Junior center/power forward Braden Dillon understands basketball can be a hard-knock life for Aurora Central Catholic — figuratively and literally.

The stocky 6-foot-3 Dillon has experienced both with the Chargers, who have already improved upon their four-win season from a year ago but still find themselves in an uphill battle.

“We were younger last year, mostly freshmen and sophomores with one junior and two seniors,” Dillon said. “We’re used to playing kids older than us. We don’t really care.

“We’ll still take it at them and show our best effort.”

Dillon, who normally starts, came off the bench Saturday and gave ACC a spark in his first action since missing six games while in concussion protocol.

In the nightcap of the second annual Jeremy Izzo Shootout, Dillon scored a team-high 15 points for the Chargers in a 69-52 loss to Joliet Catholic. The event is hosted by the school to honor the memory of the late brother of ACC coach Josh Izzo while raising awareness of Marfan syndrome.

Aurora Central Catholic’s Braden Dillon (40) calls for his teammate to cut toward the basket against Joliet Catholic during a Jeremy Izzo Shootout game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Jeremy Izzo was diagnosed with the genetic connective tissue disorder at age 14 that often affects tall, lanky athletes, ending his budding playing career. He rose to head manager at Illinois, working for coaches Lon Kruger, Bill Self and Bruce Weber before starting his coaching career on the staff of Weber’s 2005 Final Four team.

Preparing for his second year of coaching at Joliet Catholic, Jeremy Izzo collapsed at home in 2010 and died at age 29, leaving a wife and infant daughter.

“I’ve always wanted to honor how he lived his life to the fullest,” Josh Izzo said.

Nazareth, the Izzo brothers’ alma mater, beat IC Catholic 59-35 in the opener.

Aurora Central Catholic’s Braden Dillon (40) goes up for an open layup against Joliet Catholic during a Jeremy Izzo Shootout game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

“We’re still super young,” Josh Izzo said of ACC, which features one senior, 11 juniors and two sophomores who get significant playing time. “These are good games for us to be in, playing teams that we’re probably going to see down the road in Class 2A. Guys are competing.”

Dillon led the way Saturday, just missing a double-double with nine rebounds to go with two steals, one blocked shot and one assist while matched up with JCA’s Elias Passehl, a 6-8 junior center.

Eventually, Dillon fouled out in the fourth quarter for ACC (7-8).

The Hilltoppers (9-4) led 18-7 after one quarter but the Chargers responded with a 12-3 run to open the second quarter, fueled by seven points from reserve junior guard Ben Bohr, a putback from Dillon and a 3-pointer from junior guard Marcos Pena in making a game of it at 21-19.

Aurora Central Catholic’s Braden Dillon (40) reacts at free-throw line against Joliet Catholic during a Jeremy Izzo Shootout game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

“It felt great going on that run,” Dillon said. “We didn’t really care how tall they were. We just wanted to fight, get rebounds, push the floor and make shots.

“I had watched film and knew (Passehl) was on the thin side and tried to use that advantage.”

Passehl finished with six points, four rebounds and three blocked shots, but senior Jayden Armstrong came through with 21 points to lead three guards in double figures for Joliet Catholic.

Pena and Bohr ended up with 10 points apiece.

“I know they want to do well,” Josh Izzo said. “It’s the slow starts that get us. Right away, we’re down 10 and we have to fight to get back.”

Aurora Central Catholic’s Braden Dillon (40) finishes off a strong post move against Joliet Catholic during a Jeremy Izzo Shootout game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan.3, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

After winning the Elmwood Park Thanksgiving title and five of their first six games, the Chargers have gone 2-7 in their next nine games.

Dillon feels the team needs to continue to build confidence, especially on offense.

“In my opinion, our offense leads to our defensive flair, helps us play harder,” he said.

The Chargers won’t quit, according to their coach.

“They have heart and understand the expectations,” Josh Izzo said. “We’re the epitome of a .500 team. We’re looking for that one win that finally says, ‘OK, we can play ball with them.’

“Just one of those wins against a team we’re not supposed to beat.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/braden-dillon-aurora-central-catholic-ihsa-boys-basketball/ 

Content oversight provided by Studio 1847

Not long ago, a road trip meant compromises. You packed light, rationed power and hoped the cooler stayed cold long enough to make it to the next stop. But road tripping in 2026 looks very different. Families now work, cook and stay connected from their vehicles — and that shift has redefined what “essential” really means on the road.

Power is no longer a luxury. It’s the backbone of modern travel.

That’s where BLUETTI’s Charger 2 comes in, designed to quietly transform the everyday SUV, van or RV into something closer to a mobile home — without the complexity that used to come with serious off-grid systems.

Image provided by Ascend Agency

The Charger 2 is designed for real people, not professional installers. Instead of relying on slow 12V cigarette outlets or forcing travelers to choose between charging while driving or charging while parked, it does both — simultaneously. By pulling power from the vehicle’s alternator and solar panels at the same time, it delivers up to 1,200 watts of charging, replenishing a typical 1 kWh portable power station in under an hour. That means groceries stay cold, laptops stay charged and phones don’t become a source of stress halfway through the drive.

For families, this changes the rhythm of travel. Short drives between destinations now meaningfully recharge power supplies. Overnight stops can feel more comfortable. Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.

Image provided by Ascend Agency

One of its most compelling features is Vehicle Battery Rescue. In simple terms, it allows travelers to jump-start their own car using expansion batteries. No roadside assistance, no waiting for another vehicle, no cables and guesswork. If a starter battery dies at a campground, rest stop or trailhead, the Charger 2 provides a built-in safety net.

This feature alone speaks to the realities of modern travel. Road trips today aren’t just about scenic routes; they’re about reliability. Parents want reassurance. Solo travelers want independence. Everyone wants fewer “what if” moments.

Image provided by Ascend Agency

Installed cleanly in the rear cargo area and compatible with most portable power stations on the market, the Charger 2 fits naturally into daily life. It doesn’t demand a new vehicle or a new lifestyle — just a smarter way to use the energy already being generated on the road.

In 2026, the best road trip upgrades aren’t flashy screens or luxury trim. They’re the invisible systems that let you travel farther, stay comfortable longer and arrive with peace of mind. The Charger 2 aims to be exactly that kind of upgrade.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/road-tripping-in-2026-how-to-bring-the-comforts-of-home-to-the-highway/ 

The 2025 Tax Game-Changer: What Retirees Need To Know Now

Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/05/2026 – 12:05

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/2025-tax-game-changer-what-retirees-need-know-now 

A few days into a new year, faith in our fellow men and women is renewed.

A “good news” story is one we can appreciate, especially after a 2025 rife with meanspirited and shameless actions, some coming from our own “we the people” government.

It came in the form of an outpouring of help for families in Zion and Lake Villa who lost everything in holiday fires.

Friends and neighbors coming to the aid of the family of John and Leandra Hernandez, whose two-story home burned extensively on Christmas Eve, is but one “good news” story taking place in early 2026. The family was lucky to get out alive, with only the clothes on their backs.

They lost everything, including gifts from Santa Claus, hours before Christmas. Just over a year before the Hernandez blaze, a structure fire on Enoch Avenue in the city killed three members of a Zion family.

If you’ve never been a fire victim, it’s not something to put on a bucket list. It’s a terrifying experience, one which haunts forever those who have seen flames engulf their usually safe brick-and-mortar nests and possessions. Then come months of waiting for insurance checks, rebuilding, restocking and restoring memories.

Indeed, frightening is what happened to the extended family of eight, which includes four kids. Firefighters from six Lake County departments responded to the early evening blaze at the residence in the 3100 block of Ezekiel Avenue, near 31st Street. The wood-frame structure where the family had lived since 2019 burned rapidly, taking firefighters about three hours to extinguish the accidental blaze.

While a barren Christmas was expected, the kindness of strangers began, according to a front-page News-Sun story last week by Tess Kenny. Area Red Cross folks stepped in to get shelter for the family at the Inn on Sheridan in the city’s downtown, where they celebrated Christmas.

A next-door neighbor let them wait inside his house until they had lodging confirmed. Clothes, toiletries, food and gift cards found their way to the family, Kenny reported.

Then, a GoFundMe page was set up, so far raising about $13,000. Mom Leandra told Kenny, “People are still donating, sharing our GoFundMe, sending meals.”

That’s not all. She told Kenny others were asking: “What else can we do? What else do you need?”

Obviously, a lot. They’ll be restarting their home from scratch, but with a Christmas Eve lifesaving miracle under their belts, they’ve got each other. Possessions can always be replaced.

In Lake Villa, the Tunde family of five is grappling with losing their rental home near Red Cedar Road and Pine Tree Drive to fire on New Year’s Eve. No one was injured in the blaze as personnel from more than six fire departments battled the fire, which turned the two-story building into an inferno.

A GoFundMe page also was set up for the family, and as of Monday, had raised nearly $12,000. The home is uninhabitable.

And like many, they’ve found their neighbors and the greater Lake County community have caring spirits. That attention should make us all get that sense of good feeling.

Unlike the Hernandez and Tunde families, which face uncertain futures of rebuilding in 2026, members of Waukegan High School’s Class of 2025 have their futures well in hand, along with the reading futures of students across the 15 grade schools in District 60, according to a Steve Sadin front-page story last week. The class gift from those who graduated in May is “little free libraries” for elementary readers across the city’s schools.

Study after study has shown that over the past decade, American students’ reading abilities have nose-dived, along with reading habits. In 2023, a mere 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day, down from 27% a decade earlier.

Adult readership levels are no better. The most recent Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, from 2022, found fewer than half of Americans had read a single book in the previous year, with only 38% reading a novel or short story, while another study determined the number of Americans who engage in daily reading for pleasure dipped 3% annually from 2003 to 2023.

“We want to promote literacy,” class president Lamero Ceaser, now a freshman at Augustana College in Rock Island, told Sadin. “We wanted to give back to the community. Then we got the idea of the little free library.”

Class members raised $3,000 to establish their little libraries, which dot communities nationwide, and the Waukegan Public Library donated some 400 books curated by class members to the project. The finished products were delivered on Dec. 15.

The project gives a sense of what the younger generation of Waukeganites sees for the future of the community. Something they can take pride in accomplishing and certainly another  “good news” story often overlooked.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com

X @sellenews

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/charles-selle-column-holiday-fires/ 

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll on Monday after just one year, meaning they will enter their third consecutive season with a new coach in charge.

Carroll expressed high hopes upon taking over, saying he was used to double-digit victories and he expected the same in Las Vegas. But the Raiders went 3-14, going on a 10-game losing streak before finishing with a 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Now the question is where the Raiders head next under the direction of owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek. Davis said in a statement that Spytek would work with Brady to find the next coach.

“Together, they will guide football decisions with a shared focus on leadership, culture and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision and goals,” Davis said.

The team could seek an offensive-minded coach to work with a young quarterback should the Raiders draft Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore with the first pick.

That formula worked well this season in Chicago with coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams and in Jacksonville with coach Liam Coen and QB Trevor Lawrence. Both teams are playoff bound after experiencing losing seasons the year before.

There is no one path to success, however. The New England Patriots hired a defensive coach in Mike Vrabel, and he worked well with quarterback Drake Maye to help the Patriots go from a 4-13 record to 14-3 and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Carroll, 74, was the NFL’s oldest head coach, and he came to Las Vegas with the intent of winning right away. He got his wish of bringing in quarterback Geno Smith, whom he coached in Seattle. Neither found the success they expected, with Smith throwing a league-high 17 interceptions as the losses piled up.

This wasn’t what Carroll was used to. He coached the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title and USC to two national championships.

But now Carroll has been dismissed, just as Antonio Pierce was last year and Josh McDaniels midway through the 2023 season.

The Raiders have run through coaches since appearing in the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. They have made the playoffs just twice since then, losing both wild-card games.

Browns fire 2-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski after 6 seasons

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski watches from the sideline during a game against the Ravens on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have fired coach Kevin Stefanski after six seasons.

The Browns won their final two games to finish 5-12, including a 20-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The 43-year-old Stefanski is a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year and had a 46-58 overall record. He led Cleveland to playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023. The Browns’ 48-37 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card game at the end of the 2020 season was the franchise’s first playoff win since 1993.

“I leave with an immense sense of gratitude. A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who I have been so blessed to work for and with over these six seasons,” Stefanski said in a statement released through the Browns. “I’d like to especially thank my coaching staff and the players who did everything that was ever asked of them. They fought through injury and adversity, while always putting the team first.”

Stefanski is the sixth coach fired since owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam bought the franchise in 2012. The five coaches hired by the Haslams have a 73-139-1 regular-season record, the second-worst mark in the NFL.

The Haslams are not doing a total house cleaning, announcing Andrew Berry will remain as general manager.

Stefanski met with ownership Monday morning, but Jimmy Haslam indicated the decision already had been made.

“Those decisions tend to be made over a period of time,” Haslam said during a news conference 45 minutes after Stefanski’s firing was announced. “I don’t think there was one breaking point. You’ve got to look at the body of work and sometimes it’s just time for a change.”

Stefanski is credited with establishing a positive culture in a franchise epitomized by dysfunction. However, Stefanski was done in by something that has plagued the Browns since their return in 1999 — the lack of a franchise quarterback.

Stefanski had 13 starting quarterbacks during his tenure, including seven the past two seasons. Both were the most in the league.

The Browns thought they had their quarterback in 2022 when they released Baker Mayfield and acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans for five draft picks, including three in the first round.

Instead, the trade for Watson has set the Browns back for years.

Jimmy Haslam said during the league meetings last March that the Browns “took a big swing and miss” with the Watson trade and that “we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

Stefanski was criticized during the season for his early handling of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The fifth-round pick did not receive any snaps with the first team in practices until he came in for Dillon Gabriel in the second half of a Nov. 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Sanders was the Browns starter for the final seven games and went 3-4. He had plenty of growing pains, including working behind a makeshift offensive line and not having his leading rusher or receiver for the final two games.

Cleveland was fourth in the league in total defense as Myles Garrett had 23 sacks, setting the league’s single-season record. However, the offense ranked 30th and averaged 16.4 points, second-fewest in the league.

Stefanski is expected to be a prime candidate for other openings throughout the league. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz also is expected to be high on other team’s wish lists.

Schwartz has head coaching experience, leading the Detroit Lions from 2009 through 2013, and is expected to get an interview for the in-house opening.

“We’ve got to find the right head coach,” Haslam said. “We’ve got to be efficient again in free agency. We have 10 draft picks, including two (first-round picks). We are solely focused on having a great 120 days so we can start winning games around here.”

— Joe Reedy, AP

Falcons fire coach Raheem Morris, GM Terry Fontenot hours after finishing 8-9 season

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, right, greets coach Raheem Morris after a game against the Buccaneers on Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night, announcing the moves hours after the team completed its second straight 8-9 finish under Morris and eighth consecutive losing season.

Morris said after Sunday’s 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints that he expected to return for a third season. Instead, his 16-18 record was not enough for him to keep his job after the year began with optimism that the Falcons would reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

“I have great personal affinity for both Raheem and Terry and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the Falcons, but I believe we need new leadership in these roles moving forward,” owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.

“The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry the absolute best in their future pursuits.”

The Falcons finished with four straight wins and in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, but the streak came after the team had been eliminated from playoff contention. The Carolina Panthers won the division because they had a better record in divisional games.

Blank attended Morris’ postgame news conference and gave the second-year coach a hug after the session. The owner showed no emotion when Morris was asked if he expected to return.

“You know, my expectation is always to be back, right?” Morris said before looking at Blank and adding, “I’m going to coach this football team as long as he allows it.”

When asked if he had discussed his job status with Blank, Morris said: “You can’t worry about those things. The boss is sitting right there. All those things — this is a business, what we do. I know it’s fun for you guys to talk about it, but those decisions will always be made at a proper time. Those decisions will always be made, utilize whatever is best for the Atlanta Falcons.”

Blank was scheduled to speak at a news conference Thursday.

Fontenot was named general manager before the 2021 season. The team was 36-48 during his tenure, but the Falcons got solid production from his 2025 draft class. First-round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker led NFL rookies in sacks, and third-round pick Xavier Watts led all rookies with five interceptions.

Walker said Sunday that Morris did “a great job of keeping the culture here strong. I commend him. All of our trials and tribulations this season, we’ve found a way, we’ve made a way.”

Guard Chris Lindstrom also expressed support for Morris.

“Coach Rah really fosters a connection with one another,” Lindstrom said. “Really, we have that across the team and across all three phases. When you have that, when things aren’t going right, there’s still belief in what we want to achieve and belief in one another.

“It’s also respect and love for one another too. So when it’s easy to pull off the gas, you don’t because you care about the guys around you. The fan base deserves it, and we all know that. So I was really proud of our guys to be able to finish the season that way.”

When asked about the possibility of a coaching change, wide receiver Drake London said: “That’s above my pay grade. I can’t make those decisions. I love everybody who’s on this team, everybody who makes this team tick. I love everybody.”

The moves came after Blank hired the consulting firm Sportsology, which previously worked with his Major League Soccer franchise, Atlanta United, to study the Falcons. The Falcons said the search for a new coach and GM would begin immediately, with an executive search firm, ZRG Partners, assisting on the coach search and Sportsology helping with the general manager search.

The Falcons set no timeline for either hire and said the searches will be conducted concurrently.

Morris also served as the Falcons’ interim coach for the final 11 games in 2020, going 4-7 after Dan Quinn was fired following an 0-5 start.

Arthur Smith took over after that season and posted three consecutive 7-10 records from 2021 through 2023. The hiring of Morris, who had been the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, came with Blank expressing optimism the Falcons were ready to win.

— Charles Odum, AP

Cardinals fire coach Jonathan Gannon after a dismal 3rd season

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon speaks to reporters after a game against the Rams on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon was fired after a dismal third season that started with high expectations but quickly collapsed thanks to injuries, embarrassing gaffes and a long string of losses that became increasingly noncompetitive.

The Cardinals made the announcement Monday. General manager Monti Ossenfort will be retained.

The final indignity came Sunday, when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cardinals 37-20 after scoring the final 21 points. It was the team’s ninth straight loss and 14th setback in 15 games.

Now a new coaching staff will get the chance to rebuild a franchise that will have the No. 3 draft pick in April but has been to the playoffs just once since 2016.

The 43-year-old Gannon finished his tenure with a 15-36 record, including 3-14 this season. His firing was not necessarily surprising, but the speed of his downfall was still jarring.

The Cardinals had an 8-9 record last year in Gannon’s second season and the franchise appeared on the upswing. Two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray was in his prime and Ossenfort spent much of the offseason upgrading the defense, adding veteran pieces Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell.

But nothing has gone as planned.

Arizona won its first two games, though that would prove to be the high point. The Cardinals lost the next five games by a combined 13 points, including three straight on last-second field goals.

During that stretch, injuries started piling up. Murray hurt his foot in a Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans and hasn’t played since, calling into question whether he’ll be the team’s quarterback in 2026 despite a five-year, $230.5 million contract that could run through 2028.

Starting running back James Conner missed most of the season with a foot injury, while wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. — the No. 4 pick in 2024 — struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

There were also some embarrassing moments that added to the tension. Running back Emari Demercado dropped the football just short of a touchdown while celebrating too early against the Titans, which started a stunning collapse that saw a 21-9 lead turn into a 22-21 defeat.

Gannon was caught on camera angrily confronting Demercado, appearing to bump the running back as he swiped his arm downward. The Cardinals fined the coach $100,000 for his actions.

Arizona was called for a franchise-record 17 penalties in a 41-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. The Cardinals were 0-6 against NFC West opponents this season, losing the last four by a combined 88 points.

Gannon was hired in 2023 after two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, who reached the Super Bowl during his final year before losing to the Chiefs.

— David Brandt, AP

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/nfl-coach-firings-pete-carroll/ 

Joel Paasch provided valuable practice repetitions during Warren’s run to the Class 4A state championship game last year, a source of pride for a first-year varsity reserve.

Nearly 10 months later, the Blue Devils’ aspirations remain the same, but Paasch is in a much different position as a starter.

“Last year, there were some dudes ahead of me, and I knew that my role was to help get them better in practice,” he said. “Now to be a bigger part of all this means a ton. To make an impact on the game feels great. It’s cool to be getting my shot.”

On the strength of his shot, Paasch begins the week averaging 11.0 points for North Suburban Conference contender Warren (11-1, 2-0). The 6-foot-3 senior guard’s outside shooting has been a key addition to an offense that also features junior guard Jaxson Davis, the reigning Mr. Basketball of Illinois, and steady senior guard Braylon Walker.

“We knew he would be big for us after what we saw in the summer,” Warren coach Zack Ryan said of Paasch. “He’s always been a guy who could really shoot, and he can get hot really fast.”

That was apparent during Warren’s 69-41 win over East Chicago Central of Indiana on Dec. 20, when Paasch hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with a career-high 24 points.

Then during Warren’s most high-profile game of the young season, a resounding 88-54 win over highly regarded Kenwood in the Big Dipper Tournament championship game at Rich Township on Dec. 30, Davis scored a career-high 51 points, but Paasch added 17 on 5-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

Performances like those provide validation for Paasch, who knew he could be a significant contributor if he got the opportunity.

“I was at every morning open gym we’ve had since freshman and sophomore year,” he said. “I’ve always tried to find ways to get shots up. I love to be in a gym perfecting my shot.”

But Ryan had a challenge for Paasch entering the season.

“You can never have too many guys who can shoot, but we went to him and told him, ‘You don’t want to think of yourself as just a shooting guy,’” Ryan said. “He’s a competitor. We challenged him to become a complete player, and he’s done that.”

Paasch didn’t need to be convinced. He saw what was required to pursue a state title.

“The biggest difference for me from last year to this year is that I’ve gotten a lot better defensively,” he said. “That was a big step for me to take. And on offense, I’m using shot fakes now and then going by guys, which either opens up a drive or I can find someone. I’m finding other ways to contribute.”

Warren senior forward Avonn King, who is Paasch’s teammate for the fourth straight season, has seen not only what Paasch can do between the lines but also how he spreads positivity.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say anything negative,” King said. “I’ve seen him grow a lot, and he always puts his teammates first. A lot of teams could use someone like him who can boost a team up.”

Warren’s Joel Paasch (24) guards Waukegan’s Trey’Veon Roberts (2) during a North Suburban Conference game in Waukegan on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)

Paasch is also contributing on the boards, averaging 4.0 rebounds. He had eight rebounds, including four on the offensive end, during Warren’s 53-43 come-from-behind win over Marion, Arkansas, in the Big Dipper quarterfinals on Dec. 27. That’s serious production.

“When I can get a lot of rebounds is when we shoot from three and I can tell off the release where the ball will bounce,” Paasch said. “And a lot of teams don’t box out, so that helps allow me to get into position.”

Paasch was an all-state honorable mention as a setter on Warren’s boys volleyball team. He sees parallels between the two sports.

“For one, it’s nice to be able to jump well in both sports,” he said. “Setting a volleyball and shooting a basketball are not different things at all. In volleyball, my job is to get the ball into the right spot for my team, and in basketball it’s important to be able to either place the ball into the basket or work the ball to an open teammate.”

As much as Paasch enjoys playing basketball, volleyball is important to him too. That’s partly because his mother, Kim, an English teacher whose classroom is next to Ryan’s, is the coach of the boys volleyball team. Paasch also plays in tournaments with his father, Patrick, and his younger brother, Kyle, who is a Warren sophomore.

The outlier in the family is Paasch’s older brother, Brandon, who plays tennis at North Central College.

“I had never played organized volleyball until my freshman year, so to have my mom at home to ask questions was great,” Paasch said. “It’s awesome to be able to go to either parent and ask for advice. I trust their knowledge.”

Warren’s Joel Paasch (24) shoots the ball against Waukegan during a North Suburban Conference game in Waukegan on Saturday, Dec.13, 2025. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)

Paasch, who would like to play one of the sports in college, is focused on basketball and helping create more lifelong memories for the Blue Devils.

“Seeing how the community came together as we made our playoff run was special,” he said. “What I’m happiest about this year is how the team is meshing together on the court. We’ve faced adversity, and I’m proud of how we reacted.”

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/basketball-warren-joel-paasch/ 

A record crowd ran into frigid Lake Michigan for the Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, despite temperatures of 14 degrees and a windchill of nearly zero, but complaints were few and far between as the participants got out of the water.

“It was pretty cold, but I feel refreshed,” said Andreinn Bana, who was taking the plunge for the first time.

“I feel gratified,” added Tony Rocha, wearing a salsa-related costume, completing his 15th plunge as part of a group from Green Town Tavern as waves approached 3-foot heights toward the end of the event.

Chuck Castellanos, who organized a group of people to participate for the 14th year, felt like he always does when to runs into the lake on Jan. 1.

“If you start your year going into Lake Michigan, you know it can only get better from there,” he said as icicles started to form in his beard.

Castellanos. Bana and Rocha were among the 615 participants in the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, shattering the record of 540 set in 2024, and collectively raising more than $20,000 for Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.

Running into Lake Michigan for the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach are the first wave of swimmers. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

The cold temperature was only one of the challenges facing the city of Waukegan and the Waukegan Park District, which ran the plunge together. With a combination of rain and snow in the week prior, David Motley, the city’s public relations director, said beach conditions were treacherous.

“This was one of the most challenging, not only because of the air temperature, but rain and precipitation beforehand made the beach icy,” Motley, who has been involved with the plunge since its inception, said. “Public Works was removing the ice and making it safe until the event started.”

Along with the record number of participants, Motley said the number of spectators was larger than usual as well, adding to the challenges for city personnel. The last walkup plungers were still preparing in the changing tents as the hour-long event was nearing its end.

“The volume of people who came and the (larger-than-usual) number of spectators added to the challenge,” Motley said.

Among this group of participants at the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach was Tony Rocha wearing a salsa-related covering. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Mayor Sam Cunningham moved around the plungers who came out of the changing tent onto the beach before they went into the water, and when they returned. He offered encouragement and thanks for their effort. He said they inspired him.

“Even in the cold, Waukegan shows up with warm hearts,” Cunningham said. “Special recreation programs truly change lives, so more people are stepping up to help make them more accessible for individuals with disabilities and their families.”

Josue Pasillas, the city’s assistant public relations director, said 400 people preregistered for the polar plunge and the other 215 came Thursday to join the effort. The money raised helps provide scholarships to people with special needs so they can participate in sports, the Special Olympics and other special recreation programs.

Standing waist-deep in Lake Michigan, wearing insulated diving outfits, were four firefighters from the Waukegan Fire Department. They not only marked the turning point for the swimmers — some people actually swam — but were there if anyone needed assistance.

A father and his two sons head back to the Lake Michigan shore with divers from the Waukegan Fire Department behind them at the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

George Bridges Jr., president of the Park District’s Board of Commissioners, is a former fire chief who has been one of the divers for the first 12 years of the plunge. On Thursday, he was also offering encouragement to the participants, greeting nearly all of them as they came out of the water.

“It’s important to support our families with special needs so they can participate in sports and other programs,” Bridges said.

Among the participants was JoAnn Flores-Dieter. She has tested the icy Lake Michigan waters for all 27 Waukegan Polar Bear Plunges. This year was special. She was joined by her three sons, Marlowe, 14, Beckett, 10, and Albee, 7.

“My youngest is doing it for the first time,” Flores-Dieter said. “I’ve gotten them all into the family business. We all worked together and raised $1,400. It was an opportunity for them to raise money for a worthy cause.”

Standing on the Waukegan Municipal Beach preparing to run into Lake Michigan for the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday are the first wave of participants as Mayor Sam Cunningham, far right, offers encouragement. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Swimming in Lake Michigan year-round, including the winter months, is a normal activity for Adrienne Fawcett and Nan Caldwell of Lake Bluff. They are part of a group that swims in the lake daily for at least five minutes.

“It’s good for your mental health, physical health and social health because we do it with our neighbors,” Caldwell said.

“It feels enriching,” Fawcett added.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/waukegan-polar-plunge/ 

China-Bound ‘Dark’ Crude Tankers Make It Out Of Venezuelan Waters

Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/05/2026 – 11:25

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/china-bound-dark-crude-tankers-make-it-out-venezuelan-waters 

The much-anticipated countdown at the annual Happy “Noon Year” Party in Glenview wowed kids and their families as 1,500 multi-colored balloons dropped from a wide net at the Park Center on Dec. 31.

It took about three hours on Dec. 30 for Glenview Park District staff to inflate the balloons for the New Year’s Eve balloon drop,  said Kara Graber, visual arts and recreation supervisor for the Glenview Park District. It featured balloons in many colors, including silver and clear balloons with confetti.

The 90-minute event welcomed 185 children who were registered, Graber said, meaning that about 400 to 500 people attended if you added in parents and doting chaperones like grandparents.

Center, in blue dress, is CC Buccola, 4, after the grand balloon drop. On left is CC’s parent Lauren Buccola at the Noon Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31, 2025 in Glenview at the Park Center. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

For 2026, Graber said there is a lot to look forward to by the Glenview Park District.

“We have a lot of new and exciting events coming in 2026,” Graber said. “We’re just excited for new change around here.”

Graber said the Splash Landings pool indoors at the Park Center is being renovated for a late autumn opening.

Colorful balloons spill out during the balloon drop at the Noon Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31, 2025 in Glenview at the Park Center. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

“A new pool is coming too, so just get ready for fun and excitement in 2026,” Graber said.

The Noon Year’s Eve party took place in the Park Center’s large gym. Large inflatable attractions with a holiday theme kept children busy.

Other amenities included face painting, guided dancing and games, and the popular rainbow round parachute unveiled to keep kids engaged until right before the balloon drop.

Colorful balloons have dropped at the Noon Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31, 2025 in Glenview at the Park Center. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Thomas Nebel, 5, a kindergartner from Glenview, had his face painted with a blue shark. His sister Ava, 3, also attended with their mother Chelsie Nebel.

“It’s been wonderful,” raising a family in Glenview, Chelsie Nebel said. “We’ve just loved it.”

Davy DeCleene, 5, a kindergartner of Glenview was accompanied by his grandparents “Pops” and “Honey” otherwise known as Chris and Judy Berno of Glenview.

Judy Berno said, “I just love it,” about ringing in 2026 with Davy.

Zandra Khosbayar of Glenview brought daughter Misheel, 4. Misheel wore a festive headband featuring a holiday gift box for the occasion.

Glenview friends dancing are (hopping up in red) Lina Tu, 5, and CC Buccola, 4, at the Noon Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31, 2025 in Glenview at the Park Center. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Misheel’s mother said they attended, “just to have fun, have an early New Year party.”

Posing at the 2026 photo opportunity step and repeat station were many families, including Ashhad and Annie Ghazi of Glenview and their children Aleena, 3, and Mustafa, 1.

Ashhad Ghazi hoped in 2026 for the family to have, “a healthy, successful year with a lot of happiness.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/05/1500-balloons-drop-in-glenview-noon-years-eve-festivities/