Prep Sports Notebook |
Cornjerkers loses at home, SJO girls win again

A quick look at scoring leaders and area winners this past week. Brayden Walder scores 23 for Hoopeson in loss. Oakwood and SJO girls' squads win games before Thanksgiving.


Boys Basketball

Hoopeston Area drops season opener to Spartans


Brayden Walder was the leading scorer with 23 points in the 67-54 loss at home on Monday. Nick Cardenas came off the bench to add 10 points, while Alandize Barnett chipped in eight points. Barnett also led the team with 10 rebounds.

The Cornjerkers (0-1) return to action on Friday after Thanksgiving to face Armstrong (0-1) in an 2:30 p.m. matinee. The two teams met back in February with Trojans coming out on top with a decisive 83-61 victory. Hoopeston Area owns the series between the two programs with a 32-9 advantage since 2007.

Girls Basketball

St. Joseph-Ogden wins second game of the season


Katie Ericksen scored a game-high 12 points in SJO's 40-26 victory over Clifton Central on Monday. Addie Brooks connected on three treys for nine points, and Timera Blackburn-Kelley finished with seven points for the Spartans (2-0).

The Comets were paced by junior Maddie Webb with seven points in the non-conference matchup.

St. Joseph-Ogden hosts the Tuscola Warriors (2-2) on Monday in the Main Gym at 7:30 p.m.

Oakwood girls bounce back


After a two-point loss to Casey-Westfield on Saturday, the Comets (2-1) roll over Covington 56-29.

Oakwood's Caydence Vermillion led all scorers with 16 points and six boards. Teammate Gracie Hanner nearly match Vermillion's output with 15 points, three steals and six assists in their Comet Classic tournament game. Lainee Smith was invaluable in the paint, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds and chipping in eight points.

Covington freshman Lauren Hardy led the Trojans with 11 points and four rebounds.


More basketball stories

TAGS: Oakwood girls basketball, St. Joseph-Ogden girls baskeball team stays undefeated, Hoopeston Area basketball, High School Sports, Central Illinois sports
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Photo of the Day |
The Keegan krush, Germano delivering the hits

Keegan Germano lays a big hit on Monticello's Maddox Utley
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity's Keegan Germano lays out Monticello's Maddox Utley in a play in the first quarter during their IHSA second-round playoff game on November 8, 2025. The Rockets defeated the Sages at Hicks Field in an exciting matchup between two Illini Prairie teams 21-20. Advancing to the quarterfinals, Unity went on the road to face Williams and cruised to victory in the first half, setting up a semifinal showdown with St. Joseph-Ogden. Germano's defensive effort all season has been the cornerstone to the Rockets' 11-1 season.

More Unity Athletics Articles

TAGS: Unity Rockets defeat Monticello, IHSA Second-Round Football game, Illini Prairie Conference rivals Monticello and Unity, Monticello football, Unity Rockets football team.
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The Sentinel On This Day |
November 26

As November settles in with crisp air and golden leaves, we look back on stories that shaped our community — from Veterans Day tributes and Thanksgiving traditions to local sports triumphs, civic milestones, and voices that stirred debate.

From local news, features, and community events to politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints, discover archived posts published on November 26 in previous years, offering a rich tapestry of life in Champaign County and the broader community, curated by The Sentinel. Here are the headlines from local news, sports, community events, and editorial viewpoints in and around Champaign-Urbana over the years.

Sentinel Article Archive for November 26

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Prep Sports Notebook |
Katie Ericksen leads St. Joseph-Ogden, Urbana falls at Rantoul

La’yonna Harper led the Tigers with 14 points against Rantoul last Thursday. SJO wins opener at home over ALAH by 30.

SJO's Katie Ericksen in the Spartans' home game against Salt Fork
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Katie Eriksen in last season's shootout game against Salt Fork. She scored 20 points against ALAH in the Spartans' first game of the 2025-26 season.

Girls Basketball

Erikcson drains 20 in season opener
Katie Ericksen led the St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team to a 63-33 win over Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond with a career-best 20-point night. The senior drained six 3-pointers in the team’s first home game of the season. Timera Blackburn-Kelley also reached double figures with 14 points, and Hayden Dahl came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers and finish with nine last Thursday.


Rantoul 48 - Urbana 39
The Urbana girls basketball team fell to 0-2 after a road loss to Rantoul last Thursday. La’yonna Harper led the Tigers with 14 points, and Lizzy Lange finished with six. Kaya Hill went 4-for-6 from the free-throw line. The Eagles had two players in double figures, as Josie Roseman and Erykah Baltimore powered Rantoul’s offense with 13 points each in the nonconference game last Thursday.


More basketball stories

TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball 2025 season opener, Katie Ericksen career high points game, Urbana girls basketball Rantoul nonconference loss, Illinois high school basketball scores 2025
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Viewpoint |
Healthcare, shutdowns and the Senators who failed us

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The recent government shutdown revealed a deeper issue beyond the nine lawmakers who voted to reopen it. Fifty Republican Senators refused to discuss healthcare solutions at all.


by Dr. Julie A. Kent
      Guest Commentary


In the aftermath of the recent government shutdown, much of the public debate has centered on the nine lawmakers—eight Democrats and one Independent—who broke ranks and voted to end the stalemate. Their decision has drawn both criticism and defense. But focusing solely on those nine misses the larger, more troubling reality: the fifty Republican Senators who refused to engage in any serious discussion about healthcare.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was not perfect. It did not solve every problem in our healthcare system, and its subsidies and tax rebates were far from flawless mechanisms of payment. Yet the ACA undeniably expanded access to affordable care for millions of Americans. It encouraged preventive care for those who otherwise would have gone without. It made healthcare a possibility, not a luxury.

We cannot afford representatives who put party loyalty above the needs of the country.

And still, fifty Republican Senators could not bring themselves to even sit at the table to explore alternatives. They did not debate, they did not negotiate, they did not propose solutions. They simply refused. That refusal is not just political maneuvering—it is a betrayal of ordinary Americans who depend on healthcare to live, work, and thrive.

Had the nine Senators who “caved” held firm, the government would likely still be shut down. SNAP recipients would be relying on food banks. Federal employees would still be struggling to work without pay. Perhaps, eventually, the mounting human cost would have forced Republicans to acknowledge the value of healthcare. But the real condemnation belongs to those who let the shutdown drag on without addressing the root issue.

Some of these Senators will face reelection in 2026. Others will retire, leaving their seats open. Regardless, the lesson is clear: we cannot afford representatives who put party loyalty above the needs of the country. We need Senators who will speak out for their constituents, who will negotiate in good faith, who will wrestle with hard problems rather than avoid them.

Healthcare is not a partisan talking point, it is a human right.

The Senators who refused to act are holding back women, neglecting children, ignoring veterans, and indulging in self-aggrandizement at the expense of taxpayers. They coerced federal employees into working without pay rather than confronting the healthcare crisis. That is not leadership, it is abdication.

If these Senators will not wrestle with the real problems facing our nation, then voters must replace them with people who will. Midterm elections are not just another political cycle; they are an opportunity to demand accountability. Healthcare is not a partisan talking point, it is a human right. And those who refuse to recognize that truth should no longer hold the power to decide our future. Here are the Senators up for re-election in 2026 that let the American people down:

Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
Susan Collins, Maine
John Cornyn, Texas
Tom Cotton, Arkansas
Steve Daines, Montana
Joni Ernst, Iowa
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming
Roger Marshall, Kansas
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma
Pete Ricketts, Nebraska
Jim Risch, Idaho
Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Thom Tillis, North Carolina
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama


Army veteran Dr. Julie Kent

Dr. Julie Kent has spent over 20 years supporting simulation for US Army training. She earned a PhD from UCF and supports the Anthropology Speaker Series on campus. Dr. Kent has been championing options for healthcare since the 1970s. She lives with her husband in Baldwin Park.


TAGS: senate refusal to debate healthcare during shutdown, impact of government shutdown on healthcare access, 2026 senate elections healthcare accountability, analysis of republican senators’ healthcare inaction, consequences of stalled healthcare negotiations in congress, voter response to congressional inaction on healthcare policy
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Viewpoint |
Winter Park’s holiday celebration reflects a deep cultural vision like no other

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The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park was founded in 1935. The beauty of Central Park during this holiday season, it’s worth pausing to appreciate a civic dream that continues to resonate in the arts community.


by Rick Baldwin
      Guest Commentary

As the holiday season arrives in Winter Park, thousands gather in Central Park for Christmas in the Park, one of our city's most cherished traditions. The illuminated Tiffany windows from The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art glow against the night sky as the Bach Festival Society Choir fills the air with timeless carols. It’s a scene that feels uniquely ours, a blend of beauty, music, and community that truly captures the spirit of Winter Park.

But beyond the festive cheer, this annual celebration tells a deeper story. The convergence of art and music in Winter Park’s Central Park is no coincidence. It’s the realization of a cultural vision that took root nearly a century ago, when the city’s founders and Rollins College leaders dreamed of building a community defined by education, music, and the arts.

In March 1936, during the festival’s first full year, President Holt hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for a Bach concert at Rollins.

That vision came to life through the leadership of remarkable individuals like former Rollins presidents Hamilton Holt and Hugh McKean. Holt, a journalist and reformer, believed that a liberal education was incomplete without appreciation for the arts. McKean, a Rollins College professor of art who later became president of the institution, shared that belief and helped translate it into action. His influence extended even further when he eventually became director of The Morse Gallery of Art, further solidifying the town’s cultural triangle of academia, music, and visual art.

The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, founded in 1935, remains one of the most enduring expressions of that early vision. As one of the oldest continuously operating Bach festivals in the country, it has long been intertwined with Rollins College and the Winter Park community. From its earliest performances in Knowles Memorial Chapel, the festival has served as a bridge between professional artistry and community engagement, bringing world-class music to local audiences while giving Rollins students the chance to learn directly from experienced musicians.

Its prestige was recognized early on. In March 1936, during the festival’s first full year, President Holt hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for a Bach concert at Rollins. The visit drew national attention and symbolized the growing cultural stature of both the college and the city.

They are the embodiment of a civic dream that continues to resonate through every note sung

Just a few years later, in 1942, Rollins College benefactor and wife of Hugh McKean, Jeannette Genius McKean, founded The Morse Gallery of Art on campus, naming it in honor of her grandfather, Charles Hosmer Morse. Under her and her husband’s guidance, the gallery flourished, eventually moving to Park Avenue and evolving into The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art we know today. The museum’s world-renowned collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany stands as a testament to the same belief Holt and McKean held: that art should be accessible, inspiring and integral to community life.

Each year, when those Tiffany windows are prominently displayed in Central Park during Christmas in the Park, we see more than decorative beauty. We see a living connection between three institutions – Rollins College, the Bach Festival Society and The Morse Museum – that together helped define our city’s identity.

As we stare in awe at the beauty of Central Park during this holiday season, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the enduring partnership that has made Winter Park a cultural haven for nearly 100 years. They are the embodiment of a civic dream that continues to resonate through every note sung, every window illuminated and every generation that gathers to celebrate in our beloved Winter Park.


Rick Baldwin is the recently retired Chief Executive Officer of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, operating from 19 locations in Central Florida. He grew up in Winter Park and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1965. He currently serves as Vice President of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Board of Trustees, among other board positions.

TAGS:Winter Park Christmas in the park history, Rollins College Bach Festival connection, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Tiffany Windows tradition, winter park holiday cultural heritage, history of arts and music in Winter Park Florida, Hamilton Holt and Hugh Mckean Winter Park legacy
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The Sentinel On This Day |
November 25

In a month marked by remembrance and gratitude, we revisit stories that defined our region — local sports state championship runs, celebrating Thanksgiving, and spotlighting moments of unity, resilience, and spirited debate.

From local news, features, and community events to politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints, discover archived posts published on November 25 in previous years, offering a rich tapestry of life in Champaign County and the broader community, curated by The Sentinel. Here are the headlines from local news, sports, community events, and editorial viewpoints in and around Champaign-Urbana.

Sentinel Article Archive for November 25

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Ironmen dominate West, Pioneers edge Raiders in Intercity Opener


by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine


BLOOMINGTON – The 2025 Intercity Boys Basketball Tournament tipped off Monday night at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center, delivering a mix of blowout dominance and down-to-the-wire intensity. The double-header featured cross-town rivals facing off in the annual Thanksgiving week tradition, with the Normal Community Ironmen and University High Pioneers securing victories to open the tournament.

Ironmen roll past Wildcats

Photo: Alan Look Photography
In the evening’s first matchup, the Normal Community Ironmen made a resounding statement with a 67-39 victory over the Normal West Wildcats. The Ironmen controlled the tempo from the opening tip, utilizing a stifling defense to disrupt the Wildcats' offensive rhythm.

Normal Community’s balanced attack proved too much for West to handle. The Ironmen offense executed with efficiency, steadily building a lead that ballooned to 28 points by the final buzzer. The victory extended Normal Community’s recent dominance in the rivalry, marking another consecutive win over their district counterparts.

For Normal West, the lopsided loss highlighted early-season struggles on both ends of the floor as they look to regroup for the remainder of the tournament.

Pioneers outlast Raiders in close contest

Photo: Alan Look Photography
The nightcap offered a stark contrast in competitive balance, as the University High Pioneers defeated the Bloomington Purple Raiders 52-47. Unlike the earlier blowout, this game remained a tight affair throughout, with neither team able to pull away significantly until the closing minutes.

Defensive intensity defined the matchup, with points coming at a premium. The Pioneers managed to execute critical possessions down the stretch to secure the five-point win. Bloomington stayed within striking distance but could not bridge the gap in the final moments. The result moved U-High to 1-0 in tournament play, while the Purple Raiders dropped a hard-fought decision to open their campaign.


Alan Look Photography and Best Look Magazine continue to provide the best look in sports action photography for Bloomington-Normal. For those looking to relive the intensity of Monday night’s games, memorable moments from the tournament are preserved by the premier lens of the region. Capturing the soul of the heartland since 1999, their coverage ensures that every buzzer-beater and defensive stand is documented with professional precision.
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Strong support for IRS Direct File builds despite Trump administration's ending program

Created through the Inflation Reduction Act, IRS Direct File was used in 25 states last tax season but will not return in 2026. Critics of the cancellation also note major tax preparation companies have opposed such programs for years.

US Tax Return form

Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich/PEXELS


by Zamone Perez
Public News Service


WASHINGTON, DC - The Trump administration has announced it will cancel the IRS Direct File program for the 2026 tax filing season, a move which will result in many Americans spending more time and money to file their taxes.

Last tax season, 25 states opted into Direct File after it was created by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act in 2024. While Virginia did not enroll in the program the past two years, financial policy advocates find tax filers in the Commonwealth would have saved $500 million annually if the state did participate.

Adam Ruben, vice president of the Economic Security Project, said Direct File was valuable because tax filing software is often challenging for those who don't speak English, and cost-prohibitive for those with low income.

"The average taxpayer spends $160 and nine hours filling out their tax return," Ruben pointed out. "That’s just prohibitive for a lot of low-income families. Part of the value of Direct File would be to make tax filing simple and free, so that people don’t have to have money in their pocket in order to go out and claim those tax credits that they earn."

Trump administration officials have defended the move, claiming better free options exist for low-income filers, and private companies can do a better job for those who can pay.

One survey found nearly 75% of people who used Direct File would recommend the service to others over other tax filing options. Ruben rejected the argument Direct File costs too much to implement, highlighting how the system cut down on customer service costs and saves tax filers money.

"You’ll hear the opponents of Direct File complain about what it cost to build," Ruben observed. "But somehow, you never hear them talk about all the money that it saves for either taxpayers or for the federal government."

Direct File was also unpopular with large tax filing companies, which one analysis found spent nearly $40 million since 2006 to lobby against similar programs.

This story was produced with original reporting from Josh Israel for The Virginia Independent.


More Articles on Government


TAGS: IRS Direct File cancellation 2026, taxpayer cost savings analysis, Economic Security Project tax policy, low-income tax filing barriers, Direct File user satisfaction data
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Photo of the Day |
Aggressive rebound, SJO falls in first trip to state

Ashley [Runck] Krisman playing basketball for St. Joseph-Ogden
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Normal - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ashley Runck snatches a loose ball away from Breese Central's Lauren Budde during their Class 1A state quarterfinal game at Redbird Arena on January 23, 2007. In the final year of the girls' two-class system, the Spartans fell to the eventual state champion Cougars 56-39 in the state quarterfinals. It was deepest post season run for SJO since the start of the girls' basketball program in 1973. Runck led the Spartans (29-4) in the loss with 12 points. Twelve years later, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls' basketball program returned to Redbird, finishing third in Class 2A.


Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Photo of the Day, St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team, SJO girls' basketball at state, Breese Central Cougars,IHSA basketball state finals
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SJO Hosts Toyota of Danville Classic, McNamara returns to defend title

The Toyota of Danville Classic returns to St. Joseph-Ogden next week where basketball fans can enjoy the mix of high-energy basketball, strategy, and fast breaks.


Ryker Lockhart fights for an SJO rebound under the basket

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryker Lockhart fights to snag a rebound with McNamara's Callaghan O'Connor under the rim during the Toyota of Danville Classic championship match in 2024. The Fightin' Irish defeated the 2023 champion Spartans in a fierce battle 57-48. O'Conner finished with seven points, while Lockhart led SJO with 12 points. The two juniors and their teams are projected to square off again in the title game on December 6.
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School will welcome some of the region’s top teams next week for the annual Toyota of Danville Classic, an early-season basketball tournament that promises five days of fast-paced action and intense competition. Known as The Leader Classic for nearly three decades before being renamed in 2018, this year’s tournament runs Tuesday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 6.

Last year’s champion, Bishop McNamara, who edged St. Joseph-Ogden 57-48 in the title game, returns along with all seven teams from the previous field. Pool A features Cissna Park, Charleston, PBL, and Bishop McNamara, while Pool B includes Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, Oakwood, host St. Joseph-Ogden, and Watseka.

Fans can look forward to 16 games over the course of the tournament, highlighted by the 35-second shot clock and the usual mix of high-energy play and early-season matchups. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students per night, covering all three games scheduled each evening. Tournament play opens Tuesday at 5 p.m., kicking off what promises to be another memorable edition of the Classic.

2025 Toyota of Danville Classic Schedule

Pool A:
Cissna Park
Charleston
PBL
Kankakee Bishop McNamara

Pool B:
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond
Oakwood
St. Joseph-Ogden
Watseka


Tuesday, 12/2/25:

5:00 PM: Kankakee Bishop McNamara vs. Charleston
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. PBL

Wednesday, 12/3/25:

5:00 PM: Watseka vs. Oakwood
6:30 PM: PBL vs. Kankakee Bishop McNamara
8:00 PM: Charleston vs. Cissna Park

Thursday, 12/4/25:

5:00 PM: Oakwood vs. ALAH
6:30 PM: Watseka vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM: Charleston vs. PBL

Friday, 12/5/25:

5:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. Kankakee Bishop McNamara
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. Watseka
8:00 PM: Oakwood vs. St. Joseph-Ogden

Saturday, 12/6/25:

1:00 PM: 7th Place Game
2:30 PM: 5th Place Game
4:00 PM: 3rd Place Game
5:30 PM: 1st Place Game


More SJO Sports Articles

TAGS: Toyota of Danville Classic 2025, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball tournament schedule, Bishop McNamara high school basketball, IHSA early-season basketball games, high school basketball 35-second shot clock, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball tickets, Charleston vs Cissna Park game, Oakwood vs ALAH matchup, Watseka vs St. Joseph-Ogden, PBL vs Bishop McNamara

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Editor's Choice

Sentinel area softball scores for March 30

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks After scooping up a ground ball, Adilynn Wilson throws a runner out at second in Unit...

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