Spartans handout another soccer shutout

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Logan Mills is congratulated by teammate Eli Birt after netting his third goal against visiting Blue Ridge. The Spartans logged a 9-0 shutout in just over 31 minutes of regulation time. The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team is back in action today, hosting the Spartans from Olympia in a non-conference duel. Monday's win was the seventh and second-consecutive shutout this season for SJO.

Urbana soccer wins again! Tigers takedown visiting Sages

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Fidany Mukadi makes a pass during first half action in the Urbana soccer team's home match against Monticello. The Tigers (6-2) defeated the visiting Sages, 5-1. Mukadi, a sophomore, is team leader in assists, averaging one per game this season. Next up, UHS hopes to extend their five-game win streak against the Bloomington Raiders (6-7) at Randy Blackman Field on Tuesday.

Guest Commentary |
Trump is rightfully grumpy

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Trump angry? Kamala got joy?

Did Trump seem angry last week during the debate? I thought he was intense. There’s a difference.

Aren’t you a little intense? Doesn’t it bother you when you dread going to the grocery store because you need more money to buy the same things? Doesn’t it irritate you that your town is starting to look like a third world country? Doesn’t it make you a little intense when so many undocumented people are getting medical care that you can’t afford?

Doesn’t it provoke you some that your grandchildren can’t play outside at night because America has become so unsafe? Do you even feel safe for them to be out in the yard or down the street alone during the day? Doesn’t it make you just a little uptight when you go to buy a car and know that if you can’t pay cash for it that you will make payments and big ones for a long time?

Doesn’t it make you a bit irritable that renting an apartment of any size is insanely expensive? Does it bother you that buying a house might never be within your reach? How do you feel about seeing your ability to financially enjoy retirement shrink more every day?

Does it bother you that babies are aborted in such late stages of pregnancy when there is no medical necessity or concern about the mother’s or baby’s health?

Doesn’t it concern you that our country is so involved in the Ukraine-Russia war and also the Israel-Hamas war? Could we end up in World War III? Doesn’t it bother you that we are living in an era where we need police protection more than ever but some government leaders want to defund the police? Doesn’t it tick you off a bit that you may never be able to retire?

I think Trump has every reason to be a little high strung and intense. I suspect you have times when you are as well.

Now Kamala, naw, she’s got joy. None of this stuff is bothering her at all. She laughs, giggles and has some funky facial expressions going on.

As millions of people have illegally crossed our border for almost four years, she and Joe Biden have let them have their way. Prices on everything have strained the American economy during her entire tenure. Her solution is that America is going to move on and she will give every hopeful home owner $25,000, and everyone will be filled with joy.

Handing out big checks to Americans, businesses and even colleges and non-profits during Covid started this huge mess of people preferring to stay home instead of work. It also began this economy crisis our nation is suffering.

We can thank Kamala and Biden for this joy that she only wants to continue. Which are you feeling today? Trump’s intensity or Kamala’s joy?

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. 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.

Streaming tonight, Sentinal area prep football game schedule

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden linemen Josh Courter makes the initial hit as teammate Braxton Waller barrels into help bring down Prairie Central's Avery Elder in last year's home game. The Spartans, who travel to Fairbury tonight to take on the Hawks, won the 2023 installment 26-19, extending their win streak to three games in conference play.

URBANA - It is game night for several area high school football teams. Below is a list of games that are available online live and on-demand.

CENTENNIAL CHARGERS vs Richwoods |

7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Last week, the Chargers posted their first victory of the season, beating crosstown rival Central, 39-15. Centennial's defensive effort was stellar, holding Central to just 168 yard the entire evening. Improving to 1-1 after this game and their 56-21 Week 1 loss to Peoria, the Chargers host Richwoods. The Knights also boast a 1-1 record, defeating Manual with a fourth-quarter TD loast week.

UNITY ROCKETS vs Illinois Valley |

7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Hosting Illinois Valley Central in their Week 3 game, the Rockets will likely put the Illini Prairie Conference contest away before the third quarter after dropping last week's heartbreaker to rival St. Joseph-Ogden. IVC, now 0-2 this season, hope to leave Hicks Field with an upset victory over the Rockets and secure their second win out the program's last 11 outings.

ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN SPARTANS
@ Prairie Central |

7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Moving to Week 3 without a loss on the books, the Spartans can't afford to be over-confident in tonight's game against the Hawks, who finished 4-4 in the IPC in 2023. If the SJO defense can't keep Prairie Central's ground-n-pound in check, it could be another last second thriller like last week's 24-21 win over Unity.

URBANA TIGERS @ Normal |

7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Heading into to tonight's contest on the road, the 0-2 Tigers look to claw out a win over the 2-0 Normal Community. Urbana will have their work cut out for them as the Ironmen have outscored their first two opponents, 103-19.

OAKWOOD COMETS @ Watseka |

7:00 PM Central
STREAM LIVE

Bouncing back from a 40-12 loss in their opener to Momence, the Comets crushed Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Chrisman 62-20 on the road. Back on the road, Oakwood travels to Watseka to face the 2-0 Indians.

Central Illinois DMVs to receive facility upgrades to reduce wait times

SNS - By the end of the month, Illinois residents will be able to renew registration or licenses faster and easier at DMV facilities in Charleston and Mattoon. The renovation for both facilities includes updated signage to create a more logical flow and help customers know where to go, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today.

As a part of the Secretary of State’s ongoing modernization efforts, the new DMV experience will save customers considerable time and several steps by offering both vehicle and driver services at a single service counter. Driver services and vehicle services employees at “One-Stop-Shop” DMVs are cross-trained to provide both sets of services, which will eliminate wait times. The office has also redesigned customer service counters and signage to create a more logical flow.

"Since taking office, we’ve made it a top priority to provide exceptional customer service and reduce lines and wait times," Giannoulias said. "Our Charleston and Mattoon facilities will be among the first to get this makeover that will give them a modern feel while employing new technology to create efficiencies."

The Charleston facility at 1010 East Street will temporarily close from Sept. 16-20, while renovations take place. A temporary “pop-up” location will provide services to Illinois residents at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library located at 712 6th Street.

Starting September 23, the Mattoon DMV, located at 2020 Charleston Ave, will temporarily close until September 27. Residents can go to the Mattoon Public Library at 1600 Charleston Avenue for normal services until the upgrade has been completed.

At a single service counter, customers will be able obtain the following services:

Apply for a REAL ID or a new driver’s license or state ID card.
Renew a driver’s license, state ID or Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL).
Register or renew their vehicle registration and obtain vehicle stickers.
Order a new license plate.
Join the Illinois Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Thank you for the memories

Scott Hamilton, Kiel Duval, and Brian Brooks

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity High School head football coach and Athletic Director Scott Hamilton stands between St. Joseph-Ogden head basketball coach and son of the late SJO head football coach Dick Duval on the left and SJO superintendent Brian Brooks, on the right, for a photo prior to the start of last Friday's football game between the Rockets and the Spartans. Representatives for SJO presented Hamilton, who will retire from teaching and his position as athletic director after this academic year, with a memento thanking him for the legendary 30-year rivalry between the two downstate football programs. During Hamilton's tenure, the Unity football program has qualified 28 times and has played in five Class 3A state title games. Heading into tonight's home game against Illinois Valley Central, he owns an impressive career record of 283 wins and 71 losses.

Spartans volleyball team outlasts visiting Warriors

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Ava Seggebruch passes the ball to the front row during the Spartans' home game against Casey-Westfield on Tuesday. SJO won the home match, 25-20, 25-21. Seggebruch led the team with 12 kills and 15 digs in the nonconference victory. The Spartans are back in action on Monday at Hoopeston Area, followed by another road trip back east to Danville before hosting St. Thomas More in their first Illini Prairie Conference match of the season.

Guest Commentary |
When it comes to life, there are no guarantees

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

When it comes to life, there are no guarantees. A few people will live to be 100 and beyond. The majority of people will die much younger. We don’t know for sure. Your health can be great and still anything can happen. Your health might be bad. A friend who lived to be about 77 said, “If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.” He meant it to be humorous.

Seventy-seven doesn’t seem very old if you are 80. You may feel if you are 70 that you’ve just really started to live. It has a lot to do with who you are, how you feel, and the overall condition of your life. Sadly, there are a lot of miserable people who are still very young but can’t figure out their lives.

Age is truly just a number especially if you feel good, can take care of yourself, and have something to live for. This could be anything from a grandchild, to a job, a hobby, your career, or just spending your money. It’s important to have an interest. You need to have something to do. Everyone needs to be pursuing something they enjoy. You need a reason to get up in the morning. It will keep you going.

You may be here 30 years from now or maybe you won’t. It won’t hurt you to plan for the long haul. This means eating as healthy as possible, exercising some every day, managing your weight, and visiting your doctor routinely. This may help you to live a little longer and enjoy the remaining years you have. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s worth a shot. Keep trying to save a few dollars every month. Regardless of your age, there is always something that’s going to come up. You will need a new roof, furnace, or car. The list is endless.

Yet, today might be our last. We never know. Be kind every chance you have. Say thank you often. Do the small things that may help family and friends. Build others up. Give them a boost by saying something good to them. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Forgive people. Forgive yourself. Put the past behind you because you can’t change the past. Try to do something every day you enjoy. That may be walking, reading, playing music, talking to people, cooking, or it could be anything. Regardless of how long we live, life is short.

Recently, a friend lay dying. I asked him what I could do for him. He said, “All I would like to have is one more day.” Today, may be our one more day. Whatever we do on this one day will hopefully be a blessing not only to us but in some way will be a blessing to someone today or years from now.

The seed we plant will bring a harvest, of some kind.

Pressing the right buttons at Urbana Night Market

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emil "The Button Man" Cobb creates a new button for a customer last Thursday at Urbana's first Night Market at the Square at Lincoln Square Mall Thursday evening. Night Markets will be held every Thursday for the next five weeks in the Southeast parking lot, showcasing local artists, craftsmen, and food vendors. Next week, Panc8s will be the featured band for the event, sponsored by The Market and the Urbana Arts and Culture. Cobb creates photo buttons and keychains on the spot from customer social media feeds or phone albums.