Photo Gallery | Lightweights lift SJO in home win over Clinton

ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling squad won seven out of the nine lightest weight classes on the way to a 56-36 win last night over Clinton. Here are photos from last night's action-packed meet against the Maroons.

Spartan's Hunter Ketchum rolls Clinton's Aric Oliver to his back in their 182-pound match on Thursday in the Main Gym at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Ketchum, competing in second season, picked up his first varsity win with pin at 2:55.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Fans cheer after St. Joseph-Ogden 182-pounder Hunter Ketchum's win over Clinton's Aric Oliver. Ketchum's victory put the first six point on SJO's side of the scoreboard.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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SJO's Peyton Sarver tries to drive Kael Morlock face down into the mat during their 195-pound match. Sarver battled valiantly for nearly six minutes before suffering a loss by pin with 8 seconds left on the clock. Fall 5:52

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Peyton Sarver overpowers Clinton's Kael Morlock during second period action in their 195-pound match. Sarver is one for four seniors on this year's Spartan wrestling team.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Wrestling at 285-pounds, SJO wrestler Quincy Jones looks for a shot in on Clinton's Dawson Thayer. Thayer went on to beat the Spartan in the first period by pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Clinton's Dawson Thayer wrestles Spartans' Quincy Jones.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Jackson Walsh shoots in for a takedown on Clinton's Jeremiah Ortiz during the 106-pound match. Walsh prevailed with pin at 4:47. Earlier in the triangle meet on Thursday, Walsh suffered defeat by El Paso-Gridley's Nolan Whitman by way of a first period pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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With the crowd cheering behind him, 106-pound wrestler Jackson Walsh from SJO celebrates his win over Clinton's Jeremiah Ortiz. Walsh, a sophomore

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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St. Joseph-Ogden's Emmitt Holt dumps Clinton's Gabe Walker to the mat during their 120-pound bout. Holt, the only junior this year's squad, ran up the match score up to a 20-3 tech fall and tallied his second win of the day. Earlier in SJO's first match of the evening, Holt defeated El Paso-Gridley's Caleb Graham with a second period pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Spartans' Holden Brazelton somersaults out of a takedown attempt by Clinton's Cayden Poole in their 132-pound match. Brazelton, who finished 6th at last year's state finals as a 120-pound freshman, destroyed Poole by major decision, 11-2.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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SJO's Holden Brazelton tries force Clinton's Cayden Poole out of a neck bridge in their 132-pound match. Brazelton, who finished 6th at last year's state finals as a 120-pound freshman, destroyed Poole by major decision, 11-2.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Student fans and members of the St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team cheer for Holden Brazelton at the end of the second period during his match against Clinton's Cayden Poole.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Holden Brazelton scores a takedown in his 132-pound match against Clinton's Cayden Poole.

Media/Clark Brooks

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Representing SJO in the 138-pound weight class against Clinton, Landen Butts was all business in his match against Maroons' Sable Taylor. Butts crafted a 16-0 techinical fall to win the bout. Earlier in the evening, the sophomore lost to El Paso-Gridley's Tyler Roth by pin. Tech Fall 16-0

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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After earning back points, Spartans' Coy Hayes looks for an attack on Clinton's Russel Stamp. Hayes won the 152-pound match in the second period by pin.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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SJO wrestler Maddie Wells tries score points on Clinton's Ariana Humes during their 120-pound match. Wells, a freshman, earned six points for the Spartans after pinning Humes at 2:48.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Maddie Wells is declared winner after pinning Clinton sophomore Ariana Humes.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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St. Joseph-Ogden wrestler nearly pins a Clinton grappler during the 120-pound exhibition match.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Emergency assessment needed even when stroke symptoms disappear

by American Heart Association

Dallas - Stroke symptoms that disappear in under an hour, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), need emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association’s journal Stroke. The statement offers a standardized approach to evaluating people with suspected TIA, with guidance specifically for hospitals in rural areas that may not have access to advanced imaging or an on-site neurologist.

Photo courtesy American Heart Assoc.

TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Each year, about 240,000 people in the U.S. experience a TIA, although this estimate may represent underreporting of TIA because symptoms tend to go away within an hour. While the TIA itself doesn’t cause permanent damage, nearly 1 in 5 of those who have a TIA will have a full-blown stroke within three months after the TIA, almost half of which will happen within two days. For this reason, a TIA is more accurately described as a warning stroke rather than a “mini-stroke,” as it’s often called.

TIA symptoms are the same as stroke symptoms, only temporary. They begin suddenly and may have any or all of these characteristics:

• Symptoms begin strong then fade;
• Symptoms typically last less than an hour;
• Facial droop;
• Weakness on one side of the body;
• Numbness on one side of the body;
• Trouble finding the right words/slurred speech; or
• Dizziness, vision loss or trouble walking.

The F.A.S.T. acronym for stroke symptoms can be used to identify a TIA: F ― Face drooping or numbness; A ― Arm weakness; S ― Speech difficulty; T ― Time to call 9-1-1, even if the symptoms go away.

“Confidently diagnosing a TIA is difficult since most patients are back to normal function by the time they arrive at the emergency room,” said Hardik P. Amin, M.D., chair of the scientific statement writing committee and associate professor of neurology and medical stroke director at Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Raphael Campus in New Haven, Connecticut. “There also is variability across the country in the workup that TIA patients may receive. This may be due to geographic factors, limited resources at health care centers or varying levels of comfort and experience among medical professionals.”

For example, Amin said, “Someone with a TIA who goes to an emergency room with limited resources may not get the same evaluation that they would at a certified stroke center. This statement was written with those emergency room physicians or internists in mind – professionals in resource-limited areas who may not have immediate access to a vascular neurologist and must make challenging evaluation and treatment decisions.”

The statement also includes guidance to help health care professionals tell the difference between a TIA and a “TIA mimic” – a condition that shares some signs with TIA but is due to other medical conditions such as low blood sugar, a seizure or a migraine. Symptoms of a TIA mimic tend to spread to other parts of the body and build in intensity over time.

Who is at risk for a TIA?

People with cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and smoking, are at high risk for stroke and TIA. Other conditions that increase risk of a TIA include peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease. In addition, a person who has had a prior stroke is at high risk for TIA.

Which tests come first once in the emergency room?

Blood work should be completed in the emergency department to rule out other conditions

After assessing for symptoms and medical history, imaging of the blood vessels in the head and neck is an important first assessment. A non-contrast head CT should be done initially in the emergency department to rule out intracerebral hemorrhage and TIA mimics. CT angiography may be done as well to look for signs of narrowing in the arteries leading to the brain. Nearly half of people with TIA symptoms have narrowing of the large arteries that lead to the brain.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the preferred way to rule out brain injury (i.e., a stroke), ideally done within 24 hours of when symptoms began. About 40% of patients presenting in the ER with TIA symptoms will actually be diagnosed with a  stroke based on MRI results. Some emergency rooms may not have access to an MRI scanner, and they may admit the patient to the hospital for MRI or transfer them to a center with rapid access to one.

Blood work should be completed in the emergency department to rule out other conditions that may cause TIA-like symptoms, such as low blood sugar or infection, and to check for cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and high cholesterol.

Once TIA is diagnosed, a cardiac work-up is advised due to the potential for heart-related factors to cause a TIA. Ideally, this assessment is done in the emergency department, however, it could be coordinated as a follow-up visit with the appropriate specialist, preferably within a week of having a TIA. An electrocardiogram to assess heart rhythm is suggested to screen for atrial fibrillation, which is detected in up to 7% of people with a stroke or TIA. The American Heart Association recommends that long-term heart monitoring within six months of a TIA is reasonable if the initial evaluation suggests a heart rhythm-related issue as the cause of a TIA or stroke.

Early neurology consultation, either in-person or via telemedicine, is associated with lower death rates after a TIA. If consultation isn’t possible during the emergency visit, the statement suggests following up with a neurologist ideally within 48 hours but not longer than one week after a TIA, given the high risk of stroke in the days after a TIA. The statement cites research that about 43% of people who had an ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot) had a TIA within the week before their stroke.

Assessing stroke risk after TIA

A rapid way to assess a patient’s risk of future stroke after TIA is the 7-point ABCD2 score, which stratifies patients into low, medium and high risk based on Age, Blood pressure, Clinical features (symptoms), Duration of symptoms (less than or greater than 60 minutes) and Diabetes. A score of 0-3 indicates low risk, 4-5 is moderate risk and 6-7 is high risk. Patients with moderate to high ABCD2 scores may be considered for hospitalization.

Collaboration among emergency room professionals, neurologists and primary care professionals is critical to ensure the patient receives a comprehensive evaluation and a well-communicated outpatient plan for future stroke prevention at discharge.

“Incorporating these steps for people with suspected TIA may help identify which patients would benefit from hospital admission, versus those who might be safely discharged from the emergency room with close follow-up,” Amin said. “This guidance empowers physicians at both rural and urban academic settings with information to help reduce the risk of future stroke.”

Unity 2022-23 First Semester Honor Roll Announced

TOLONO - Almost two weeks ago, Unity High School announced the names of the first semester honor students. Students who achived a grade point average of 3.75 or better at the high school earn High Honor Roll recognition. Students earning a GPA of 3.20 to 3.74 are recognized as Honor students below. Congratulations to all the students listed below on the academic performance.

Senior High Honor Roll

Emily Anderlik
Roger Holben Jr.
Kiersten Reasor
Lillian Montgomery
Sona Khasikyan
Jayci McGraw
Kayla Nelson
Luke Williamson
Madison Loftsgaard
Kara Young
Ellen Ping
Matthew Brown
Rachel Aders
Caleb Amias
Aidan Anderson
Emmalee Atkins
Calvin Baxley
Bettie Branson
Mary Bryant
Annah Cloin
Jared Cross
Jordan Cross
Easton Cunningham
Brendan Graven
Asa Kuhns
Fenley Lopez
Andrew Manrique
Jacob Maxwell
Jolie Meyer
Lauren Miller
Dylan Moore
Abigail Pieczynski
Julia Ping
Sarah Rink
Kaitlyn Schweighart
Tsihon Shotton, Raena Stierwalt
Sophia Stierwalt
Emma Stratton
Ava Vasey

Senior Honor Roll

Garrett Wingler
Maddisen McConaha
Brandon Goyne
Lauren Cooke
Joshua Davidson
Myles Good
Mason Haas
Matea Cunningham
Hayleigh Clemmons
Tyler Liffick Worrell
Avery White
Hunter Duncan
Mason Perry
Emmillia Tiemann
Kayle Deck
Ian White
Brynn Clem
Reece Sarver
Natalie Weller
Kayla Daugherty
Anthony Chaney
Cale Rawdin
Annabelle Steg
Maria Buffo
Nicholas Nosler
Haley Carrington
Anna Clark
Paige Farney
Emily Hollett
Zoey Sorensen
Taylor Warfel
Eden Markstahler
Cole Marheine
Logan Allen
Jayden Clem
Anna Hamilton
Audrey Remole
David Baker Jr.
Alivia Renfroe
Andrew Mowrer
Haylen Handal

Junior High Honor Roll

Brenlee Dalton
Taylor Drennan
Tatum Meyer
Carson Parker
Briana Ritchie
Brooke Hewing
Lauren Neverman
Rylee Richardson
Analyse Carter
Cassidy Keller
Caelyn Kleparski
Dalton ONeill
Piper Steele
Bridget Vazquez
Breanna Weller
Abigail Woolcott
Keaton Roether
Carsyn Smith
Bailey Wayne
Santiago Sanchez
Madysen York
Rebecca Carter
Emma Fish
Brooklyn Haas
Caroline Jamison
Eden Johnson
Bayleigh Jones
Jocelyn LeFaivre
Reagan Little
Eric Miebach
Anna Polonus
Ava Price
Rosalia Requena Menchon
Isaac Ruggieri
Aubrey Sanders
Olivia Shike
Logan Siuts
Lily Steffens
Brock Suding
Ruby Tarr
Andrew Thomas
Jeremy Wells
Erica Woodard

Junior Honor Roll

Dominick Durso
Bryson Weaver
Kolten Wells, Anna Wood
Thayden Root
Lynndsay Talbott
Addison Ray
Kamryn Edenburn
Zachary Lorbiecki
Henry Thomas
Dean Niswonger
Gabriel Pound
McKayla Schendel
Sophia Wozencraft
Trevor McCarter
August Niehaus
Nicholas Brown
Natalie Ellars
Emma Plackett
Aubrey Schaefer
Carly Scroggins
Trevor OBryan
Connor Cahill
Bailey Grob
Shelby Hoel
Luna Thomson
Gabriel Carter
Kendra Cromwell
Margaret Ingleman
Meredith Reed
Alexia Vandiver
Emberly Yeazel
Desire De Los Santos
Madison Henry
Aiden Porter
Evelyn Albaugh
Kate Thomas

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Kolton Black
Bentten Cain
McKenzie Hart
Brady Parr
Jordan Daugherty
Ava Davis
Reigna Price
Ryan Rink
Ashley Rennels
Catharine Ford
Jenna Adkins
Lindy Bates
Molly Baxley
Sophia Beckett
Paige Brewer
Elle Cheely
Josephine Cler
Madelyn Darnall
Emily Decker
Ashlyn Denney
Estella Dodd
Kade Dubson
Chloey Duitsman
Hunter Eastin
Ava Fenter
Kadence Goff
Faith Hall
Sophia Hartke
Lauren Hellmer
Dallas Hollingsworth
Wyatt Huffstutler
Lindsey Johnson
Lindsey Lewis
Gracie Meharry
Alex Mowrer
Camryn Reedy
Rylee Reifsteck
Lydia Rossi
Meagan Rothe
Savannah Rubin
Lauren Shaw
Joseph Tempel
Avery Watson
Gavin Weaver

Sophomore Honor Roll

Avery Alagna
Noah Bryant
Caleb Hoewing
Jamessa Reinhart-Pelmore
Cohl Boatright
Dakota Brown- McClain
Nolan Remole
Braden Roderick
Teaguen Williams
Nathaniel DeNeal
Makayla Nonman
Emmerson Bailey
Jacob Davidson
Taylor Prough
Grant Steinman
Owen Taylor
Tessah Williams
Nolan Wishall
Austin Mikeworth
McKinley Weller, Brianna Blakley
Michael Bromley
Paige Garretson
Andrew King
Ryan Robinson
Daniel Stein
Logan Zumbahlen
Ezekiel De Los Santos
Ewa Klos

Freshmen High Honor Roll

Cameryn Cobb
Anna Vasey
Chason Daly
Tanner Gallivan
Logan Jeurissen
Bailey Tompkins
Samantha Gumbel
Isaac Neverman
Alexander Wells
Claire Zorns
Analea Popovics
Anna Amias
Aria Battaglia
Mylie Castle
Kaylee Cooke
Chloe Cousins
Eli Crowe
Ella Darnall
Crewe Eckstein
Olivia Egelston
Dane Eisenmenger
Callie Ellars
Camden Fairbanks
Margaret Garcier
Collin Graven
Isabel Grob
Caden Hensch
Lucas Hood
Miles Johnson
Faith Lampe
Kallista Lancaster
Mylie Loftsgaard
Claire Meharry
Ethan Mohr
Pheonix Molina
Deakin Moore
Mason ONeill
Harry Polonus
Dallas Porter
Mackenzie Pound
Ty Rodems
Katie Ruggieri
Jillian Schlittler
Hunter Shike
Annalise Shunk
Shelby Smith
Caden Stierwalt
Ginna Stierwalt
Madelyn Stierwalt
Emma Swisher
Ian Taber
Carter Tiemann
Lucille Wiesbrook
Paula Wilson

Freshman Honor Roll

Shyenne Eaton
Brody Osterbur
Jaiden Wilson
Taylor Daly
Kenley Harris
Brayden Henry
Tyler Huntington
Johanna Langley
Olivia Tempel
Athea Baird
Phoenix Navarre
Travis McCarter
Vanna Schriefer
Kamden Schuckman
Savanna Cruz
Joshua Heath
Anna Kuhns
Tyler Henry
Liana Sheets-Cowan
Shelby Zoch

Philo recycling reminder

PHILO - With the holiday season coming to an end, the Village of Philo wants to remind residents to please follow recycling rules.

The recycle bins are for use only by Village of Philo and Philo Township residents. They request residents not to bring your recycling from the offices and business from Champaign-Urbana or surrounding communities for recycling.

If the bins are full, do not leave items on the ground around or next to them. This is considered illegal dumping.

To make as much space as possible in the bins, the Village asks that all boxes be broke down or crushed. Tearing apart cardboard boxes helps to create additional space so more residents can use the bins.

Finally, users should make sure the bin doors are closed after all items have been deposited. Again, nothing should be left outside of the bins that includes plastic swimming pools, large pieces of metal, and items too large to fit into the available space in the bin.

Residents must place only approved items in the bins. Acceptable items for recycling includes: newspapers, books, paper & magazines, cardboard boxes, tin cans, aluminum cans, glass bottles & jars, and plastics (PETE, HDPE 1 or 2). Please bag loose items in plastic bags like newspapers or paper products. Cardboard should be broken and folded down as much as possible.

Items not allowed in the bins include: televisions, computers, car batteries, motor oil, and any liquids or paint products.

Tickets for Unity's All Out A Capella now on sale

Tolono - Tickets are now on sale for the Unity Music Booster All Out A Capella on Friday, February 10, at the Unity High School Auditorium. In addition to performances from collegiate a cappella groups and Unity's Surrell Sound, there will also be a raffle for prizes at the annual fundraiser.

Proceeds from the fundraiser are used to enhance music programs in the Unit 7 school district.

The doors open at 6:30 pm and the curtain rises at 7 pm. Tickets are available online here or at the door prior to the performance. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

For more information contact the Unity Music Boosters at alloutacappella@gmail.com or at UnityRocketsMusic@gmail.com.

Dining with Dee to host delicious lunch menu at Pour Brothers

CHAMPAIGN - Chef Dee is offering a special catered lunch menu on January 22 at the spacious Pour Brothers Craft Taproom in Champaign. The meal will be served starting at noon and reservations for the event are required.

A graduate of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, DeAngelo Newsom, known as Chef Dee, will serve two-day brined chicken served with a charmula sauce along with herbed rice pilaf, and winter vegetable kale salad. Diners will also enjoy a homemade herb and olive focaccia.

"We are holding the event on January 22 as part of our monthly events," explained Stephanie Astorina-Newsom, DeAngelo's wife and partner. "We are wanting to spread the awareness of Chef Dee's cooking and our business, as well as showcase other small businesses in town by having a door prize raffle that consists of items donated by small, locally owned businesses."

The couple hosted a "Dining with Dee" in December and catered multiple private dinners, weddings, and birthday celebrations. The also served meals for Christmas events both in the client's home or at an event center. Astorina-Newsom says what sets their business apart from other caterers is that they are a husband and wife team.

"We do everything from start to finish together," she said. "We communicate with the clients the throughout the entire process, do whatever we can to provide the desired vision of the host, and often become friends with those who have hired us and continue to hire us."

She emphasized the meals they create are from "fresh ingredients, never frozen, and almost everything is made from scratch."

For example, the salad to be served next Sunday includes roasted beets, sweet-pickled radishes, olives, and crispy onions served with a housemade red-onion vinaigrette.

"Chef and I both have a passion for cooking and catering to those around us. Chef often says, 'the best part of catering for people is to see them eat his food'."

Chef Dee and Stef take personal satisfaction in making their clientele's culinary experience extraordinary, introducing flavors and textures never sampled before to their guests. Chef Dee has assisted preparing meals with the legendary Guy Fieri, American celebrity chef Emeril John Lagassé III, and has cooked for recording star Drake.

"Most of the food we prepare is often food that our clients have never tried before. It's an amazing accomplishment and feeling to widen someone's taste palate," she added.

Reservations cost per person is $25. Drinks are not included. For more information or to make a reservation email Chefdeemealprep@gmail.com, visit Dining with Dee's Facebook page, or call (217) 493-0198. Reservations are required by January 20.

Recipe | A healthy choice: Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls

Family Features - From salads and snacks to breakfast, lunch and dinner, rounding out a full menu of healthy meals shouldn't be a chore. In fact, you can still enjoy your favorite flavors and tickle your taste buds with nutritious recipes that capitalize on powerful ingredients you actually want to eat.

A fruit-forward breakfast is a nutritious way to start your morning, and a fresh twist on pasta salad can make lunches or your evening side an enjoyable way to stay on track. Bowls filled with grains, veggies and a favorite protein are all the rage, and this seafood-fueled version is no exception when you're craving a combination of your personal favorites.

Photo provided

No matter if you're searching for a healthy family dinner, a quick lunch at home or an easy idea to meal prep for the week ahead, these Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls are perfect for seafood lovers who also enjoy a hint of spice. Fresh, healthy and full of deliciously prepared shrimp, these bowls are also loaded with mushrooms, peppers and cucumbers.

The homemade sauce is light with a sweet yet spicy vibe. Resting over a cup of steamy quinoa for a filling base of healthy grains, it's a quick and easy recipe you can customize with favorite toppings like sesame seeds and cilantro.

Orange Shrimp Quinoa Bowls

Serves 2

What you'll need:

1 cup quinoa

1 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon hot sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon soy sauce

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon white miso

1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed

1/4 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 cucumber, sliced into half moons

5 green onions, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

How to put it altogether:

Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lime juice and miso until combined. Pour 1/4 of liquid into separate bowl. Set aside.

Add shrimp to remaining mixture and marinate 15 minutes.

Heat large skillet over medium heat with butter. Add shrimp, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes on each side until pink. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.

In two serving bowls, divide quinoa, bell pepper, cucumber, onions, avocado and shrimp. Sprinkle sesame seeds and cilantro over both bowls.

Drizzle with reserved dressing.

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Find more wholesome, health-forward recipes at Culinary.net.

Photo of the Day | January 17, 2023

Pinned him to win it

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Jordan Hartman sticks Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley's Jeremy Smolek in their 220-pound match on November 27, 2012. Except for the three forfeits, every match between the two schools ended in a pin. Hartman, who also played football, was a two-sport athlete for the Spartans. He took the SJO senior just 40 seconds to produce the win in his weight class.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Out to a fast start, Rockets blast PBL with 21-0 first quarter run

Andrew Thomas drives to the basket on a fastbreak during the first quarter. Thomas finished with 11 points in Unity's 36-point advantage over Paxton-Buckley-Loda in their Illini Prairie Conference game on Friday. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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by Daniel L. Chamness
Special to the Sentinel

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Tolono - Tolono Unity's offense surged ahead and never looked back in their conference opener against the visiting Paxton Buckley Loda Panthers.

And, there was absolutely no reason to look back in the 58-22 victory. The Rocket offense did their best imitation of a Ferrari from the starting line, had a 10-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

While the Rocket offense was busy rambling out to a insurmountable lead, the Rocket defense was holding the Panthers at bay and feeding the offense as they capitalized on bad pass turnovers and their defensive rebounding.

Andrew Thomas scored the first Unity points draining a 10-foot jumper at 7:34. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound junior guard was also involved in the next bucket as well when he grabbed a defensive board to start the next offensive drive. The drive ended when senior Will Cowan drained a three pointer, hitting from the left wing, at the 6:47 mark. Henry Thomas drove to the bucket, but realized the defense was collapsing on him, as three Panthers closed in on him before hitting Cowan with a pass as he hit a wide open shot.

That was followed by a Henry Thomas layup, and a Cowan layup as he stole the ball and dashed down the court. He would then hit another three pointer, this one from the left corner at 4:48. With 3:12 drained off the clock, the Rockets boasted a 12-0 lead.

Before the quarter ended, both Henry Thomas and Cowan had struck from beyond the arc again, as Thomas nailed one from the right wing, while Cowan stuck from the left corner. The Thomas brothers and Cowan had the Rockets leading 21-0 after the first eight minutes at the Rocket Center.

In the opening minute of the second stanza, Andrew Thomas scored three more points hitting a free throw and then a layup at the 7:00 mark.

"We did a number of things well tonight, but our defense really stood out," said Matt Reed, Unity's head coach. "We pressured well. We made shots early and the passes were very good. They shared the ball incredibly well. We tried to stay focused the entire game, no matter how much we were leading by."

Kayden Snelling put the Panthers on the board with 6:23 to play in the first half. He would score the first six Panther points as he would score again at 2:56 and again at 1:19. While the Panthers had it the board in the second quarter, the Unity Rockets had expanded their lead to 29 points, 35-6, by halftime.

Unity pressed hard early in the first quarter, then backed off for the remaining 24 minutes.

The clock ran steady in the fourth quarter. Cowan, who was in double figures before the sun set on the first quarter, finished with a team-high 16 points. He hit a total of four treys and a pair of two-pointers. He was joined in double figures by Andrew Thomas, who finished with 11 points. He hit three regulation shots and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

In all, a dozen Rocket players lit up the scoreboard on Friday. Nate Bleecher finished with six points, while Dalton O'Neill and Henry Thomas each had five points. Unity's scoring effort was rounded out by Austin Langendorf and Dane Eisenmenger, who each had three points. Colten Langendorf, Eric Meibach, Taylor Warfel and Jay Saunders each had two points, while Isaac Ruggieri added one.

Unity moves to 10-7 overall and 1-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

"We started off hitting our shots from the beginning of the game," said Henry Thomas. "Hitting like that felt pretty good. Not to mention, it gave us so much confidence for the rest of the game."

Snelling led Panthers with 10 points.

Since it works for humans, now telehealth services for pets is growing, too

Photo:Andrew S/Unsplash

by Kim Salerno
TripsWithPets

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Wake Forest - Telehealth isn't just for people anymore. Virtual health consultations are now available for pets, and it's a promising prospect.

Pets are a treasured part of life, and have grown in both numbers and in status in recent years. Pet ownership has increased by 20 percent since 1988. As of 2022, there are 393.3 million pets in the United States. Nearly seven out of 10 American households have at least one pet, and 95 percent of pet owners think of their pets as part of the family.

We wanted to create a solution that allows veterinarians to support that bond in the best way possible, while achieving the best possible outcomes for pets.

Higher pet ownership and an increase in regard for pet comfort and care have naturally increased the demand for veterinary care. This has led to challenges for pet parents when it comes to accessing quality, convenient care and timely health advice. Telehealth offers a promising solution for the gaps in the current veterinary industry.

Dr. "Scott" Swetnam strongly believes in the benefits of telehealth for pets. A veterinarian with decades of experience treating patients and leading veterinary teams, Dr. Scott created Pet Vet Hotline, a membership based service that provides pet parents affordable, unlimited, convenient and immediate access to experienced licensed veterinarians 24/7 via video or chat.

"We love animals and the human animal bond," he notes. "We wanted to create a solution that allows veterinarians to support that bond in the best way possible, while achieving the best possible outcomes for pets."

Telehealth can help meet these goals in several different ways.

Provides access to care, anytime

Through virtual care, vets can provide pet parents with general health consultations, behavioral advice, nutritional information, education on administering basic care, and advice about whether and when medical attention is required – all at their own convenience, in the comfort of their own home. The service helps to bridge the "gaps" of veterinary care – those times when a new symptom has appeared or an incident has occurred, and a caregiver doesn't know what the next steps should be.

A pet parent's ability to access this kind of professional advice whenever necessary, at a time that's convenient for them, in a place their pet feels comfortable and safe, is an obvious benefit of virtual veterinary care. Additionally, the ability to seek the advice of veterinarians beyond a pet parent's local pool of resources allows for easier access to more expertise, with no extra time or effort.

Saves both time and money

When health issues come up, even minor ones, pet parents commonly bring their pets in for a vet visit just to be on the safe side. Having a licensed, professional veterinarian "on call" to listen to concerns, answer basic health questions,suggest some initial at-home treatments, and help determine the seriousness of any given illness or injury could change everything in terms of time and money spent on vet visits.

"It becomes a question of whether to take action or pause and monitor for changes," says Dr. Scott. "Let's say your dog is having digestive issues at 11 p.m. You could take him to the emergency vet and pay a hefty fee just to be seen. Or you could pay $12.95 per month for Pet Vet Hotline for unlimited access and speak to a licensed veterinarian immediately who can tell you, ‘He's okay, just watch for these specific symptoms.' This really has the potential to save pets a lot of undue stress and parents lots of money and time."

Allows for treatment on-the-go

Managing pet illnesses or injuries during travel is distressing. You're far from home, far from a familiar, trusted veterinarian, and not sure whether to head back home or continue your trip. Knowing the support of a licensed vet is right at your fingertips, no matter where you roam can give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your trip. .

Educates and empowers caregivers

When it comes to human colds, stomach bugs, and minor injuries, we all know what to do and which medicines and home remedies will make us feel better. But when it comes to our pets, we're often at a loss. Our dogs and cats can't tell us exactly where they hurt or detail their specific symptoms. We have to rely on what we see, and we're not always sure what we're looking at, or what we should be looking for in terms of changes in behavior or appearance. Human remedies for injuries and illness don't always work well for pets – and can even be dangerous for them.

Through telehealth, veterinarians can educate pet parents about first aid; help them make sense of behavioral changes, which commonly correspond with a pet's overall health; and perhaps most significantly, teach them how to assess their pets so they can make educated decisions about their care and treatment They can also separate truth from fiction when it comes to outdated or anecdotal remedies pet parents may find along the way as they search for answers to their pet health questions.

Learning how to assess your own pet and provide him with basic treatment and care, while knowing that help is readily available whenever you should need it, wherever you happen to be, can ease your anxiety, improve your confidence, and empower you as a pet parent.

Support vets and their staff

A sharp uptick in demand for veterinary services has, in some cases, put an increased strain on veterinary staff. Veterinarians often find themselves in the position of having less time to manage a continuously growing number of patients. Pet parents, for their part, often find themselves dealing with longer wait times, both for care, and for answers to their basic health and wellness questions. Telehealth can help reduce the strain on veterinary offices by fielding general behavioral, health, and nutrition questions, separating urgent health issues from those that are non-urgent, and performing pre-in-clinic visit assessments. This frees up time and resources for veterinary offices, allowing them to run more efficiently, and enabling veterinarians to take more time with patients, and focus on pets with the most serious health issues.

In the end, telehealth can go a long way toward bridging the gap between pet patients, pet parents, and veterinarians.

"As a veterinarian, you're doing the best you can but you can only do so much," says Dr. Scott. "Virtual veterinary services provide easy access to veterinarians, give pet parents the education they need to make the right decisions for their pets, and support veterinarians so they can do the best possible job. I really believe this is a solution for the future."

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Kim Salerno is Founder and Chief Executive Officer for TripsWithPets. TripsWithPets is a leader in the pet travel industry – providing online reservations at pet-friendly hotels across the United States and Canada.

Expected growth is creating opportunities in senior home healthcare industry

StatePoint Media - Medical professionals, patients and their families are increasingly seeing the value of home care, and the industry is expected to grow. In fact, home health and personal care aide job openings are projected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030, with experts predicting an estimated 8.2 million job openings in home-based care by 2028. Industry experts say that workers from all backgrounds, not just nursing, will be needed now and in the future.

"If you enjoy working with people and helping others when they need it most, a job as a home care or hospice nurse, home health aide, personal companion or caregiver could be a good fit for you," says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of industry leader, Interim HealthCare Inc. "Likewise, if you're currently a medical professional seeking more flexibility and to be reminded of why you entered the field in the first place, home healthcare can offer greater job satisfaction and a much-needed change of pace."

To help potential job candidates understand this growing industry, Interim HealthCare is sharing some quick insights:

Why In-Home Care?

Home care describes personal care and support services provided to an individual in their home. Often referred to as senior care, it provides help with the activities of daily living as well as companionship to those who need support to maintain their independence at home. Home healthcare on the other hand, entails medical-based care to help patients recover from an illness or injury, or to provide in-home medical oversight and ongoing care for complex, chronic medical conditions. Many families and patients can testify to the various ways home care can be a game-changer, and a growing number of physicians and medical professionals are recommending home health services to patients of all ages because it delivers cost-effective, high-quality care in the setting where patients most often want to be -- home. Among these services are in-home nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, hospice care and bereavement services.

What Employers Want

Those in the know at Interim HealthCare say that being compassionate, trustworthy, dependable and having the ability to work independently can help you thrive in the field of home care. "Made for This," Interim's current recruitment campaign, highlights the company's need for registered nurses, licensed practical and vocational nurses, along with certified nursing assistants, home care aides, home physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Veterans, with their track record of serving and protecting others, are encouraged to apply for a home care job, along with anybody who thrives in a job that offers variety, challenge and new faces and places.

What to Look for in Employers

Seeking a career in the field of home care? Be sure you work for a home healthcare organization with a positive work culture that has your best interests in mind. That includes offering good work-life balance, flexible schedules, rewarding assignments and competitive pay. The employer should also prioritize your continuing education and professional development by offering advanced learning opportunities and room for growth, along with additional perks like tuition discounts, to make it all possible.

For a home healthcare career guidebook, visit info.interimhealthcare.com/jobs-in-home-healthcare.

As demand for medical and personal care in the home grows, consider a career in this thriving field, whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or embarking on a career change.