Cold and Bold – March for America planned for Jan. 18 at West Side Park

The Cold and Bold – March for America is scheduled to take place around West Side Park in Champaign. The one-day demonstration is expected to be brief.

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CHAMPAIGN — Champaign-Urbana Resistance Effort (CURE) will hold a demonstration titled “Cold and Bold – March for America” on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. around West Side Park in Champaign.

Organizers have scheduled the event to last approximately 30 minutes due to anticipated winter weather conditions. Forecasts call for a high temperature of about 19 degrees.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A Hands-Off rally was held near downtown Champaign last spring. Protesters will be back at Westside Park another rally expected to last about 30-minute to protest the latest Trump Administration policies.

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The march is planned during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term. During that period, the administration has undertaken a series of actions that have prompted national attention and legal challenges, including the acceptance of a new Air Force One from Qatar, the imposition of tariffs that have slowed U.S. economic growth, and the approval of advanced artificial intelligence chip sales to China.

Several administration actions have also been addressed in federal court. In December 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in *Trump v. Illinois* that the president did not have authority to federalize the Illinois National Guard. Following that decision, efforts to federalize the California National Guard were withdrawn. A federal judge also blocked an attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with that case scheduled for review by the Supreme Court in January 2026.

Additional court rulings have required the administration to restore clean energy funding in certain states, reinstate equal pay data collection requirements, resume funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, and overturn a rule related to healthcare workers’ refusal of care. Earlier this week, a federal court ordered the restoration of nearly $12 million in pediatric health funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics while litigation continues.

The demonstration is scheduled to take place regardless of cold weather conditions.

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Hayes celebrates wrestling senior night with a tech fall, SJO wins home meet

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Coy Hayes tries to drive South Vermillion's Brayden Nickle to the mat during their 165 pound match on Tuesday (see more photos below). Hayes, a senior, won the match on his home mat in front of a crownd of nearly 100 wrestling fans via technical fall 16-1. The Spartans were victorious in 11 of the 14 weight classes to win their only home dual meet of the season 61-13. Hayes was also one of 14 seniors in the SJO wrestling program honored earlier in the evening. The Spartans wrestle again on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m., hosting the two-day Illini Prairie conference meet.

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Academic excellence: Unity Junior High announces 2nd quarter Honor Roll

Unity Junior High School announced the names of students who achieved honor roll status during the second quarter. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for recognition during this period.

6th Grade Honor Roll

Jocelyn Ann Bickers
Zane Douglas Bluhm
Ruby Ann Briggs
Blythe Ida Marie Brink
Easton Buchanan
Brock James Curtis
Zailah Rhaye Daniels
Vala Fae Farrar
Peyton Renee Finical
Hensley Mae Gabbard
Aiden Christopher Hartman
Monroe Maxine Hasler
Carter Dean Hayden
Charlette J Henson
Maeve Jean Hillen
Slade Edward Valor Hutcheson
Sloane Renae Logsdon
Allyssa Korryn Meuser
Hunter Kerby Mudd
Caleb James Painter
Milo Jalen Ramos
Maddox Jeffrey Dale Reed
Ryan David Roosevelt
Easton Matthew Shields
Paige Farren Sommer
Eli Joseph Stierwalt
Rhys Walker Sutherland
Brentlee Thomas
Dominic James Tompkins
Tristan Cole Tracz
Christian Lee Wetherell
Kiedyn Henry White

7th Grade Honor Roll

Molly Margrethe Bailes
Jaxon Albert Bailey
Lylla Lorene Bennett
McKenna Ilene Bennett
Colt Bisaillon
Brayden Eli Borkowski Leonard
Journie Elizabeth Castle
Liberty Cenzano
Brielle Mun-Yee Chin
Gersey Marie Cler
Hayven Corrine Douglas
Jackson Carter Elam
Odin Jeffrey Evans
Caroline Elizabeth Greenwald
Megan Elizabeth Gumbel-Paeth
Aneela Joy Hagerman
Ezekiel Makai Hastings
Khloe Nikita Kellogg
Elijiah Cole Lambert
Janie Diana Marie Lange
Bentley Michael McDuffie
Brendan Colt Murphy-Hubert
Xavier Lee Perry Robinson
Autumn Polaczek
Reeston Reifsteck
Jace Alek Revell
Felix Richard Runyan
Nolan Dwight Seidlitz
Lila Rose Souza
Parker Thomas Staley
Elizabeth Ann Stewart
Haven Marie Thomas
Parker James Wilson
Ava Zavala
Jordan Lily Zoch

8th Grade Honor Roll

Ashlyn Nicole Alt
Landon Robert Alt
Rya Jolee Bialeschki
Bradley Roger Bruhn
Gorian Martin Cler
Raeann Loucille Cozad
Kylee Paulette Cunningham
Raymond Curtsinger
Greyson Zachary DeHart
Luke JR Dougherty
Brady Gallagher Eckstein
Collin Daniel Eckstein
Tinsley Layne Elliott
Nadia Grace Fairbanks
Evelyn Anne Gould
Libbey Marlene Ethel Griffin
Natalie May Gumbel-Paeth
Benjamin Isaac Hoewing
Mason James Holladay
William Timothy Huntington
Finnegan Samuel Bowie Isberg
Matthew Stephen Kroes
Adeliah June Little
Bentley Wayne Maynard
Maxwell Tyler Pound
Makena Jade Pruitt
Riker Alan Rogers
Kyle Sean Roosevelt
Smilemarino Mulanga Sardo
Camdon Levi Schmid
Jonah Ryan Schriefer
Clementine Lucille Summitt
Cashtyn Ryder Sutherland
Silas Richard Swim
Jaycob David Tatman
Owen Robert Vasey
Colby Aaron Weaver
Lucy Jeane Weaver
Levi Nelson White
Phoebe Ashlynn Witheft
Alexis LeAnn Wolken
Alivia RaeLyn Wolken

Academic excellence: Unity Junior High announces 2nd quarter High Honor Roll

Unity Junior High School announced the names of students who achieved high honor roll status during the second quarter. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for recognition during this period.

6th Grade High Honor Roll

Rozlynn Grace Adcock
Brayson Douglas Bialeschki
Brody Geordan Britt
Luke Allen Britt
Ellie Grace Butzow
McKinley Grace Cloud
Nolan Daniel Compton
Noah Davis
Leonard Paul "Lenny" Deedrick
Henley Elaine DeHart
Quinn Alan Eisenmenger
Aubrey Grace Ellis
Carson Robert Franklin
Harrison Curtis Gaines
Theodore Grussing
Penelope Moon Hickman
Silas Truman Jenkins
Ryker James Kammin
Cambria Bryn Kirby
Landon Thomas Kleiss
Gabriel Charles Krause
McKenna Denham Lewis
Flynn Edward Little
Lee Edward Marinelli
Aden Wyatt Paeth
Adalynn Jane Roberts
Magnolia Jocelyn Ruggieri
Chevi Sanchez
Cora Sherman
Harper Vivian Shike
Parker James Southard
William Samuel Stephens
Gabriella Sutton
Elaina Joy Thomas
Nataley Anne Thompson
Stella Rose VanDyke
Ainsley Renee Weaver
Brooklyn June Weaver
Jaycie Mae White
Evelyn Grace Wilson

7th Grade High Honor Roll

Avery Mae Albaugh
Madelyn JoAnn Bear
Max William Behrends
William Terrance Bieser
Jace Boyett
Rachel Elaine Sharples Brooks
Mila Marie Lynn Brown
Connor John Chesnut
Madisen Diane Coy
Avery Brooks Curry
Claire Bronte Davis
Wyatt Michael Deakin
Dominic Dees
Finley Douglas
Kennedy Phoenix Dykeman
Reid William Edwards
Ashlyn Elizabeth Estes
Shirley Arianna Garcier
Liam Thomas Grussing
Aubrey Lou Hartman
Luke Raymond Hottman
Asher Jett
Pyper Rayne Jones
Zaylee Elaine Kohlenberg
Cooper Leith
Avalee Susan Little
Landon Robert Little
Lucas James Michels
Brielle Raine Molina
Logan Alexander Nasser
Peyton Elizabeth Neighbors
Charlotte Rose Ocasio
Olivia Ann Ruggieri
Zachary David Ruhter
Owen Schiff
Mallory Mya Schmid
Jayceon Simmons
Paige Elizabeth Siuts
Brody Lee Skibbe
Blake Robert Stierwalt
Giselle Ann Thomas
Jaylynn Whiteside
Conor William Zumbahlen

8th Grade High Honor Roll

Maylie Rose Bates
Nora Kristina Blanchard
Brailey Marie Cain
Lydia Grace Crowe
Elizabeth Irene Davidson
Bronson Edwin Davis
Savannah Jo Drewes
Beau Richard Eisenmenger
Alarik Byrum Ellison
Cooper Alexander Fairbanks
Hayden Marie Gabbard
Jessica Marie Hamilton
Harper Quinn Harris
Dylan Paul Holladay
Aaron Joseph Hood
Gabriel Heinrich Jahnel
Allie Rose Kamradt
Molly Kathryn Lydia Kleiss
John Isaac "Isaac" Leaman
Adelyn Jolene Maxwell
Graham Charles Moore
Ashley Ann Mumm
Caylynn Josie Parker
Raelyn Marie Prosser
Jordan William Pruitt
Avery Elizabeth Remole
Matias Alberto Rios Toro
Layla Marie Scott
Drake Alan Siuts
William Ross Wetherell
Kadence Ryleigh Wiese
Brendan Kurtis Zerrusen

Photo Gallery | SJO fall by four to Sullivan

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Kayla Osterbur snatches the ball from Sullivan's Eiley Poe during the second half of their game on January 5. The Spartans got within two points of tying the game but could not swing the momentum change to make it over the hump. Osterbur finished the game with 15 points and ten rebounds. Read the game recap ...

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TAGS: SJO sports photos, St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball, SJO girls basketball, basketball photos

Sullivan holds on despite late SJO rally for 59-55 road win

St. Joseph-Ogden dropped a 59-55 decision to visiting Sullivan on Jan. 5 after a late fourth-quarter push.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Hayden Dahl looks to make a pass in SJO's home game against Sullivan. Dahl finished the game with 8 points and 11 rebounds in the Spartans' non-conference loss last Monday. See more photos from St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Sullivan.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden led early and battled to the final minute, but a cold stretch and timely second-half scoring from Sullivan proved costly in a 59-55 loss to the visiting Redskins on Monday, Jan. 5.

The setback marked a third consecutive defeat for the Spartans, who slipped to 9-4 on the season. Sullivan improved to 10-6 with the road win.

St. Joseph-Ogden opened the game with energy, jumping out to a 6-0 lead on an early three-pointer from Katie Ericksen and maintaining control throughout the first quarter. The Spartans stretched the margin to seven points during the period, using crisp ball movement and patient shot selection to keep Sullivan on its heels.

Momentum shifted early in the second quarter. After nearly three and a half minutes of play, Sullivan grabbed a 19-18 lead and used the final 4 minutes and 38 seconds of the half to build an eight-point advantage. St. Joseph-Ogden struggled to find rhythm offensively during the stretch, managing just one field goal, a three-pointer from Addie Brooks, while turnovers added to the challenge.

"We didn't relly come out in the second quarter as a team," Brooks said. "It took us a little too long to come back together and pull through. We got to fix that in practice."

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Kayla Osterbur tries to get around a Sullivan player for another rebound. The senior finished the game with a double-double.

Sullivan carried that momentum into the third quarter, pushing its lead to double digits on three occasions. Freshman Elin Watkins began to assert herself offensively, attacking gaps and finishing in transition as the Redskins created separation. Still, the Spartans remained composed and methodically worked their way back into the game.

In the fourth quarter, St. Joseph-Ogden closed within 54-52 on a basket from Kayla Osterbur, bringing the crowd to its feet. Osterbur scored once more before fouling out with 1:05 remaining, with the Spartans trailing by three. After her exit, St. Joseph-Ogden managed just one additional free throw down the stretch.

"I was disappointed in our effort on both ends of the floor. We weren't very crisp," said head coach Brian Brooks. "I'm not taking anything away from them (Sullivan). They capitalized on it."

Brooks said the number of game over the past two weeks, coupled with weather-related cancellations hadn't given the team ample time to practice.

"We've played a lot of games lately. We haven't been practicing because it, not enough, and it is showing right now," he said. "We've lost three, one or two possession games in the last week. That can't happen."

Addie Brooks led the Spartans with 17 points, connecting on five three-pointers and going 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Osterbur posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Hayden Dahl added eight points and 11 boards. Ericksen finished with nine points and eight assists, and Timera Blackburn-Kelley chipped in six.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan head coach Brian Brooks make a strategy change in the fourth quarter that helped SJO get within two points of tying the game. St. Joseph-Ogden has suffered three consecutive losses by four or fewer points.

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Watkins led all scorers with 20 points for Sullivan, 16 coming in the second half. Senior Aeralyn Thrasher added 18 as the Redskins secured their second win in three games.

The Spartans turned the ball over 16 times.

"We gave them a lot of possessions on both ends of the floor," Brooks said. "We just got to get back to what we do in practice. We had some great practice habits early in the season. We've got to get back to that."

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New Illinois law protects workers who document violence on employer devices

Employers are encouraged to review workplace policies to ensure compliance with the updated VESSA law. Employees who believe their rights are being violated may file complaints with the Illinois Department of Labor. State officials say access to documentation can be critical for securing protection orders.

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Photo: energepic.com/PEXELS

A new Illinois law allows workers to record and access evidence of violence on employer-issued phones and tablets.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - A new change to an Illinois law provides significant protections for employees who use work-issued electronic devices to document instances of violence.

The amendment to the Victims Economic Security and Safety Act, or VESSA, allows employees in Illinois to use their work-issued cellphones or tablets if needed to document domestic violence, sexual or gender violence, or other violent crimes – said Lydia Colunga-Merchant, Leave Rights Division manager with the Illinois Department of Labor.

"It also allows employees to have access to that data," said Colunga-Merchant, "that is recorded on those work-issued devices."

The change took effect January 1. Colunga-Merchant encouraged employers to regularly review and update their workplace policies to maintain compliance with current law.

Colunga-Merchant said the amendment stems from an incident in New York, in which an employee experiencing domestic violence was disciplined by her employer for documenting instances on a work-related device. She said the woman was ultimately killed by her spouse.

"It's trying to prevent some of that access that maybe that employee could have had to that work-related device," said Colunga-Merchant, "if she needed that evidence to get potentially an order of protection or a restraining order – or any other type of protection or documentation that could have helped."

She adds employees can contact the Illinois Department of Labor to file a complaint if they believe employers are violating VESSA provisions.

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TAGS: Illinois VESSA law update explained, employee rights documenting domestic violence Illinois, work-issued device protections Illinois law, Illinois Department of Labor VESSA enforcement, documenting abuse on employer phone Illinois

Bohm scores 15 for Bulldogs at Christie Clinic Shootout

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Mahomet-Seymour's Jackson Bohm tries to dribble around Metamora's Gavin Geier during their Christie Clinic Shootout game. After dominating the first half, the Bulldogs fell 65-61 to the Redbirds. Bohm and the Bulldogs (9-5) play their next two contest on the road this week, starting at Lincoln (15-3) on Friday and then down to Charleston (3-16) next Tuesday. Bohm, who scored 15 points, was one of three Mahomet-Seymour players with double figures.

Recap and more game photos coming this week.

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TAGS: Bulldogs lose at shootout, Mahomet-Seymour plays at Christie Clinic Shootout, Metamora Redbirds, Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs

McLean County Basketball Tournament 2026: Preview and look back

Here is a look at the upcoming annual McLean County Basketball Tournament. Every year, every team gives their all not only for bragging rights but also to create lasting memories.

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by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

Basketball season in McLean County reaches its annual peak with the 2026 McLean County Basketball Tournament, tipping off January 17th. This is the tournament where every team rises to the occasion, where pride, bragging rights, and lasting memories are on the line. Many of these players know each other off the court as teammates in travel leagues when the school season isn’t in play, adding extra intensity and rivalry to every matchup. Fans can expect fast-paced action, fierce competition, and the kind of moments that define high school hoops in our community.

The boys’ bracket kicks off in El Paso-Gridley, where first-round games promise plenty of intensity, surprises, and early fireworks as teams fight to advance. While the top seeds — Le Roy (#1) and Eureka (#2) — won’t see action until Monday, every matchup before then is a chance for underdogs to make a statement, set the tone, and earn a spot in the deeper rounds. Expect close contests, highlight-reel plays, and the grit that makes tournament basketball unforgettable.

The girls’ bracket begins at Eureka College, with first-round matchups offering the same mix of drama, speed, and hustle. Tri-Valley (#1) and Dee-Mack (#2) enter play on Monday, but the early games are packed with potential upsets, rising stars, and plenty of excitement as teams vie for a place in the later rounds. Every game is a chance to see skill, determination, and teamwork shine — the hallmarks of McLean County tournament basketball.

A Look Back: The 2016 McLean County Basketball Tournament

Before diving into 2026, it’s worth remembering the unforgettable moments from the 2016 McLean County Tournament — a year that delivered thrilling games, standout performances, and true rivalry matchups.

In the girls’ bracket, the finals pitted the Tremont Turks against the Le Roy Panthers. Tremont carried home the highly coveted McLean County Traveling Trophy with a 40-31 victory. Anchored by 6’ SIU recruit Lauren Hartman, who poured in 15 points, Tremont’s balanced attack proved decisive. Le Roy was missing their leading scorer Sammie Spencer, sidelined with a sprained ankle, but still received strong efforts from Alyssa Aupperle (13 points) and Courtney Monier (8 points). The game showcased skill, determination, and teamwork — the hallmarks of McLean County girls’ basketball.

On the boys’ side, Ridgeview captured the championship, besting Le Roy in a matchup that highlighted the county’s top talent. Both teams featured standout performers, with Matt Chastain scoring 17 points for Le Roy and Austin Ziesldorf(13) and Drew Jones (12) leading Ridgeview. A key 17-5 run in the second half helped Ridgeview seal the victory. It was a true rivalry game, full of clutch plays and moments fans still remember vividly.

Reflecting on 2016 shows why the McLean County Tournament is so special — it’s not just about the hardware, but about pride, passion, and memories that last well beyond the final buzzer.

Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual fan, the 2026 McLean County Basketball Tournament promises edge-of-your-seat excitement and unforgettable plays.

For those who want to capture the action beyond the scoreboard, Alan Look Photography has been quietly documenting the soul of the heartland since 1999, while Best Look Magazine delivers the stories, highlights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives that make every tournament memorable. You can explore the galleries at alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com and follow coverage at bestlookmag.blogspot.com.