Village Crier: January 2, 2021

Agenda set for next Sidney village board meeting

The Sidney Village board is set to meet Monday, January 4, at pm.

Sentinel Village Crier Village President Jason Arrasmith plans to discuss the purchase of an enclosed bulletin board for the new community building as well as the possibility of building infrastructure to support electrical power for Christmas lights in the future. He will also lead a discussion on the new lights at Witt Park.

Trustees will also discuss future compensation for their work on the village board.

Over a thousand COVID-19 cases in 2020

The Sentinel are closed out the year with a reported total of 1,060 cases in 2020. There were 426 confirmed cases identified in St. Joseph, 324 in Tolono and 105 cases within the Philo zip code of 61864 according to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. Meanwhile, 96 residents in Sidney, along with 73 from the Village of Ogden and 36 from Royal have been confirmed by tests since March.

Between New Year's Eve on Thursday and today, the CUPHD reports that there were 27 new cases scattered across the six villages. After a rampant spread in late November, the area saw 100 or fewer cases during the month of December.

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Rational regard: Will shelling be the new normal?

Shelling

It is the word I started using about a week or so ago in informal conversations to refer to sheltering-in-place. In our homes and apartments we are much like hermit crabs, turtles and clams safely tucked within our sanctuaries from a virus to avoid infecting or becoming infected with the coronavirus.

Willowdale Winter Wonderland coming in December

When Lacey Smith moved into the Willowdale Subdivision with her husband and three kids in 2015, she heard tales from the past when residents would lavishly decorate their homes for the holidays.

"I love Christmas and we have a fantastic neighborhood!" said Smith, who has lived ...

County records 4 Covid-19 deaths, state could see another stay-at-home order

While the state's positivity numbers continue to grow at a record pace for the fourth straight day, the number of active Coronavirus cases in our area have shrunk from a high of 53 on Sunday, November 1, to 27 as of today.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 12,623 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including 79 additional deaths. Four ...

Money Matters: Three businesses that would be great to have in St. Joseph

As St. Joseph and small towns across the country face stagnation (lack of growth) it is important that they prioritize their local economy.

St. Joseph is a desirable place to live for many reasons. We have a great school system, small town values, a low crime rate, proximity to jobs and everyday necessities, the best El Toro in Champaign ...

Active COVID case count rises to 69

The number of active confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area has risen to 69 as of this morning according to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District dashboard. The combined total is an all-time high for the viral infection in the six communities The Sentinel covers.

With the exception of Philo, each of the five other communities saw at least one new...

Subway manager starts GoFundMe campaign to help employee

Last Thursday while at work April Patton didn't feel well. Despite the pain and discomfort, she finished her shift and continued to work several more days at the Subway located on 220 East Warren in St. Joseph before seeking medical attention. According to store manager Adam Porter, it was then she was informed that she had suffered a stroke on December 17.

With Christmas just around the corner and learning that she would not be able to return to work...

Statewide stay-at-home order, not if but when

"The numbers don't lie. If things don't take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order will be all that is left," Governor Pritzker said. "With every fiber of my being, I do not want us to get there. But, right now, that seems where we are headed."

Two St. Joseph residents found dead, suspect in custody

Early this morning, Champaign County deputies arrested Jonathon Perry, of Homer, now held in custody at the Champaign County Correctional Center, on the preliminary charge murder after deputies performed a welfare check on a residence located on Shore Drive in St. Joseph.

While searching the property around 4:15am this morning, deputies found ...

Illinois Rural Health Association hosts virtural conference in October

Despite restrictions on gatherings due to this year's pandemic outbreak, the Illinois Rural Health Association (IRHA) plans to host its 31st Annual Educational Conference next month.

The theme of this year’s conference is "Pulling Together in these Challenging Times". The two-day series of meetings with more than 20 workshops and panel discussions will be held virtually over the internet using a video ...

Our top story, numero uno for 2020

On the fence about getting vaccinated? You might not have a choice

"With at least two Coronavirus vaccines available on the near horizon, many Americans may face a new dilemma in the way of a mandated Coronavirus vaccination.

Just as in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country, General Chang asks, "To be or not to be? That is the question which preoccupies our people...", to vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question that will occupy the minds..."