Sentinel Article Archive for December 20
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The Sentinel On This Day | December 20
Here is a recap of the headlines published on this day in December in the Sentinel from Champaign‑Urbana and surrounding communities. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
Friday Basketball Scoreboard for December 19
PHOTO: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Parker Fitch makes a pass in the second half while being pressured by Normal University's Austin Kruger. Fitch led the Spartans' offense, delivering a 17-point performance against the Pioneers. Despite a stellar night, SJO fell 64-51 to U-High.
Here are scores and recaps for area prep basketball teams from Friday, December 19.
Boys Basketball
Knights drop road game at Monticello
MONTICELLO - Will Hilligoss scored 15 and Brennon Hutson added another 12 in Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond's 59-41 loss to Monticello on Friday. Hutson and Cooper Shoemaker led the team in rebounding with four each.
Unity Christian trio notch double figures in win over the Sabers
CHAMPAIGN - Trailing by one at the end of the third quarter, Unity Christian roared back to win their non-conference outting at St. Thomas More, 66-61. Kenyon Greer scored a team-high 21 points for the Lions. Qayden Bond and Monty Wilson, both seniors, finished with 14 points and 12, respectively.
SJO drops home game, Fitch scores 17 in loss
ST. JOSEPH - The Spartans led by as many as nine points in the second quarter before falling 64-51 in their non-league bout against Normal U-High. Pioneers' Cameron Johnson led all scorers with 22 points for non-conference win heading into next week's State Farm Classic tournament. The Spartans were led by Parker Fitch and his 17-point output. Nolan Franzen and Ryker Lockhart contributed 11 points each in the loss.
Cornjerkers quiet the Storm
ST. JOSEPH - The Hoopeston Area defeated the Salt Fork 42-28 on the road. Alandez Barnett scored 14 points and Nick Cardenas added another 14. Cole Miller led the team in rebounds with 10 rebounds. Hoopeston Area is set to play their first home game on January 6th against the Comets of Oakwood.
Boys' Area Scoreboard
Normal University 64, St. Joseph-Ogden 51
Unity 50, Pleasant Plains 39
Monticello 59, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 41
Unity Christian 66, St. Thomas More 61
Peoria 73, Centennial 57
Champaign Central 72, Bloomington 57
Heritage 81, Arthur-Okaw Christian 75
LaSalle-Peru 59, Rantoul 38
Armstrong 63, Oakwood 52
Mahomet-Seymour 62, Effingham 48
Hoopeston Area 42, Salt Fork 28
Girls Basketball
Girls' Area Scoreboard
St. Joseph-Ogden 59, Leroy 39
Peoria Notre Dame 70, Urbana 20
The Sentinel On This Day | December 19
Here is a recap of the headlines published on this day in December in the Sentinel from Champaign‑Urbana and surrounding communities. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
Sentinel Article Archive for December 19
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Bathrooms are breeding grounds for germs, clean them top to bottom
Your toilet can aerosolize and throw germs up onto surfaces within about five feet. Make sure you're wiping flat areas down frequently. At least weekly, if not daily.
Photo: Nik/Unsplash
Minerals in toilet water can get stuck to the toilet bowl, which can also be a breeding ground for germs.
by Matt SheehanOSF Healthcare
Shower Cleaning tips
"When you're cleaning, go from top to bottom," Heinz says. “If you start cleaning your tub and then you clean your shower walls, you're going to have to re-clean the tub. When you're getting out of the shower, think about the moisture that's there. That's where the bacteria and fungus are going to grow, so you're going to want to get rid of that moisture if you can.” The moisture buildup isn’t limited to linens, Heinz says. She recommends wiping down any moisture seen in the shower before getting out. Use a Squeegee, towel or paper towel to dry the area. Normally, you should clean your shower at least once a week. If many people use the shower on a daily basis, or if someone is sick, Heinz says it is best to clean it every day. Charles Gerba, PhD, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona, told Reader’s Digest that bathmats and other fabrics are some of the dirtiest items, because people step on them with dirty shoes, and they stay wet and damp the longest.Bathtubs’ path to bacterial and fungal infections
If you have a cut on your body, you can introduce bacteria or fungus to the area during a shower. "You can get athlete's foot or a staph infection just through the tub and not cleaning," Heinz says. She adds the film on the bottom of the shower or bathtub is a clear sign of where bacteria is living. Make sure to scrub the area, clean it and let it dry completely. If you notice discoloration in your shower or bathtub, Heinz recommends cleaning it immediately.Bathroom cleaning tips
"Your toilet can aerosolize and throw germs up onto surfaces within about five feet," Heinz says. “With flat surfaces, it can collect dust or other things that are in the air, so make sure you're wiping those down frequently. At least weekly, if not daily.” Heinz recommends cleaning areas of your bathroom twice. The first time is for cleaning, the second time is for disinfecting. And don’t forget about the soap dispenser! Heinz says since this is one of the first places people reach to clean their hands, it’s one of the dirtiest places in the bathroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the surface you’re wiping stays wet the entire time of contact to make sure germs are killed. You should clean surfaces with water and soap and scrub them before sanitizing or disinfecting them. According to the CDC, “Cleaning removes most germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. Clean with water, soap and scrubbing. Sanitizing reduces germs to levels public health codes or regulations consider safe. Sanitizing is done with weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. Clean surfaces before you sanitize them. Disinfecting kills most germs on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting is done with stronger bleach solutions or chemicals.”Don't mix multiple chemicals
"With any products that you're going to be using, I'd make sure you're looking at the warning labels. I would definitely not mix chemicals," Heinz says. “If you are going to use one chemical and then use another, I'd make sure that you're rinsing thoroughly, making sure it dries, and then you can use the next product.” If you’re diluting a chemical-based product, the CDC says to only use water at room temperature. Adding that an extra safety precaution is to wear eye and skin protection (like gloves) and store chemicals out of children’s reach.Don’t forget your toothbrush!
Does your toothbrush hang out on the bathroom counter? You might want to rethink that. "If you keep your toothbrush on the counter, it likely has fecal matter on it. So, put your toothbrush away or switch it often and clean it,” Heinz says.Stop the spread | Toilet style
Here’s a habit change you can consider. Instead of flushing the toilet and just walking away, close the lid before you flush and keep the germs inside. "Make sure when you're flushing the toilet, go ahead and close the lid. That's going to minimize the number of germs that are spraying all over your bathroom and aerosolizing," Heinz says. Heinz adds another fun fact about the dirtiness of toilets – the minerals in the water. She says the minerals in toilet water can get stuck to the toilet bowl, which can also be a breeding ground for germs.Rental scams are growing, avoid them with these tips
Looking for off-campus housing? This fictional account shows how easily rental scams can happen, even in familiar college towns.
Photo: Surface/Unsplash
Hunting for your next apartment can be stressful. Don't rely solely on online listings. Check to make sure leasing agents showing you a home or apartment is legit.
StatePoint Media - Megan and Tatianna had sworn they wouldn’t wait until April again. Last year’s apartment hunt had been a mess—cramped layouts, ancient appliances and landlords who acted like “close to campus” was a luxury amenity. This time, they started in January. Both were from the same Chicago suburb, close enough that their parents still waved at each other in grocery store parking lots. Megan, a senior in materials science engineering, lived by spreadsheets. Tatianna, an electrical engineering junior, trusted her instincts. Together, they felt balanced. Then the Facebook Marketplace listing appeared. “2BR/2BA. Five blocks from Engineering campus near the korner of 5th and Clark Street. Free WiFi and rooftop pool. Fitness room with waits provided.” The rent was $1,400 a month. Expensive, but worth it. No bus rides. No winter bike disasters. Just a short walk to class. They toured the apartment the next day. The building was barely four years old, all clean lines and glass doors. The workout room had actual equipment. The rooftop pool was small, unimpressive. Inside, the unit had stainless appliances, in-unit laundry and two real bathrooms. A parking space was included in the price. “This is it,” Megan said, making up her mind quickly. Damon, the leasing agent, seemed legit—casual, organized, not pushy. When they said yes, he suggested meeting later to sign the lease at a restaurant near Sixth and Green. It felt slightly off, but not enough to stop them. A few days later they signed the lease and paid the deposit along with the first month’s rent. Damon would meet them in August with the keys. Move-in day came. Damon didn’t. Calls went unanswered. Texts sat unread. When they contacted the rental company, the truth hit fast. There wasn't a Damon working for them last March. They were told the apartment was rented to months earlier in January. They sat on the curb with their boxes, stunned. Tatianna's mother was on the phone with her father speaking in rapid-fire burst of angry Russian. “We got scammed,” Tatianna said quietly, shaking her head in disbelief. Megan exhaled trying to control her emotions. “Yeah. We did.”
Photo: Ubeyonroad/Unsplash
Fraudsters are known to post phony ads using real pictures of properties they don’t actually own.
If you’re searching for an apartment or home this spring, take steps to protect yourself from rental fraud so your first night isn’t spent somewhere else, like in the fictional account of Megan and Tatianna. Rental scams are common. The Federal Trade Commission reported over 10,000 cases in 2023 alone. Fortunately, they are avoidable. By following a handful of practical, common-sense steps, you can protect yourself and avoid costly mistakes. 1. Always see the apartment before renting. Fraudsters are known to post phony ads using real pictures of properties they don’t actually own. They will push you to rent the unit, and to send your personal information to them, without seeing the apartment first. Visiting a unit is not only a way to avoid this scam--it also has the benefit of helping you ensure the apartment fits what you are looking for. If you are moving to a new city and can’t visit in person, ask if the property manager will take you on a video tour of the unit. 2. Don’t pay rent or a security deposit until you have signed a lease. Application fees are commonly requested before signing a lease agreement, but the security deposit or first month of rent are not required before signing. Be especially careful if a prospective property manager asks you to wire transfer money. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay an application fee, security deposit or first month’s rent. And when you wire money, it’s the same as sending cash: you have no way to get it back. 3. If the price seems too good to be true, it might be. If the unit is listed for substantially less than other comparable units in the area, that could be a sign that the listing is part of a rental scam. 4. Make sure you sign a complete lease. Do not rent an apartment without signing a lease. When you get a copy of the lease, make sure to read it carefully and confirm key details. The agreement should always include these terms:
- Applicable fees
- Monthly rent cost
- Maintenance costs
Photo of the Day | Bracket tough, Wells first to represent SJO at girls state wrestling tournament
Maddie Wells’ state tournament run included two matches against highly ranked senior opponents. After an opening-round loss, Wells battled Morton’s Karen Canchola in the wrestleback.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden’s Maddie Wells wrestles Morton’s Karen Canchola during their 140-pound first-round wrestleback match at the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals on Feb. 28. Wells, a junior who entered the two-day tournament with an 18-8 record, faced a challenging path in her weight class.
In her opening match, Wells drew Mother McAuley senior Maggie Zuber (33-6), who went on to finish second. After being pinned at the six-minute mark, Wells moved into the wrestleback round to face Canchola, another senior. Canchola (36-4) was relentless, pinning Wells at 4:17 on her way to a third-place finish.
Wells, the first wrestler to represent St. Joseph-Ogden at the girls wrestling state finals, looks to return to Bloomington at the end of February for another shot at a state title.
The Sentinel On This Day | December 18
Here is a recap of the headlines published on this day in December in the Sentinel from Champaign‑Urbana and surrounding communities. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
Sentinel Article Archive for December 18
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No longer behind bars, Illinois raises minimum age to jail children next year
The Child First Task Force included in Illinois' newest law will work to address inadequate detention conditions for children.
Photo: Kendel Media/PEXELS
New Illinois legislation creates a Child First Task Force to address broader gaps in the juvenile detention system.
by Judith Ruiz-BranchPublic News Service
CHICAGO - Juvenile justice advocates in Illinois are praising the state’s decision to raise the minimum age for juvenile detention from 10 to 13 years old beginning in 2026. A newly signed bill aims to reform juvenile justice practices across the state by creating services and programs prioritizing rehabilitation treatment alternatives for children. Elizabeth Clarke, founder and executive director of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, said it is the culmination of more than a decade of work to prioritize a restorative justice approach to juvenile detention which uses jail as a last resort in extreme cases. "It's a very exciting step forward," Clarke explained. "Following research to the best outcomes when children are in conflict with the law, will keep the public safer, will reduce local community costs, and improve services across the state." Along with regular reporting requirements from probation and court services, the legislation creates a Child First Task Force to address broader gaps in the juvenile detention system. The law takes effect in 2026 raising the minimum age from 10 to 12 years old first, and then to 13 years old in 2027.
The law includes a carveout for crimes like murder, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated battery with a firearm or aggravated vehicular hijacking. Clarke noted while there currently are not many children in jail in Illinois, the harm caused by it is profound, increases the likelihood of repeat offenses and is particularly harmful for younger children.
"All the research shows that wrapping around services to keep kids at home or close to home, is really critical," Clarke emphasized. "Especially with this young population, to address the challenges that are leading them to violate the law in the first place."
She added services are crucial to addressing challenges, allowing children to move forward and not be set backward by time and detention.
Clarke stressed a major issue with the juvenile justice system in Illinois is the fractured funding and oversight structure. She underscored the Child First Task Force included in the bill will work to address inadequate detention conditions for children by identifying and addressing deficiencies and needed resources for improvements.
The Sentinel On This Day | December 17
Here is a recap of the headlines published on this day in December in the Sentinel from Champaign‑Urbana and surrounding communities. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
Sentinel Article Archive for December 17
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Tuesday Basketball Scoreboard for December 16
Here are scores and recaps for Tuesday's basketball games in and around Champaign County.
Boys Basketball
Rockets roll cruise past Trojans
CHARLESTON - Tyler Henry used his time on the floor in the first three quarters to score 15 points in Unity's 81-42 win over Charleston on the road Tuesday. Three other Rockets reach double figures with Dane Eisenmenger dropping 14 points - 12 from four treys, and Coleton Langendorf padded the scorebook with 12 points. Brayden Henry finished with 11 points. Coming up short, nine players contributed to the Trojans' scoring effort led by Tyler Oakley's team-high seven points. Quinn Taylor, Braxton Hanner, and Alex Metheny scored six points each in the non-conference loss.
ALAH comes up short against Sages
MONTICELLO - Will Hilligoss scored 15 in Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond's road game at Monticello. Brennon Hutson also reach double figures with 12 points. Jayden Parsons lead the team's rebounding effort with five boards.
Boys' Area Scoreboard
Unity 81, Charleston 42
Tuscola 72, Heritage 36
St. Thomas More 62, Herscher 46
Monticello 59, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 41
Maroa-Forsyth 69, Rantoul 56
Girls Basketball
Oakwood drops home game
Oakwood - Madalynne Nicoson led the Comets with ten points in their loss to visiting Armstrong-Potomac on Tuesday. Caydence Vermillion, who was held to just a single free throw, led the team in the paint with six rebounds. Sophomore Avery Trimmell powered the team's defensive effort with three steals.
Girls' Area Scoreboard
Armstrong-Potomac 56, Oakwood 22
Guest Commentary | So much bad news, when we should be focusing on the good
We never get a break from bad news. This Christmas there is much to focus on. Don't focus on mistakes, problems, old habits or sins.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Glenn Mollette
About the author ~
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.
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