Viewpoint |Mental health, gender care, and justice: The debate around Sophie Roske’s prison term

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From assassination plot to prison: Sophie Roske’s case highlights mental health, gender care, and political accountability.

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by Terry Hansen
      Guest Commentary

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Sophie Roske, a transgender woman, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for her plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Prosecutors sought a minimum sentence of 30 years.

Judge Deborah Boardman explained that Roske voluntarily abandoned her assassination plan, expressed remorse, had no prior criminal record, and was experiencing a mental health crisis.

Boardman also questioned whether Roske would receive adequate mental health treatment in prison, citing President Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming care for federal inmates.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and conservative media outlets like the New York Post and National Review have expressed outrage over the 8-year sentence.

Yet by their standards, the scores of January 6 rioters who breached the Capitol while chanting "Hang Mike Pence!" should also have been sentenced to at least 30 years in prison. After all, they are domestic terrorists who attempted to execute the Vice President. Instead, they have all been pardoned by President Trump.

Appallingly, in an interview with Jonathan Karl of ABC News, Trump actually defended the January 6 rioters' "Hang Mike Pence!" chants.

How can anyone claim to oppose political violence while supporting a person who pardoned January 6 rioters who assaulted police officers and publicly defended their violent chants?

Terry Hansen is a retired educator who writes frequently about climate change. He lives in Milwaukee, WI.

TAGS: Sophie Roske assassination plot, Brett Kavanaugh threat, Supreme Court security, transgender inmate prison sentence, mental health and criminal justice, gender-affirming care ban, January 6 rioters pardons, political violence in the U.S., Trump executive orders, criminal sentencing controversy

University of Illinois Extension hosts double feature on healthy aging and family harmony

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The University of Illinois Extension will host a Double Feature in Savoy focused on health and harmony. Vanessa Jones leads a session on smart eating habits for aging well, while Emily Harmon offers advice for handling family heirlooms without hard feelings. The event is free and open to all.

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Photo: Suzy Hazelwood/PEXELS

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SAVOY - Let’s face it, the golden years aren’t so golden if you’re too tired to enjoy them. Between morning walks, grandkid playdates, and the occasional round of golf or competitive bingo, keeping your energy up takes more than a steady diet of coffee and willpower. Good nutrition can make the difference between napping through the afternoon and seizing the day with enthusiasm, whether that means tackling yard work, volunteering, or finally taking that ballroom dance class you’ve been talking about.

To help make healthy living easier and more enjoyable, the University of Illinois Extension will host a “Double Feature” wellness program Thursday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Savoy Room at The Windsor of Savoy, 401 Burwash Ave.

The event begins at 1 p.m. with Eating Well as You Age, led by Vanessa Jones, Extension Program Coordinator. Jones will share simple, practical strategies for staying fit and nourished through smart food choices that promote energy and long-term health.

After a short break, Emily Harmon, Family Life Educator, will present Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? at 2 p.m. The second session helps families navigate decisions about meaningful heirlooms and keepsakes with fairness, understanding, and open communication to keep relationships strong.

Participants can attend one or both sessions of this free event. Registration is encouraged for anyone ready to make the most of their golden years with a healthy plate and a happy heart.

For details or to register, visit the University of Illinois Extension website.

For those who may need reasonable accommodations to participate, you can contact Emily Harmon at ebaine@illinois.edu.

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TAGS: healthy aging tips for seniors, nutrition for older adults, staying energized in retirement, family heirloom planning, managing family conflict, University of Illinois Extension events, free senior wellness programs, eating well as you age, healthy lifestyle for retirees, Savoy Illinois community events

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Week 7 Illini Prairie football, submit your Friday Night Forecast predictions

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Lane McKinney dives in to break up a Unity pass play to Brayden Henry during their regular season game last month. SJO (5-1) takes on undefeated Bloomington Central Catholic this week while the Rockets (5-1) host Paxton-Buckley-Loda (3-3) for senior night.

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Illini Prairie Conference scores

Unity 46, Prairie Central 7
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 38, Illinois Valley Central 30
Pontiac 42, Rantoul 22
Monticello 28, St. Joseph-Ogden 21
Central Catholic 61, St. Teresa 21

Week 6 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Mike Roy	5-0	Week 6 winner
2	Alan	4-1	3-way tie
2	Sara	4-1	3-way tie
2	Brooks Look	4-1	3-way tie
5	Frank	3-2	2-way tie
5	Denise	3-2	2-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	25-5	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	21-9	0
2	Alan	21-9	0
4	Sara	18-7	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	16-4	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Frank	7-3	0
8	Mike Roy	5-0	0	Week 6 Winner!
9	Keith	3-2	0

Cumulative Standings Win % (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Precentage
1	Mike Roy	100%
2	Brooks Look	83.33%
3	J	80%
4	Sara	72%
5	Alan	70%
5	Denise	70%
5	Frank	70%
8	Lyman	66.67%
9	Keith	60%

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TAGS: Weekly Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, Week 7 SJO football predictions, Unity football predictions this week, IHSA football predictions this season

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