Roch's to host Fine Arts program fundraiser this weekend

ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden High School Fine Arts is holding a fundraiser this Sunday at Roch's Place in downtown St. Joseph.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the fine arts program at the high school.

"Bring your family, your requests, and your wallets and let's pack the place for the SJO Fine Arts!" organizers wrote on Facebook.

Logan Allen Music is headlining the three-hour event slated to start at 3 p.m.

In the Know | Recent articles you might have missed

Illinois tennis team suffers first conference loss, Illini fall 4-0 to #2 OSU

Illinois' Mathis Debru celebrates after he and doubles partner Oliver Okonkwo tie up their match at 4-all. The duo fell 6-4 to Ohio State's Robert Cash and Justin Boulais. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - One would have thought the steady 20mph breeze at Shahid & Ann Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex would have been ideal conditions for Illinois to upset #2 Ohio State (19-2) on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the 70º day, blessed with plenty of sunshine, did not fair well for the Fighting Illini (13-8), who lost the home match 4-0 to Buckeyes in their second Big Ten match of the season.

The key to OSU's victory and Illinois' demise was the basic 'brains over brawn' approach.

72 freshmen at SJO earn High Honor Roll recognition

St. Joseph - Earlier this week, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the third quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients. This year's freshman class labored to produce 72 scholars who earned High Honor recognition.

St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll To receive Honor Roll recognition at SJO, students must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students whose GPA is above 3.74 are recognized as High Honor Roll students. Below is the list of this semester's students who achieved High Honor Roll recognition. Follow this link to see the names of students who made the Honor Roll.

Seniors

Alyssa Acton
McGwire Atwood
Kaytlyn Baker
Olivia Baltzell
Cara Blanchard
Taylor Burch
Tyler Burch
Maddux Carter
Yamilka Casanova
Ariana Chambers
Madelynn Cook
Morgan Cramer
Aiden Cromwell
Zachary Dahman
Aleah Dial
Emily Elsbernd
Leah Finley
Joselyn Frerichs
Jessica Gadbury
Brent Golladay
Kennedy Greer
Kylie Greer
Andrew Guelfi
Mikyla Haley
Hayden Henkelman
Maya Hewkin
Taylor Hug
Shayne Immke
Emily Jeffries
Peyton Jones
Cameran Kelley
Jade Kelley
Jacob Kern
Aaron Lane
Collin Livesay
Haleigh Maddock
Kyle Meccoli
Teagan Miller
Courtney Myren
Ava Northen
Madeline Osterbur
Allegra Pearman
Ty Pence
Jack Robertson
Kirsten Schaefer
Johanna Schmitz
Jack Setterdahl
Isabel Sexton
Paige Siegmund
Payton Vander Logt
Taylor Voorhees
Alayna Wagle
Emma Ward
Maggie Ward

Juniors

Edward Alewelt
Logan Allen
Aden Armstrong
Owen Baltzell
Samantha Beetz
Chloe Burkhalter
Payton Carter
Rachel Divan
Sadie Ericksen
Addison Frick
Grace Getty
Chloe Harper
Rachel Harris
Brody Hausman
Annabelle Hueber
Tanner Jacob
Kya Jolley
Helene Jones
Lauren Lannert
Hayden Lewis
Quinn Lewis
Taylyn Lockhart
Addisyn Martinie
Shannon McMahon
Talan Miller
Isaiah Mock
Caleb Ochs
Macy Reed-Thompson
Addison Roesch
Addison Ross
Daniel Santiago
Addison Seggebruck
Lucas Skelton
Logan Smith
Dylan Smoot
Drew Thurman
Emma Thurman
Braxton Waller
Elissia Ward
Colin Wayland
Corbin Wells
Hayden Williams
Peyton Williams
Spencer Wilson

Sophomores

EJ Beckett
Audrey Benoit
William Besson
Sul Bonny
Preslee Christians
Madison Clampitt
Ella Dietiker
Luke Ditchfield
Jackson Ennis
Savanna Franzen
Addison Funk
Tayton Gerdes
Olivia Getty
Makennah Hamilton
Lauren Harris
Maebree Houston
Paige Johnson
Dylan Jones
Amilliya Kindle
Madison Lankster
Logan Mills
Gabriel Mortlock
Grace Osterbur
Chayse Palmer
Sonia Patel
Nathan Phillips
Audrey Ruppel
Charles Schmitz
Kyler Swanson
Collin Thomey
Samantha Uden
Kailynn West
Reese Wheatley
Charley Wright
Fiona Xiao

Freshman

Trevor Ames
Kylie Barrowman
Lexie Barrowman
Kaitlyn Beyers
Emily Bird
Tim Blackburn-Kelley
Aiden Bonny
Addison Brooks
Sara Bytnar
Shelby Campbell
Jacob Carlson
William Carlson
Rudra Chaudhary
Adelyn Childers
Christopher Coffey
Katie Ericksen
Callie Evans
Abigail Getty
Camden Getty
Brandon Goodwin
William Haley
Zachary Harper
Claire Hartman
Amelia Huckstadt
Lydia Huckstadt
Adalyn Jannusch
Kaelyn Jolley
Sophia Kasper
Madilyn Kelley
Cooper Kietzman
Alexis Lackey
Ryker Lockhart
Mackenzie Loschen
Michael McDaniel
Isabelle McGinnis
Emma McKinney
Kodey McKinney
Patrick McMahon
Ava Midkiff
Ashlyn Miller
Hannah Mock
Delaney Nekolny
Allison Ochs
Brennan Oleynichak
Kayla Osterbur
Colton Overstreet
Garrick Page
Branson Pearman
Kaleb Peoples
Asher Pruemer
Ainsley Rhoton
Lily Rice
Landon Roberts
Amber Ruppel
Cameron Schluter
Allison Schmitz
Trevor Sexton
Landon Smith
Lucas Smith
Tao Smith
Karleigh Spain
Quinn Stahl
Sydney Steinbach
Hadley Sweet
Carlee Taylor
Luke Tranel
Hunter Van Meenen
Sophia Vliet
Madeline Wells
Wyatt Wertz
Logan Xiao
Cyrus Zadeh

96 students earn a spot on St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll

St. Joseph - St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the third quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients.

St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll To receive Honor Roll recognition at SJO, students must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students whose GPA soared above 3.74 are recognized as High Honor Roll students. Below is the list of this semester's students who achieved Honor Roll status. Follow this link to see the names of students who made High Honor Roll.

Seniors

Madison Adams
Owen Birt
Ethan Blackburn
Kaylee Brown
Payton Carter
Abigail Dow
Katie Earley
Grace Flessner
Alex Funk
Joseph Gherna
Connor Hale
Jay Hess
Aliya Jones
Hunter Ketchum
Shane Logan
Carter Mabry
Aidan McCorkle
Katherine McDermott
Katelynn Oehmke
William Page
Emma Rydell
Katharine Short
Trinity Tapia
Mallory Wagner
Gracelyn Warns
Rebekah Weinmann
Jackson Wetzel

Juniors

Kyler Brown
Tyler Buss
Garrett Denhart
Joseph Frasca
Mia Frederick
Alana Frerichs-McCurry
Jayci Hayes
Holden Jones
Tori Kibler
Carson Maroon
Rowan Musselman
Cole Pruitt
Kaydence Reynolds
Madison Stevens
Ethan Vaughan
Brody Weaver
Mitchell Wright

Sophomores

Olivia Allinger
Jared Altenbaumer
Rylie Barton
Dillon Bear
Eli Birt
Macie Blakley
Holden Brazelton
Landen Butts
Lauren Dewese
Lyla Frerichs
Kaiden Gaines
Richi Gomez
Haley Hesterberg
Kendrick Johnson
Sara Kearney
Aiden Krall
Jeffrey Kuchenbrod
Logan Lackey
Lillian Lanter
Logan Patton
Sydney Reitmeier
Haley Rudolph
Tanner Siems
Corbin Smith
Thea Smith
Coy Taylor
Merial Yeager

Freshman

Caroline Aden
Cade Crozier
Nathan Daly
Caleb Dwyer
Parker Fitch
William Franklin
Charles Hale
Erica Hardimon
Brayden Hollingsworth
Bryanna Hood
Bryson Houchens
Nick Jackson
Jordan Johnson
Malachy Kates
Sami Kelso
Vance McComas
Jackson Mohr
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Jaxson Reynolds
Logan Rosenthal
Ethan Sanders
Gracyn Sjoken
Jacek Slowikowski
Emma Wells

Kitchen Magic: How to take care of your cast iron pots and pans like a pro

Photo: Ernest Roy/Pixabay

Cast iron cookware has made a comeback in recent years, and for good reason. It's durable and inexpensive, plus it can be used for years without losing its effectiveness. Cast iron is also incredibly versatile. It can be used on the stovetop or in the oven and will retain heat well enough to keep your food warm after you take it off the stove. But there are some things that you should know before using cast iron so that your cooking experience remains pleasant.

Avoid washing cast iron in the dishwasher

Since this type of cookware is perfect for different recipes, you might be tempted to wash it in the dishwasher. However, caring for your cast iron cookware will require special treatment:

Avoid washing cast iron in the dishwasher.

Cast iron is very durable, and you can wash it by hand, but dishwashers are not kind to it. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage your cookware, causing rust spots or warping, making the pan unusable.

Try using a stiff brush to remove stuck-on food

if you're looking for an easy way to clean up after cooking with cast iron. You can do it before wiping out any remaining residue with paper towels or kitchen cloths soaked in hot soapy water. Then, rinse any food particles left behind before drying thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Make sure to season it every few months

Seasoning is a coating of oil that helps prevent rust. It is essential to season your cookware regularly and renew it every few months or whenever you wash the pan.

Seasoning should be renewed after washing because soap removes the seasoning and leaves a sticky film behind, which can attract more dirt and dust than if there were no seasoning at all!

If you're feeling adventurous, try an off-the-shelf product like Barkeeper's Friend or Easy Off Oven Cleaner. Both are cornstarch-based cleaners that gently remove stubborn stains while adding another layer of protection against rust.

Use salt instead if you want to go natural with your cleaning methods. All you need to do is sprinkle some coarse salt on top of any stubborn food residue before heating some water over medium heat until it boils. Then, let everything sit for about 15 minutes so everything gets nice and softened before rinsing off again. Just make sure to do this once it's cool enough not to burn yourself. This should take care of just about anything except egg yolks.

Don't use soap on cast iron cookware

Since you can make everything from cooked dishes to homemade pizza with this cookware, you should know how to clean it. However, one of the biggest mistakes is using soap on cast iron cookware.

Soap can strip away the seasoning, leaving your pan vulnerable to rust. Not to mention it's easier for food to stick to it. If you're using a pan for sauteing meat or vegetables, it's best to wipe it down with oil after use instead of washing it with soap. The fat will help protect your pan from oxidation and keep it looking shiny!

Clean the surface of your cast iron with a sponge and water only

Hot water and a sponge are the best way to clean your cast iron cookware. Do not use soap or any other cleaning product unless you are trying to remove food residue from the pan's surface.

If so, scrub gently with soap and water and dry immediately after washing off all traces of soap from your cast iron pan.

You can also use a Scotch-Brite pad or steel wool. These products will help remove any burned-on food residue from your cast iron pan. Rinse the piece well with hot water, and then dry it thoroughly before storing. Store cast iron flat when it's not being used When you're not using your cast iron cookware, it's important to store it flat. If you need to set up your new kitchen after moving in, make sure to find enough place to store your cast iron cookware. If you keep it flat, it will prevent rusting and allow the oil that naturally builds up in the pan to seep back into the pores of the metal.

Don't stack your pans on top of each other – this will cause them to scratch and damage each other over time.

Make sure not to store it in an oven or microwave – the heat from these appliances can warp or crack the handles of your pans.

Don't put them in a dishwasher – the harsh chemicals used by most detergents are damaging for any cookware, but especially so for cast iron since they'll strip away any seasoning from previous uses as well as leave behind residue that may cause food sticking problems later on down the road.

Cast iron can last for decades if you treat it right

Cast iron cookware is durable, long-lasting, and versatile. It can be used on the stovetop or in the oven, over an open fire, and even under a broiler if you're feeling adventurous. Cast iron is also easy to clean – wipe it out with a paper towel when you're done cooking!

However, it's important not to get your cast iron too hot: never put any part of your body near direct heat while cooking with cast iron. This includes touching handles or lids. Keep these items away from anything that could cause burns when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods. As you can see, making food with this cookware has many benefits. Cast iron must be seasoned before use. This process creates a protective coating on its surface which helps prevent rusting over time. Also, it makes food stick less often than regular stainless steel pans do.

There's no need for soap or oil during washing up afterward either – just rinse under running water until all residue has disappeared. Then, wipe them dry with paper towels before storing them away.

Cast iron is an excellent investment for any kitchen. It's durable, lasts forever, and can provide delicious meals for years if you take care of it properly. We hope that this guide has helped you understand how to care for your cast iron cookware so that it will last even longer!

Every kitchen needs an assortment of cast iron cookware. Cooking with cast iron pans not only infuses iron into food, it enhances the natural flavor in our favorite warm food items.

Photo: Memoaaguilar/Pixabay

Illinois tennis team suffers first conference loss, Illini fall 4-0 to #2 OSU

The key to OSU's victory and Illinois' demise was the basic 'brains over brawn' approach.

Physically, Ohio State's roster, compared pound-for-pound, did not measure up to the lightning quick, ball-bashing, uberfit Illinois squad.

"We have the student athletes to get the job done," head coach Brad Dancer said, clearly disappointed of the team's performance after the match. "It was evident today we are not in the mindset to take control of the Big Ten. Tennis matches are like prize fights – you have to hit with your best and you have to take your opponent's best. The difference is you can't get KO'd."

The sustained wind out of the south played havoc for both squads. Typical low-percentage shots that Illini players make routinely missed wide far too often. Groundstokes tended to stay a loft too long, only to bounce a foot or two out of bounds.

Across all six courts during singles, the Buckeyes adjusted their style of play and stopped trying to slug it out toe-to-toe with the Illini. OSU opted for a new strategy focused on keeping the ball in play, while Illinois kept going after the big shots and settling more often than not unforced errors.

The tactical change worked. Playing smart tennis, OSU's JJ Tracy soundedly defeated Illinois' William Mroz, 6-1, 6-2. Minutes later, Mroz' teammate, Nic Meister, was packing his racquet bag after falling Jack Anthrop, 6-2, 6-1.

"So you walk on the court and start punching and start defending and you have to get used to getting punched in the gut, and punching back and realize this is tennis. It doesn't go away, so get comfortable fighting and being tough. When this team is able to consistently do that we will have a great squad. Until we can be consistent in that then we are what we are."

Right: Oliver Okonkwo chases a ball off the court during his #2 Doubles match with partner Mathis Debru. Left: Junior Hunter Heck returns a serve to his backhand during his doubles match with Karlis Ozolins. The pair was trailing 5-4 in their #1 Doubles match against OSU's Andrew Lutschaunig and James Trotter when play was ended after the Illini recorded losses on the #2 and #3 doubles courts. Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The remaining four singles matches went to a third set tie-break. Despite down 3-0 on the north scoreboard, Illinois still had a chance to engineer an upset until Ohio State's James Trotter, who forced the breaker after taking the second set 6-3, sealed the team victory with his third set 6-2 win over Illinois' Alex Petrov. Petrov won the opening set between the pair 6-4.

Earlier, in doubles competition Alex Petrov and Kenta Miyoshi were the first shake hands after dropping the match to OSU's Cannon Kingsley and JJ Tracy, 6-2. Then, with a stroke of luck, Buckeyes Robert Cash and Justin Boulais slid by Oliver Okonkwo who partnered with Mathis Debru in a dramatic 6-4 finish to secure the doubles point.

This weekend the Fighting Illini men's tennis team are on a two-match road trip to face Purdue University on Friday and then head south to Bloomingon, Indiana, for another conference match against Indiana University on Sunday.

BOX SCORE

Ohio State 4, Illinois 0

Doubles
1. #49 Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) vs. #7 Andrew Lutschaunig/James Trotter (OSU) 4-5, unfinished
2. #36 Robert Cash/Justin Boulais (OSU) def. #56 Oliver Okonkwo/Mathis Debru (ILL) 6-4
3. Cannon Kingsley/JJ Tracy (OSU) def. Alex Petrov/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) 6-2

Singles
1. #33 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) vs. #2 Cannon Kingsley (OSU) 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 4-4, unfinished
2. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Justin Boulais (OSU) 2-6, 6-4, 5-1, unfinished
3. #25 James Trotter (OSU) def. Alex Petrov (ILL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. #15 JJ Tracy (OSU) def. William Mroz (ILL) 6-1, 6-2
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) vs. Alexander Bernard (OSU) 6-3, 5-7, 4-3, unfinished
6. Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. Nic Meister (ILL) 6-2, 6-1

Over 200 spectators enjoyed the warmest day yet this spring watching the Illini battle OSU at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illinois team plays at home next on April 14 for Mom's Day and again April 16 for Senior Day. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Recipe | Spaghetti with turkey and beef meatballs

Family Features - Making small changes to focus on your health, like following a healthy eating plan, can make a big difference in protecting your heart.

Developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. It requires no special foods, and instead provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

As an added bonus, sharing DASH-friendly meals with your loved ones can help take the guesswork out of putting nutritious dinners on your family’s table. For example, this easy and delicious Turkey and Beef Meatballs with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti recipe is one the entire family can help prepare.

In addition to a following a healthy eating plan, other self-care habits like taking time daily to destress, being more physically active and getting enough quality sleep can all benefit your heart. It’s also important to know what your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are and what a healthy weight is for you.

Learn more about the DASH eating plan and find recipes at nhlbi.nih.gov/DASH.

Turkey and Beef Meatballs with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti
Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

3 quarts water
8 ounces dry whole-wheat spaghetti
2 cups chunky tomato sauce
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh basil, rinsed, dried and chopped

Turkey Meatballs:

6 ounces 99% lean ground turkey
1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fat-free evaporated milk
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon fresh chives, rinsed, dried and chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, rinsed, dried and chopped

Beef Meatballs:

6 ounces 93% lean ground beef
1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fat-free evaporated milk
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon fresh chives, rinsed, dried and chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, rinsed, dried and chopped

Preheat oven to 400 F.
In 4-quart saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil.
Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
To make turkey meatballs: In bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, evaporated milk, Parmesan cheese, chives and parsley; mix well. Measure 1 1/2 tablespoons turkey mixture and roll into ball using hands. Place meatball on nonstick baking sheet. Repeat until eight turkey meatballs are made.
To make beef meatballs: In separate bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, evaporated milk, Parmesan cheese, chives and parsley; mix well. Measure 1 1/2 tablespoons beef mixture and roll into ball using hands. Place meatball on nonstick baking sheet. Repeat until eight beef meatballs are made.
Bake meatballs 10 minutes until minimum internal temperature of 165 F is reached.
Warm sauce, if necessary.

To serve: Serve four meatballs with 3/4 cup pasta, 1/2 cup sauce, 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese and 1 pinch basil per portion.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Attention consolidated election candidates

Are you running for a seat on your village board of trustees, an open or contested spot on your school board, or a position on the county board?

The Sentinel is currently welcoming Letters to the Editor from area candidates in Urbana, St. Joseph, Tolono, Ogden, Philo, Sidney, Royal, Ivesdale, and Pesotum who are running for office in the upcoming consolidated election.

Tell us and our readers, in 1,200 words or less, which office you are running for and why. Explain what you hope to accomplish or fix during your tenure, and, of course, why you are the right person to serve them and your community. Submissions that have an axe to grind, threats, senseless tirades, or self-serving advocacy in nature will not be considered for publication.

Please include in your cover email a short note containing your name, address, and daytime/cell phone number. An editor will contact the authors for all submissions prior to publishing to verify that you submitted the letter we have received. A short biography, two sentences at most, to run at the end of your letter would be appreciated but not mandatory.

The deadline for your submission so it is published ahead of Tuesday's election is noon on Thursday, March 30. Email your Letter to the Editor submission to editor@oursentinel.com.

Does your business qualify for the ERC Federal Assistance Program?

Photo: StartupStockPhotos/Pixabay

StatePoint Media - The strength of the country relies on its estimated 33.2 million small businesses, which comprise 99.9 percent of all American businesses. COVID threatened, and in some cases forced, the closure of many small enterprises and tens of thousands are still reeling from the aftermath of the full pandemic.

In an effort to offer some relief, the federal government created the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Program under the IRS that has already helped thousands of qualifying businesses receive up to $26,000 per employee. Unfortunately, not enough small business owners are aware of the program. Others don’t think they will qualify, leaving billions of dollars on the table that could help them recover and continue to move forward.

Companies such as ERC Helpdesk, www.erchelpdesk.com, have been created to help small businesses determine their qualifications and navigate the ERC program. Now is the perfect time for business owners around the country to see if they make the cut.

A small business can receive an ERC even if it received PPP. The program is flexible enough that most businesses will likely be eligible. The average claim is $150,000, but there is no cap on the amount.

"I was the owner of a marketing business that assisted dozens of small business owners so I witnessed firsthand the challenges and sweat equity involved in taking such a big risk," said ERC Helpdesk chief marketing officer, Greg Ross-Smith. "Our founder was and remains a small business owner himself who was initially told his businesses would not qualify for an ERC and there was nobody he could find to make sense of the program. When he finally learned about the program details and what the actual qualifications are, not only did he apply and receive funds, he decided to create a way to assist other small business owners in taking advantage of the funding available for their businesses."

Here are the basics to see if you qualify:

• Your business is based in the United States.

• You retained and paid W2 employees during 2020 and 2021.

• Your business was impacted by COVID restrictions in one or more of the following ways:

1. Loss of revenue

2. Supply chain disruptions

3. Full or partial shutdown of your business

Now a growing industry, ERC companies are popping up all over so be wary about who you work with. Ideally, try to work with a company you know, or at least one that understands the needs and inner workings of a small business. Often, it helps to work with a smaller sized ERC business that’s accessible and that will work with your submission on a one-on-one basis. Bigger isn’t always better in this industry. Of course, partnering with a company that maintains a high approval rate for its clients is a critical point of measurement as many companies can waste your time and get your hopes up by simply submitting anything knowing the chances of success are slim. Finally, to the degree you can determine it, try to work with a company that will process your application as quickly as possible while focusing on reducing errors that can delay the process.

"So many small businesses are built organically with the participation, support and hard work of family and friends. As a result, we understand the investment of time, resources and relationships that go into every business we work with," said Ross-Smith. "In the ERC business, integrity, trust and customer service rule and that’s what I’d urge all applicants to consider in navigating their eligibility for the program. Our only goal is to help them qualify and then maximize their efforts and amount of compensation they receive."

Fighting Illini battle to upset #2 OSU falls short

URBANA - Illinois tennis players Mathis Debru (left) and Oliver Okonkwo celebrate after tying up the score at 3-all in their doubles match against Ohio State's Robert Cash and Justin Boulais. Later on a beautiful but windy spring day, the Fighting Illini duo fell 6-4. The #2 nationally-ranked Buckeyes won the Big 10 match 4-0 at Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois (13-8, 1-1) looks to rise above .500 after they return from Purdue next Friday and their league match with the Boilermakers.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rockets win softball season opener in Tennesse, and then some

JACKSON, TN - Lindy Bates went 3-for-3 in the Rockets' season opener earlier this month against Millington Central at the Sarah Beth Whitehead Tournament. Unity plated three runs in the third inning to beat the Trojans after five innings 4-2 on March 16.

Starting the bottom of the third down 2-1 on the scoreboard, Unity's Jenna Adkins went down swinging to give Millington the first out. Next, Ruby Tarr stepped up to the plate to face Trojan starter Breanna Hulsey. Tarr took her third pitch smacking leather out to center field, only to be caught by MC's Rilee Ervin.

With two outs on the board, Bates wasted no time and pounded the ball to right field, rounding first and on to second for a double. She later moved to third courtesy of a line drive from senior Reese Sarver.

With Unity bats now ignited, senior Ashlyn Miller, who scored on an error in the previous inning, knocked in the tying run on a fly ball out to left field while Sarver made her way to scoring position on third.

Then, tied at two-all, the Unity line-up kept their hands on the throttle scoring two more runs on a line drive double to right from Maegan Rothe to lock in the first win of the season.

Two days later, the Unity bats were still glowing. The Rockets amassed 27 runs across four games to finish the out-of-state tournament 3-1.

Unity bombs Peabody

The Rockets scored ten runs in the first inning of their second tournament game to stun the Golden Tide of Peabody High School, 12-0.

Ashlyn Miller and Reece Sarver booked two RBIs apiece, while Jenna Adkins, Lindy Bates, and Lauren Haas delivered one each in a contest that lasted just two and a half innings.

Jenna Adkins, Chloey Duitsman, Reagan Little, and McKayla Schendel padded their baserunning stats with one stolen bag each.

Striking out a trio of Peabody batters, Bates picked up the win, throwing just 28 pitches in the first two innings.

Adamsville falls victim to Rockets' firepower

Three hours after the start of the first game on Saturday, March 18, Jenna Adkins crushed the ball over the right field fence for a solo home run to knot the score at one-all in the first inning of the Rockets' Round of 16 game against the Cardinals.

UHS retired the next three Adamsville batters in the top of 2 before piling nine runs on the scoreboard to go up 10-1.

The Rockets enjoyed a bunted single by Maegan Rothe; doubles from Chloey Duitsman, Lindy Bates, and Ashlyn Miller; and a two-out two-RBI triple from Rothe on her second appearance in batter's box in the frame.

In the bottom of the third inning, Abbie Pieczynski, batting for Bates, tapped a ground ball to the pitcher. Tossed out at first, the senior's play allowed McKayla Schendel to score from third.

Up 11-1, Unity stretched their early season win streak to three games, outscoring opponents 27-3 after Sarver flew out to center field.

Unity suffers first loss

Camden scattered five unanswered runs across four innings against the Rockets in their tournament quarterfinal game. In a hole too deep to climb, UHS was eliminated from medal contention after a 6-4 finish.

Lindy Bates, who absorbed the pitching loss, had one hit and tallied two stolen bases. Sophia Beckett, Lauren Haas, and Ruby Tarr logged one stolen base a piece.

Roch's to host Fine Arts program fundraiser this weekend

In the Know | Recent articles you might have missed

72 freshmen at SJO earn High Honor Roll recognition

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshman

96 students earn a spot on St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshman

Kitchen Magic: How to take care of your cast iron pots and pans like a pro

Illinois tennis team suffers first conference loss, Illini fall 4-0 to #2 OSU

BOX SCORE

Recipe | Spaghetti with turkey and beef meatballs

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Attention consolidated election candidates

Does your business qualify for the ERC Federal Assistance Program?

Fighting Illini battle to upset #2 OSU falls short

Rockets win softball season opener in Tennesse, and then some

Unity bombs Peabody

Adamsville falls victim to Rockets' firepower

Unity suffers first loss

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Supreme Court blocks Trump's planned National Guard deployment to Chicago

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