Date night dining: Italian Sausage, Spinach & Tomato Rigatoni

Family Features -- Planning a delicious, romantic date night doesn't have to take you any further than your own kitchen. You don't have to be an accomplished chef to set the table for romance, but you can take inspiration from simple, quality Italian dishes to celebrate the link between food and love.

Photo provided

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this romantic meal can be ready in minutes or, like a great love story, simmered to perfection. To plan the ultimate date night at home, start by choosing a dreamy main dish made with mouthwatering sauces.

Everybody knows a flavorful sauce makes a great Italian meal, but the sauce doesn't need to be made from scratch (at least, not completely). For example, Bertolli d'Italia sauces are made in Italy for authentically delicious flavor. They are crafted with tomatoes vine-ripened under the Italian sun, finely aged Italian cheeses, fresh cream, and Mediterranean olive oil. The result is a sauce that's perfect for your date-night meal.

Once you select your main course, prepare a simple salad of greens with a drizzle of Italian vinaigrette or Caesar dressing. Pop a loaf of bakery-fresh Italian or focaccia bread into the oven to warm through and serve with butter or olive oil for dipping.

While the dinner candles are still lit, cap off the meal with a classic Italian dessert from your local bakery, like tiramisu from Rick's Bakery in downtown Urbana. You can serve cannoli or a creamy panna cotta from the supermarket bakery near you topped with fresh fruit.

Italian Sausage, Spinach & Tomato Rigatoni

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 20 minutes

Here's what you'll need:

Water

1/2 box rigatoni pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced

16 ounces sweet Italian sausage

1 jar Bertolli d'Italia Marinara Sauce

2 cups fresh baby spinach

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions:

Bring large stockpot of water to boil. Boil rigatoni pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil. Add onions, garlic and mushrooms. Saute until vegetables start to brown. Add Italian sausage and cook until done, breaking into small pieces. Add sauce and bring to low boil.

Add baby spinach. Cook until spinach is mostly wilted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add drained pasta to pan with sausage and sauce. Toss and divide between plates. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Find more romantic dishes perfect for sharing at Bertolli.com.

Did you use this recipe? Send us your pictures and we'll feature them on The Sentinel site! Email photos to editor@oursentinel.com.

Area high school grads make the Parkland College fall Dean's List

This week, Parkland College announced the Dean's List for fall 2021. In order to make the list, students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0-grading scale for the semester to receive recognition for their outstanding academic performance. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 hours can make the Dean’s List by achieving a 3.5 cumulative GPA for 12 or more hours during the current academic year.

The fall 2021 honorees from our area, which includes Ogden, Pesotum, Philo, Sadorus, St. Joseph, Tolono, and Urbana, are listed below by hometown.

OGDEN
Zach T David
Kenly R Taylor

PESOTUM
Hans G Goodmann
Olivia D Kieffer

PHILO
Abigail L Dodd
Karson J Ewerks
Ella G Godsell
Lindsey L Miller
Mercedes E Rentschler

SADORUS
Riley E Millsap
Eric D Phillips II
Katharine C Wells

ST. JOSEPH Austin C Anderson
Craig A Antonio
Emily A Bigger
Antoni L Blas
Ross D Booker
Jacob M Dwyer
Dakota N Franzen
Erin E Henkelman
Ethan P Lane
Aiden C Livesay
Nathan T Maier
Lexi L Ribbe
Rachel L Smith
Erica P Stevenson
Anna A Tranel
Dillon D Uken
Anna R Wentzloff
Logan M Wolfersberger
Lucas A Woods

SIDNEY
Taylor R Dooley

TOLONO
Tanner Block
Stephanie Corrales
Leah E Gateley
Kaitlynn M Gray
Shay F Haluzak
Chelsie A Helmick
Megan L Henry
Maggie R Hewing
Cassidy L Kamradt
Rachael P King
Kristen N Lareau
Korie J Novak
Connor D O'Donnell
Brayden Percival
Jana E Ping
Rakesh Sharma
Jillian R Stadel
Mikayla M Wetherell
Kimberly A Pruetting

URBANA

Emma M Aders
Chase W Alexander
Audrey N Babcock
Jacob W Barker
Emily L Bennet
Jeremy D Bobbitt
Alana G Brown
Jhone Brown
Miriam N Calderon
Vahagn Chiflikyan
Kathryn R Choate
Richard M Coulter
Emily R Crane
Jesse J Cunningham
Abigail M Dunham
Lashae R Dunn
Emma K Fleming
Laini M Flessner
Janna H Fouly
Josiah C Freedman
Logan A Freeman
Colin P Fried
Margaret J Hall
Brandon N Hamilton
Allene G Hari
Jackson F Henderson
Liang M Hernandez-Lima
Kelly E Hoene
Enrique G Horna Chavarria
Matthew R Horner
Jacob R Ingalsbe
Sarah R Isaf
Yixuan Jin
Karis I Johnson
Tyler J Jurczyk
Alex M Kwok
Ariana I Loor
Amy C Love
Benoit S Lukunku
John D Lyons
Sebastian W Marlow
Santiago Martinez
Max J McCracken
Kathleen L McCullough
Kyle T McKay
Jessica A Miller
Jackson Moffat
Matt A Moutvic
Thomas J Negromo-Osagie
Ghada A Odeh
Sara M Odeh
Rebecca M Owen
Moriah E Owens
Christina M Parks
Jil V Patel
Romin M Patel
Maleah N Perry
Joel V Petersson
Tom L Phetchareune
Rachelle H Pierro
Ashley L Pruemer
Malyda T Radanavong
Anthany Ravanh
Kayla C Regnier
Dain M Richie
Marvin A Rios
Brandi L Ropinski
Ilean L Rubio
Sophia E Solava
Joshua G Stebbins
Madeline R Supp
Jacob A Tatman
Jake B Van Anrooy
Curtis J Viselli
Elizabeth C Viselli
Isabelle M Vliet
Christopher M Walker
Tatiana A Wallace
Avery J Wright
Robin E Young
Allonna B Yutzy
Ovidiu A Zaharescu

SJO beats Olympia by 50

St. Joseph-Ogden's Andrew Beyers goes up for a second-half shot in the Spartans' home game against Olympia last Tuesday. SJO (17-6, 4-2 IPC) hammered the visiting Spartans by 50 points, 90-40. Beyers, who played a stellar defensive game, finished the contests with five points. More photos coming soon. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Boosting your online security, tips from a convicted hacker

Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

by Cezary Podkul

Ngô Minh Hiếu was once a fearsome hacker who spent 7 1/2 years incarcerated in the U.S. for running an online store that sold the personal information of about 200 million Americans. Since leaving prison, Hiếu has become a so-called white hat hacker, attempting to protect the world from the sorts of cybercriminals he once was.

These days, Hiếu said, it doesn’t take much hacking to access sensitive details about Americans. Companies and governments routinely leave databases exposed online with little or no protection, as we’ve reported, giving cybercriminals an easy way to harvest names, emails, passwords and other info. While in prison, Hiếu wrote an online security guide for the average internet user. As he and others have pointed out, it’s impossible to create an impenetrable shield. But here are some of his tips for how you can mitigate your risks, along with some other practical online security advice.

1. Stop reusing passwords

Make 2022 the year you finally stop reusing passwords. Once a password is exposed in a data breach, as routinely occurs, cybercriminals may use it on other websites to see if it grants them access and lets them take over an account or service. To help you generate lengthy, difficult-to-guess passwords without having to commit them to memory, use an encrypted password manager such as 1Password or LastPass. These services, which typically charge $3 to $4 per month, also monitor databases of breached passwords, like Have I Been Pwned, which can identify some passwords that have already been made public.

2. Delete unused accounts

Another benefit of using a password manager is that every time you create a new account at a website, you can log it in your password app. The app will track when you created a password and when you last modified it. If you notice that you haven’t used a website in a few years, and you don’t think you’re likely to use it again, delete your account from that website. It will mean one less place where your data resides.

3. Add an additional layer of security

Use multifactor authentication — which requires a second, temporary code in addition to your password to log in to a site or service — whenever possible. Some services send a six-digit code via text message or email. But the most secure method is to use an app that generates a numerical code on your phone that’s in sync with an algorithm running on the site. To make the process easier, you can download an app like Authy that, like a password keeper, helps you generate and manage all your multifactor authentications in one spot.

4. Manage your apps’ privacy settings

A lot of the data about us that gets leaked consists of information we don’t even realize apps and services collect. To limit that risk, check the privacy settings for any new app that you install on your computer, smartphone or other device. Deselect any services you don’t want the app to have access to, such as your contacts, location, camera or microphone. Here are some guides on how to manage your apps’ privacy settings for iPhone and Android devices.

5. Think before you click

Clicking on a link from a text message, an email or a search result without first thinking about whether it’s secure can expose you to phishing attacks and malware. In general, never click on any links that you didn’t seek out and avoid unsolicited emails asking you to open attachments. When in doubt, hover your cursor over a hyperlink and scrutinize the URL. Avoid it if it would lead you to somewhere you don’t expect or if it contains spelling errors like a missing or extra letter in a company’s name. And for safer online browsing, consider paying for an antivirus tool like Malwarebytes that helps you avoid suspicious URLs online (or sign up for a free browser guard extension).

6. Keep your software up to date

Whether it’s your web browser or the operating system on your computer or smartphone, it’s always a good idea to download and install the latest software update as soon as it’s available. Doing so fixes bugs and helps keep your systems patched against the latest security threats. To make sure you don’t forget, turn on notifications for new updates or enable autoupdate settings if they’re available.

7. Limit what you’re sharing online

Some of the large collections of personally identifiable information that have been floating around online weren’t hacked or stolen: They were simply scraped from social media websites like LinkedIn or Facebook. If you don’t want a particular piece of info about you out there, don’t put it on your social media profile. Scrub anything you don’t want exposed in your profiles, and check the platforms’ privacy settings to see who can access whatever is left. You can also pay for a service like DeleteMe, which helps centralize and pursue requests to delete your personal information from various data brokers.

8. Secure your SIM

One technique that has become increasingly common in recent years is SIM swapping: A cybercriminal tries to dupe your mobile carrier into switching your number from a SIM (the memory card that tells your phone it’s yours) that you control to a SIM that they control. The goal is to commandeer your phone so they can get around multifactor authentication settings that protect your financial accounts. To guard against SIM swaps, contact your carrier to establish an account PIN, or follow these directions if you’re with Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. And if you switch carriers, change your PIN.

9. Freeze your credit reports

If you’re afraid that a scammer might use your identity to open a fraudulent credit line in your name, consider placing a freeze on your report. A freeze will restrict access to your credit report, meaning that no one (not even you) will be able to open a new credit line while it’s in place. If you decide to apply for a loan or a new credit card, you can always unfreeze your credit later on. Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free, but you have to contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately to do it. Here’s a guide on how to get started.

10. Back up your data

Don’t assume that you’ll always have access to all your files and folders. Backing up your data can help you guard against virus infections as well as hard drive failure and theft or loss of your computer. You could use well-known cloud storage providers such as Dropbox or Google Drive to save copies of your data or buy a subscription to an online cloud backup service that automatically saves your files and lets you restore them if anything happens. All such services offer encryption, but if you’re afraid of storing your data in the cloud, keep an encrypted copy on a separate hard drive.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

To the editor: True Americans unite to vanquish the fourth reich or be forever enslaved!

To the editor,

Throughout history, hundreds of thousands of the greatest Americans ever have been willing to fight and die to secure and preserve the freedoms, rights, and privileges they bestowed upon our succeeding generations in this country.

Now, we are witnessing thousands of Fourth Reich disciples who are willing to kill hundreds of thousands of Americans to destroy that inheritance and our country in the worship of someone who emulates Adolph Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, and Jim Jones.

It has always been and will always be harder and take longer to create and build a civilized, unified society through a shared belief in mankind’s highest ideals and potential, than to internally subvert those goals through destruction and death through division, merely to usurp power from the good citizens who have failed to defeat those who employ propaganda, misinformation, and lies, the foundations of the traitors in their treason to destroy any power great enough to oppose the subjugation of everyone to their evil plot.

Through the masterful use of the power of projection, the Fourth Reich misleads their followers by accusing their opponents of what they themselves are actually doing to magically distract their followers from realizing the truth. ABTT! (Anything But The Truth!) is the gospel to which they must adhere religiously to prevent the end of their masquerade and reign of terror.

Failure to recognize the Fourth Reich masquerading behind the once proud and honorable Republican Party name will soon lead to our country’s inevitable end as is their ultimate goal.

~ John Kenneth Young
St. Joseph

High blood pressure linked to midlife changes in the brain

Younger adults who had higher cumulative blood pressure exposure (from 25 to 55 years of age) had more changes visible on brain imaging at midlife ...

by American Heart Association

NEW ORLEANS -- High blood pressure among younger adults, ages 20-40 years, appears to be linked to brain changes in midlife (average age 55) that may increase risk for later cognitive decline, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2022, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health to be held in person in New Orleans and virtually, Feb. 8-11, 2022.

According to the American Heart Association, from 2015-2019 more than 47% of U.S. adults had high blood pressure. In 2019, the U.S. age-adjusted death rate primarily attributable to high blood pressure was 25.1 per 100,000. High blood pressure death rates for non-Hispanic Black adults were 56 per 100,000 among males and 38.7 per 100,000 for females.

Studies have found that high blood pressure disrupts the structure and function of the brain’s blood vessels, damaging regions of the brain that are critical for cognitive function.

"There are studies to suggest changes to the brain may start at a young age," said Christina Lineback, M.D., lead study author and a vascular neurology fellow at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "Our study provides further evidence that high blood pressure during young adulthood may contribute to changes in the brain later in life."

Researchers analyzed 30 years of follow-up including MRI brain images (performed once at the age of 30, and then again at midlife - about the age of 55 years) for 142 adults from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The CARDIA study enrolled participants from four U.S. cities (Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Oakland, California), in 1985-1986. In total, the study recruited more than 5,000 Black and white adults, ages 18 to 30 years, who have been followed for over 30 years.

In one follow up including 142 of the participants (42% women), researchers examined changes in brain structures in midlife (average age 55) from cumulative exposures to vascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, smoking and glucose, from young adulthood to midlife. They also evaluated if there were any differences by race or ethnicity; nearly 40% of the study participants (n=55) were Black adults.

The analysis found:

Younger adults who had higher cumulative blood pressure exposure (from 25 to 55 years of age) had more changes visible on brain imaging at midlife, which may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction in mid- and late life.

The brain changes that occurred were similar across all races and ethnic groups examined in the study when accounting for the degree of high blood pressure exposure.

"We were surprised that we could see brain changes in even this small sample of participants from the CARDIA study," Lineback said. "Given the greater likelihood of high blood pressure in some racial and ethnic groups, this study’s finding should encourage health care professionals to aggressively address high blood pressure in young adults, as a potential target to narrow disparities in brain health."

A potential next step is to develop and implement systems to better treat and monitor blood pressure in young age groups and assess for brain changes over time, according to Lineback.

A limitation of the study is that it is a retrospective analysis, which means the findings cannot prove the brain changes were caused by high blood pressure.

The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Co-authors include Simin Mahinrad, M.D., Ph.D.; Yufen Jennie Chen, Ph.D.; Todd Parrish, Ph.D.; Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA; and Farzaneh A. Sorond, M.D., Ph.D.

Flashback Friday | SJO girls roll, knock off Westville by 31

Left: Westville's Taylor Ceader tries to dribble around St. Joseph-Ogden's Rachael Graham during their early season nonconference game on December 5, 2009. The Spartans easily defeated the Lady Tigers, 70-39. Right: Spartans' Hannah Gaylord dribbles in the fourth quarter. Gaylord, a 5'8" sophomore, finished the contest with nine points. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Flashback
Friday

Spartans' Kelsie Rademacher goes up for an easy shot under the basket during the third quarter. She finished the contest with six points. The St. Joseph-Ogden girls team would go on to win their next four games heading into the State Farm Holiday Classic the last week of December. The program finished the 2009-10 season with 18 wins against 10 losses and in second place in the Sangamon Valley Conference final standings.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Left: Tigers' Chelsie Davis dribbles past Spartans' Emily Kayser during the first half. Right: SJO's Tori Master (right) tries to pass the ball to a Spartan teammate. Want to see more photos from this game? Follow this link to learn how. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

United Prairie to add partner, Ceres Solution to acquire one-fifth ownership

TOLONO -- Ceres Solutions, an agricultural cooperative based in Crawfordsville, IN, announced today the company's intent to purchase a significant share of Tolono-based United Prairie LCC.

Ceres Solutions would become 20% owner of the operation and existing stakeholders in United Prairie would have reduced ownership percentages accordingly.

According to today's press release, "The immediate advantages to both organizations would be alignment between two strong midwestern agricultural operations, and potential synergies of procurement, logistics, and other opportunities. Both Ceres Solutions and United Prairie would continue to operate independently in their customer-facing segments and compete in the marketplace."

United Prairie was formed in 1996 combining the crop production divisions of Unity Grain and Grand Prairie Cooperative. Over the past 20 years, the operation has grown to 11 retail locations throughout central Illinois.

"The proposal demonstrates the ongoing importance of developing strong strategic partnerships to continue to serve local farmers with products, services, technologies, and innovation," said Curt Miller, CEO of United Prairie. "United Prairie’s direction has always been to add cooperative owners that enhance our ability to provide the highest level of service and value to the growers we serve."

The transfer of ownership is expected to be completed by August 1.

Jeff Troike, CEO of Ceres Solutions added, "We’re pleased to take this next step in making an investment that will benefit both Ceres Solutions and United Prairie."

Winter Wonderland: Sentinel area snow scenes

With much of the Sentinel area blanketed from this week's snowstorm, we asked followers on Twitter and Facebook to send us their snow photos to share. Below are some of the moments and scenes readers wanted to share.

Sidney

Sophia Dillman makes a snow angel. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Whalen.

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Tolono

Duke. Photo courtesy of Alli Griffin.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Paul Noerenberg.

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Sidney

Sophia Dillman out enjoying the heavy snowfall. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Whalen.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Cassie Roberts.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Dave Bryan.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Gary Brown.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Josh Hellmer.

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Tolono

Photo courtesy of Toni Waltzer David.

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Did you get a really cool snow pic from this week's storm that we can share with our readers? Email it to us at editor@oursentinel.com. Deadline for submissions is 6pm on Saturday, February 5.

Governor's budget proposal includes tax savings for Illinoisans

This week, Governor J.B. Pritzker will propose that state lawmakers pass legislation that would put a few extra greenbacks in the pockets of Illinoisans.

The upcoming proposal outlines three tax breaks for residents. It includes suspending the 1% sales tax on groceries for one year. State motor fuel taxes were set to increase this year. That rate hike would be frozen at 39 cents per gallon. The biggest savings in the governor's play would come by way of a property tax rebate of up to $300 for homeowners.

Homeowners will still be able to deduct the normal 5% rate of their property tax bills up to $300 from their income taxes, but the new plan would double the value of that deduction with a direct one-time payment. This rebate will apply to workers making $250,000 annually or less or to couples making $500,000 or less.

Taxpayers will get that in the form of either a check or an electronic deposit after filing a state income tax return. A return must be filed even if the individual does not owe anything in taxes.

Collectively, Illinois consumers would save about 1 billion in taxes if legislators advance the proposal. With inflation at 7% and mid-term elections on the horizon, the abatement would be paid by the nearly 1 billion currently in surplus thanks to marijuana tax revenues and federal Covid relief monies the state has received.

The reduction in tax levies would last one year. However, there is scuttlebutt that they could remain in place a bit longer.

Pritzker is not the only governor looking to cut taxes for their residents. Indiana and New York are also attempting to advance proposals aimed at lowering taxes for their residents.

Fundraiser for future local Olympic figure skater ends next week

ST. JOSEPH -- Catia Schulte, of St. Joseph, has been invited to compete at the 2022 Excel National Festival in Boston. To help cover her expenses to compete at this national ice-skating event, she is doing a Laundry/dish soap fundraiser.

If you would like to help out, you will need to place your orders by Tuesday, February 1. Follow this link to view the available products.

Catia fell in love with figure skating at an early age. Now she has the opportunity to compete against some of the best skaters in her age group from around the country.

"I enjoy how this sport combines the physical challenges - jumping and spinning on the ice - with the grace and beauty of the choreography while skating to music. I really like competing," she said. "From the moment I first stepped on the ice, I felt that this is what I am supposed to be doing."

She added: "My dream is to make it to the Olympics, or even to the US Championship! I love the feeling of putting on my skates and skating my routine."

Catia working hard toward competing at the highest level.

"She stepped on the ice for the first time in January 2019 and received first place in her first competition that summer," said her mother, Carrie Gillespie-Schulte. "Catia is training in preparation of rigorous USFS Moves in the Field and Freeskating tests. Passing these tests gives her the opportunity to participate in qualifying competitions that give her the chance to participate in the events we hear more about: US Championships, World Championships, Olympics, etc." "

The Excel Series competitions bring together skaters of all ages the opportunity to get the feel of a nationwide competition while they improve their technical ability and skills on the ice. Catia's trip to Boston will bring her one step closer to becoming yet another Olympic athlete from St. Joseph.

Time is running out to help. For more information or to place an order to help send Catia to the Excel Series message Carrie Gillespie-Schulte on Facebook.

Photo-of-the-Day: January 28, 2022

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Newton running back Isaac Flowers is stopped in his tracks by a trio of Unity tacklers during their first-round IHSA playoff football game on October 30, 2021. UHS defensive end Kyus Root made the initial stop as junior Nick Nosler, and another teammate barrel in to put Flowers on the turf for a loss of yards. The Rockets, who played all four playoff games on their home turf, defeated the Eagles (5-5) at Hicks Field, 46-6.

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Get things poppin' with this Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn treat

What can we say? This looks absolutely delicious.

Sure, a bowl of popcorn with lots of salt and butter is great, but let's be real. You gotta mix it up once in a while and this Cranberry-Orage Carmel Corn is a pretty doggone tasty convergence of Carmel corn, nuts, and cranberries.

This recipe, courtesy of the Popcorn Board, is merely the base. You could substitute walnuts or peanuts in place of the almonds or use all three. Another idea: Dried apricots, apples, or raisins can be used in place of cranberries. Let your kitchen creativity flow and come up with your own signature family movie night snack.

This recipe makes a great personalized gift item, too. Fill a glass canning jar with a batch and wrap with a ribbon. Give as a simple, tasty gift to a fellow employee, your child's favorite teacher, or a gift for graduating players on senior night.

Plain or carmelized, this popcorn treat will last a week or so in an airtight container. If your home is anything like mine, I doubt it will last long.

Photo courtesy of the Popcorn Board

Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn

Time: Figure about an hour total for start to finish
Makes: 10 cups

Ingredients

10 cups popped popcorn

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup whole almonds

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 packed brown sugar

1/4 cup corn syrup

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted

1 teaspoon orange or vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Go ahead and preheat the oven between 250 - 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the oven is warming up pop popcorn and remove all the seeds. Put in a large bowl with cranberries and almonds; set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and orange juice concentrate over medium heat until butter is melted.

Bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in extract and baking soda (mixture will foam).

Pour syrup mixture over popcorn mixture in bowl; stir to coat well. Spread evenly in a large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick spray.

Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Stir caramel corn as it cools on baking sheet or a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil.

Store in an airtight container.

Did you make a batch? Send us your photos and we'll feature them below.

Canine fashion, "Trucker Hats" made for dogs may help protect their eyes

NewsUSA -- Some clothes for pets are strictly stylish, some are purely functional, and some are both. The idea of a trucker hat for a dog may seem strange, but in fact many dogs, especially those with blue and light-colored eyes, suffer from sun sensitivity that makes them squint and become anxious in bright conditions.

Tony Choi, an engineer in San Diego, Calif., and his veterinarian wife, Dr. Kathy Burnell, launched the initial PupLid trucker hat for dogs in 2018 to help make dogs comfortable after they found it significantly reduced anxiety in their own sun-sensitive dog, Buddy. They experimented with other dog hats and designs for months, but determined that a modified trucker hat design stayed in place and provided the best protection for Buddy.

The Six-Panel Camo baseball cap for dogs is the latest addition to the PupLid product line for dogs who prefer a more adventure-ready look. Like the trucker hats, the baseball caps will feature a patent pending "Furfect Fit" system for maximum comfort, stability, and adjustability. Dogs with shorter noses have the additional benefit of protection from sunburn and sun induced skin cancers on the nose.

Even dogs who might resist a hat will warm up to it with the right approach, according to Burnell and the PupLid website. Start by letting your dog sniff the PupLid and get used to seeing it. Then, put the hat on the dog's head for a few minutes at time, and use treats and rewards as the dog keeps it on for longer periods.

"When hat wearing is paired with a favorite walk or trip to the park, many dogs start getting excited to see their hat because they know they are about to go on an adventure," says Burnell.

The hats are engineered to stay put with a five point system -- two-points of contact on each side and one under the chin. The hook and loop fastener under the chin allows for a customized fit, and slider loops on the sides allow for further adjustment. PupLid hats are currently available in five sizes, XXS, XS, S, M, and L, but the company will launch a sixth size later this fall to further refine the fit for more dogs. More sizing information is available on the company website.

The company also strives to enhance the style factor to dog hats -- the hats are a seamless extension of baseball caps and trucker hats for people, available in five colors and over ten designs. More custom design options are available from PupLid's growing network of wholesale partners, and dog families can even order their own matching "trucker hats for humans" for the ultimate in coordination.

PupLid is a supplier to retailers as well as organizations seeking a completely unique option to add to their promotional products. Orders of 25 or more can feature a company logo or other design, and preorder options are available to reserve large supplies.

For more information, email wholesale@puplid.com.

Photo-of-the-Day: January 26, 2022

ST. JOSEPH -- Spartans' Logan Smith hops into the paint to take a shot during SJO's home varsity basketball game against St. Thomas More. The sophomore forward finished with a 14 points in his team's dramatic come-from-behind 45-43 win over the visiting Sabers on Tuesday. St. Joseph-Ogden travels to Monticello Friday for another Illini Prairie Conference showdown. See more photos from this game here.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Area Covid-19 Dashboard for January 26, 2022

Active Cases:

(Champaign County)

1,694

Total Area Cases:

(Sentinel Area)

676

New Cases:

(Sentinel Area)

250

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Current local cases as of 1/26/22

Number in parenthesis indicates new cases since 1/25/22

Ogden • 12 (3)
Royal • 0 (0)
St. Joseph • 42 (11)
Urbana • 517 (195)
Sidney • 14 (5)
Philo • 21 (13)
Tolono • 53 (19)
Sadorus • 5 (1)
Pesotum • 12 (3)

Net change in local cases: 261

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Total Local Confirmed Cases: 20,848

Brief Notes:

The CUPHD reported two additional deaths for Covid-19 today bringing the total number to 29 for the month of January. There have been seven deaths this week linked to the virus.

The Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers reached a compromise with the state to retain teachers by extending benefits to teachers who need to be off work to recover from a Covid-19 infection or to take care of family members.

Omicrom BA.2 has about 20 mutation in the spike protein. Referred to as the "Stealth Omicron" it has been indentified in both Europe and Asia.

The information on this page is compiled from the latest figures provide by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Illinois Department of Public Health at the time of publishing. Active cases are the number of confirmed cases reported currently in isolation. Local is defined as cases within the nine communities The Sentinel covers.

Effective 1/16/22, the CUPHD dashboard updated their reporting parameters to reflect the reduction from a 10-day isolation period to 5 days per the CDC guidance issued last month. Under the previous 10-day policy and based on the data released today, there should be approximately 5,363 residents in isolation.

Rockets drop non-conference bout at Mt. Zion

MT. ZION -- The first quarter of the game made all the difference in the outcome of the Unity's boy's basketball team's road game at Mt. Zion.

While the Rockets ran up and down the floor stride-for-stride during the last three periods of the non-conference game, it was the first-quarter eight-point advantage the Braves carved out that sealed their 62-56 win.

Led by senior Blake Kimball, Unity's starting five delivered the bulk of the team's total score. Kimball, who spent 35 minutes on the floor, finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.

The Rockets' second-leading scorer, Henry Thomas, finished with 16 points, six boards, and three assists. Austin Langendor rounded the team's top three scorers with nine points.

Mt. Zion's Carson Cuddy and Ethan Hamrick finished with 23 and 21 points, respectively.

Box Score

Final: Mount Zion 62 - Unity 56

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	1	2	3	4	OT	F
Unity	12	12	14	18	0	56
Mount Zion	20	14	10	18	0	62

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Unity --
Kimball 8 (1) 0-0 -- 19, Cowan 1 (2) 0-0 -- 8, H. Thomas 4 (2) 2-3 -- 16, Rawdin 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Warfel 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Saunders 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Porter 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, O'Neil 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Price 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, A. Thomas 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Langendorf 2 (1) 2-2 -- 9, Maxwell 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Mount Zion --
S. Driscoll 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Adams 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Koester 2 (1) 0-0 -- 7, McAtee 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, J. Driscoll 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Bauman 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Hamrick 4 (2) 7-11 -- 21, Owens 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Trimble 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Cuddy 4 (4) 3-3 -- 23, K. Clark 2 (0) 1-2 -- 5, R. Clark 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Hart 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0,

Ketchum and Birt pick up wins for SJO at road match

St. Joseph-Ogden won five matches during their dual meet against host El Paso-Gridley on January 20. The wins were not enought to carry the Spartans to victory who dropped the match, 48-28.

Emmit Holt picked up the team's only forfeit win at 113-pounds.

Holden Brazelton (120 lbs), juniors Hunter Ketchum (183 lbs), and Owen Birt at195 lbs, along with frosh Quincy Jones (220 lbs), recorded the Spartans' other victories.

Brazelton, a freshman, won his match by major decision, 15-3. His other three teammates all won by pinning their opponents.

The Spartans will celebrate senior night with a triangle engagement verses Hoopeston Area starting at 5:30pm and Westville at around 6:15pm on Thursday, January 27.

Results

Final Score: El Paso-Gridley 48 - St. Joseph-Odgen 28

113 Holt, Emmitt (SJO) over Forfeit (EPG) Forfeit 6-0
120 Brazelton, Holden (SJO) over Gibson (EPG) Maj Dec 15-3 10-0
126 Roth (EPG) over Butts, Landen (SJO) Fall 1:15 10-6
132 Greene (EPG) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit 10-12
138 Melick (EPG) over Denhart, Garrett (SJO) Fall 1:48 10-18
145 Gentes (EPG) over Falls, Matt (SJO) Fall 0:36 10-24
152 Jeffereys (EPG) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit 10-30
160 Whitman (EPG) over Forfeit, (SJO) Forfeit 10-36
170 Langland (EPG) over Forfeit, (SJO)
182 Ketchum, Hunter (SJO) over Shaffer (EPG) Fall 1:21 16-42
195 Birt, Owen (SJO) over Duffy (EPG) Fall 2:38 22-42
220 Jones, Quincy (SJO) over Blackmore (EPG) Fall 4:30 28-42
285 Evans (EPG) over Cotter, Austin (SJO) Fall 0:46 28-48

Girl Scout cookies are coming and Troop 2945 is ready

TOLONO -- Friday, February 4th is the first day of nearly eight weeks of absolute cookie bliss. It is the first day that Girl Scouts around the country can officially start selling cookies to raise funds for their troop.

Tolono-based Troop 2945, with 13 members in grades 3 through 5, has just over 2,000 boxes ordered to sell this season.

Girl Scout Troop 2945

Photo courtesy Kristina Toney

"Girls who sell 250 boxes get their Girl Scout fee for the following year waived," Girl Scout leader Kristina Toney told The Sentinel via messenger. "Cookie sales help girls pay for summer camps and they learn a lot of fundamentals with selling cookies."

The annual cookie sale teaches Girl Scouts fundamental business skills by counting-out change, order fulfillment and delivery processes, and developing customer service skills. Local girl scout councils, prepared for a successful selling season, will be monitoring local data and public health mandates.

"Girl Scouts across the country will embark on a new adventure with the world's largest entrepreneurial program for girls: the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program," the Girl Scouts of America said in a release. "In prior years, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts quickly and cleverly adapted their selling methods to replace the iconic in-person cookie booths with new, innovative options.

The familiar favorites like Thin Mints, Lemonades, Carmel Delight, Peanut Butter Patties aka Tagalongs, and Shortbread or Trefoils®, are back.

New this year! Adventurefuls.

Adventurefuls™ is the newest cookie to the Girl Scouts of the USA line-up. It is a brownie-inspired cookie topped with caramel flavored crème with just a hint of sea salt to make it a satisfying snack. Toffee-tastic®, another new option, is gluten-free and described as "rich, buttery cookies with sweet, crunchy toffee bits."

Troop 2945 will have booths set up to sell cookies, and a list of sale locations will be available after January 28.

"We haven't figured out any cookie booths yet around town as we can't officially start selling until the fourth," Toney said, "I have 13 girls in my troop, and we all love to deliver cookies."

She said anyone who wishes to place a pre-order or get a list of sale locations can contact by email at kristinatny@yahoo.com or via a phone call at (217) 722-7945. Follow Troop 2945 on Facebook here.

Six area residents on fall SIUC Dean's List

CARBONDALE -- Six area residents at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned a spot on the Fall 2021 Dean's List. Full-undergraduate students enrolled at SIUC whose grade point average meets or exceeds the minimum SIU GPA are recognized each semester. This fall, 1,882 students earned recognition for their academic effort.

Students who make the list transcript receive a special notation on their transcripts identifying semesters where their academic performance excelled. Below are the fall semester's recipients.

The announcement above does not include Dean's List honorees who did not register Urbana, Royal, Ogden, Philo, Tolono, Sidney, or St. Joseph as their hometown with the University.

URBANA:
Avian R. Wilkins, Senior
Chris J. Cross, Sophomore
Rachel E. Gatewood, Junior
Alyssa K. Pankau, Freshman

TOLONO:
Connor L. Eastin, Sophomore
Lauren N. Frost, Senior