Federal Affordable Connectivity Program offers low-cost internet to eligible citizens

Photo:NAPSI
NAPSI -- A fast, reliable Internet connection has become a critical part of our daily lives. From remote learning and working to networking and searching for jobs, Americans everywhere felt an online shift during COVID-19. 

And, while the country gradually recovers from the pandemic, the collective need to stay connected remains stronger than ever. 

Enter the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

ACP extends and makes permanent the Internet subsidy for families in need that began under the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Falling under the $1.2T bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the ACP is part of a $65 billion broadband Internet initiative designed to bring affordable or even free Internet service to families who qualify.

Eligible households can save up to $30 a month, or up to $75 if they reside on tribal lands.

So, who qualifies? Here’s a glance at the different criteria from the FCC of which one or more is required:

  • Household is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
  • Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline.
  • Participates in tribal-specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
  • Participates in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income Internet program.
  • Visit fcc.gov/acp for more details and call 844-844-WIFI (844-844-9434) to find a participating provider nearby.


    Former SJO three-sport athlete Brandi Burnett inducted into Hall of Fame

    ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

    Below is a short biography and highlights about Brandi Burnett provided by the high school.

    Brandi Carmien Burnett

    Brandi is a 1993 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School. She was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball. She earned 11 total varsity letters during her high school career. In volleyball, her awards included ICC All Conference for two years and All-Area 2nd team for one year. In softball, her awards included ICC All-Conference for three years and All-Area 1st team for two years. Her basketball awards included ICC All-Conference MVP two years, All-Area 1st Team two years, IBCA All-State 3rd Team one year, All-State Special mention one year and Prairie State Games three years where two years she was MVP. She ended her high school career with 1456 points scored and 786 rebounds.

    Brandi went on to play basketball at Kankakee Community College for two years. She was a dental assistant and office assistant for two dentists for seven years. She was a pharmacy technician for 12 years. Brandi is currently employed at Gifford State Bank in Gifford in the Risk Management department.

    Brandi served on the SJO Fan Club for 8 years while her kids were in high school. She has been married to her husband, Chad for 23 years. Their three children, Abigail, Crayton and Kennedi are all SJO grads. Brandi is blessed to live on her grandparents' farm north of St. Joseph.

    Congratulations once again to Brandi Burnett and her family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.


    St. Joseph native Dee Evans inducted into school Hall of Fame

    ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

    Below is a short biography and highlights about Dee Evans provided by the high school.

    Dee Evans

    Dee Evans is a 1960 graduate of St. Joseph High School. That was before it was consolidated with Ogden. He was a three sport athlete in football, basketball and track, earning a varsity letter for three years in each sport.

    In 1959 he was awarded the Little All-State Award for Football. His stats for Football included 22 solo tackles in a game against Young America School. His other academic honors include receiving the American Legion Award, Medallion and Ribbon in 1960. That award was voted on by the staff for honor and service.

    Dee was offered a football scholarship at three different colleges. He chose Eastern Illinois University and played for one year. But because of financial concerns, he chose not to continue school and began working as a concrete finisher, which he made a career of. He was a Military Police and served in Vietnam in 1966. Dee is a member of the St. Joseph American Legion Post 634. His community service includes establishing the All Veterans Movement at Woodard Park. He and other fellow veterans designed and built the memorial.

    Dee has also donated his time and concrete work to many projects in the community.

    Dee has been married to his wife Wilma for 55 years. Wilma is a 1963 graduate of St. Joseph High School. They have three children, Neal, Helene and Sara. They are all SJO graduates. They have 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

    Congratulations once again to Dee Evans and his family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.


    Recognized for his contributions and dedication, Kermit Esarey is inducted into the 2022 SJO Hall of Fame

    ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family.

    Below is a short biography and highlights about Kermit Esarey provided by the high school.

    Kermit Esarey

    Kermit was born and raised in southern Illinois. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1940.

    He attended the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, majoring in Agricultural Education. He was drafted into the Army after his junior year as a 2nd Lieutenant. He returned to the U of I after his release from the military and received his Bachelor’s degree.

    He began his teaching career at Scotland High School where he taught for one year. He then taught at Cisne High School for four years. He moved to St. Joseph and started teaching at St. Joseph High School in 1952. He completed his Master’s degree that same year from the U of I and continued his teaching career at what is now St. Joseph-Ogden High School until his retirement in 1982. He was also the FFA advisor while teaching at SJO.

    Kermit was married to his wife, LaDema for 73 years. She preceded him in death in 2017. They had one daughter, Gail, who lives in Arlington, Texas with her family. After Kermit’s retirement, he and LaDema moved to Texas to be closer to their family. While they resided in St. Joseph, Kermit and LaDema were active members of the St. Joseph Methodist Church. Kermit was also a member of the local Lion’s Club and the IAVAT.

    Kermit was awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree in 1979 as well as an honorary membership in the Alpha Tau Alpha fraternity. Kermit supervised more than 20 student teachers during his career at SJO. He would often say that some of his greatest satisfactions in life were to visit with former students and encourage them to become successful in ag related fields.

    In 2020, his daughter Gail established a scholarship at the U of I in his name to be awarded to a student majoring in the agricultural field. Kermit passed away in 2019 at the age of 97. Kermit was the oldest of four brothers. We are honored to have several members of his family here with us tonight to receive this award in his name.

    Thank you to Kermit Esarey for your dedication to the SJO school! Congratulations once again to Kermit Esarey and his family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.


    The Gary Olson family inducted into Hall of Fame

    ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

    Below is a short biography and highlights about the Gary Olson Family provided by the high school.

    The Olsons

    Gary and Nancy Olson and their three children, Ory, Isaiah and Bria are all SJO grads.

    Gary graduated in 1980. He played basketball and was a member of FFA, serving as President his senior year. Nancy graduated in 1983 and was a cheerleader all four years.

    Ory graduated in 2005. He played basketball all four years, football and track each one year. He was also involved in FFA, serving as President his senior year.

    Isaiah graduated in 2007. He was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. His Senior year he was Captain of basketball and football, which was the 2006 Runner-Up state team.

    Bria graduated in 2010. She was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track. She was captain of both the volleyball and basketball teams her senior year. She still currently holds the school record in high jump.

    Nancy and Ory both graduated from Parkland College. Isaiah and Bria both graduated from the U of I.

    Nancy was an SJO Cheer coach for several years and helped start the student cheering section, Maroon Platoon. Gary, Isaiah and Bria all coached basketball at the St. Joseph Grade and Middle Schools for several years. In addition Gary and Isaiah coached freshmen basketball at SJO for a few years. They have previously received the SJO Friend of Education award for their countless hours of volunteer service they have given to SJO. They are always willing to provide equipment and give of their time to help the school.

    Gary and Nancy have been married for 37 years. Their children are Ory and his wife Nicki, Isaiah and his wife Kathryn and Bria and her husband Michael. They have nine grandchildren. They all operate the family farm together and reside north of St. Joseph.

    Congratulations once again to the Gary Olson family for your induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.


    With heart attacks, timing is everything and it can save your life

    by Tim Ditman
    OSF Healthcare
    URBANA -- To say time was of the essence for Tammi Fanson on July 18, 2022, would be an understatement.

    The Gibson City, Illinois, woman had been dealing with high blood pressure, stress, fatigue and shortness of breath, but she chalked it up to life just being difficult. But on that day, she found herself at her local Gibson Area Hospital in the midst of a heart attack.

    Health News on The Sentinel Fanson was then taken by ambulance to OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Illinois – around 40 minutes on a regular drive but half that with the blaring red lights. That, combined with the cooperation between the two hospitals, and Fanson was fast-tracked straight to the cardiac catheterization laboratory at OSF Heart of Mary, something Tammi and her husband Doug say saved her life.

    "They knew me," Tammi Fanson says. "They knew exactly what was going on. There must have been a lot of communication even before I got there. So it was very comforting."

    "The comfort that she had knowing this crew was waiting for her, it’s pretty remarkable," Doug Fanson adds.

    Fanson’s case is an example of the importance of what’s known as door to balloon time. That measures the time between when a patient has first contact with a medical professional to when a balloon is placed in their heart’s arteries to get rid of blockages and resume blood flow. For Fanson, she had a balloon within 27 minutes of arriving at OSF Heart of Mary.

    "Time is muscle here in the cath lab," says Jo Lehigh, a registered nurse at OSF Heart of Mary who was on Fanson’s care team. "Every minute that goes by could be tissue death."

    That means Lehigh and other OSF caregivers in the cath lab have to be agile. For starters, they have a limited response time to get to the hospital once they get the page that a patient is inbound.

    On the balloon process itself, Lehigh says physicians start by accessing an artery through a patient’s wrist or groin.

    "We send in a catheter. We go up into the heart and we shoot in contrast dye. The contrast dye helps us to visualize the artery to see where the blockage is located and how severe it is," Lehigh says. "And from there, the doctor goes in with a small balloon on the catheter and inflates the balloon. Then we'll go in with a stent and another balloon to open it up. So we have blood flow after it's all said and done."

    The Fansons praise Lehigh for the care Tammi received.

    "She was our angel," Doug Fanson says, the emotion in his voice strong.

    Tammi Fanson recalls Lehigh at her side in the heat of the battle to save her life.

    "I said, ‘Am I going to be OK?’" Fanson says. "And she was right there assuring me that everything was going to be OK."

    Lehigh followed up with Fanson, too, during her stay at OSF Heart of Mary.

    "I do go down and check on the patients. I make sure they're doing OK and just kind of show my face because a lot of times they can remember my name and remember my voice, but they don't really remember me or what I looked like." Lehigh says. "So I have to go down there and just kind of keep up on them and make sure they're doing OK. I think that builds a good relationship."

    Four heart stents later, Fanson is now recovering at home and is doing well. She’s enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, a typical but vital part of the path back to normal. But most importantly of all, Fanson has a new lease on life. She appreciates the importance of diet, exercise, healthy blood pressure and knowing your family history of heart troubles. And she’s found ways to reduce stress, at least temporarily, like watching the sunrise with no distracting devices in sight.

    "I could have easily went back to sleep that night," Tammi Fanson says, recalling the evening that changed her life. "Don’t do that. Go in [to the hospital]. Get your regular checkups. And listen to your body."

    "Listen to [your health care providers]. Rely on them. Lean on them. They’re experts," Doug Fanson says. "It helps you get through the traumatic times."

    Lehigh concurs with all those sentiments. She adds that if you find yourself in Fanson’s shoes – having sudden, significant symptoms of a heart attack – don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Call 9-1-1.

    "The ambulance is going to have everything there that you need," Lehigh says. "They’re going to have the electrocardiogram, the aspirin. They’re going to have all the equipment and supplies they’d need to help make this a smooth and quicker process."


    Prep Sports Notebook: Atwood paces SJO golf team, Spartan soccer team fall short


    Atwood leads Spartans at triangle meet

    St. Joseph-Ogden's McGwire Atwood hits a shot off the 5th tee at Willow Pond Golf Course. SJO finished just two strokes out of tie for first at the triangle meet on Thursday. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


    RANTOUL -- McGwire Atwood shot a 42 to lead the Spartan contingent during a triangle meet on Thursday at Willow Pond Golf Course. The Spartans finished second in the three-school event by just two strokes over Rantoul's combined score of 178.

    Jacob Kern and Ashten Cafarelli carded 42 and 43 strokes, respectively. Meanwhile, Maddux Carter and Jack Robertson shot a 50, and senior Connor Hale rounded out the top six with a 62.

    Judah Christian's Caleb McCullough lead all players as the day's medalist with a nine-hole best of 37 strokes. The Tribe finished in third place with 187 points on a beautiful fall day in Rantoul.


    Spartan soccer team fall at STM

    There was no shortage of effort or chances by the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team during their road match at St. Thomas More. The Spartans played a tight 90-minute game yielding one unanswered goal in each half to the host Sabers to lose, 2-0.

    Keeper Hunter Ketchum made four saves for SJO. The Spartan soccer team is just two wins a away from a ten-win season at 8-3-1.


    Unity soccer shutout by Rantoul

    The Rockets were unable to score in their Illini Prairie match against the Eagles. Rantoul managed to get four shots past the keeper to win 4-0 in their regular-season conference match.


    Williams steps up for SJO

    Junior Peyton Williams lodged a team-high eight kills against Pontiac during St. Joseph-Ogden's home match on Thursday. The Spartans improve to 13-4 on the season after taking down the Indians in straight sets 25-16, 25-14.

    Addie Roesch, also a junior, and Shayne Immke contributed six kills apiece to maintain SJO's undefeated conference record, now 3-0.

    The Spartans top four players tallied 30 digs. Setter Taylor Hug, who distributed 20 assists, led the team with 10 digs. Roesch and Williams had seven apiece, and Immke added another six digs to the total.

    The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team is off for six days, then resumes competition next Wednesday at Cissna Park. After the non-conference bout with the Lady Timberwolves, SJO is on the road again in search of a fourth Illini Prairie win on Thursday at Rantoul.



    Despite sloppy start, SJO volleyball team rolls past Unity

    TOLONO -- The Unity volleyball team came out swinging against visiting St. Joseph-Ogden in the Illini Prairie Conference match on Tuesday. Unfortunately for the Rockets, the team was unable to maintain the intensity needed in the 2-0 loss to the Spartans.

    It is rare that SJO head coach Abby McDonald calls a timeout early in a match, but four serves into the first set and down 4-0 on the scoreboard against Unity, she signaled to the referees for a brief halt as the Rockets' dominant play had her team out of sorts. After the action resumed, the Spartans struggled, but were able to methodically work brief moments of magic to keep the game in reach.

    The two teams tied up the score five times in the first set until St. Joseph-Ogden's Shayne Immke's block put her team up 19-18. Firmly in system, SJO then won six of the next eight points to win, 25-20.

    Emmalee Atkins tries to tip the ball over St. Joseph-Ogden's Peyton Williams

    Unity's Emmalee Atkins tries to tip the ball over St. Joseph-Ogden's Peyton Williams. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


    Immke would finish the match with five kills and seven digs.

    With the momentum squarely on their half of the court and Taylor Hug at the service line, the Spartans hammered out an 8-0 lead over their headlight-struck host to start the second half.

    "Taylor has a very high volleyball IQ. She is the quarterback of our team." McDonald said. "She will do everything she can to win behind the service line."

    Hug led the team's service effort with three aces. She was the game leader in assists with 14.

    She added, with an appreciative smile, "She typically has a plan even if it is different than mine."

    Hug and the Spartans, who were now firmly playing in system, continued to pile on points building a 15-point lead on the Rockets to go up, 20-5. The match ended with SJO up by 15, 25-10.

    "We were not taking care of the ball," said Unity head coach Erika Yerry. "We need to work on consistency."

    Junior outside hitter Addie Roesch putaway six kills and served two aces for the Spartans. Immke added another five kills and notched half of the 14 digs between her and Hug's defensive effort. Mikyla Haley tallied 10 digs and was credit with two of the team's seven aces.

    "We played with a lot of confidence," McDonald said critiquing her team's second set performance. "When get our left side swinging early and our right, it really affects our opponents."


    Prep Sports Notebook: GCMS too much for Spartan tennis squad to handle


    Road loss for SJO tennis

    The St. Joseph-Ogden tennis team was unable to notch a win on any court in the team's road match at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Wednesday. The two team's played 8-game pro sets on two singles courts and for all three doubles matches.

    Senior Abbey Dow pressured GCMS' Katie Steindinger at #1 singles but could not get the momentum shift she needed posting three wins. Spartan doubles pairs Halie Harms/Emma Thurman and Addison Ross/McKennah Hamilton also won three games during their matches.

    Box Score ~

    Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 5
    St. Joseph-Ogden 0

    Singles:
    No. 1 - Katie Steidinger, GCMS def. Abbey Dow, SJO, 8-3
    No. 2 - Lexi Cliff, GCMS def. Katie McDermott, SJO, 8-1

    Doubles:
    No. 1 - Lexi Cliff/Syda Schlickman, GCMS def. Addison Ross/Addison Seggebruch, SJO, 8-1
    No. 2 - McKenna Crowley/Kadence Crowley, GCMS def. Addison Ross/McKennah Hamilton, SJO, 8-3
    No. 3 - Anna Goodin/Cecilia Goodin, GCMS def. Halie Harms/Emma Thurman, SJO, 8-3



    Photo of the Day | September 21, 2022

    St. Joseph-Ogden' Aiden Cromwell tries to settle the ball during second half action of St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Unity. Earlier, Cromwell scored SJO's second goal of the game thanks a nice pass from Spencer Wilson. The Spartans eventually won the conference game 4-0 and improved to 8-2-1 on the season. See more photos from this game.
    Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


    Prep Sports Notebook: SJO golf, soccer, & volleyball post wins on Tuesday


    Cafarelli and Kern medal at IPC golf tournament

    St. Joseph-Ogden's Ashten Cafarelli and Jacob Kern were individual medalists at the Illini Prairie Conference golf tournament on Tuesday. Cafarelli shot a 77 for a 5th place overall finish, and Kern turned in his scorecard with 81 strokes to finish 10th.

    The Spartan golf team finished in third place by two strokes at Willow Pond with 333 behind Rantoul (332) in second place and conference champions Monticello's 317.

    The Spartan six-pack also included Maddux Carter, who finished with 87 strokes and McGwire Atwood with 88. Jack Robertson shot a 105 and James Huisinga rounded out the top-six with 106.


    SJO soccer dominates rival Unity

    Four players scored goals in St. Joseph-Ogden away soccer match at Unity for a 4-0 Illini Prairie Conference victory.

    Despite a solid effort by both teams, Spartans' Jackson Greer punched in the first and only goal on an assist from Collin Thomey in the first half with less than two minutes-15 seconds on the clock.

    After the break, SJO came out determined to challenge the Rockets' fitness. After good pushes by both teams, Aiden Cromwell, on a feed from Spenser Wilson, scored. Teammate Ryker Lockhart (assist Logan Mills) extended the Spartans' lead with another goal in the half.

    Later with the Spartans up 3-0, sophomore Alex Accosta came in off the bench to score an unassisted strike and put the match out of the Rockets' reach.

    The Spartans improve to 8-2-1 on the season.

    In the box, Hunter Ketchum fended off six attacks, and Carter Mabry saw action guarding the post making a pair of saves late in the contest.


    Momentum shift sinks Rockets

    The Unity Rockets were in complete control during the opening set of their home volleyball game against St. Joseph-Ogden on Tuesday. That was until SJO tied the score at 17-all and won eight of the last 11 points for the win, 25-20.

    SJO's momentum continued into the second set behind the defensive efforts of junior Addie Roesch, who posted nine digs, and another 10 came from senior Mikyla Haley against Unity.

    The Spartans opened the period with an 8-0 run before the Rockets called a timeout to regroup. By the time Unity regained their composure and notched four unanswered points to trail by 13 at 21-8, the hole was too deep to recover. St. Joseph-Ogden closed out the set, 25-10, for the conference win.

    Roesch led the team's offensive attack with six kills and two aces. Haley chipped another pair of aces. Meanwhile, Shayne Immke tacked on five kills and contributed another seven digs.

    Taylor Hug, who finished with three aces, 14 assists, and seven digs was at the service line for the first eight second-set points for SJO.




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