The Sentinel

St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling falls to BHRA in 48-30 decision

ST. JOSEPH - The Gallos are back! After a 16-year absence, the family that built the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling program into a respected small-school program were back mat-side in the coaching chairs for the Spartans' home dual meet against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin.

Under Bill Gallo, Sr., aka Papa G., the program blossomed from a 16-22 record during his first two seasons to 47 wins and six losses in his final two from 2004-2006.

Now an assistant coach under his son Bill, former SJO head wrestling coach Bill Gallo, Sr., watches attentively during Tuesday's home match against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin. Starting back in November, with the addition of Billy, Bill's son and grandson to Bill, Sr., the Spartans are coached by three generations of Gallo wrestlers. (Photo: PhotoNews Media)

Now, with Bill Gallo leading the program, assisted by his son Billy, brother Joe, Papa G, and Shawn Freeman, the program is destined to return to a top-tier Class 2A wrestling program.

On Tuesday, despite a young, inexperienced roster with 26 wrestlers, 14 of who have never set foot on a mat until this season, the SJO fell by way of a respectable 48-30 decision to the visiting Blue Devils.

Spartans' Gary Page stuck Devils' Gracie Pattison in 42 seconds in their 106-pound bout. Coy Hays also earned the team six points by pinning BHRA's Donavan Guduskas in their 152-pound match. SJO's Emmit Holt and Peyton Sarver rounded out the evening's team scoring with another 12 points with forfeits.

The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team will be back at on the home mat on January 19 for a tri-meet with Clinton and El Paso-Gridley.

Box Score:

Varsity matches
106 - Gary Page (SJO) def Gracie Pattison (BHRA) by FALL :42
113 - Emmitt Holt (SJO) - FORFEIT
120 - Landen Teller (BHRA) def Camden Getty (SJO) by FALL 5:20
126 - Grahm Abbed (BHRA) def Brandon Goodwin (SJO) by FALL 2:32
132 - Holden Brazelton (SJO) win by FORFEIT
138 - Ayden Golden (BHRA) def Landen Butts (SJO) by FALL 3:32
145 - Tayler Carpenter (BHRA) def Vance McCombs (SJO) by FALL 1:03
152 - Coy Hayes (SJO) def Donavan Guduskas (BHRA) by FALL 3:05
160 - Marcus Schreiner (BHRA) def Devan Swisher (SJO) DECISION 7-4
170 - Christian Walton (BHRA) def Carson Sarnecki (SJO) by FALL 5:32
182 - Landynn Balla (BHRA)def Gabe Mata (SJO) by FALL :20
195 - Peyton Sarver (SJO) - FORFEIT
220 - Nathaniel Gnaden (BHRA) def Owen Birt (SJO) DECISION 10-6
285 - Hunter Wilson (BHRA) def Kyle Miccoli (SJO) by FALL :46

Exhibition matches
138- Landon Frick (SJO) defeated Mike Rodgers (BHRA) FALL 1:02
138- Mike Rodgers (BHRA) def Lexi Wirth (SJO) FALL 2:53
220- Quincy Jones (SJO) defeated Cooper Carpenter (BHRA) FALL :36
220- Hunter Ketchum (SJO) defeated Cooper Carpenter (BHRA) FALL 1:19

Photo of the Day | January 5, 2023

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Pence slams Annawan with 36

NORMAL - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence slams a first-quarter dunk during the SJO's first-round game at the State Farm Holiday Classic. Using the senior's explosive 36-point performance, SJO cruised to a 78-28 victory over the Braves. Two days later, Pence and the Spartans went on to win this year's small school title. The Illinois State University commit also earned his second-consecutive All-Tournament Team nomination in the small school division.

Search the PhotoNews Media archives for more photos:

Search by athlete's name, team, school and more

Guest Commentary | Rolling with the punches, turns & twist of life

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Throughout the years, many of us watched Barbara Walters from NBC to ABC. I always tried to watch her special interviews. Often, the people she interviewed on primetime television specials were “the” high profile people at that given time. She became the highest paid journalist of her day being the first to sign a million-dollar contract with ABC.

Regardless of what we do in life we are still confronted by difficulties that often debilitate us. Walters had survived her own personal struggles, like we all do, including four divorces. Unfortunately, her reported battle with dementia took its toll on her health. We can all accomplish much in life. Maybe not as much as Walters or maybe even more. Regardless, there is much about life we can’t do anything about other than try to deal with it and do the best we can.

At least 37 people died from the recent winter storm in Buffalo, New York. Families are grieving. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, freezing temperatures, and snow have wreaked devastation on our country in the last twelve months. Loss of life can come from disease, weather, accidents or unconscionably by design.

We all have been horrified by the death of four college students in Moscow, Idaho. It’s been beyond us how four beautiful people could be stabbed to death in their beds reportedly between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. A young man who is a student at nearby Washington State University on the Pullman campus has been arrested at his parents’ house in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. Moscow police believe they now have the murderer in custody.

How anyone could commit such a heinous crime is beyond our comprehension. I’m sure it was beyond the scope of thought for these innocent young adults. We never know who is taking note of our lives, whereabouts and activities. Regardless of how calm and safe your community seems you can’t take anything for granted. Lock your doors. Lock your bedroom door. Keep your handgun on your lampstand and try your best to create an environment that protects you as much as possible. With so many people sleeping in the rental house in Moscow, I’m sure these young college students felt safe. What appeared to be safe for them became an opportunity for an evil mind.

Typically, the attacker has the element of surprise on his side. It’s always best to try to think ahead. Sadly, four Idaho University students were killed by someone who planned, plotted, and was patient enough to find the right moment to carry out the murders. Accepting and dealing with what we cannot change is one thing. Preparing for life but rolling with the punches, the turns, and twists, is another. Being watchful, careful, and never taking anything for granted could make the difference between life and death

Pray for these families and all the many friends and loved ones as they grieve and suffer from such devastating loss.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------

In The Know | Headlines you might have missed

Photo Gallery |
Urbana picks up home win over Danville

URBANA - McKenzie Sprague is fouled going up for a shot between Danville's Diamond Landfair and Dajahnae Taylor. See 13 more photos and a recap of the Tiger's first home win since 2020. Destiny Barber and Gabreille Mboyo-Meta led the Urbana offensive effort with a game-high eight points a piece. Junior guard Aziyaha Davis finished with seven points, and Jasmine McCullough rounded out the top four scorers for the Tigers with six points.

Check out the gallery »

New RF technology can make you look years younger in as little as 10 weeks

NewsUSA - With the holiday season upon us, and the return to attending in-person events, everyone wants to look their best. But many people who might consider a skin-tightening treatment shy away from needles, and have concerns about fillers and chemicals.

Taking care of yourself during the holidays, steps you can take

StatePoint Media - With seasonal stressors like end-of-year work deadlines, gift shopping and hosting potentially weighing on you, plus all those extra sweets and indulgent foods to nibble on, the holiday season may be the happiest time of year, but it’s not always the healthiest. Here’s how to take better care of yourself to feel your best this holiday season.

Photo of the Day | December 24, 2022

RANTOUL - St. Joseph-Ogden's Garrett Siems leaps above a Rantoul defender to shield ...

See the photo »

Denied a home loan? Steps you can take to avoid it

StatePoint Media - You have researched the best areas to live within your budget. Spent countless hours visiting homes or viewing them online and talked to seasoned homeowners to ensure you haven't missed anything. You finally make an offer on your dream home that is accepted, and then the worst happens, the bank won't okay your loan.

Recipe |
Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder

Family Features - Colder, shorter days call for a little comfort. Cozying up with a hearty meal on brisk winter evenings can help fight off the chill while savoring favorite flavors alongside the ones you love.

Eye on the prize

RANTOUL - Urbana middle blocker Sammi Christman passes the ball to the front in our December 26 Photo of the Day.

The person who investigates suspicious deaths in your town may not even be a doctor

When a group of physicians gathered in Washington state for an annual meeting, one made a startling revelation: If you ever want to know when, how — and where — to kill someone, I can tell you, and you'll get away with it. No problem.

That's because the expertise and availability of coroners, who determine cause of death in criminal and unexplained cases, vary widely across Washington, as they do in many other parts of the country.

"A coroner doesn't have to ever have taken a science class in their life," said Nancy Belcher, chief executive officer of the King County Medical Society, the group that met that day.

5 tips to shed those extra holiday pounds

According to a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. adults aged 30 and above commissioned by Nutrisystem and conducted by OnePoll, two in three Americans credit the past two years with teaching them how important their health really is. And 71% believe the pandemic has taught them to be more observant of their health. The poll also revealed that two-thirds of Americans said weight loss is a “top health goal” for them over the next year.

However, for many, losing weight can seem like a difficult task. The truth of the matter is it doesn’t have to be. Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem, offers the following tips to help you take that step toward a healthier you.

McGwire Atwood propels SJO to title game

Bloomington - St. Joseph-Ogden's McGwire Atwood celebrates his team's 72-69 win over Rockford Lutheran at the State Farm Holiday Classic on Thursday. With less than four seconds on the clock and Crusaders ...

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO holds on the win semifinal at SFHC

BLOOMINGTON - St. Joseph-Ogden's McGwire Atwood celebrates his team's 72-69 win over Rockford Lutheran at the State Farm Holiday Classic on Thursday. With less than four seconds on the clock and Crusaders with possession, Atwood managed to snag the ball on the last play of the game to keep it from going into overtime. The Spartans, who started the tourney as the #1 seed, advance to the title game on Friday against Normal University High at 5:15pm. The game will be played at the Shirk Center on the Illinois Wesleyan University Campus.

Search the PhotoNews Media archives for more photos:

Search by athlete's name, team, school and more

5 tips to shed those extra holiday pounds

StatePoint Media - With the New Year right around the corner, new survey results suggest that 2023 will finally be the year that Americans bring their health back into focus.

Photo: Avelino Calvar Martinez/Burst

1. Keep healthy food in sight

Having healthy food at arm’s reach can make losing weight easier. A Cornell study found that women who kept a bowl of fruit where they could see it weighed an average of 13 pounds less than those who didn’t. Plans like Nutrisystem deliver healthy, portion-controlled options right to your door, making it even simpler to make good choices.

2. Give yourself a bedtime

Children aren’t the only ones who need a bedtime! Adults need a set bedtime as well to be productive the next day. Setting a certain bedtime and sticking to it will also help your body get the rest that it needs to burn stubborn fat. “Not having a good night’s rest can lead to craving sugar and fatty foods, which can also lead to weight gain,” says McCormick.

3. Work out in 10-minute sets

If you’re short on time or have back-to-back meetings, working out in intervals of 10 minutes three times a day creates more flexibility in your busy schedule. Doing this creates long-term healthy habits that will help you lose and maintain weight.

4. Drink more water

What’s not to love about water? It’s hydrating and keeps your body healthy. Water aids digestive health, regulates body temperature and even aids in losing weight and maintaining the weight loss. This is because water helps you stay full between meals and avoid unnecessary snacking. In fact, feeling hungry is often a sign that you’re actually thirsty and it’s time to get hydrated.

5. Forgive a slip-up

Mistakes can actually help you understand what is healthy for your body. Having a slip-up allows you to consider the progress you’re making in your weight loss journey and be able to hold yourself accountable when making future healthy decisions.

For more additional wellness tips, visit Nutrisystem’s The Leaf, at leaf.nutrisystem.com.

There is no better time than now to focus on your overall health and wellness goals. When you are geared with the tools to succeed, living a healthier lifestyle is easily achievable.

The person who investigates suspicious deaths in your town may not even be a doctor

by Samantha Young
Kaiser Health News

Photo: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

"A coroner doesn't have to ever have taken a science class in their life," said Nancy Belcher, chief executive officer of the King County Medical Society, the group that met that day.

Her colleague's startling comment launched her on a four-year journey to improve the state's archaic death investigation system, she said. "These are the people that go in, look at a homicide scene or death, and say whether there needs to be an autopsy. They're the ultimate decision-maker," Belcher added.

Each state has its own laws governing the investigation of violent and unexplained deaths, and most delegate the task to cities, counties, and regional districts. The job can be held by an elected coroner as young as 18 or a highly trained physician appointed as medical examiner. Some death investigators work for elected sheriffs who try to avoid controversy or owe political favors. Others own funeral homes and direct bodies to their private businesses.

The various titles used by death investigators don't distinguish the discrepancies in their credentials.

Overall, it's a disjointed and chronically underfunded system — with more than 2,000 offices across the country that determine the cause of death in about 600,000 cases a year.

"There are some really egregious conflicts of interest that can arise with coroners," said Justin Feldman, a visiting professor at Harvard University's FXB Center for Health and Human Rights.

Belcher's crusade succeeded in changing some aspects of Washington's coroner system when state lawmakers approved a new law last year, but efforts to reform death investigations in California, Georgia, and Illinois have recently failed.

Rulings on causes of death are often not cut-and-dried and can be controversial, especially in police-involved deaths such as the 2020 killing of George Floyd. In that case, Minnesota's Hennepin County medical examiner ruled Floyd's death a homicide but indicated a heart condition and the presence of fentanyl in his system may have been factors. Pathologists hired by Floyd's family said he died from lack of oxygen when a police officer kneeled on his neck and back.

In a recent California case, the Sacramento County coroner's office ruled that Lori McClintock, the wife of congressman Tom McClintock, died from dehydration and gastroenteritis in December 2021 after ingesting white mulberry leaf, a plant not considered toxic to humans. The ruling triggered questions by scientists, doctors, and pathologists about the decision to link the plant to her cause of death. When asked to explain how he made the connection, Dr. Jason Tovar, the chief forensic pathologist who reports to the coroner, said he reviewed literature about the plant online using WebMD and Verywell Health.

The various titles used by death investigators don't distinguish the discrepancies in their credentials. Some communities rely on coroners, who may be elected or appointed to their offices, and may — or may not — have medical training. Medical examiners, on the other hand, are typically doctors who have completed residencies in forensic pathology.

In 2009, the National Research Council recommended that states replace coroners with medical examiners, describing a system "in need of significant improvement."

Massachusetts was the first state to replace coroners with medical examiners statewide in 1877. As of 2019, 22 states and the District of Columbia had only medical examiners, 14 states had only coroners, and 14 had a mix, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The movement to convert the rest of the country's death investigators from coroners to medical examiners is waning, a casualty of coroners' political might in their communities and the additional costs needed to pay for medical examiners' expertise.

The push is now to better train coroners and give them greater independence from other government agencies.

"When you try to remove them, you run into a political wall," said Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen, a former medical examiner for the city of Milwaukee and the author of "Death Investigation in America: Coroners, Medical Examiners, and the Pursuit of Medical Certainty."

Lawmakers "didn't want their names behind something that will get the sheriffs against them," Collins said.

"You can't kill them, so you have to help train them," he added.

There wouldn't be enough medical examiners to meet demand anyway, in part because of the time and expense it takes to become trained after medical school, said Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners. She estimates there are about 750 full-time pathologists nationwide and about 80 job openings. About 40 forensic pathologists are certified in an average year, she said.

"There's a huge shortage," Pinneri said. "People talk about abolishing the coroner system, but it's really not feasible. I think we need to train coroners. That's what will improve the system."

Her association has called for coroners and medical examiners to function independently, without ties to other government or law enforcement agencies. A 2011 survey by the group found that 82% of the forensic pathologists who responded had faced pressure from politicians or the deceased person's relatives to change the reported cause or manner of death in a case.

Dr. Bennet Omalu, a former chief forensic pathologist in California, resigned five years ago over what he described as interference by the San Joaquin County sheriff to protect law enforcement officers.

"California has the most backward system in death investigation, is the most backward in forensic science and in forensic medicine," Omalu testified before the state Senate Governance and Finance Committee in 2018.

San Joaquin County has since separated its coroner duties from the sheriff's office.

The Golden State is one of three states that allow sheriffs to also serve as coroners, and all but 10 of California's 58 counties combine the offices. Legislative efforts to separate them have failed at least twice, most recently this year.

AB 1608, spearheaded by state Assembly member Mike Gipson (D-Carson), cleared that chamber but failed to get enough votes in the Senate.

"We thought we had a modest proposal. That it was a first step," said Robert Collins, who advocated for the bill and whose 30-year-old stepson, Angelo Quinto, died after being restrained by Antioch police in December 2020.

The Contra Costa County coroner's office, part of the sheriff's department, blamed Quinto's death on "excited delirium," a controversial finding sometimes used to explain deaths in police custody. The finding has been rejected by the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization.

When something like this affects rural areas, if they push back a little bit, we just stop.

Lawmakers "didn't want their names behind something that will get the sheriffs against them," Collins said. "Just having that opposition is enough to scare a lot of politicians."

The influential California State Sheriffs' Association and the California State Coroners Association opposed the bill, describing the "massive costs" to set up stand-alone coroner offices.

Many Illinois counties also said they would shoulder a financial burden under similar legislation introduced last year by state Rep. Maurice West, a Democrat. His more sweeping bill would have replaced coroners with medical examiners.

Rural counties, in particular, complained about their tight budgets and killed his bill before it got a committee hearing, he said.

"When something like this affects rural areas, if they push back a little bit, we just stop," West said.

Proponents of overhauling the system in Washington state — where in small, rural counties, the local prosecutor doubles as the coroner — faced similar hurdles.

The King County Medical Society, which wrote the legislation to divorce the two, said the system created a conflict of interest. But small counties worried they didn't have the money to hire a coroner.

So, lawmakers struck a deal with the counties to allow them to pool their resources and hire shared contract coroners in exchange for ending the dual role for prosecutors by 2025. The bill, HB 1326, signed last year by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, also requires more rigorous training for coroners and medical examiners.

"We had some hostile people that we talked to that really just felt that we were gunning for them, and we absolutely were not," Belcher said. "We were just trying to figure out a system that I think anybody would agree needed to be overhauled."

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Photo of the Day | December 26, 2022

Sammi Christman from Urbana volleyball team

Eye on the prize

Rantoul - Urbana middle blocker Sammi Christman passes the ball to the front row during the Tigers' Class 3A regional quarterfinal game against Danville on October 24, 2022. UHS defeated the Vikings after three sets, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16. See the slide show for more photos.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Search the PhotoNews Media archives for more photos:

Search by athlete's name, team, school and more

In The Know | 9 stories you might have missed in the past week

A summary of our stories from December 20 through 22 readers might have missed. Subscribe to get your daily notification of The Sentinel's latest news and photos here. It's free and unsubscribe any time.

Photo of the Day | December 19, 2022

TOLONO - Unity's Henry Thomas goes up for a shot between two Pleasant Plains players during second half action of their non-conference contest on Saturday. In front of ...

Guest Commentary | Seeing the hurts of others doesn’t make your troubles go away

When I was a child at Tomahawk Elementary School in Martin County, Kentucky there were many kids who got little to nothing for Christmas. I had classmates who I would never ask if they got anything for Christmas because I already knew ...

Special holiday prices for court time available at Atkins Tennis Center

URBANA - Atkins Tennis Center is offering reduce rates on indoor court time now through January 15, 2023. Area players can keep those extra holiday pounds off without putting a huge dent in their wallet. Normally $30/hour for indoor ...

Prep Sports Notebook | Spartans, Rockets post wins on the hardcourt

Spartans Taylor Hug, Addison Frick, and Addisyn Martinie finished the night in double-digits taking down the 10-2 Timberwolves.

Raegan Stringer led the Rockets with 24 points and five assists. Addison Ray delivered a 12-point effort.

Mikayla Knake led the Lady T'Wolves with 16 points.

Photo of the Day | December 20, 2022

St. Joseph - With teammate Addisyn Martinie trying to help out, Addison Frick pulls down a rebound in SJO's home game ...

Frick drops 20 in SJO's road game at Oakwood

Addison Frick was perfect at the free throw line, 2-for-2, while leading the Spartans to their second-straight victory heading into the Christmas holiday lull. The 5-foot-7 junior finished the night with a game-high 20 points ...

A college education is gift we can give to children of our American heroes

NAPSI - While the holiday season is generally a time of joy and celebration, military families can often experience a very different range of emotions. Active service members and veterans returning home for the holidays might struggle to participate in family gatherings ...

Are you itching to get out and run the snow thrower?

NAPSI - With a total accumulation between two and four inches expected by this weekend and blowing snow until Sunday morning in our area, it is time to rev up the snow throwers and blowers to clear sidewalks and driveways for the holiday celebrations at your house.

Just like predicted precipitation from snow flurries and winter storms can be unpredictable, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) encourages home and business owners to be prepared in advance ...

With schools out for winter break, seasonal illnesses will be on the rise

Evergreen Park - Schools across the country are on winter break and holiday gatherings are here along with the winter weather. That means the perfect storm for seasonal illnesses to spread is nearly inevitable. This year we have heard the term "triple-demic" used in reference to the current strains of flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that are circulating across the country.

In the Know | 8 headlines from last week you might have missed

A summary of our stories from December 18 through 19. Subscribe to get your daily notification of The Sentinel's latest news and photos here. It's free and unsubscribe any time.

Prep Sports Notebook | Area basketball teams post losses

Junior Aziyaha Davis led all Urbana scorers with six points in loss to Normal Community.

Owen Root and fellow junior Wyatt Eisenmann hauled in four rebounds apiece in win over Horizon Science Academy Southwest.

Addie Brooks came off the bench to post two third-quarter treys for six points for SJO at Pleasant Plains.

Unity snagged 21 rebounds and tallied eight assists in the 2-point overtime loss to Pleasant Plains.

Senior Abbie Piecaynski knocked down six fourth-quarter points, but it wasn't enough to close the gap with the generous Lady Braves' lead.

Recipe | Impress guests at your next wine party with this tasty tapas

Family Features - Pairing an easy, delicious appetizer with the perfect wine doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. When you’re ready to elevate your home entertaining, turn to a simplistic recipe featuring fresh, bold flavors.

5 ways to celebrate with the holidays and keep your family pet safe

NAPSI - Most pet parents agree: their animals are part of what makes the holiday season so magical. While it’s an excellent opportunity to integrate furry family members into all the special holiday traditions and make memories together, there are a few things you should keep in mind to keep your pet safe and healthy ...

Coping with grief during the holiday season with loved ones, here's how

URBANA - During the holidays, societal norms expect us to be sociable and cheerful. But it can be difficult for people dealing with the loss of a loved one. A normal shopping trip may turn blue when you hear the song you used to dance to. Or the Christmas tradition of baking cookies just seems empty without your friend there.

Sticker shock:
Government to halt footing bill for Covid treatment

Nearly 6 million Americans have taken Paxlovid for free, courtesy of the federal government. The Pfizer pill has helped prevent many people infected with covid-19 from being hospitalized or dying, and it may even

Martinie scores team-high ten in SJO loss

Pleasant Plains - Hoping to extend their 1-game winning streak to two, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team came up short after this afternoon's road game at Pleasant Plains. Addisyn Martinie led the Spartans' in scoring with 10 points in the 55-26 loss to the host Cardinals.

Photo of the Day

December 17, 2022

Kaytlyn Baker dribbles at Turkey Tourney

St. Joseph - SJO's Kaytlyn Baker makes a huge effort to dribble past Mahomet-Seymour's Savannah Orgeron ...

See the photo »

Photo of the Day

December 18, 2022

TOLONO - Players on the bench and Unity fans, even Santa, celebrate a game-tying 3-point shot from Dalton O’Neill with 18 seconds ...

See the photo »

Recipe | Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder

Photo provided

Avoid venturing into the cold for a trip to the store by turning to a pantry staple like sweetpotatoes. As one of the most versatile veggies, they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing both flavor and nutrition. Perfectly suitable for both simple and elevated dishes, they can be baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or prepared on the stove so their sweet taste never goes out of style.

Their long shelf life – up to four weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – means you can rely on sweetpotatoes throughout the winter as an on-hand ingredient. Additionally, as a "diabetes superfood" according to the American Diabetes Association, they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease, making them a key source of nutrients during wintertime.

When your family needs a warm-up on those frosty days, put sweetpotatoes at the center of mealtime (with an added kick) in this Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder. Loaded with the flavors of winter comfort, you can breakaway from the store-bought canned soups for a filling meal that makes enough for a crowd so no one goes hungry.

Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

Servings: 6

2 large North Carolina sweetpotatoes, baked
1 small onion, 1/4-inch diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 quart chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 1/2 cups whole corn kernels
2 teaspoons minced jalapenos
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
chopped scallions, for garnish

How to make it

Peel baked sweetpotatoes; discard skin and puree.

In soup pot, saute onion in butter until softened. Add pureed sweetpotato and stock, as desired. Bring to boil, reducing liquid slightly.

Add chicken, corn, jalapenos, heavy cream and salt. Simmer 10 minutes.

To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions.

Watch the video

St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling falls to BHRA in 48-30 decision

Box Score:

Photo of the Day | January 5, 2023

Guest Commentary | Rolling with the punches, turns & twist of life

In The Know | Headlines you might have missed

Photo of the Day | December 30, 2022

5 tips to shed those extra holiday pounds

The person who investigates suspicious deaths in your town may not even be a doctor

Photo of the Day | December 26, 2022

In The Know | 9 stories you might have missed in the past week

In the Know | 8 headlines from last week you might have missed

Recipe | Jalapeno Sweetpotato Chowder

More Sentinel Stories

From our archives

Search the Sentinel

Editor's Choice

Don't forget the tip: Why your hotel housekeeper deserves a little extra during your stay

Top stories this year