BY Dan Nolan
Monmouth set the women’s school record for consecutive home victories, notching their 11th straight with a 62-48 win over Trine University. The Fighting Scots roared to a 17-point first half lead on Claire McGuire’s three-pointer with 6:19 left, but the Thunder wouldn’t give in, cutting the deficit to eight just three minutes later.
Monmouth’s first half surge was keyed by Colleen Forrest’s 13 points on five-of-seven shooting. The Scots regained a 12-point edge, 30-18, at halftime and kept that margin for most of the second half. Forrest finished with 21 points and Zipporah Williams added 10. Haley Jones cleaned the glass for the Scots, pulling down 10 of their 37 rebounds.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
HOME BURGLARIES IN MONMOUTH
By Nate Neighbour
Contrary to persistent rumors of an increase in residential burglaries in Monmouth, there has actually been a decrease since last year.
Through October of this year there were 21 residential burglaries reported to police. For all of last year 49 residential burglaries were reported. On average there were approximately four residential break-ins per month in 2009. So far this year, that number is down to an average of around two break-ins per month.
Crime statistics in Monmouth are – by statute - part of the public record and should be made available to anyone upon request. Gathering information on 2009 crime statistics for this story, however, required filing a Freedom of Information Act form. Police officials offered no explanation on why that was necessary.
Contrary to persistent rumors of an increase in residential burglaries in Monmouth, there has actually been a decrease since last year.
Through October of this year there were 21 residential burglaries reported to police. For all of last year 49 residential burglaries were reported. On average there were approximately four residential break-ins per month in 2009. So far this year, that number is down to an average of around two break-ins per month.
Crime statistics in Monmouth are – by statute - part of the public record and should be made available to anyone upon request. Gathering information on 2009 crime statistics for this story, however, required filing a Freedom of Information Act form. Police officials offered no explanation on why that was necessary.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
SHEPHERD SHINES AS ALL STAR
By Dan Nolan
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth College wide receiver Matt Shepherd (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) made the most of his opportunities at last Friday’s D3 Football Senior Classic in Salem, Va.
Playing for the North squad, Shepherd saw plenty of action as a receiver and returner in the game that featured the nation’s top Division III seniors. While no official stats were kept, the Fighting Scot made some big plays, hauling in nearly 80 yards worth of receptions.
No reception was bigger than Shepherd’s catch on a crucial fourth-and-six late in the game with his team trailing 18-17. His 41-yard catch in double coverage kept the North’s drive alive and set up his team’s winning 34-yard field goal with six seconds left. A special teams turnover returned for a TD on the ensuing kickoff gave the North an extra six points for the final 26-18 score. Shepherd’s late catch was icing on the cake for the Fighting Scot senior, who also returned a kick 50 yards and hauled in a 25-yard pass in the first half. He also got the chance to run from the line of scrimmage on a reverse.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Shepherd of the all-star game. “I’ve never seen a group of people care so much about Division III. All the players and coaches were amazing. It was a great way to end my college career. I was just happy to be able to represent Monmouth College, our team and the conference one more time on the field.”
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth College wide receiver Matt Shepherd (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) made the most of his opportunities at last Friday’s D3 Football Senior Classic in Salem, Va.
Playing for the North squad, Shepherd saw plenty of action as a receiver and returner in the game that featured the nation’s top Division III seniors. While no official stats were kept, the Fighting Scot made some big plays, hauling in nearly 80 yards worth of receptions.
No reception was bigger than Shepherd’s catch on a crucial fourth-and-six late in the game with his team trailing 18-17. His 41-yard catch in double coverage kept the North’s drive alive and set up his team’s winning 34-yard field goal with six seconds left. A special teams turnover returned for a TD on the ensuing kickoff gave the North an extra six points for the final 26-18 score. Shepherd’s late catch was icing on the cake for the Fighting Scot senior, who also returned a kick 50 yards and hauled in a 25-yard pass in the first half. He also got the chance to run from the line of scrimmage on a reverse.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Shepherd of the all-star game. “I’ve never seen a group of people care so much about Division III. All the players and coaches were amazing. It was a great way to end my college career. I was just happy to be able to represent Monmouth College, our team and the conference one more time on the field.”
LATE BASKETBALL SCORES
By Dan Nolan
WOMEN’S BASLETBALL
Illinois College 59
Monmouth College 73
Monmouth led from start to finish in a 73-59 win over Illinois College. The Scots used a smothering defense to force the Lady Blues into 23 turnovers – 15 by steals. Illinois College got in a hole early thanks to Monmouth’s 10-0 run to open the game. IC then fell behind by 19 with 3:21 left in the first half on Haley Jones’ bucket. Monmouth kept the pressure on in the second half and led by as many as 22 when Zipporah Williams went coast-to-coast after a steal and layup. Jones finished with 23 points, Justine Boone chipped in 13 and Williams added 10.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Illinois College 82
Monmouth College 69
Monmouth couldn’t come back from two Illinois College runs in an 82-69 loss to the Blueboys. The Scots took a brief lead late in the first half when David Johnson’s bucket gave Monmouth a 36-35 lead. IC answered with a 12-3 run to close the half and retake the lead. The Scots never led after intermission, but trimmed the deficit to five, 69-64 on Curtis Oler’s three-point with 7:21 to go. That sparked a 13-4 Blueboy run that iced the game. Corey Gruber paced Monmouth with 16 points, Bryce Donaldson added 14.
WOMEN’S BASLETBALL
Illinois College 59
Monmouth College 73
Monmouth led from start to finish in a 73-59 win over Illinois College. The Scots used a smothering defense to force the Lady Blues into 23 turnovers – 15 by steals. Illinois College got in a hole early thanks to Monmouth’s 10-0 run to open the game. IC then fell behind by 19 with 3:21 left in the first half on Haley Jones’ bucket. Monmouth kept the pressure on in the second half and led by as many as 22 when Zipporah Williams went coast-to-coast after a steal and layup. Jones finished with 23 points, Justine Boone chipped in 13 and Williams added 10.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Illinois College 82
Monmouth College 69
Monmouth couldn’t come back from two Illinois College runs in an 82-69 loss to the Blueboys. The Scots took a brief lead late in the first half when David Johnson’s bucket gave Monmouth a 36-35 lead. IC answered with a 12-3 run to close the half and retake the lead. The Scots never led after intermission, but trimmed the deficit to five, 69-64 on Curtis Oler’s three-point with 7:21 to go. That sparked a 13-4 Blueboy run that iced the game. Corey Gruber paced Monmouth with 16 points, Bryce Donaldson added 14.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Election 2010: Looking Back and Ahead
By Ryan Bronaugh
A bleak economy fueled the fires of political change in the 2010 elections, and will continue to do so in the upcoming primaries of 2011. That was the unanimous opinion of a distinguished panel of journalists and political strategists who convened in Monmouth recently as part of the Midwest Matters Initiative sponsored by Monmouth College.
According to all four members of the panel, which included Mike Glover- political reporter for the Associated Press, Steve Grubbs-political strategist for the Republican Party, Rick Pearson-political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and David Wilhelm-political strategist for the Democratic Party, the massive Republican sweep of the 2010 elections, as well as the Tea Party phenomenon, was driven primarily by a poor U.S. economy, and unless that economy begins to show signs of improvement, we will most likely see a similar sweep in the 2012 elections.
Moderated by adjunct political science professor Robin Johnson, the panel discussed the results of the 2010 elections, voter turnout, strategies used by both parties to gain voter favor, and many of the hot topics affecting the political climate, such as, health care, immigration, and the economy. Unlike other recent elections, the War on Terror, which consumed $660.4 billion in 2010 in military spending alone, was apparently not a hot issue in this last election, and was not discussed.
Most panelists agreed that there will be some gridlock in Congress as a result of the elections, however, the view on the measure of the congestion varied from one panelist to the next. While Mike Glover of the Associated Press felt strongly that Congress will do little between now and the elections of 2012 due to a Republican effort to stalemate Democratic favor among voters, Steve Grubbs stated that if Congress manages to sign off on the budget, than “they’ve done the only job that’s really expected of them, and they have to come up with a budget.”
On health care, the panel appeared split. Glover, and Wilhelm, thought the bill will move along through Congress, and some agreement will be made and a bill passed. According to Glover, health care is “too much of a heart felt issue,” and no one wants to be held responsible for Americans not being able to receive proper medical care. Pearson, and Grubbs, both stated that the Republicans would send a response bill, but it will be symbolic and, “nothing much will come of it.”
While the details fluctuated among panelists, the general thought on immigration was that it will most likely not go anywhere. Grubbs said a bill will move through Republicans, but nothing as extreme as what we saw in Arizona will likely be repeated.
As for the future economy, all opinions looked grim. Pearson predicted a very slow reduction in unemployment over the next two years, a result he said of, “poor state budgets, no more support checks will be coming in from Washington,” and “municipalities are reeling even more.” He went on to say that, “voters want to see outs; blood on the floor, but no one wants it to be them—their programs on the chopping block.”
Wilhelm pointed out that a recent poll showed that, of the voters who said Wall Street was to blame for the poor economy, 60/40 voted Republican. He added that government “doesn’t have much impact on economic growth, especially in the short term.” Glover agreed that there isn’t much government can do for the economy, and Grubbs cautioned Monmouth College graduates to seek practical skills after college, skills that will help them land good paying jobs.
Prior to questions taken from the audience, Johnson asked all four panelists whether the Tea Party phenomenon is as strong in the Midwest as it is in other parts of the country and why. There was no disagreement that it was in this election, and that it was a direct response to angst over the poor economy. “People are freaked out, and the Tea Party was a funnel,” Wilhelm said. Pearson said he thought the party “will never get as organized as a true third party,” but will continue to play a role as long as the poor economy is a factor. Grubbs agreed and added, “It’s important to understand where the motivation is coming from. The largest capitalist country on earth is asking the largest communist country on earth to loan it more money. Americans are seeing that this is not the America they grew up in.”
Panel moderator Robin Johnson closed the discussion by announcing that The Midwest Matters Initiative will continue to hold events, such as this week’s panel. He said our goal is to “not only educate its students about important Midwest issues, but to be a part of the solution, as well.”
A bleak economy fueled the fires of political change in the 2010 elections, and will continue to do so in the upcoming primaries of 2011. That was the unanimous opinion of a distinguished panel of journalists and political strategists who convened in Monmouth recently as part of the Midwest Matters Initiative sponsored by Monmouth College.
According to all four members of the panel, which included Mike Glover- political reporter for the Associated Press, Steve Grubbs-political strategist for the Republican Party, Rick Pearson-political reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and David Wilhelm-political strategist for the Democratic Party, the massive Republican sweep of the 2010 elections, as well as the Tea Party phenomenon, was driven primarily by a poor U.S. economy, and unless that economy begins to show signs of improvement, we will most likely see a similar sweep in the 2012 elections.
Moderated by adjunct political science professor Robin Johnson, the panel discussed the results of the 2010 elections, voter turnout, strategies used by both parties to gain voter favor, and many of the hot topics affecting the political climate, such as, health care, immigration, and the economy. Unlike other recent elections, the War on Terror, which consumed $660.4 billion in 2010 in military spending alone, was apparently not a hot issue in this last election, and was not discussed.
Most panelists agreed that there will be some gridlock in Congress as a result of the elections, however, the view on the measure of the congestion varied from one panelist to the next. While Mike Glover of the Associated Press felt strongly that Congress will do little between now and the elections of 2012 due to a Republican effort to stalemate Democratic favor among voters, Steve Grubbs stated that if Congress manages to sign off on the budget, than “they’ve done the only job that’s really expected of them, and they have to come up with a budget.”
On health care, the panel appeared split. Glover, and Wilhelm, thought the bill will move along through Congress, and some agreement will be made and a bill passed. According to Glover, health care is “too much of a heart felt issue,” and no one wants to be held responsible for Americans not being able to receive proper medical care. Pearson, and Grubbs, both stated that the Republicans would send a response bill, but it will be symbolic and, “nothing much will come of it.”
While the details fluctuated among panelists, the general thought on immigration was that it will most likely not go anywhere. Grubbs said a bill will move through Republicans, but nothing as extreme as what we saw in Arizona will likely be repeated.
As for the future economy, all opinions looked grim. Pearson predicted a very slow reduction in unemployment over the next two years, a result he said of, “poor state budgets, no more support checks will be coming in from Washington,” and “municipalities are reeling even more.” He went on to say that, “voters want to see outs; blood on the floor, but no one wants it to be them—their programs on the chopping block.”
Wilhelm pointed out that a recent poll showed that, of the voters who said Wall Street was to blame for the poor economy, 60/40 voted Republican. He added that government “doesn’t have much impact on economic growth, especially in the short term.” Glover agreed that there isn’t much government can do for the economy, and Grubbs cautioned Monmouth College graduates to seek practical skills after college, skills that will help them land good paying jobs.
Prior to questions taken from the audience, Johnson asked all four panelists whether the Tea Party phenomenon is as strong in the Midwest as it is in other parts of the country and why. There was no disagreement that it was in this election, and that it was a direct response to angst over the poor economy. “People are freaked out, and the Tea Party was a funnel,” Wilhelm said. Pearson said he thought the party “will never get as organized as a true third party,” but will continue to play a role as long as the poor economy is a factor. Grubbs agreed and added, “It’s important to understand where the motivation is coming from. The largest capitalist country on earth is asking the largest communist country on earth to loan it more money. Americans are seeing that this is not the America they grew up in.”
Panel moderator Robin Johnson closed the discussion by announcing that The Midwest Matters Initiative will continue to hold events, such as this week’s panel. He said our goal is to “not only educate its students about important Midwest issues, but to be a part of the solution, as well.”
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