -- 6, Baker 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Baltzell 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Behrens 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Jones 2 (2) 3-3 -- 13, Martinie 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Hamilton 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, Kearney 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Armstrong 1 (0) 2-2 -- 4.

St. Thomas More --
Wells 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Stark 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Herges 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Dickerson 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Devocelle 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, Swisher 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Maloney 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Dimoke 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Quarnstrom 2 (4) 3-4 -- 19.

Editorial: We need a better plan than juking pandemic statistics

On January 16, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Champaign County dropped 62%. Individuals with active cases are supposed to remain in isolation based to prevent further spread of the contagion for a set number of days. The quiet drop from 6,681 on Friday to 2,602 posted on the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Dashboard on Saturday was not the result of the miraculous, instantaneous disappearance of the respiratory virus that 24% of the county's population has tested positive.

It wasn't hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, or urine responsible for the significant one-day drop in the number of infected residents in the county. Under the cover of the MLK holiday weekend, the public health quietly changed how it calculated active cases. The sharp reduction was the result of the CDC's guidance shortening the required isolation period from 10 days to five almost three weeks ago back on December 27 of last year.

The CDC said:

Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation for the public. People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.

The last sentence in the statement evoked a collective gasp from virologists, epidemiologists, and medical researchers around the country. The problem is people are generally still able to transmit the virus longer three days after symptoms first appear. In the eyes of a vocal majority, the motivation to shorten isolation time was not based on science, but on political capital, economics, and irresponsible public health leadership. Alas, all of this is a topic for another discussion.

The Biden Administration, taking its cue from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and desperate to placate business leaders from America's top industries, seemingly has decided to fight the Coronavirus pandemic by simply juking the stats.

"Making robberies into larcenies. Making rapes disappear. You juke the stats, and majors become colonels. I've been here before."

~ Roland 'Prezbo' Pryzbylewski
The Wire

As David Simons, creator and a writer for the hit HBO series The Wire, said years ago, it's all about the numbers.

"You show me anything that depicts institutional progress in America, school test scores, crime stats, arrest reports, arrest stats, anything that a politician can run on, anything that somebody can get a promotion on. And as soon as you invent that statistical category, 50 people in that institution will be at work trying to figure out a way to make it look as if progress is actually occurring when actually no progress is," he told Bill Moyers in a PBS interview. "I would be watching what the police department was doing, what the school system was, you know, you would look outward. But if you looked inward you'd see that the same game is played everywhere. That nobody's actually in the business of doing what the institution's supposed to do."

Let the poor and middle class get sick. Make the sick disappear. Juke the stats, so the rich keep getting richer. Welcome to Biden's pandemic response.

So instead of taking care of business and not keeping Americans safe, Biden's administration can point to the numbers and claim, "Look, we've created policies that reduced the number of people who have Covid. We've put the economy back on track."

At what cost now and in the future?

Washington and the CDC need a better plan. Sorry, but manipulating the numbers is not it. Nor is treating Americans like livestock, culling and trying to reach a state of herd immunity through involuntary infection. America's greatest asset is not its economy but its people.

Area Covid-19 Dashboard for January 17, 2022

Active Cases:

(Champaign County)

2,602

Total Area Cases:

(Sentinel Area)

1,150

New Cases:

(Sentinel Area)

339

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Current local cases 1/17/22

Number in parenthesis indicates new cases since 1/16/22

Ogden • 10 (3)
Royal • 4 (2)
St. Joseph • 118 (23)
Urbana • 879 (275)
Sidney • 21 (5)
Philo • 25 (11)
Tolono • 69 (13)
Sadorus • 9 (3)
Pesotum • 15 (4)

The information on this page is compiled from the latest figures provide by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Illinois Department of Public Health at the time of publishing. Active cases are the number of confirmed cases reported currently in isolation. Local is defined as cases within the nine communities The Sentinel covers.

Effective 1/16/22, the CUPHD dashboard updated their reporting parameters to reflect the reduction from a 10-day isolation period to 5 days per the CDC guidance issued last month. Under the previous 10-day policy, there would actually be approximately 5,955 residents in isolation today.

Ferrari nets first singles win for Illini

LAS VEGAS –- Freshman Kida Ferrari notched the Illini women's tennis program's first win of the season at the Bella the Ball Collegiate Invitational on Sunday. Her first collegiate win - a nailbiter - came via a 7-5, 7-6 (1) decision over Baylor's Ana Zamburek during Illinois' first tennis match of the season.

Unfortunately, the rest of the squad did not fare as well as the Illini dropped their season opener to the #11 ranked Lady Bears, 6-1.

Illinois earned just one win towards the doubles point thanks to Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah. The junior duo snagged a win on the #2 doubles court, besting Baylor's Isabella Harvison and Alicia Herrero.

The Illini lost three of their singles matches in tiebreakers. Illinois' freshman Megan Heuser struggled in her first set against Herrero on the #4 court. Finding her game, Heuser stormed back to take the second set, 6-1. The stage was now set for a third-set thriller, which ended at 6-all. In the end, Herrero outlasted the Heuser 11-9 to take the match.

BOX SCORE

Baylor 6, Illinois 1

Doubles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina/Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 7-5
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Isabella Harvison/Alicia Herrero (BU) 6-4
3. Ana Zamburek/Paula Baranano (BU) def. Emily Casati/Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1

Singles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina (BU) def. Kate Duong (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-1
2. Isabella Harvison (BU) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Alicia Herrero (BU) def. Megan Heuser (ILL) 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9)
5. Paula Baranano (BU) def. Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
6. Kida Ferrari (ILL) def. Ana Zamburek (BU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-1)

Financial planning strategies for LGBTQ+ couples that make sense

Photo: NewsUSA

(NewsUSA) -- Every family has a unique financial situation with its own set of challenges. However, financial planning can be a bit more complex for LGBTQ+ couples. Depending on the state in which they live, LGBTQ+ couples may find it hard to secure access to health care, higher earning opportunities and retirement savings.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals can help LGBTQ+ couples navigate these challenges and develop financial planning strategies tailored to their specific needs and the laws of their state.

Here are 4 examples of strategies that a CFP® professional can help you consider:

1. Estate planning: Estate planning is important for LGBTQ+ couples, particularly when considerable assets are involved such as multiple retirement accounts or real estate. In addition to a will and beneficiary designations, your estate plan should also explain how your medical wishes should be honored. Your plan should include health care proxies and medical powers of attorney.

2. Retirement planning: A CFP® professional will work with you to choose the best savings and investment options to meet your retirement goals. They can help align your investment options with your values, combine or consolidate retirement accounts, and make annual contributions. A CFP® professional can also help you review your beneficiary designations to ensure your loved ones are protected. This includes understanding the tax implications of naming a spouse and unmarried partner as a beneficiary.

3. Insurance planning: A CFP® professional can help you evaluate your needs for foundational insurance -- that is, health, life, long-term care and disability insurance. It is important to know your rights, resources and insurance-policy details before incorporating insurance into your financial plan. For example, many insurance carriers recognize domestic partner status and will offer a preferred rate if you live with your life partner, even if you are not legally married.

4. Family planning: Deciding whether to get married and whether to start a family involves many important financial considerations for LGBTQ+ couples. Marriage may offer several long-term financial benefits, including health care coverage and federal protection of certain assets. Alternatively, a domestic partnership agreement can provide financial protections for unmarried LGBTQ+ couples. And starting a family may mean saving for fertility treatments, or a domestic or international adoption program.

These strategies, along with other financial best practices, can help put LGBTQ+ couples on a path to financial success.

You can find a CFP® professional by visiting LetsMakeAPlan.org and using the Find A CFP® Professional tool. You can also filter your search to find a planner with experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Campaign promotes fun way to keep an eye on your blood pressure

(NewsUSA) -- Approximately half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but many don't know it, according to the American Heart Association. A new public service campaign from the American Heart Association, American Medical Association and Ad Council in partnership with HHS Office of Minority Health and Health Resources & Services Administration encourages all adults to take control by monitoring their blood pressure at home and sharing the numbers with their doctor.

This new campaign is a fun way to get people engaged in monitoring their blood pressure and keeping it under control

The "Get Down with Your Blood Pressure" public service announcement uses catchy music and memorable dance moves to get the attention of people who have and are at increased risk for high blood pressure and negative health consequences associated with it, such as heart attack, stroke and severe complications of COVID-19.

The campaign keeps it simple, and encourages those with high blood pressure to regularly follow four easy steps: "Get It, Slip It, Cuff It, Check It." That means Get the blood pressure cuff, Slip it on, use the band to Cuff your arm, Check your blood pressure with a validated monitor and share the numbers with your doctor. The campaign's detailed instructional videos are available in English and Spanish.

"This new campaign is a fun way to get people engaged in monitoring their blood pressure and keeping it under control -- which can often feel daunting to many patients"-- and is timely given that high blood pressure puts patients at higher risk of severe complications of COVID-19," says American Medical Association president Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. "We are committed to eliminating structural drivers of health inequities that place Black and Brown communities at increasing risk of heart disease," Dr. Harmon adds.

The campaign emphasizes self-monitoring and encourages individuals to work with their doctors to create a personalized plan to manage and treat high blood pressure. Changes to unhealthy eating habits and increases in physical activity may be all it takes to get your blood pressure to a healthy range. However, sometimes it's not that simple. If your doctor prescribes a blood pressure medication, be sure to take it as directed.

"This campaign is part of the American Heart Association's National Hypertension Control Initiative," says Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., ScM, F.A.H.A., president of the American Heart Association, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and Professor of Preventive Medicine, Medicine, and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. "The initiative encompasses direct education and training on blood pressure measurement and management with health care professionals in community health centers and community-based organizations. We are meeting people where they are with access to blood pressure education and resources to reduce high blood pressure in communities that need it most."

Visit heart.org/hbpcontrol for more information about blood pressure management.