Friday Night Forecast | Week 9 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Last week, three of our guest prognosticators went a perfect 5-0. This week, we have seven analysts with predictions for IPC teams and their final regular-season game. Who will finish the season with yet another perfect forecast?

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Keegan Schol runs the ball during his team's road game against the Spartans in September. At 2-6, IVC hosts Rantoul tonight looking for win that secures playoff eligibility under the new, expanded IHSA football playoffs this season. See below this week's game predictions.

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	Cory	Best Look Magazine	Frank
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 49-14	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-14	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-21
Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 28-7	Illinois Valley Central 24-20	Illinois Valley Central 45-14
Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 35-21	Monticello 31-20	Monticello 38-7
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-21
Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 45-21	Unity 20-8	Unity 28-21
Game Notes:	Six out of the nine IPC teams qualified for a spot. What does that say about the quality of the league this season? I say that just goes to show that the IPC is one of the hardest conferences in Illinois. The last two state championships have had IPC teams as runners-up.	Six out of the nine IPC team qualified for spot. What does that say about the quality of the league this season? I don't think it says a lot about the conference. The IHSA has built a playoff scenario where you can go 4 and 5 and have a decent chance of making the brackets.	The IPC has shown itself to be the best 3A conference in the state the last few years. I would expect at least 2 teams to make a deep playoff run.

	Coltrane	DoubleJ	Bement Bulldogs
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 34-28	Bloomington Central Catholic 27-12	Bloomington Central Catholic 28-13
Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 68-34	Illinois Valley Central 28-6	Illinois Valley Central 33-24
Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 42-12	Monticello 41-14	Monticello 35-6
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-20	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-18	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-12
Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 48-12	Unity 42-27	Mt.Vernon 28-25
Game Notes:	The IPC is hands down the deepest and toughest downstate small school conference I don’t think any conference comes close, we have had at least one team in the 3A Semi finals 4 of the last 5 years. And 3 of the last 5 have had a team in the 3A state title game. You have 4 Central IL blue bloods make up the top of the conference. Also 7 of 9 schools have made at least 1 state title appearance in their history.	IPC is a quality league. Tough games every week. That said, the IHSA playoffs are NOT what they once were. It used to mean something to make the playoffs, not so much anymore.	IVC will get it done vs Rantoul. IPC is top 3A conference in the state year in and year out.

	The Sentinel
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 38-21
Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 36-21
Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 28-20
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-28
Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 35-21
Game Notes:	Game to watch is Rantoul at IVC. A win for the Eagles denies IVC a possible playoff bid and a celebration on their first win since their 2024 win over Pontiac.

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Week 7 Results

1. DoubleJ .::. 5-0
1. Best Look Magazine .::. 5-0
1. Frank .::. 5-0
4. Sentinel .::. 4-1
5. Coltrane .::. 3-2

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

 1. Sentinel .::. 34-5
 2. DoubleJ .::. 33-6
 2. Best Look Magazine .::. 33-6
 4. Frank .::. 28-6
 5. Coltrane .::. 28-7
 6. Bement Bulldogs .::. 13-2
 7. Sagesrunner .::. 11-4
 8. SCOTTY P .::. 8-2
 9. Steve .::. 5-0
10. Laura .::. 3-1
10. Naomi .::. 3-1
12. Buddy .::. 3-2

Statistical Leaders

 1. Steve .::. 100.00%
 2. Sentinel .::. 87.18%
 3. Bement Bulldogs .::. 86.67%
 4. Best Look Magazine .::. 84.62%
 4. DoubleJ .::. 84.62%
 6. Frank .::. 82.35%
 7. Coltrane .::. 80.00%
 7. SCOTTY P .::. 80.00%

 8. Naomi .::. 75.00%
 8. Laura .::. 75.00%
10. Sagesrunner .::. 73.33%
11. Buddy .::. 60.00%

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Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions
Week 4 Predictions • Week 5 Predictions • Week 6 Predictions
Week 7 Predictions • Week 8 Predictions

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The hidden problem with over-optimizing storage space at the expense of accessibility

The problem is that a space packed for maximum capacity stops working for daily life. Storage space helps when you set it up for access as well as volume.

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SNS - A garage shelf stacked to the rafters looks like a win until January, when the snow shovel sits behind four bins of holiday decorations. Plenty of homeowners know that scene. It captures the hidden problem with over-optimizing storage space at the expense of accessibility: every inch gets filled, yet the things you use most become the hardest to reach. You lose time digging through the same boxes, and sometimes you end up balancing on a kitchen chair. Good storage holds a lot, but it also lets you grab what you need in a few seconds.

What Is the Hidden Problem With Over-Optimizing Storage Space at the Expense of Accessibility?

Photo: Andrew Neel/PEXELS

There never seems to be enough storage space in older or smaller homes. Over time, it is hard to avoid packing them full of little used items.

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The problem is that a space packed for maximum capacity stops working for daily life. Storage accessibility means how easily a person can see, reach, and return an item without moving anything else first. A closet can hold twice as much when bins sit three deep, but every retrieval then becomes a small project. Over time, people stop putting things back, and clutter spills into hallways and onto kitchen counters.

Small homes feel this pressure the most. Many older houses in Urbana and Champaign have narrow closets, and some newer builds sit on slabs with no lower level at all. Without a basement, homeowners often look for ways to maximize storage space using walls, closets, and underused corners. These solutions can help, but trouble starts when one rule takes over: fit more.

What Does Over-Optimized Storage Look Like at Home?

Over-optimized storage usually shows up as small daily frustrations rather than one obvious failure. Common signs include:

• Bins stacked so high that nobody opens the bottom one
• Shelves loaded two rows deep, hiding the back row completely
• Heavy boxes sitting above head height
• Garage walkways narrowed to a sideways shuffle
• Duplicate purchases made because the original went missing

Every one of these habits reflects the same trade-off. Capacity goes up while access goes down. A household that buys a second set of jumper cables because it cannot find the first has paid for packed shelves with real money.

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Does Renting a Storage Unit Fix the Problem?

A storage unit helps only when you set it up for access and not just volume. Many Champaign-Urbana households rent one during a move, a renovation, or the summer gap between leases near the University of Illinois campus. Indoor, drive-up, and climate-controlled units each serve different needs, so choosing between different types of storage units should come down to what you plan to store and how often you'll need it. A drive-up unit suits tools and seasonal gear you visit every month, while an indoor unit fits items you rarely touch.

Packing habits inside the unit matter just as much. Leave a center aisle, keep labels facing out, and place the items you expect to need first near the door. A 10x10 unit filled floor to ceiling repeats the mistake people make at home, only with a monthly bill attached.

How Should You Sort Items by How Often You Use Them?

The simplest fix is to assign storage spots by frequency of use instead of by size. This approach, often called zoning, works in any room:

• Daily items go between hip and shoulder height.
• Weekly or monthly items go on the lower shelves or one level up.
• Seasonal items go up high, in the back, or off-site.

Tight spaces can follow the same pattern. In smaller apartments, affordable storage ideas like ottomans with hidden compartments and under-bed bins can keep everyday things within reach without adding clutter. Winter boots and gloves belong by the door from November through March, and they can move to a high shelf once spring reaches central Illinois.

What Reach Height Works Best for Everyday Items?

For most adults, the easiest reach zone sits roughly between knee and shoulder height. Federal accessibility standards offer a useful benchmark here. According to the U.S. Access Board's accessibility guidelines, an unobstructed reach range extends from 15 to 48 inches above the floor. Those numbers apply to accessible elements in covered facilities rather than private homes, but they offer a useful starting point when planning storage for seated or shorter household members.

Applying that range at home takes very little effort. Keep coffee, medications, cleaning supplies, and chargers inside it. Save the top pantry shelf for the roasting pan that comes out twice a year. Homes with a wheelchair user or a young helper may want that zone even lower.

Why Does Accessible Storage Matter More as We Age?

Hard-to-reach storage becomes a safety issue for older adults, not just an annoyance. CDC data shows that about one in four adults aged 65 and older reports a fall each year. Many of those falls happen at home, and climbing onto a chair to reach a high shelf is one of the habits fall-prevention guides warn against.

The CDC recommends keeping frequently used items on lower shelves, around waist level, as part of its home fall prevention guidance for older adults. It also recommends using a sturdy step stool with a handhold rather than climbing onto a chair. Adult children helping parents in Tolono or Ogden can start with the kitchen and bathroom, where most daily reaching happens.

Should You Rethink Storage Before Selling or Moving?

Yes, because buyers notice storage that looks crammed. Decluttering closets is an important part of preparing a home for sale, since shelves packed to capacity can make otherwise adequate storage feel insufficient. A closet cleared down to its useful core looks larger and easier to use, and buyers can picture their own belongings fitting inside during a showing.

Sellers also gain a head start on packing. Boxes that leave the house early can go straight into a unit with a clear aisle and visible labels. The move then begins with access already built in.

Room to Store, Room to Reach

Filling every shelf feels efficient, but the hidden problem with over-optimizing storage space at the expense of accessibility shows up in lost minutes, repeat purchases, and risky climbs. Better storage starts with one question: how often will someone need this item? Answer it for each closet, garage wall, and rented unit, and the layout tends to follow. Pick one cluttered shelf this weekend, pull everything out, and put back only what earns a spot within easy reach.

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Viewpoint | U.S. sanctions helping the rich & powerful escape justice

President Trump is dismantling the International Criminal Court to protect himself, his allies, and Israel. We shouldn’t let him, say Jordan Liz.

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by Jordan Liz
OtherWords

The Trump administration recently announced a series of sanctions intended to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court (ICC) “brick by brick.”

Let’s be clear: These sanctions are not meant to protect U.S. citizens. The Trump administration is trying to destroy a key pillar of international justice to shield themselves and Israel from any accountability.

In December 2025, a Trump administration official claimed that the administration was pressuring the ICC to amend its founding document to ensure that it can never investigate President Trump or his top officials. It also demanded the ICC drop its investigation of Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and formally end a probe it began in 2020 (and suspended a year later) of possible crimes committed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

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...the ICC cannot probe ICE shootings of people in the United States ...

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If the ICC did not meet these demands, the Trump administration threatened to sanction the court itself. With these latest sanctions, the administration has made good on those threats.

Neither the U.S. nor Israel are party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that originally established the ICC. The court therefore does not — nor has it ever claimed to — have general jurisdiction over crimes committed by citizens of those countries, including servicemen, police officers, border patrol, ICE agents, or elected officials.

What the ICC does claim is jurisdiction over offenses committed in any territory party to the Statue — including by citizens of non-member nations. So while the ICC cannot probe ICE shootings of people in the United States, it can rightfully investigate Israel’s genocide in Palestine and U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. Both Afghanistan and Palestine have joined the Rome Statute.

Since Iran is not a member of the ICC, the Trump administration’s possible war crimes there — including bombing a girl’s school, a sport center, and residential buildings — are beyond the court’s scope. The same applies to Cuba.

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... the solution is not simply to dismantle the ICC ...

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Notably, while the Trump administration emphasizes the alleged abuses of the ICC, it offers no alternatives to the high court. This is intentional. Whether it’s dismantling the ICC, withdrawing the U.S. from over 60 international organizations, or threatening to annex U.S. allies, the goal is the same: to destroy international law and replace it with the law of “might makes right.” To create a world where Trump and his allies can pillage and plunder as they see fit without repercussions.

It’s a remarkable achievement that the ICC exists at all. The fact that over 120 parties agreed to voluntarily submit themselves to an accountability framework that puts global welfare above the personal ambitions of leaders is a triumph of democracy and international relations. That is worth defending.

Of course, the ICC is far from perfect. While it has accomplished some noteworthy feats, humanitarian groups like Amnesty International have rightly criticized the ICC’s selective approach to global justice.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the court moved with unprecedented speed and launched its largest operation ever to investigate possible war crimes committed by Vladimir Putin and his government. But the same body deprioritized its probe into U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and decided not to investigate UK war crimes in Iraq.

These are serious problems that must be addressed, but the solution is not simply to dismantle the ICC — especially if the alternative is to submit ourselves to the whims of the most powerful nations or billionaire-led bodies like Trump’s Board of Peace.

What we must do instead is empower global institutions to not only punish those who commit heinous acts, but to work together to ensure that those who are wronged receive restitution — and, ultimately, to ensure that crimes against humanity never occur again.

About the author ~

Jordan Liz is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at San José State University. He specializes in issues of race, immigration, and the politics of belonging. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

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What do you think?
Whether you agree, disagree, or want to build on the ideas in this piece, we’d love to hear your voice. If you have an opinion you’d like to share — on this topic or any other — you can find our submission guidelines here: Sentinel submission guideline.

We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and would be glad to consider your perspective for publication on OurSentinel.com. . Send your letter or commentary to editor@oursentinel.com and help keep the community conversation moving forward.

TAGS: The International Criminal Court isn't perfect, Trump wants to destroy international law, ICC has no jurisdiction over the US and Israel, Trump doesn't want to be investigated

Viewpoint | Citizens and neighbors are fighting data centers, the government is fighting its people

Trump's EPA wants to let Big Tech build data centers without notifying local communities -- and to start before their permits are even approved.

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Photo: Albrecht Fietz/Pixabay

Trump administration quietly relaxing environmental rules to facilitate the development of data centers in rural America to avoid pushback from residents who don't want industrial polluters near their communities.

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by Jim Hightower
OtherWords

To cope with the imminent danger posed by today’s arrogant, profiteering AI billionaires, President Trump says the only thing America needs is a “STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT!”

Well, yes — let’s try to find one of those!

The president we have now is quite the opposite. Take the politically explosive issue of massive AI data centers suddenly intruding into thousands of communities across America, sucking up people’s land, water, electricity, and democratic control. Even red state MAGA conservatives are in furious rebellion against what amounts to a corporate sneak attack on millions of us.

Where’s the president when we really need him? He’s plotting with the tech invaders to publicly trash those who are rebelling against the tech giants, and deploying autocrats to rig the rules to silence us opponents.

For example, Trump’s EPA administrator Lee Zeldin is now decreeing there’s no need for local communities to be notified that a data center is moving in on them — nor should there be a public comment period on air pollution issues.

This means that residents’ first notice that a sprawling data center will be built next door will be the roar of bulldozers. Worse, Commissar Zeldin wants to let data center billionaires start building their acres of polluting facilities before permits are approved.

Also, this MAGA bureaucrat insists that such massive facilities be reclassified as “minor” air polluters, like a car repair shop or local laundromat.

Zeldin has also unilaterally reframed the purpose of the EPA. He’s declared making the United States “the artificial intelligence capital of the world” one of the EPA’s five central priorities.

That’s not the priority of any regular person I know. While real people are fighting data centers, this government is fighting the people.

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About the author ~

OtherWords columnist Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

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What do you think?
Whether you agree, disagree, or want to build on the ideas in this piece, we’d love to hear your voice. If you have an opinion you’d like to share — on this topic or any other — you can find our submission guidelines here: Sentinel submission guideline.

We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and would be glad to consider your perspective for publication on OurSentinel.com. . Send your letter or commentary to editor@oursentinel.com and help keep the community conversation moving forward.

TAGS: data centers want reclassification from EPA, Jim Hightower commentary on data center development, data center development bypass local control, red state republicans against data centers

The Sentinel On This Day | October 15

On this day, Glenn Mollette wrote about the road to success. SJO volleyball notches win over Rantoul. Did you miss our story about St. Joseph-Ogden winning the Illini Prairie cross country title? These and more stories from October 15.

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Sentinel Article Archive for October 15

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TAGS: Get out and vote, St. Joseph-Ogden soccer falls in regional match, Unity XC wins conference title, Friday Night Forecast picks for Week 8, how to make the best flourless blueberry, peanut butter muffins

Letter to the Editor | Dark Fun: Seinfeld joke misses moral mark

Cruelty was made to feel like camaraderie, and Palestinian suffering was made to seem like a fitting subject for laughter says one Sentinel reader.

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Dear Editor,

At comedian Jerry Seinfeld's recent show in Chicago, an audience member shouted about Gaza, "Twenty-two thousand Palestinians who are children now are killed with our taxpayer money, and you're making jokes?!"

The comedian then began dancing on stage and mockingly declared, “I am a racist. It’s a genocide. I’m into it,” before saying, “I’m gonna find out how much your ticket was, and I’m sending it to Israel.”

Seinfeld, an outspoken supporter of Israel, previously stated, “I don’t care about Palestine,” and that "It doesn't exist."

In their journal article, "Genocidal Enjoyment: On the Weaponization of Joyful Cruelty and 'Dark Fun' during Israel’s Genocide in Gaza," sociologists Raúl Pérez and Charles Thorpe define genocidal enjoyment as “the weaponized use of joyful cruelty in the service of state violence” against a dehumanized community.

One example cited is the propaganda channel, “72 Virgins-Uncensored,” which was operated on the social media platform Telegram by members of the Israeli Defense Forces' Influencing Department. Its target audience was Israeli citizens, and the channel showed videos and posted photos celebrating and mocking the death and abuse of Palestinians.

According to the authors, genocidal enjoyment bonds soldiers and supporters through shared pleasure, reinforcing moral hierarchies and portraying the targets of state violence as moral outsiders.

Seinfeld’s actions demonstrated genocidal enjoyment. Cruelty was made to feel like camaraderie, and Palestinian suffering was made to seem like a fitting subject for laughter.

Terry Hansen
Grafton, WI

Terry Hansen is a retired educator from Grafton, WI, who writes frequently about climate change and on human rights. He lives in Grafton, WIsconsin.

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Related articles to read:

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What do you think?
Whether you agree, disagree, or want to build on the ideas in this piece, we’d love to hear your voice. If you have an opinion you’d like to share — on this topic or any other — you can find our submission guidelines here: Sentinel submission guideline.

We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and would be glad to consider your perspective for publication on OurSentinel.com. Send your letter or commentary to editor@oursentinel.com and help keep the community conversation moving forward.

The Sentinel On This Day | October 14

Today we learned about a St. Joseph resident who sent care packages to troops. We told you about five Urbana players qualifying for state in tennis, and new rules for energy assistance from the Trump administration. These and more stories from October 14.

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Sentinel Article Archive for October 14

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New rule puts federal assistance out of reach for small farm operations

Detractors argue that the USDA cannot restrict renewable energy because of the current administration's preference for fossil fuels.

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Photo: Dedrie/Pixabay

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - A new federal rule set to take effect this week could make it harder for Illinois farmers to get help funding renewable energy projects.

The regulations will require farmers to complete projects and document a year of energy savings before applying for funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the changes are intended to streamline its Rural Energy for America Program and ensure funding decisions reflect actual project performance.

Chad Hughes, senior associate attorney, Environmental Law and Policy Center, said requiring farmers to cover costs up front could put federal assistance out of reach for smaller operations.

"Only those that can afford to carry those costs for over a year without knowing whether or not they're going to be reimbursed are going to be able to apply for REAP. So it's going to make the program just much less accessible," Hughes contended.

The changes, which also limit wind projects on certified cropland, take effect Oct. 16. Farmers and rural businesses can submit comments through Nov. 2 at Regulations.gov. The new guidelines follow earlier USDA policy changes limiting solar funding and were applied retroactively to pending applications.

The Environmental Law and Policy Center sued the agency in September, arguing the policy conflicts with Congress' intent for the REAP program to support the projects. Hughes argued the USDA cannot restrict renewable energy because of the current administration's preference for fossil fuels.

"The law has these basic principles of fairness baked in. You can't just change the rules in the middle of the game like that unless you have a really good reason to do so, and USDA just has not identified such reason," Hughes stressed.

The USDA said it is working to protect farmland, safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep components from foreign adversaries out of federally supported projects. But Hughes countered none of the goals help farmers who have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on equipment, engineering and other costs, which had qualified for reimbursement under previous rules.

"Now suddenly they're finding out that, hey, that $60,000 that you thought was going to come through from the government that, over the course of 20 years, this program has worked and the money's always come through for farmers, well, this time it's not because USDA is abruptly changing the rules of the game after you already applied," Hughes emphasized.

Between 2023 and 2025, REAP supported nearly 7,000 projects and drove an estimated $2.75 billion in rural economic development. A USDA report showed in 2024 alone, the bipartisan program generated or saved enough energy to power more than 300,000 homes.

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Other stories you might like ...

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TAGGED: Farmers can speak out against new federal rule, funding changes in the Rural Energy for America program, rule changes by the USDA, REAP funded 7,000 renewable energy projects, keeping foreign-owned companies from receiving federal funds

Viewpoint | All profit, no principles

Trump offers Russia a diesel lifeline as reports link Moscow to Iranian targeting of American forces.

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by Van Abbott
Guest Contributor

Americans are being asked to pay for fuel from a government reportedly helping Iran locate American forces and endangering American lives.

President Trump announced more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel for markets after temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian fuel. He calls it relief for Americans facing high prices. It is a gift to Moscow wrapped in American hardship.

The relief will be small. That cargo equals roughly 2.2 million barrels, about half a day of U.S. diesel demand. For Russia, the transaction brings fresh revenue, restored access to markets and a precedent for escaping sanctions.

The law may not permit it, either. Republican Sen. Tillis says the arrangement may be illegal, and a bipartisan Senate statement says the administration neither consulted Congress nor provided the explanation required by statute.

Congress should demand the legal justification, commercial terms and expected benefit to Moscow. Who collects the proceeds? What enforceable concession has Putin made?

In March, The Washington Post reported that Moscow was supplying Iran with targeting information, including the locations of American warships and aircraft. Reuters later reported a Ukrainian intelligence assessment of Russian satellite surveys of Middle Eastern military sites, and two sources said imagery had been shared with Iran.

None of this proves Moscow directed individual attacks. All of it demands an answer. Why reward a government reportedly helping an adversary find American forces?

Meanwhile, Trump has pressed Ukraine to stop striking the Russian refineries that sustain Moscow's war. Reuters, citing a person familiar with the situation, reported that Washington threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons procurement if Kyiv refused.

American intelligence becomes leverage against the victim while Russian intelligence reportedly aids those who threaten Americans.

Protect the refineries, restore the revenues, pressure the victim. That is a remarkable definition of American strength.

Fuel is how Russia pays for this war. Sanctions on its energy revenue were meant to shrink the budget behind the missiles and drones aimed at Ukrainian cities. Waiving them tells allies who bore the cost of enforcement that American resolve was seasonal, and tells Moscow that pressure can be outwaited.

Trump has since announced an energy ceasefire. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would hold its fire if Russia reciprocated, but the Associated Press reported continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. A declaration is not an agreement, and an agreement is not a concession delivered.

The familiar defense is that Trump is negotiating. Then show the exchange. A reciprocal halt to energy attacks could protect civilians and deserves support. Unilateral restraint on Ukraine, coupled with fresh Russian sales, deserves rejection. Negotiation requires something from the other side. Otherwise, “deal” becomes a flattering word for surrendering leverage.

Some Republicans understand the danger. Sens. Collins, Murkowski,Tillis and Curtis joined Democrats in demanding that Trump reverse course.

Sen. Barrasso defended the arrangement as relief for consumers, farmers, ranchers and truckers. Those Americans deserve affordable fuel. They also deserve an honest accounting of the security cost.

This is not an isolated concession. Trump's deference to Putin has repeatedly produced ceremony, promises and headlines without the corresponding results.

In August 2025, Trump welcomed Putin to Alaska with a red carpet and military flyover despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. Trump sought a ceasefire and left without one. Putin received the ceremony; Ukraine received no halt to the fighting.

The questions reach Trump's family, too. ProPublica reported that Russian oligarch Kremlev, who has close ties to Putin, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward Trump Jr.'s Bahamas wedding celebrations, including a private-island rental. The couple acknowledged the gift, and Kremlev later said Trump Jr. repaid him.

A gift does not prove that policy was bought. But the circumstances demand documentation: Why was it offered, and what records substantiate the repayment?

Congress has the power to obtain answers. It can subpoena the transaction's terms, hold hearings and force a vote. Republicans need no theory, only the willingness to judge a Russian lifeline as harshly as they would if a Democratic president had authorized it.

Cheap diesel cannot justify rewarding a government reportedly helping Iran locate American sailors and pilots. Americans deserve relief at the pump, but not at the price of their security.

When Putin profits and American forces face the risk, the question is not whether the deal is cheap. It is who is paying the real price.

About the author ~
Van Abbott is a long time resident of Alaska and California. He has held financial management positions in government and private organizations in California, Kansas, and Alaska. He is retired and writes Op-Eds as a hobby. He served in the Peace Corps in the late sixties. You can find more of his commentaries and comments on life in America on Substack.

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What do you think?
Whether you agree, disagree, or want to build on the ideas in this piece, we’d love to hear your voice. If you have an opinion you’d like to share — on this topic or any other — you can find our submission guidelines here: Sentinel submission guideline.

We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and would be glad to consider your perspective for publication on OurSentinel.com. Send your letter or commentary to editor@oursentinel.com and help keep the community conversation moving forward.

The Sentinel On This Day | October 13

Unexpected expenses can turn a dream remodel into a financial headache, No Kings rally was another call for citizen engagement and preservation of American constitutional rights, and gut reactions to a terminal illness diagnosis can vary widely. These topics and more covered on this day.

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Sentinel Article Archive for October 13

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TAGS: SJO baseball coach Josh Haley coach of the year, SJO finishes in top three at conference meet, Unity volleyball outlasts Pontiac, tribal nations in Illinois get power to control burials, 2025 No Kings Protest recap

Josh Haley, Trevor Ames earn top Illinois Class 2A baseball honors

St. Joseph-Ogden baseball coach Josh Haley has been named the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association's Class 2A Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to their first state championship in 2026.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Josh Haley talks to the media after the Spartans won the school's first baseball championship back in June. The IHSBCA announced the 14-year veteran head coach at SJO this year's Class 2A coach of the year.

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ST. JOSEPH - This morning, the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association named St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Josh Haley its Class 2A Baseball Coach of the Year.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Trevor Ames puts the ball in play late in SJO's state title game against Harvest-Westminister. The senior pitcher earned another postseason honor after earning the Class 2A POY award from the IHSBCA.

After finishing second in the state in 2016 and 2017, Haley led the Spartans (40-2) to the program’s first state title in 2026. SJO captured the Class 2A championship close to home at Illinois Field in Urbana, defeating Marquette 6-1 in the semifinals before rolling to a 15-1 victory over Harvest-Westminster in the title game.

St. Joseph-Ogden’s Trevor Ames was named the Class 2A Player of the Year. Ames earned the win on the mound in the championship game, allowing one run on three hits against the Rams.

Ames finished his senior season with a .514 batting average, 21 stolen bases and 11 home runs. He also drove in 67 runs. In addition to earning first-team All-Conference and first-team All-State honors, Ames went 8-0 as a pitcher.

The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held December 5 in Naperville during the organization's annual convention. Guest speakers include:
Mike Bianco, University of Mississippi; Steve Trimper; Zach Dechant - Texas Christian University; Mike Deegan - Denison University; Bill Decker - Harvard University; Greg DiCenzo - Cleveland Guardians; Bobby Hill - West Valley College; Dilon Napoleon - University of Illinois; Darren Fenster - Arizona Diamondbacks; Pat Bloom - Washington University; Jason Kipnis - Cleveland Indians; Albert Almore Jr. - Chicago Cubs; Dominic Milano - Harper College; Nathan Mirochnick - San Francisco Giants; and Michael Oh - St. Louis Cardinals.

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2026 IHSBCA Awards

IHSBCA Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Eric Brauer –Chicago Christian, Lincoln-Way East
Sean Bieterman – Driscoll Catholic, Lincoln-Way Central, Aurora Central Catholic, Yorkville Christian
John Darlington – Plainfield North
Kyle Nelson – Burlington Central
Jeff Sefcik - Driscoll Catholic
Clint Smothers – Warren Township
Mike Stock – Naperville Central

Mike Herbert Distinguished Service Award

John Fumagalli – Neuqua Valley

Bob Udell Umpire of the Year

Rob Hacker

Assistant Coach of the Year

Henry Szumal – Lane Tech

Tom Hull Scout of the Year

Scott Melvin – Kansas City Royals

Media Relations Person of the Year

Shawn Temple – Prairie Communications 1330 WRAM / 97.7 WMOI

Ethics in Coaching Award

Gary Johnson – Oak Forest

Man of the Year

Marco Eufrasio – Glenbard South

Coaches of the Year

1A Eddie Betson - Tremont
2A Josh Haley-St. Joseph Ogden
3A John Nee - St. Rita
4A Matt Thompson- Libertyville

Players of the Year

1A: Andrew Dawson -Tremont
2A: Trevor Ames - St. Joseph - Ogden
3A: Landon Thome - Nazareth
4A: Brady Cunningham - Brother Rice

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TAGGED: Josh Haley Class 2A Coach of the Year, St. Joseph-Ogden 2026 state baseball championship, Trevor Ames Class 2A Player of the Year, Illinois high school baseball awards, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans baseball 40-2 season