Pence honored as All-Stater

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence was named to the 2020-21 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Class 2A All-State Team. The organization recognized Pence, SJO's leading scorer, along with 30 other players from Class 2A programs around the state with a selection to their 2021 First-Team. Twenty-nine additional players were earned special mention.

Players were selected by the IBCA representatives at the All-State Selection Meeting on April 9. Three other players from the Illini Prairie Conference were also named on this year's list. See the complete list below.

First Team

Evan Wermert
Senior, Teutopolis High School

Kaleb Applebey
Senior, Mount Carmel

Beau Stipp
Senior, Mount Carmel

Sean Flood
Senior, Niles (Northridge Prep)

Ty Pence
Sophomore, St. Joe Ogden (SJO)

Jalen Quinn
Junior, Tuscola

Josh Harris
Senior, Timothy Christian

Ben Vander Wal
Junior, Timothy Christian

Johnny Dieck
Senior, Chicago Christian

Tanner Wilson
Senior, North Mac

Dre Scott
Senior, Pinckneyville

Landon Zurliene
Senior, Fairfield

Eli Downen
Senior, Carterville

Zach Derus
Senior, Rockford Lutheran

Walt Hill
Sophomore, Rockford Lutheran

Nate Henry
Junior, Rockridge

Marcus Williams
Junior, Sterling Newman

Holt Geltmaker
Senior, IVC

Jaxon Cusac-McKay
Senior, Fieldcrest

Trey Bazzell
Senior, Prairie Central

JT Welch
Senior, Bloomington Central Catholic

Isaac Turner
Junior, Nashville High School

DJ Starr
Junior, Normal UHigh

Justin Guernsey
Senior, Pleasant Plains

Reece Johnson
Senior, Benton

Joshua Caleb Slawinski
Senior, Corliss

Freddie Cooper
Senior, Corliss

Enari Thomas
Senior, Chicago Marshall

Jerrell Edwards
Junior, Chicago Dunbar

Darrius Perryman
Junior, Chicago Clark

Jake Hamilton
Sophomore, Sacred Heart Griffin

Special Mention

Grant Hyer
Senior, Quincy Notre Dame

Jacob Shoven
Senior, Clifton Central

Elijah Tidwell
Senior, Bismarck-Henning Rossville Alvin

Zach Tucker
Senior, Byron

Noah McElravy
Senior, Fairfield

Caden Bee
Junior, Salem

Nikko Powe
Junior, Kewanee

Andrew Ambrose
Senior, Pana

Drake Vogel
Junior, Hillsboro

Colin Brueggemann
Senior, Freeburg

Jackson Holmes
Senior, Columbia

Trevor Heffren
Junior, Eureka

Mac Parmalee
Senior, IVC

Asa Smith
Junior, El Paso-Gridley

Jensen Whiteman
Senior, Rockridge

Brady Moore
Junior, Breese Central

Cade Privia
Senior, PORTA (Petersburg)

Michael Godsey
Junior, Harrisburg

Qati Dalipi
Senior, Westmont

Dovantae Richardson
Junior, Dunbar

Kevin Gentry
Senior, Chicago Austin

Norvell Meadows
Senior, Orr

Malik Williams
Senior, Chicago Farragut

Duane Doss
Junior, Beecher

John Blumeyer
Senior, Dee-Mack

Daniel Tingley
Senior, Marshall High School

Nicholas Warnecke
Senior, Breese Central

Anthony Zepeda
Junior, Chicago Academy

Sam Antonacci
Senior, Sacred Heart Griffin

Andrew Stokes
Junior, Montini

5 solid tips for seniors to avoid financial scams

Photo: Olya Kobruseva/Pexels

(StatePoint Media) -- Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now.

With seniors more isolated than ever due to the pandemic and stimulus checks being sent to millions of Americans nationwide, experts suggest that seniors and their families be extra vigilant.

"Scammers look for key time periods where money and private financial information are in motion. Not only is IRS fraud one of the most common and successful types of scams that exists, as a general rule, additional money equates to additional fraud," says Ron Long, head of Aging Client Services at Wells Fargo.

"Scammers are banking on the fact that many seniors are apart from families and friends due to COVID-19. When someone is alone, physically or socially, they often miss out on the added benefit of a second pair of eyes and ears."

Compounding the risks associated with isolation is the number of seniors who feel their chances of falling victim to a financial scam is unlikely. According to a recent Wells Fargo study conducted by The Harris Poll, 69 percent of all seniors age 60 and above believe they’re not likely to be susceptible to a financial scam, despite nearly all seniors (97 percent) acknowledging that older people are very or somewhat susceptible to becoming a victim. When asked about their peers, the poll found that 47 percent of all seniors knew someone who had already fallen victim to a scam.

"The results indicate what most of us want -- the ability to age relatively unaffected from the realities associated with aging," says Dr. Marti DeLiema, a gerontologist and consultant for Wells Fargo's Aging Client Services. "The problem is that when someone doesn’t feel they’re at risk, they’re unlikely to take precaution."

To better protect seniors from elder financial fraud and abuse, consider these tips from Wells Fargo:

1. Don’t wait for a crisis. Seniors should speak with trustworthy family members about financial plans, as well as consult them when something doesn’t feel right.

2. Stay up-to-date. Seniors and families should draft and periodically update legal documents such as wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney.

3. Automate. Seniors should consider signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill pay and large transaction alerts.

4. Prioritize security. Seniors should keep checks and credit cards locked away, and update passwords when information is compromised. They should also carefully review credit reports, account statements and bills for unusual activity or charges.

5. Be aware. Families can help seniors stay aware of the latest and most common scams, as well as help them identify potential red flags, including:

• Alleged emergency situations involving family members, often grandchildren, requiring immediate payment.

• Lottery winnings requiring upfront cash payment for taxes and other fees.

• Phone calls from alleged government agencies, such as Social Security, threatening arrest or penalties.

More information and tips on fraud prevention can be found at wellsfargo.com.

"Aging resiliently requires planning ahead and not shying away from difficult conversations," says Long. "We have to talk with our older loved ones about the risks, the warning signs and prevention -- and we have to keep talking."

ViewPoint | Masks and inconvenient freedom

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Like most everyone else, I’m tired of wearing a mask.

Every time I go to the grocery, a restaurant, church, or work I have to put on a mask. Not long ago, if we wore a mask into a bank or convenience store, the attendants would be alarmed and call 911. Today, if we don’t wear one, we are in trouble and not welcomed.

A lot of people have died from Covid-19 and thus I understand masks are important in this pandemic era. I don’t want a disease. I have had two Pfizer shots and I wear a mask most every place I go.

Is it our American, God given right to take off our masks?

While we are free to take off our masks, others are free to ask us to put them on. The business owner has the freedom to require a mask. The airlines have the freedom to require masks. The religious assembly has the freedom to require you to wear a mask. People with whom you socialize may ask that you wear a mask. Of course, you are free to not patronize those businesses, forsake religious assembly and not hang out with certain people.

You are free to go maskless if you want to. However, you aren’t free to be in someone else’s face without a mask if they don’t want you there without one.

There are many places where you aren’t allowed to smoke. There are some businesses that will not allow your pet. They have the freedom to refuse you service and you have the freedom to go somewhere else. This is America.

We’ve all been to the funeral home around sick people. A dear friend of mine eulogized a funeral in late November. Two people were in attendance who had Covid-19. He caught the virus and was dead by mid-December.

He spent his last two weeks of life isolated in intensive care. He meant well in trying to help out a family in their time of grief. It cost him his life. He had been very active and healthy.

I’ve spoken in churches and to groups where people would come up and shake my hand and then say, "Well, I’ve been sick, but I came anyway". They acted like they should have received a trophy for coming and contaminating everyone. In reality, their actions were inconsiderate of everyone else’s health.

State governments may remove mask mandates. However, keep in mind that business owners still have the right to require masks. Churches still have the right to require masks. You don’t have to let anyone in your home without a mask if you choose.

We have freedom in America to make choices - all of us.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Photo Gallery | Rockets best Spartans in homecoming showdown

Unity senior Jonah Sullivan stands with his parents for photos during Friday Senior Night recognition at Hicks Field.