All most every American has an opinion about the upcoming election. However, there are several realities we must face.
If President Trump is not re-elected the southern border wall will not be completed.
I would suspect Biden and the Democrats will tear it down. The wall symbolizes Trump's Presidency. In an age of mass human trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism the wall is a layer of security. It won't stop an army but it will prevent entry into our country from being so easy.
Jobs will go back to Mexico, China, Vietnam and other places.
Four years ago, you couldn't find a job that paid $15 an hour. Until Covid-19 hit, there were more jobs in America that were paying over $15 an hour than ever before. Hammering on the heads of corporations and big businesses for more taxes and higher priced health insurance will not keep jobs in America.
The answer to America's problems is not gouging the people who make more money than we do. More jobs with more people making good pay is what America continues to need.
It's a lot more fun to get a good paycheck than food stamps. Americans need the pride of being able to go to the grocery store, buy new cars and provide for an adequate retirement. The eight years before Trump saw a desperate country trying to decide between working for $8 an hour or applying for Social Security disability. Who wants to go back to that?
Medical care will skyrocket.
More taxes will be needed for Socialized medicine. We want all Americans to have good healthcare. Medicare should be a good option.
However, we need more competition between medical insurance groups and freedom to buy throughout the country. Trump has been working feverishly to bring the costs of medicine down and to make hospitals reveal upfront what their costs will be for procedures.
The military, police, and Veterans will suffer.
Can we really afford to defund the police? There are counties in America today that only have access to two or three police officers. The citizens of these counties are already on their own as far as protecting themselves. Can these areas afford less protection? Can Louisville, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago do better with fewer police officers? They cannot. Biden is being supported by people who want to defund the police. Is this what America wants?
In an age of world terrorism can we afford to not have the best supported military in the world? We all pray for no more wars but we have to keep our military strong and provide them with the best resources. Veterans are finally receiving help. Veterans were dying before Trump because of such poor medical care. Today a Veteran can actually see a doctor and be treated without having to wait six months for an appointment. Trump has worked hard for the military, the police and the Veterans. Does the average American want less?
The list goes on.
Trump has worked to rebuild our infrastructure. He will keep our Social Security solvent. The stock market has seen its greatest years in history. Today, more Americans feel like they have a chance at having some retirement money.
Trump will continue to encourage laboratories for a Covid-19 vaccine.
In years past we might have had to wait "years" for the average American to have access to treatment. Labs are working hard throughout America, England, Jerusalem and more to come up with the best vaccine possible. We will not get this country back on its feet until a vaccine is available and working. Trump is pushing for this.
What about freedom of religion in this country?
At least now we can have a day of prayer in America. Does the average American want more abortions than we have now? Does America want to kill more babies? Keep in mind that a government who supports the murder of the unborn for birth control purposes will also support making your senior adult death really easy when you are in an Intensive Care Unit or a nursing home.
They can't afford your Social Security and Medicare now. Will Joe Biden make this better?
No person is perfect. We all see the good and bad in people.
Voting is your opportunity to be a part of this process. We have to get through this year without destroying relationships. We all have our various opinions and I hope my liberal colleagues and relatives will still speak to me during the holidays.
However, if President Trump is not re-elected, America will be hurting.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.
This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of PhotoNews Media. We welcome comments and views from our readers.
Starting her day off the tenth tee, the sophomore collected nine strokes on the par 5 for a rough start. She went on to finish the back nine 14 over.
Despite tallying pars on the first, 5th and 7th holes, she added another 52 strokes on the front nine to finish the day with a 102. Unfortunately, Hug needed an 97 or better to advance to this season's sectional.
The top two teams, both from Champaign County, St. Thomas More (368) and Mahomet-Seymour (397) finished in the top two medal positions. In addition the teams finishing first and second, the top four individual players also continue their season at the upcoming sectional tournament.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Want to see more photos from the 2013-14 wrestling season? Buy us a coffee!
Clare Huffman serves the ball in set two against Urbana's Eisla Madigan. The junior won her match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) |
The Tigers' experience paid off handing the young, month-old Spartan program an 8-1 loss. There were a couple of bright moments of inspired play by the St. Joseph-Ogden girls team on September 29.
After commanding 6-3 first set victory against Urbana's Eisla Madigan, Clare Huffman jumped out to a 5-0 lead and needed just one more game to end the clash at Blair Park with a second set bagel. Madigan fought back breaking Huffman's serve and holding her own for the first time in four games.
"I got really tired," said Huffman after sealing St. Joseph-Ogden's only singles win with the 6-2 win. The junior and first-year player with the school's new club team pertinaciously gutted out game eight of set two to collect the W. "We had a lot of deuce games."
In posting the win, Huffman figured out her future strategy for upcoming matches.
"I need to hit the ball further back," she said. "That's how you win points."
Senior Emily Fisher, also new to the sport, nearly pulled off an upset at #5 singles after pushing her opening set to first set tie-breaker 7-6 against Daniella Coleman. Despite her lack of experience, she played toe-to-toe in the second set falling, 6-4.
The team has two matches, both on the road, left in their inaugural season. On Friday, SJO travels to Watseka High School for a 4p engagement against Watseka. Five days later, the newly formed team will end their season against Schlarman at the Danville Tennis Center.
Doubles:
No. 1 - Sophia Solava, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL - Eisla Madigan, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL def. Katie McDermott, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL - Allison Kearney, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0 , 6-1
No. 2 - Devangana Rana, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL - Sanjana Paul, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL def. Sophia Martlage, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL - Clare Huffman, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL, 3-4 (Retired)
No. 3 - Hannah Null, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL - Jacie Owens, URBANA HIGH SCHOOL def. Flannery McCorkel, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL - Grace Schmitz, ST JOSEPH-OGDEN HIGH SCHOOL, 6-4 , 6-1
Photo provided |
"I work for smiles," she said. "I started this [business] in order to provide affordable personalized merchandise for all."
Shirts like the one pictured on the left are available in newborn sizes all the way up to 6x. For last minute costume ideas, if she has the shirts in stock, most items are printed on the same day. Adult sizes start for as little as $12.
Orders can be placed online through Blondies' Facebook group which boast more than 2,200 members. The group features additional Halloween designs inspired by Frankenstein, mummies, pumpkins and more that are available.
"I always enjoyed trick-or-treating with my parents and brother, who has since passed away," Monier said sharing her on her favorite Halloween memories. Trick-or-treating also meant always having plenty of candy on hand for her birthday on November 1. "Although this year will be different, I will continue the tradition of costumes with the children, posting pictures on Facebook, and buying candy and hiding in yard for my own kids to find [while] in their costumes."
Like many other local small business owners she is weathering the pandemic as best she can.
"I am a local stay-at-home mom due to COVID and just trying to stay a float," she said.
"Dog owners need to make sure to pick up after their animal or find somewhere else to let their animals run," Office Manager Julie Hendrickson wrote in a post on Facebook after fielding complaints that owners are not scoopin' their pet's poopin'. "It's unfortunate that we have to remind people of this."
Recently, the office has fielded multiple complaints from users who accidentally discovered a pile or two while attending high school and middle school cross country competitions at the park.
"I got to move my feet, stay low and get to the ball," Rajlich said after the match. Despite the loss she was upbeat. "It's fun to play. I've only been playing a month and feel like I am so much better already." Despite a strong, athletic showing, the Spartans lost the dual, 8-1 to the Tigers.
The team has two matches, both on the road, left in their inaugural season. On Friday, SJO travels to Watseka High School for a 4p engagement against Watseka. Five days later, the newly formed team will end their season against Schlarman at the Danville Tennis Center.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The Philo Exchange Bank will host a Community Shred Day in Philo this Saturday in town at 401 N Lincoln.
The staff will accept up to five boxes or bags of material per person to be shredded during the hours from 9 to 11am.
Depositors are ask to bring non-perishable food or canned goods to donate to their food drive. Free snacks will be availableVisitors can also spin the Philo Exchange Bank wheel to win prizes during the two hour event. The grand prize is a programable multi-cooker. Other prizes include gift cards, uChoose Rewards Points, wireless bluetooth earpods, Philo Exchange Bank swag, and other items.
For more information call (217) 684-5500.Located at 1883 County Road 700 N near Sidney, the pumpkin patch is open seven days a week from 9a to dark.
"Prices range from 50 cents to $5. The huge pumpkins are priced individually," says owner Pam Reinhart Negangard, co-owner of the family operated business that grows everything they sell. "My husband's family started the patch many years ago. It has grown a lot over the past 20 years!"
Negangard also offer gourds priced at three for a dollar, Indian Corn, corn stalks and straw bales for those creating lavish displays for All Hallows' Eve.
This year there will be two areas set up for visitors to take photographs. While shopping or taking photos, the management team asks guests to please follow social distancing guidelines. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash.
The doors open at 5pm on Thursday with all items are new, never used merchandise as well as remaining selected fall inventory discounted at 40-75% off in-store prices. No early sales will be allowed but there are several convenient methods to pay in addition to cash and checks.
"This is NOT your typical garage sale with used items, so please don't expect those prices," the event announcement explains.
Sale dates and times are as follows: Thursday, October 15th 5-8pm; Friday, October 16th from 9am-6pm; and on Saturday, October 17 for three hours starting at 9am until noon.
For more information call (217) 469-6316.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Want to see more photos from the 2009 sports season? Buy us a coffee!
Want to see more photos from the 2009 volleyball season? Buy us a coffee!
We are asking those participating in giving out candy this year to get creative in how they deliver candy to the trick or treaters. The trick or treaters can submit those homes to the Village office on the Monday after Halloween," Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said in a release today. "I thought this would be fun to encourage social distancing while distributing candy. The village has some very creative community members that hopefully will enjoy coming up with something."
Homeowners and trick-or-treaters are encouraged submit a photos with a description of the delivery system. The village will also accept description of how homeowners handed out candy and treats to trick-or-treaters if they are unable to print a photo in time. The description should the address and homeowners name if possible."
With guidance from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, the Village President said the board will make an official proclamation at the next meeting to allow trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, from 6pm and 8pm.
Here is the complete list of guidance from the Village to help make this Halloween fun and safe for the community:
"Trick-or-treating will be challenging amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this year and may look different from previous Halloweens. However, for those who ARE welcoming trick-or-treaters to their home, leave your porch lights on to indicate you are participating. If you do not have a porch light, place a clearly marked sign welcoming trick-or-treaters or indicating you are not participating. For trick-or-treaters, if you do not see a home with a porch light on or a sign posted, we ask that you respect the wishes of those homeowners by bypassing those residences.
"If you and your family do decide to trick-or-treat this Halloween, here are a few guidelines to follow that will help protect our community and accommodate a safe Halloween experience for both participants and non-participants:
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Want to see more photos from the 2012 soccer season? Buy us a coffee!
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)