Western Courier | February 28th, 2020

Opinions: Streaming is far too expensive.

Sports: Softball returns to tournament play.

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Friday, February 28, 2020 - Vol. 120 Issue 61

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Emiliano Vera and Scott Stoll hit the debate stage

By Devon Greene

editor-in-chief

The two Democratic Candidates for 93rd District State Representative met for a debate on Wednesday on Western Illinois University’s campus.

Candidates Emiliano Vera and Scott Stoll both spoke about what they think they can bring to the table and the first question they answered was about their plans to overthrow current Rep. Norine Hammond.

Vera responded to the question first and spoke about his experience against established opponents in the past.

“I have now six years of campaign experience going against establishment,” Vera said. “I got started on my political career when I was in college, taking on the Chicago Democratic machine.

The very first race I was involved in, I was out knocking on doors, making phone calls

DEVON GREENE/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Candidates Emilano Vera and Scott Stoll talk to League of Women's Voters member Sally Elger before the debate. and talking to people, real working people.”

“In that race, I became very familiar with the weaknesses Norine Hammond has and I

decided to get into this race because I think I am the person that this district will vote for as a Democrat, considering how unpopular the Democrat-

ic party is in Western Illinois because it is seen as a party of the establishment and as a party of those big corporate interests that have been doing

this district and the working people of this district wrong for so long,” Vera said.

Stoll spoke a lot about his experience as part of Rushville’s City Council, where he serves as Alderman and how that has kept him involved in the community. Stoll also spoke about the changes he sees for a new regime in the district.

“There are a ton of opportunities, people are thirsting for a change, for a change, for a new voice, for a fresh view of how we can help working class people, how we can help small businesses, how we can help infrastructure right now,” Stoll said. “I believe everyone has seen how the current establishment and how the current representative has sat on her hands for nine years and that has caused more problems.”

Debate page 2

Center for Performing Arts marks new era for Western Illinois University

By Devon Greene editor-in-chief

Just under one year ago, spirits on the Western Illinois University campus were at their lowest after the announcement of 132 faculty and staff layoffs, the largest in university history. Contracts were reduced, enrollment was low and hope was even lower.

At points, there was even discussion about the future of Western and if it would still be alive or not. However, over the past year, the health of the university has slowly improved with the announcements of higher retention rates, enrollment drops slowing and perhaps the biggest announcement of all, a multi-million dol-

lar project coming to campus.

On Feb. 10, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made an announcement that lifted the spirits of many around Western Illinois’ campus. He announced that the Illinois Capital Development Board had released $8.9 million to Western to restart the Center for Performing Arts project on campus. Interim President of WIU, Martin Abraham, spoke about how important this investment was for Western.

“People had been asking ‘Is Western still going to be there?’,” Abraham said. “The answer now is an unequivocal yes. We’re going to be here for the foreseeable future.”

When the project’s jumpstart was first announced, Abraham thanked the governor

for the vote of confidence in Western Illinois.

“We are greatly appreciative to Gov. Pritzker, the General Assembly and the Capital Development Board for releasing the funds to revise the original concept, and begin the process, which we are hopeful will finally lead to the fruition of the WIU Center for the Performing Arts in Macomb,” Abraham said. “We look forward to the day we can begin building this amazing facility that will benefit our students, faculty and staff, as well as the region.

Thank you to our legislators, businesses, alumni, friends, donors, the General Assembly and the governor for their continued support of Western.”

According to Abraham, the re-

start of the project was expected back in December, but the funds were not released until mid-January. He also said that there are potentially more projects that may be on the way.

“We’re on the docket for a science center now, which I’m already hearing, the next building is coming,” Abraham said. “So, we’re expecting that we’re going to continue to get these types of funds. The governor is very committed to higher education.”

The $8.9 million will go toward the updating of the designs of the center and construction is expected to begin in the fall 2020 semester and is planned to take two to two and a half years to complete.

The building will replace park-

ing lots and tennis courts to the south of Brown Hall and will take a projected $89 million to complete, all of which is coming from capital funding.

The Center for Performing Arts project had been in the works for years and had stalled in 2014 due to the budget impasse that left many higher education institutions in Illinois reeling.

Chairperson of the Department of Theatre and Dance, Tammy Killian, spoke about keeping her faith that the project would one day happen.

CPA page 2

2

Friday, February 28, 2020

NEWS

Debate from front page

Both candidates also spoke about the drawing of districts in the area. One of the points that both Stoll and Vera agreed on was that a third party source is needed in the process of drawing voting districts. Both brought up that gerrymandering was a huge issue in the area, despite being primarily Republican issue, according to Vera. Gerrymandering is manipulating the boundaries of an area to favor one of the parties or a certain class.

Economic development was the next topic of debate and Vera pointed out the similarities between talking points from Stoll and Hammond and said that he is the only candidate that is calling for direct public investment in the economy.

He also said that communities should not be giving tax breaks and begging corporations like Dollar General for jobs in the area, but that the money should be given to public jobs and investing in public jobs that are in the area in institutions like Western.

Stoll’s reply to Vera was one that once again touted his experience in the field. Stoll spoke about his position as the Economic Development Chair in Rushville and his experience dealing with small business owners and up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Property tax and its relation to education were up next and both candidates agreed that property taxes in the area were a big burden to citizens and offered solutions.

Stoll’s plan to reduce the amount of property tax paid by citizens comes from plans like the Fair Tax Program.

“There are a lot of potential tax dollars,

CPA from front page

“I never gave up hope,” Killian said. “I can’t say that I expected that the construction on the building would start this year but in my heart, I knew it would happen. WIU and the Department of Theatre and Dance deserve facilities that are as dynamite as our programs.

I have faith that some folks in

whether it be by the new cannabis tax, by the new Fair Tax program that will be coming out on the ballot in November,” Stoll said. “All of these things, if utilized correctly within our budget, can be put towards substantial educational benefits within our community.”

Vera’s plan also spoke to the proposed Illinois Fair Tax. According to Vera, Illinois is the only state in this region, besides Indiana, that doesn’t operate under a Fair Tax. He also spoke to the regressive nature of Illinois’ tax rate.

“They are unfair,” Vera said. “Illinois has the seventh most regressive tax rate of any state in the country. That means the poorer you are, the more you pay in taxes in Illinois. Someone in the top 1 percent is paying around 7 percent of their total income and combined state and local taxes to Illinois. Someone in the bottom 20 percent is paying 14 percent.”

Vera also brought up the proposed bill from Sen. Andy Manar that would shift the education funding away from local property taxes and will fund education from state central funds.

Next up was the proposed progressive income tax system. Both candidates agreed that the current tax system needs to be changed due to the burden that it puts on working class families.

The Legislation was next on the docket for the candidates and what they would pursue if elected into office. Stoll answered first and spoke to his focus on healthcare.

“The biggest problem, I think that we have right now is that we have two lobbyists for every one legislator in Springfield,” Stoll said. “Those lobbyists come from insurance companies and drug manufacturers. We need to get them out of this decision making. All it is doing

leadership know that and are willing to fight for us.”

Killian also spoke about the state of her department following the layoffs of 2019 and her hope for the future of the program.

“The morale in the Department in Theatre and Dance was definitely low last year as we lost important contributors to our program with the most recent lay-offs but this year we

WesternCourier.com

is increasing premiums and increasing drug costs. We see it every day. I see it where somebody comes in and they can’t pay for their insulin or they can’t pay for this medication or that medication.”

Vera also focused on healthcare for his answer. However, he wanted to give a more specific and definitive answer.

“I have something that is more concrete,” Vera said. “A Medicare For All system in Illinois. Universal healthcare for every single man, woman and child.

Every single person in Illinois, given as a right provided by the taxpayers as every other developed country in the world has.”

Both candidates took on affordable higher education next. Both agreed that there needs to be more funding for higher education and that it needs to start soon.

Vera spoke about the criticism he received from people he knew after returning to the area due to the lack of jobs. He said he was advised to stay away and go to cities where he could have real opportunities to make money.

Stoll covered multiple topics when speaking about affordable higher education, the first of which being passing budgets for schools in the state. He spoke about the budget impasse that devastated universities across the state, including Western Illinois University.

He also spoke about MAP grants that provide thousands to students seeking financial aid.

In the candidate’s closing statements, both candidates spoke about what they hope to accomplish if they are selected as the opponent of Hammond and what they want to do if they can defeat the incumbent in November.

Stoll first commended Vera on his verac-

have regained strength in recruiting and retaining the best students,” Killian said. “I think the announcement of the revival of the CPA project has propelled us to a new high. Faculty, students and staff are very excited and ready to start this new chapter in our history.”

Killian says that the announcement didn’t feel real for many faculty members and students in the program and that Alum

ity and passion on the campaign trail. He also said that he is confident that he has what it takes to take down Hammond.

“I know I have the tools and skills and the experience to defeat [Norine] in November,” Stoll said.

In Vera’s closing statement, he focused on the fact that he is not being funded by the Democratic Party, like his opponent, Stoll. Vera said that this sets him apart because he is more in tune with the working class and he is the candidate that will stand up for them.

After the debate, Vera spoke about climate change, a topic that he wished was covered in the debate.

“Environmental policy is something that is critically important given that we are facing immediate climate change right now,” Vera said. “That’s something that is important to me and my generation and to the generation of my students.”

Vera also wanted to speak about diversity and how he is the only openly LGBTQ+ candidate in Southern Illinois.

“This is a town that has a lot of issues of racial injustice directed toward our black communities and our Hispanic communities,” Vera said.

Stoll wanted to set the record straight on the funding from the Democratic Party toward his campaign.

“I think it’s just a standard statement,” Stoll said. “Republicans used that same sentiment against John Curtis in 2016 and 2018 campaigns. The fact that he’s using Republican rhetoric when he’s supposed to be running on the Democratic ticket is a little disconcerting to me. Am I endorsed by the Democratic party? Yes, I am. I’m honored to be endorsed by the party.”

The primary election between these two candidates takes place on March 17.

social media groups are already planning reunions to celebrate.

One of the biggest hopes for the new center is the possibility of attracting new students to Western’s campus and Killian says that she has already begun to plan for the future.

“It’s really fun to talk about the possibilities for the future with students and pontificate about all the possible future shows,” Killian said. “We

have already begun to throw around ideas about our inaugural season. Talking about all that we could do in the new space helps illustrate the possibilities to prospective students.

The response has been great and I feel as if it will only get better. We are currently creating a mailing/email detailing the features of the space to send to prospective students and families.”

Editorial Policy

The editorial views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editorial presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editorial board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.

Letters & Local Forum Policies

E-mail letters to the Editor and Local Forum messages to micour@wiu.edu.

Letters should not be more than 350 words in length. The author’s name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Failure to include such information will lead to the letter being discarded. The WC staff will edit letters in cases of timeliness, obscenity length and grammar, and we do not guarantee publication of all letters.

2020 Spring Semester Editorial Board

Edge Editor - Rachel Greene Editor-in-Chief - Devon Greene Opinions Editor - Allison Young

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STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Devon Greene

proofreader Mary Kilbourne

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news editor Devon Greene

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opinions editor Allison Young

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production manager Brandon Trost

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assistant sports editor Chris Bean

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edge editor Rachel Greene

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Friday, February 28, 2020

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NEWS 3

Mac N Cheese Fest takes Macomb by storm

The Livestock Judging Team hands out Mac N Cheese.

By Devon Greene editor-in-chief

Six teams stepped up to the plate, but only one could step out of the American Legion as champion, the Mac N Cheese champion of Macomb, Ill. that is.

The community gathered at the American Legion on Thursday night for the first ever Mac N Cheese Fest competition, hosted by the School of Agriculture. So many people came that many of the teams ran out of Mac N Cheese over 30 minutes before the event came to a close.

In previous years, the School of Agriculture hosted a Chili Cook-off, but they decided to switch it up this year to keep the event fresh.

DEVON GREENE/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Each of the six teams were confident in their Mac N Cheese, but most of the teams just wanted everyone to have fun and enjoy the day. The Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity was one of the teams involved and they came in with a first place title under their belt after a victory in the Chili Cook-off last year.

“I just hope everybody did well,” member Trent Porter said. “After trying them all, they were all pretty good. I like ours though. It’s kind of exotic and we wanted to do something no one else would have.”

Their Mac N Cheese differed from the rest by being cajun style, with bits of sausage, shrimp and some spice behind it. Another variation on the Mac N Cheese came from the Sigma Alpha sorority who had a

Each table was packed with community members, hungry for Mac N Cheese.

DEVON GREENE/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The judges deliberate on who the Mac N Cheese champion should be. buffalo chicken version for participants to gobble down.

The rest of the participants included the Collegiate Farm Bureau, the Livestock Judging Team, the Horticulture Club and the CFFA/AgEd/PAS club.

A first-time participant in any cookoff was the Livestock Judging Team.

They transferred from a junior college and hoped to make a big splash on the scene.

“I think we did good,” member Stewart Andres said. “Everybody seemed to work well together and it was fun to get in the kitchen.”

There were two titles up for grabs, the People’s Choice and the Judge’s Choice.

There were four judges, who all came from various places around Macomb.

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman, Executive

Director of University Communications, Darcie Shinberger, Academic Advisor, Ember Keithey and Associate Director of Student Activities, Nick Katz.

When it was time for the titles to be handed out, a silence fell over the room as the crowd waited in anticipation for the crown to be handed to the Mac N Cheese champion of Macomb. In surprising fashion, the Livestock Judging team took home both top prizes, winning the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice.

“It feels pretty cool,” Andres said. “It was awesome to do that and be the first to win the Mac N Cheese contest.”

When asked if the Livestock Judging Team was going to defend their title next year, Andres had three words.

“More than likely,” Andres said.

DEVON GREENE/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

4

OPINIONS

Friday, February 28, 2020

WesternCourier.com

BRANDON TROST/PRODUCTION MANAGER

As of the last five years or so, the majority of people are switching to online streaming services to watch their television on the go. As of 2018, over 33 million Americans have cut their cable subscription, while an astonishing 186.7 million still pay for their outlandishly expensive cable package.

My family had Charter cable while growing up and we kept it because I began to really enjoy sports. Having a cable subscription was the easiest way to watch live sports. While that still may be the case, other streaming services are making it incredibly simple to watch live sports on all sorts of

other platforms.

Two years ago or so, my family dropped Charter cable.

It just got too expensive. We floated around from streaming service to streaming service. I remember trying out PlayStation Vue, but we didn’t really like it.

I recommended YouTube TV to my parents because I had only heard good things about it. We tried out the free trial and eventually decided that this is the one we should go with. We’ve had it for about a year and a half now and have had zero problems with it. It had all my local channels from back home, includ-

ing Fox Sports Midwest where I watch St. Louis Blues and Cardinals games.

Everything was great, until yesterday morning. I got a text from my dad saying that YouTube TV would be dropping the Fox Sports regional channels. That’s because YouTube TV purchases the rights to these channels from Sinclair Broadcast Group.

They were unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair, therefore the channels will be dropped. YouTube claimed that they were paying Sinclair too much for the channels and that there just wasn’t enough viewership.

Does it make sense from a business standpoint? Yes. But my point is that it’s getting harder and harder to find all your favorite things on TV in one place nowadays.

This kind of stuff happens all the time. While it usually

doesn’t happen to entire channels, it happens with TV shows all the time. Take Friends for example. Netflix paid up to $100 million to keep the show for just another year. Last summer, WarnerMedia outbid Netflix $85 million for the 90’s sitcom for five years, totaling a staggering $425 million.

It’s all outrageously expensive. As a family, we pay for four streaming services to watch TV and two more to listen to music. We pay $15.99 a month for Netflix, $11.99 a month for Hulu, $9.99 a month for WWE Network and a whopping $49.99 a month for YouTube TV. My parents pay $88 a month so we can all watch TV. Meanwhile, I pay $14.99 a month for Spotify and my brother pays $9.99 a month for YouTube Red. This all started because now we have to find another streaming service that has re-

gional Fox Sports channels.

The next logical option is Hulu TV, but by the time we pay for a bigger DVR and multiple screens (which are both $10 add-ons) we’re talking about $75 a month, at which point we might as well just go back to Charter.

In short, cutting the cable is not cheaper like some people make it seem. When you add it all up, it costs way more than any sort of cable subscription would cost.

Because let’s face it, each streaming service has specific shows that the others don’t.

If I want to watch Stranger Things, I have to have a Netflix subscription, if I want to match a Marvel movie, I have to have a Disney+ account and if I want to watch live sports, I might as well buy a ticket, get in my car and just go to the game, because that might even be cheaper.

VPOTUS & the Coronavirus?

In the light of our current atmosphere in the U.S., we are dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. The question of is there a cure is haunting and scaring Americans and causing many to fear. Wednesday, Feb. 26 night at a press conference, President Donald Trump announced he was placing Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the country’s response to this outbreak. Now the controversial question and debate is, was it a good idea to have Pence in charge?

We begin with the fact that Trump defended the White House’s response, stating that they are trying their best to combat the virus. President Trump also was reluctant against setting an exact emergency fund amount with the Democrats. '"We'll spend whatever is appropriate. Hopefully, we won't have to spend so much because we really think that we've done a great job in keeping it down to a minimum,'" Trump said” (CNN).

Many people aren’t really seeing Trump’s concern about the virus outbreak as sincere because of his nonchalant attitude. Trump was found privately lashing out federal officials for their concern for this outbreak. His ideal first response was to seal off the USA from those testing positive, though while visiting India, he said allowing them back into the U.S. was the right thing to do.

Trump is very confused and unorganized in his response and handling of this outbreak as the president. As the face and leader of this great country with decent healthcare and good climate where not too many viruses break out, Trump is careless.

He needs to be concerned about

the people already here and the cases here. Our focus as a country presently, needs to be to take care and aid those here with the virus, as well as limiting the spread of it. Also, here we need to prevent it and show the citizens the preventative measures. Next, we need to begin to set travel restrictions, which is something Trump didn’t do after this outbreak. Travel restrictions help with the spread of this disease being airborne and travelling spreading it to other environments.

Trump was found saying he is not worried about the spread of the virus in the U.S. But upon return after this trip, he found his staff and the Democrats discussing and budgeting to begin to fight against this outbreak.

After this, Trump put Pence in charge.

I really am concerned about this outbreak, the administration’s response and America’s future with this virus. I hope that we are able to first stifle if not able to cure those presently in America. Next, we need to focus on travel restrictions as well as making sure that we are still trying preventative measures to prevent the spread and growth.

Additionally, Pence needs to be more verbal and open as VP. I’m glad Trump gave him some power, but because he hasn't done a lot and we as citizens haven’t seen him in full work as VP, it is uncertain of the turnout. We just have to hope and wait to see the outcome.

OPINIONS 5

Friday, February 28, 2020

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The options you have before you consider driving under the influence   Every day, one person every 50 minutes dies in a drunkdriving crash. This is about 30 people every day in the United States. No matter what, when you enter a vehicle, there is always a risk of getting into an accident or getting injured. In order to limit these risks, the best thing to do is always to practice safe driving. Safe driving is an extremely broad spectrum, but includes anything from being sober to wearing a seatbelt, and even staying off your cell

phone. Drinking and driving is never a good idea, and not only causes risk to yourself, but to others driving as well.

This past year, Macomb has been able to have more Lyft drivers, which has created even more safe ways to travel while enjoying a night out with friends. Although the GoWest bus service is always free, in the cold winter months a lot of students would rather not walk and wait at the bus stops.

Not only is not driving im-

paired a great way to practice safe driving, but wearing a seat belt can also cut down the risk of getting injured in an accident. The topic of seat belts has always been debated, but a lot of the time it does benefit the driver and has saved many lives since being enforced. Since 1968 when seatbelts started being mandated, they have been able to save around 15,000 lives per year all from just buckling up.

Seatbelts and sober drivers are great examples of practicing safe driving, but one of the major problems in our modern era today is texting and driving. Texting and driving has become one of the biggest problems in our country over the last decade. With

everyone always glued to their phone, it is an easy way to get distracted and end up in an accident. In 2019, it was reported that over 3,500 auto accident deaths were caused by texting and driving. Multiple towns over the last decade have enforced laws, such as hands-free devices only, but the laws are difficult to enforce for proving that drivers are on their cell phones. In recent studies, it has been found that men have been more likely to drink and drive, but women are more likely to text and drive.

Companies have also begun buying advertisements on television about texting and driving, usually very graphic and emotional, but are trying

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to get the audience to understand the reality of the dangers that come with distracted driving. Hopefully, with the new innovations with Bluetooth in cars and people being more educated on the topic, the deaths from texting and driving can begin to decrease.

Safe driving is one of the most important things to practice day in and day out.

Without taking precautions and being aware of your surroundings, you can potentially lose your life or endanger someone else’s. Simple practices such as not driving impaired, wearing a seat belt and not texting and driving can go a long way in preventing a driver from getting in an accident.

Contact Allison Young

AN-Young@wiu.edu Editorial Policy

The editorial views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editorial presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editorial board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.

Letters & Local Forum Policies

E-mail letters to the Editor and Local Forum messages to micour@wiu.edu.

Letters should not be more than 350 words in length. The author’s name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Failure to include such information will lead to the letter being discarded. The WC staff will edit letters in cases of timeliness, obscenity length and grammer, and we do not guarantee publication of all letters.

2019 Fall Semester Editorial Board

Edge Editor - Marc Ramirez Editor-in-Chief - Devon Greene Opinions Editor - Allison Young

6

Friday, February 28, 2020

SPORTS

Women’s basketball edged by Oral Roberts Golden Eagles on the road

By Michael Harms courier staff

TULSA, Okla. — The Western Illinois University women’s basketball team lost to the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles on the road by a score of 71-60 last night.

The contest was the second to last game of the year for the Leathernecks’ regular season. It was still an important match-up, though, as everyone in The Summit is still jostling for position in the standings.

With this result, Western will now play for the third seed in the tournament against the Denver University Pioneers tomorrow afternoon. Oral Roberts, on the other hand, still has a chance to become the fourth seed depending on results around The Summit League.

Western just could not stop Oral Roberts down the stretch, in large part due to being outrebounded 50-32 and two double-double performances by ORU. Senior center Montserrat Brotons led the Golden Eagles with 18 points and 11 rebounds and was followed by junior guard Keni Jo Lippe's 13 points and 12 rebounds. Two more players dropped double digits on the night. Redshirt-senior guard Rylie Torrey put up 13 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds while senior guard Sarah Garvie put up 12 points and seven boards.

For Western, senior guard Olivia Kauffman outscored

every player on the court when she put up 20, but the team as a whole could not find a rhythm. The Leathernecks shot just below 30 percent from beyond the arc and barely above 30 percent from within.

The sad part is, the Leathernecks led 52-50 entering the fourth quarter. They allowed 21 points while only scoring eight and allowed the game to get away from them.

This is when Garvie took command. She grabbed seven rebounds in the fourth, one clutch three pointer and 10 total points. She only had two points through the first three quarters. It was her performance that ultimately fueled the final minutes and led to Western’s loss.

The Leathernecks don’t have a lot of time to turn themselves around because they’ll be back on the road tomorrow night when they wrap up their regular season. They’ll take on Denver who currently sit in fourth place in The Summit.

It’s a game the Leathernecks must win because Denver is breathing down their neck.

Western currently sit in third with a 9-6 conference record while Denver is 8-7. A win for Western will secure them the No. 3 seed in The Summit League Tournament that begins Friday, March 6.

The game against Denver starts at approximately 4:30 p.m. as they take the court after the men’s game at 2 p.m. It’s a must win contest for both sides.

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Spacious 2-5 bedroom homes for rent. 10 month lease available. Great locations, close to bus stops, plenty off street parking, all new windows, AC, energy efficient furnace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, free washer/dryer. Well maintained (24 hrs.) by local landlord.

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LARGE STUDENT RENTALS 5 and 6 Bedroom Homes are still available!! Ask for our $1000.00 Discount program! First come first serve for the last large homes that are open for the fall.

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Small 1BR apt near campus and downtown. All utilities included. (Electric, Water, DISH, Garbage) $500/month, $300 deposit. Available immediately. Also have 2BR, you pay electric. $600/month, $350 deposit available September 1st. Please contact 309-255-4367 for a showing.

STC Investments now leasing for the 18/19 school year. We have 1-6 bedroom apartments/houses ready for you to call home! Check out our selection at www.stcinvestments.com.

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Westen Investments has just one 3-Bedroom ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED (Water, Sewer, Trash, Gas, Electric, and Internet) Apartment left! That’s right you just pay for rent, and the rest of it is on us! Call our office at 309-833-5995 to check it out.

Available now: Close to campus, clean studio apartments, excellent condition, reasonable rent, and partly furnished.

Ceiling fans and a/c. Professionally maintained. No pets.

Semester leases offered. Call 309 837 4369 and leave your phone number if not there. Email: MandKhousing@gmail.com NEGOTIABLE RENT!!!

NiCE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1-6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2020-2021 Our houses have hardwood floors, central air, washer and dryer and lawn service. All are close to campus with plenty of parking. We offer a ten month lease. Please call 309-255-1959 for a showing.

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For Rent: Little Swan Lake, 30 min from campus. 2br, 2bth, heated double car garage with work area. $600 per mo.

(309) 335-2206 after 6:00 pm, may leave message anytime.

ALL APARTMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE Get control of your budget. Know exactly what you are spending each month. Each apartment includes free a/c, free heat, free electricity, free water, free cable tv, free hi speed internet, and free off street parking. Laundry on site.

No noise policy. Bus stop across the street. Close to campus. Well maintained. Studios are $460/mo, One bedrooms are $620/mo. Call Doug at 309-255-8179 for an appointment.

becca langys / photo editor

Olivia Kaufmann watches the ball.

becca langys / photo editor

Evan Zars guards the paint.

RATES $5.50 per issue (open rate) $4.00 per issue (campus rate)

Employment Employment Opportunities For Early Childhood, Teaching and Education Majors - Part-Time or Full-Time Work.

Monday though Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Have your weekends and evenings free. Gain valuable experience with children 0-12 years for your resume. We are open year round. We are looking for mature, dependable adults that enjoy working with children between the ages of 0-12 years old. Must pass a physchical exam and an extensive background check. Preference given to those submitting transcript with 60 study hours of college education and 6 study hours of child development. Applications can be found on our website at www.CatchAStarLearningCenter.com

Friday, February 28, 2020

@WesternCourier

Sports 7

The Houston Astros are beginning to pay the price

This past weekend marked the beginning of the 2020 MLB season. Many clubs began play on Saturday, while some began spring training play Friday.

As many baseball fans are aware, one of the biggest cheating scandals in baseball history was exposed this past off-season. The Houston Astros were accused of cheating. They were said to be using a camera in centerfield at their home ballpark, Minute Maid Park, to receive signs from the opposing team’s catcher to relay to their hitters using banging noises.

Many people became aware of the incident when former Astros and current Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers had announced that the team used video technology to steal signs on their way to win the 2017 World Series

Title. Although Fiers blew the whistle on the scandal, the Oakland A’s had submitted a claim to the MLB accusing the Astros of cheating.

The Astros were punished by the MLB as they posted their top two picks for the next two seasons and their head coach AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow were handed a year long ban from the MLB. They were both fired by the Astros following the suspensions and the team also had to pay a $5 million fine. Former bench coaches, Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora also lost their managerial positions with the Mets and Red Sox after being named to having a major part in the scandal by Major League Baseball.

Many players, coaches and people around baseball, both current and former, have expressed their opinions on

the scandal.

Former Yankees legend and current part owner Derek Jeter called the scandal “a black eye to the sport” yesterday.

The Astros players and staff members involved in the scandal apologized throughout the month of February.

“We are ALL responsible. Carlos [Beltran] and Alex [Cora] were great to us," Astros outfield George Springer had said during his apology press conference.

Third baseman Alex Bregman added that “No one put us up to this. We did it. All of us, not one person made us do anything.”

Braves outfielder Nick Markakis expressed his thoughts on the issue and said “It's anger. I feel like every single guy over there needs a beating. It's wrong.

They're messing with people's careers.”

Many people around the game feel that players and teams will respond to this scandal by hitting Astros batters during games. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was the first victim of what could

be the hit by pitch retaliation.

Major League Baseball announced prior to the start of spring training that they will take action if Astros players are being thrown at on purpose. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that players will be fined and even suspended if found throwing at Astros players on purpose.

The real question is how far will teams and players go to get back at the Astros for what they did to the game?

Many players have already hinted that the Astros players are going to have a rough year. What they did goes against every written and unwritten rule of the game.

They set a bad example for the players of now and of the future. There will be retaliation, it's going to happen. The Astros players are going to get hit, and they are going to get hit a lot. We see it all the time in baseball. What they did angered everyone around the game of baseball. They are going to get thrown at by other teams, even though the MLB said there will be punishments for it.

How far can the MLB go

when it comes to suspensions and fines for players who throw at the Astros players?

We see all the time that players get fined and suspended for a handful of games for causing a brawl during a game. But, we have never seen anything along these lines before and how it will unfold. Manfred has made it clear to all players that the MLB will protect the Astros players if they are thrown at intentionally or retaliated against in any other way. But, we are really uncertain how far they will take these fines and suspensions.

It will be interesting to see how teams and players react to the scandal throughout the season and if the Astros players do get thrown. Many players believe that they should be stripped of their title and that Jose Altuve should lose his 2017 Most Valuable Player award.

The Houston Astros open up the 2020 campaign in Anaheim against the defending American League MVP Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels on March 26, in Houston.

Baseball searches for first win of the season against Tigers

By John Bell courier staff

The Western Illinois baseball team (0-6) looks to get first year head coach Andy Pascoe his first win in Purple and Gold and they travel to Memphis to take on the Tigers (5-3).

The Leathernecks have faced the Tigers 30 times in program history, with Memphis, (Memphis State), owning the series 21-8-1.

Western looks to rebound after three tough losses against Butler University this past weekend at Grand Park in Indianapolis.

Freshman Jayden Gibson looks to continue his hot start for the Necks this weekend. The freshman has appeared in five of the first six games, making four starts behind the dish for the Leathernecks. He made his first collegiate appearance when he got the start

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Diego Munoz throws it over to first base.

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Justin Foy checks the runner at first base.

on opening day in Knoxville, where he collected two hits against Tennessee. Gibson had thrown out four of the six base stealers this season and is currently swinging a hot bat, with a .333 batting average.

Senior Javin Drake moved into second all time in strikeouts on opening day against the Volunteers.

He currently sits 25 strikeouts away from becoming the all time leader. Drake is also 10th in career wins in program history.

There have been a lot of newcomers for the Leathernecks this season. Fifteen players have made their debuts in Purple and Gold in the first two weekends of the season.

To go along with the new faces and coach Pascoe, the Leathernecks have a new coaching staff for 2020. Braeden Ward makes his way over as their pitching coach after spending the fall with Dayton.

Ward also served time as a scout for PBR baseball

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Javin Drake in the middle of his delivery.

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Dillon Sears throws to first base to beat the base runner.

in Ohio and as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Tiffin University.

Adam McGinnis returns to Western as a Graduate Assistant. McGinnis played under former head coach Ryan Brownlee for four seasons at Western Illinois before he found his way to the White Sox organization for a stint in the minors. McGinnis was a first team all Summit League selection in 2017 and owns a .286 career average as Western’s catcher.

Trey Mulineberg was brought on in the fall as the Volunteer Assistant. Mulinebreg coached at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa since 2017.

He attended ECC for two years before transferring to Mount Mercy College.

This weekend's contests vs the Tigers will be Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Sunday’s game will be broadcasted on the Memphis Tigers network.

Alex Dorethy swings through contact.

Drue Galassi awaits the pitch.

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Softball takes to Blues City Classic after long week off

By David Koier courier staff MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois softball team returns to action after a weekend off with a trip to the Blues City Classic in Memphis, Tenn. this weekend. Beginning Friday, the Leathernecks will face off in four different matchups in the weekend-long tournament. Western’s opponents include the Northwestern State Demons, the Huskies of Northern Illinois, the hosting Memphis Tigers and finally the North Alabama Lions.

The Purple and Gold sit at 3-7 on the season after competing in back to back tournaments in early February. The team traveled down to Waco, Texas Valentine’s Day weekend to compete in the Getterman Classic hosted by the Baylor Bears. After opening the tournament with a 6-5 walk off victory over the Prairie View A&M Panthers, the Leathernecks fell in three straight games to Grand Canyon University, Baylor and the Panthers.

Western was able to close the weekend against the Lopes of GCU the same way the weekend began: with a walk off. Sydney Hollings delivered the deciding blow in that match with a two out RBI single to finalize the Leathernecks 2-3 record on the weekend.

Western showed much improvement in the second tournament of the season, keeping each game within one run. In fact, four of Western’s five games played that weekend ended in walk off fashion.

Much of the Purple and Gold’s success was due in part to impressive pitching performances. Leatherneck junior ace Abby Carlin pitched 22.1 innings for a 1.61 ERA. Carlin

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Sydney Hollings tries to lay down a bunt.

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Halle Hollatz follows through her swing.

went 1-2 on the weekend allowing a total of eight total runs, however, only four of those runs were earned leading to her low weekend ERA. The rest of the Leatherneck rotation has slightly struggled this season, but that doesn’t deter from the fact that, as a whole, the rotation has potential. Western Illinois has the second-best ERA in The Summit League this season combining for a 3.60 ERA, helped by Abby Carlin's league-leading 1.25 ERA. Carlin's season record is 2-3 on the year in 39.1 total innings pitched.

On the offensive side of things, newcomer Kellie Marcheschi has been making a name for herself on this Leatherneck squad.

Marcheschi leads the team in average (.364), on-base plus slugging (1.046), RBI (7) and slugging (.682). Marcheschi was named to the Getterman Classic All-Tournament Team with her five for 14 performance accompanied by six RBIs on the weekend.

Showing an offensive improvement this season for the Purple and Gold is junior outfielder Alyssa Ealy. Ealy recorded a team-high six hits with four runs in Waco including going two for three with a run and stolen base in the team’s second game against GCU. Ealy leads the team with 10 hits, including two triples, while also holding an impressive .345 batting average and a .940 OPS. The Leathernecks face off against Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. on Friday before heading to Saturday where they face off against Northern Illinois at 2 p.m. and Memphis at 6:30 p.m. Western closes the weekend with a Sunday morning match against North Alabama at 11:15 a.m.

Twitter: @DavidKoier

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Abby Carlin stands on the mound.

Alyssa Ealy takes off toward first base.

file photo brandon Troust / production manager