Governor Rauner thanks Illinois veterans for debt that can’t be repaid

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner marked Veterans Day by telling Illinois vets that the state can never repay them for their service.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Death toll in Northern California wildfire rises to 42, as Trump OKs disaster declaration for Golden State

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The death toll for the wildfires burning in northern California’s Camp Fire rose to 42 people Monday night — making it the deadliest wildfire ever in the state, officials said.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Celebrating Champions: Curtis Smith named 2018 RLC Alumnus of the Year

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Athletics, at its core, is a unifying force that rallies a group of individuals to become something more, something better. So, it’s fitting that the Rend Lake College Foundation chose an individual that was such a unifying force for his teams, his schools and his community at large as the 2018 Alumnus of the Year, perfect for this year’s theme of Celebrating Champions.

Curtis Smith was a warrior, both in the Rend Lake College sense of the word and by its dictionary definition. On the hardwood, Smith was a force to be reckoned with, fighting tooth and nail to be one of the best basketball players in the area at the high school and college level. And then, when life threw him one of the hardest challenges anyone could face, he was ready to fight that tooth and nail too.

It was on the hardwood that Smith first gained notoriety.

Ironically, according to a Franklin County News story, Smith didn’t even play organized basketball until high school.

“Curtis is what I would call a self-made player,” legendary Benton coach Rich Herrin recalled. “He didn’t play basketball in junior high but when he started playing his freshmen year he fell in love with the game of basketball. He was the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. You had to run him off to get him out of the gym but he was a joy to coach,” recalled legendary Benton coach Rich Herrin in the story.

Smith was an integral part of the 1980 Rangers team that advanced to the Carbondale Super Sectional.

Following high school, Smith came to RLC to be a part of the Warrior basketball program. During his freshman year, he was coached by the venerable James “Hummer” Waugh, another kind, unifying voice that the world lost in 2018.  After Waugh transitioned to the athletic director position, Smith was guided by Mitch Haskins during his sophomore season.

Those two years in Ina cemented Smith in the history of RLC.

During his freshman season at RLC, he produced a Land of Lincoln Classic-record 38 points (17-25 FG) vs. Oakton, with nine rebounds, and 27 points (12-18 FG) and 12 rebounds vs. Southeastern Illinois.

Smith’s sophomore season was ranked No. 2 in RLC history at the time with 631 points. That season he also was named All-Southern Illinois College Conference and team “MVP” after a 21-11 campaign in which he averaged 19.7 ppg for league co-champs. He tallied a career-best 41 points in a 90-84 win over Lewis and Clark and helped the squad capture the RLC Pepsi Classic and finish runner-up in LLCC.

Career-wise, Smith scored at a 16.9-point-per-game clip while adding 4.2 rebounds (266) and 2.6 assists (168) in 64 appearances. He utilized a picture-perfect, mid-range jumper to hit 46 percent of his attempts from the floor (455-980) and made the most of 76 percent of his free throw opportunities (170-225).

He was the lone inductee into the 2004 Rend Lake College Sports Hall of Fame and remains one of the few players in Warrior history to reach the 1,000-point club.

His 1,080 points — before the advent of the three-point line — ranked No. 2 all-time when he departed and remains third-best 22 years later, according to his Hall of Fame induction story.

Smith turned that love of basketball into something even more when he became an influential coach all his own, perhaps not surprising given the mavens he studied under.

He took the helm of Ewing-Northern Grade School and instantly started doing what he did best, making an impact on the lives of those around him. He found success as a coach, being named the SIJHSAA Coach of the Year in 2015.

Curtis Smith
Curtis Smith

Unfortunately, sometimes the opposing team puts on the press.

In October of 2015 Smith and his family got the news, Smith had been diagnosed with colon cancer.

So, the fight began. But, the opponent played dirty. It cheated and Smith’s team rallied around him. Former players, friends, family, teammates, community members all flooded the family with support.

Tragically, not all enemies can be beaten, and on June 24, 2018, Smith lost his battle with colon cancer, at his home and surrounded by his family. He was 56.

“I had the privilege of being a team mate of Curtis at Benton High School. He is without a doubt one of the hardest working and most dedicated athletes I have ever been around. He truly made himself into a great player through his dedication in the gym. I know that he has received many accolades for his basketball playing career and all of those are well deserved, however, his legacy will be in the impact that he had on the lives of so many young men and women that he had the opportunity to coach,” expressed RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills.

“He was a successful coach in terms of wins and losses, but his greatest accomplishment was his positive influence on his players. He was a great role model as a man, a husband and a father. I do not think any parent could ask for anything greater than to have a person like Curtis Smith coach their child. He was a great friend and he will be missed by many.”

Even after his passing, Smith still continues to make a positive impact in the lives of those around him via the Curtis Smith Memorial Scholarship at RLC.

It’s for his dedication and positive impact that the RLCF has chosen Smith as Alumnus of the Year.

Smith will be honored at the RLCF 2018 Annual Dinner on Thursday, December 6, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Mt. Vernon. The Dinner is open to the public. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10. Tickets to the dinner must be purchased in advance. Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Interested individuals are asked to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 26st by contacting the Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324, or by sending an e-mail to foundation@rlc.edu. Proceeds from the dinner go to the RLCF Scholarship Fund.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Stan Lee, legendary Marvel superheroes creator, dead at 95

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Stan Lee, the comic book mastermind who changed the landscape of the superhero genre by creating countless beloved characters, has died at age 95.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Rauner, Pritzker to make joint appearance at Bicentennial Birthday Party

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Commission announces change of venue for 200th birthday bash

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner and Governor-elect JB Pritzker will make a joint appearance at the state’s 200th Birthday Party on Dec. 3, the day in 1818 when Illinois became the nation’s 21st state.

Both men rallied around a unity theme in the aftermath of Tuesday’s election. “There is no better place to start uniting than at an event that celebrates the greatness of Illinois,” Rauner said.

“The milestone represented by our 2ooth birthday is especially important as we turn our focus to the future,” Rauner said. “The state possesses a legacy of invention, persistence and economic vitality. This is the time to reflect on those assets and come together to put them to work for the people of Illinois.”

“Just as Illinoisans of all backgrounds have united and pushed our state forward for 200 years, we will celebrate our bicentennial as one Illinois,” said Governor-elect JB Pritzker. “We are the land of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, home to the world’s leading companies and universities, an economic powerhouse of the Midwest and agriculture powerhouse of our country. Together, we will ring in our third century with hope and optimism and strive to build on the progress of the 200 years before us.”

The Bicentennial Commission also announced a change in venue for the official Bicentennial Birthday. The celebration is moving from the United Center to the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier.

The Birthday Party program will remain largely the same. People attending the affair will be treated to a star-studded presentation of things BORN, BUILT, and GROWN in Illinois.

The highlights include an original Gettysburg Address Rap – “All People are Created Equal” – by Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton, Chicago), performances by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Buddy Guy; a special acoustic performance by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon; and a Championship Parade featuring star athletes marching with Chicago team championship trophies.

According to Stuart Layne, executive director of the Governor’s Office of the Bicentennial, the venue change makes it possible to produce a more intimate event for sponsors, partners and attendees. The change was necessitated in part by weaker than expected tickets sales during the month preceding the election.

“The Bicentennial celebration has been staged without the benefit of any state funding,” Layne said. “This move means that we can stay on budget and still put on a memorable party for this landmark occasion.”

People who have purchased tickets for the United Center may use them for the party at Navy Pier or contact Ticketmaster for a refund prior to Dec. 2. Future ticket purchase opportunities will be announced as they become available.

ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL: On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud.

For more information about the Illinois Bicentennial celebration visit www.illinois200.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using the hash tag #IllinoisProud.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Weekly Devotion: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

W I S D O M

http://devotions4competitors.blogspot.com/2012/11/w-i-s-d-o-m-proverbs-313-14-do-you-have.html

Proverbs 3:3-14

Do you have some precious metals at home in your jewelry box?  How valuable are your rings, watches or necklaces?  What could be worth more than silver, gold, or platinum?

In Proverbs chapter 3 and verses 13 and 14, Solomon (a very rich guy) tells about something with surpassing value, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

We would feel blessed if we had pounds of gold necklaces around our necks and looked like Mr. T.  Solomon says a person is really blessed if he finds wisdom and gains understanding.  To be blessed is to be contentedly happy with life.  Silver and gold can’t buy that.

Wisdom is something to be found.  It won’t sneak up on you.  It takes pursuit and tenacity to find.  Understanding is a commodity to be gained, like strength gained in the weight room.  The exciting thing is that wisdom and understanding pay greater dividends and yield more benefits than silver and gold could ever do.

In preparing for today’s competition, seek wisdom from every source available and gain understanding with every passing moment of the event.  In the end, you’ll be blessed with the greatest returns possible in athletic competition.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Managing Stress Like Jesus: Join a Small Group

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Managing Stress Like Jesus: Join a Small Group

by Rick Warren —

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“[Jesus] said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (Matthew 26:38 NIV).

Did you know Jesus had a small group?Read the Gospels, and you’ll realize Jesus did just about everything with his small group—those he called to be his closest disciples.

It reveals one of the seven stress-management principles of Jesus. Here are five we’ve already discussed:

  1. Identification: Know who you are
  2. Motivation: Know whose approval you are living for
  3. Vocation: Know your calling
  4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most
  5. Meditation: Listen to God

The sixth principle is collaboration. If you want to reduce your stress, you need to get in a small group.

You were never intended to handle the stress of life by yourself. God wants you to share it with others.

You’ve probably heard this statement: If you need to get something done right, do it yourself.

That’s a recipe for stress—not success!

It’s not what Jesus did. The very first thing Jesus did in his ministry was to form a small group. He knew God intended we live in community, so he lived out that truth.

Jesus turned to his small group during the most stressful night of his life. When Jesus knew he’d be arrested in Garden of Gethsemane, the night before he went to the cross, he didn’t go alone. He took his small group with him.

The Bible says, “[Jesus] said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (Matthew 26:38 NIV).

Jesus didn’t need his small group’s advice. He didn’t need their words of comfort. He just needed their presence.

If Jesus benefited from a small group, imagine all the ways you can benefit, too!

Talk It Over

  • How have relationships helped you deal with stress in your life?
  • If you’re not in a small group, what keeps you from joining one? If you’re in a small group, what can keep you from being more invested in it?
  • What are some ways you can help other people in your life shoulder some of their stress?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

A Prayer for When You’re Stressed Out: Your Daily Prayer

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

A Prayer for When You’re Stressed Out – Your Daily Prayer – November 12, 2018

Your Daily Prayer Devotional Banner

A Prayer for When You’re Stressed Out
By Emily Massey

I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for many years in high school and college, even as a believer. Stress and worry were just a part of my life, and I allowed them to move into my mind and become my permanent mental roommates. From money problems to relationship issues, if it became too much, you would find me curled up in a ball in the fetal position on the floor, hyperventilating until parts of my body went numb and crying until there were no more tears left.

After I graduated college, I began to walk closer with the Lord and study His Word like I never had before in my life. My mind was being renewed and over time, I began to trust the Lord with every care and worry and cast them upon Him like 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to do.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

The other night when I experienced the panic attack, there was a brief moment where I was given the opportunity to resist the negative thoughts and take them captive and begin to talk to God like I had learned to do so many times before, but this time, I chose to let my mind run in circles. I was so familiar with the experience of a panic attack that I could literally feel it try to overtake me right before it happened. The dark cloud of what I believe was demonic oppression then blanketed my mind and then my whole body. If I would have remembered Philippians 4:6-7 or even 1 Peter 5:7, I would have realized that God offered me a solution to my anxious thoughts. A simple conversation with the Lord would have helped me centered my thoughts and would have brought immediate peace to the whirlwind in my mind.

If this describes your life at all, here is a prayer you can pray for when stress hits hard.

A Prayer for Stress

Lord, thank you that you want us to cast our cares on you. Thank you that there is nowhere I can go that you are not there with me. Thank you for having a hold of my life, even as I feel like everything is crumbling around me.

Lord, I confess that I have let stress take a hold of my life, rather than You. I have let stress control my mood, my attitudes and my actions. Lord, I repent of this! Please Father, help me see what is stressful in my life and hand it over to You. Help me not let the stress win out. Help me actively think on Your goodness to me.

I am so hopeful for my eternity with you, Lord, where there will be NO more stress! Help me look back on all the ways You have rescued me from my stressful moments, and look in hope to the future where You will one day rid all stress, forever.

Help me live boldly in the truth of Your goodness and power today. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Where’s the liberal media on the Florida vote meltdown? Too busy investigating Russia

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

After years of dismissing concerns about election integrity, the mainstream media now has to grapple with a recount meltdown in Florida’s races for governor and U.S. Senate. Both races could go to an arduous recount of ballots by hand if the machine recount that will conclude this Thursday has either or both races ending with a margin of victory below 0.25 percent.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Filed Under: Columns

Illinois bicentennial voters picking the state’s best leaders

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Illinois’ bicentennial best-of voters are looking for Illinois’ best leader of the past 200 years, and it’s tough.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Featured
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