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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026
Jackson Co. murder trial starts, Page 3
Illinois Democrats bring ‘cost of MAGA’ tour to Sesser TAY ACREE Staff Reporter
Donna Peek needs her car to get southern Illinois clients to doctors, pharmacies and grocery stores. But after cracking her windshield, the home care worker said she cannot afford her $500 insurance deductible. “In a rural community, these distances matter,” Peek said. Peek joined Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell, state officials and labor representatives at the Sesser Opera House on Thursday, Oct. 1, to warn that federal health care cuts and rising insurance costs could deepen gaps in rural health care. The press conference was part of Illinois Democrats’ “Cost of MAGA” tour, which links health care affordability to the November election. Speakers criticized President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law and urged voters to support Gov. JB Pritzker and Mitchell. Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore welcomed the speakers and emphasized that decisions made in Springfield have direct consequences for small communities.
For Peek, a Help at Home employee and member of Service Employees International Union, access to care depends on workers who help older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. She said her responsibilities include transporting clients to appointments and picking up medications. Peek said she earns $18.75 an hour and is struggling to keep her refrigerator stocked. She warned that reduced support for rural providers could compound the transportation and financial barriers her clients already face. “I mean, when we talk about Medicaid cuts, I want people to understand that we’re talking about the entire rural health care system,” Peek said. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, changes Medicaid eligibility and financing. According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, work requirements for certain adults and eligibility reviews every six months for Medicaid CAMPAIGN | 4
Local businesses get grants, Page 3
VOL. 110, ISSUE 9
Union County Sal’s ‘wild songs’, Page 6
‘A force at the net’: Beatriz Piaia’s journey from Brazil to SIU volleyball
Beatriz Piaia (13) yells after a point in the Salukis win over Valparaiso Oct. 2, 2026 in Davies Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor Beatriz Piaia is at the top of the SIU volleyball leaderboard, with 59 blocks in the first 16 games of the season. Nine of those blocks came from the Governors Classic tournament on Sept. 18-19, where she also tallied 19 kills and five service aces. But for
the middle blocker, who recently earned a spot on the all-tournament team, volleyball isn’t her only passion. For her coaches, that’s what sets her apart. “I love that she has an identity outside of being a volleyball player,” head coach Brittany Harry said. “I think that it’s really important for people to have success here as a
college student-athlete because it’s really easy to be like ‘I’m a volleyball player at SIU,’ but they’re just so much more.” Piaia comes from Chopinzinho, Paraná, Brazil, where she grew up playing volleyball. After graduating high school, she came to the United States and spent two years at Trinity Valley Community
College in Athens, Texas. After two years at community college, Piaia moved to SIU to play volleyball under Harry and assistant coach Chris Yates while pursuing two degrees. Off the court, Piaia is double-majoring in agribusiness economics and crop science. She also considers herself a creative person. PIAIA | 11
‘Kofi was a pillar’: Family, friends, coworkers remember SIU professor at visitation MACK BIESK Staff Reporter Roughly 80 people gathered Thursday evening in SIU’s Student Center Ballroom B for a visitation and “Time of Sharing” to honor the life of Dr. Kofi Akamani, 48, an SIU forestry professor who was killed Sept. 19.
A large bed of white flowers sat atop a pink, marbled casket in the ballroom. A crucifix, assorted plants, light fixtures and the flag of Ghana, where Akamani was born and raised, rested around it. A slideshow ran on a projector screen, showing memories from family photos, school
events, vacations and more. The event was run by several mortuary science students who are part of the funeral service fraternity Sigma Pi Sigma. President Nate Diaz told the Daily Egyptian the group was happy to officiate an event like this for Akamani, a member of the SIU
community. Twelve family members, friends and colleagues spoke about Akamani’s life. SIU’s Director of the School of Forestry and Horticulture, Karl Williard, introduced each speaker. “He led with natural grace,” Gifty Abache, Akamani’s sister, said.
“You couldn’t help but feel valuable, comfortable and happy anytime he was around.” Apostle Karikari Atturah, Akamani’s cousin, remembered a man whose gentle kindness filled rooms, even when discussing serious topics. He said Akamani promised to visit him recently and never got to.
The room was stoic as grieving family members supported the speakers from the front rows. Akamani’s aunt, Lillian Standifer, added to Abache’s sentiments. “Kofi was many things to many people. He was a professor. He was a father. VISITATION | 2
Marion woman duped out of $318K in elaborate gold-bar scheme SOPH LEVINSON WILLIAM MIZE Saluki Local Reporting Lab MOLLY PARKER Capital News Illinois BENTON — A 78-yearold southern Illinois woman was alarmed when a popup message appeared on her computer in April warning that it had been compromised. She Googled the number for Microsoft support and called the first option that appeared in her search results. The man on the other end of the line told her his name was Mike Williams, identifying himself as a supervisor on Microsoft’s fraud prevention team. He gave her the bad news first: Her computer had been hacked, he said, and her
bad. That was the beginning of an elaborate, monthslong scheme that would lead the Marion woman, identified only as D.B. in federal court records, to move nearly $1.8 million from her investment accounts. She was instructed to move the money into money market accounts, federal court records show, and spend more than $823,000 on gold bars that she believed a federal agent needed her to turn over for safekeeping while authorities worked to secure her compromised A Walmart parking lot sits on 2802 Outer Dr. Sept. 28, 2026 in Marion, Illinois. accounts. Soph Levinson | @hpos.artz But the agent wasn’t real, sensitive data potentially and gave him remote access She did as instructed. and the first load of gold compromised. to her computer, he could Unfortunately, the bars she handed over in the But he had a solution: If look inside and determine supposed Microsoft Marion Walmart parking she followed his directions the extent of the damage. supervisor told her, it was lot, worth $318,459, is
gone, Kathleen Howard, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, told a federal judge in Benton last week. One of the fraudsters admitted guilt in the conspiracy. Those who duped the Marion woman and others they targeted across the country, including the defendant who appeared in court to accept a plea deal that day, did so knowing their victims were “elderly and otherwise vulnerable,” Howard told the judge. Gold-bar scams on the rise In September 2025, the FBI warned that it was seeing an increase in what it described as “gold bar and bulk cash courier scams” that can unfold in a variety SCHEME | 4
Page 2 | News
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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The story titled, “‘No directive’: Chancellor denies an order was given to disable course registration module” in the Sept. 30, 2026 edition of the Daily Egyptian, incorrectly quoted Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management. The story incorrectly stated Williams said SFAREGS was shut down for “maintenance and calculated assistance.” According to a transcript from the Sept. 8 Faculty Senate meeting, Williams said it was shut down for “maintenance and calculating the census day reports.” This story has been updated online to correct this mistake. The Daily Egyptian regrets this error.
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Apostle Karikari Atturah speaks about the life his ‘brother’ had and the impact he had on his own Oct. 1 2026 at the Student Center Ballrooms in Carbondale, Illinois. Soph Levinson | @hpos.artz
VISITATION CONTINUED FROM 1
He was a brother. He was a son. He was a friend.” She continued, “He was a mentor. An uncle. He was everything. But to our family, Kofi was a pillar. He was someone we would look up to.” Standifer also remembered Akamani as someone “whose greatest gift was the way he used intelligence to help the people around him.” Nearly every speaker — grad students, coworkers and family alike — touched on Akamani’s package of kindness with intelligence. Former grad student Nicole Mooar relayed something Logan Park, Akamani’s coworker said: “He raised the collective intelligence of any room he walked into, and he did it so gently that you didn’t notice it happening until afterward.” Park was also present at Thursday’s visitation, noting Akamani’s ever-cheerful humor in the office. Park, Akamani and others used to gather for lunch, and he said the professors passed time the way academics sometimes do: wholesome wordplay. One 2011 afternoon, Park and others were relating their names to their occupation. “Dr. Park, I study parks,” he gave for example. Just then, Park said, new recruit Kofi Akamani popped his head around a corner — a pastime his colleagues seem to know him for — and quipped, “My name is Kofi and I
like coffee!” The room of 80 erupted in laughter at the moment. Akamani’s coworkers were quite familiar with their late friend’s endearing mannerisms, humor and cheeriness. An Akamani family friend, Collins Adutwum, spoke to the SIU community. “You made this place a home for him away from home,” he said, “You made this university a family for him away from his family.” Adutwum noted Akamani’s devout Catholicism and remarked on the coincidence that the Friday following the visitation was the Holy Guardian Angels’ feast day, saying that Akamani would now be a guardian angel for those he left behind. More of Akamani’s coworkers shared stories of life around the late professor. Becky Lee, a forestry administrative aide at SIU, joked about Akamani’s antics. “He helped me come up with secret nicknames for all the faculty,” Lee said. “And he took extra care when he was choosing his own. He finally landed on Sammy K. So then it became this thing where he would copy me on an email reply, and instead of being level five polite, and accommodating and nice, he was only at a level four.” Lee explained that Akamani did this in a manner so that only she would understand his polite sass. “He would poke his head around my door in my office and look at each other with our eyebrows up,” she said.
When Lee would ask about the email, she said, Akamani simply replied, “Sammy K had to come out.” It was small anecdotes and shared friendship that shaped the night’s comments. While the mood was heavy, speakers defined Akamani’s legacy as humorous, kind, intelligent and effortlessly humble. Akamani’s coworker Eric Holtzmueller echoed the night’s speakers when approached by the DE. “He would always (have a) cheerful demeanor,” Holtzmueller said. “Kind soul, welcoming and easy to talk to. A person who’s definitely going to be missed.” Beyond the warmth expressed by his loved ones, Akamani is remembered as someone who worked to make change. Several guests noted Akamani’s commitment to forestry done ethically and his devotion to sustainability. The professor has been named a contributor on a research piece published just days after his death, focused on climate assessments for the United States. Williard delivered closing thoughts after the speakers finished. “He saw the good in people,” he said. He later added that Akamani tried “to model Jesus in the way he interacted with people.” A 10 a.m. funeral mass was held Friday morning at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Staff Reporter Mack Biesk can be reached at mbiesk@dailyegyptian.com and on Instagram @mackbiesk34.
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Becky Lee recalls a funny memory and the special bond she had with Dr. Kofi Akamani Oct. 1 2026 at the Student Center Ballrooms in Carbondale, Illinois. Soph Levinson | @hpos.artz
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Page 3
NEWS
Prosecutors: Man charged with killing 8-year-old DeSoto boy tried to hire inmate to kill boy’s mother BRAYDEN GUY MOLLY PARKER Saluki Local Reporting Lab Capitol News Illinois
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Editor’s Note: Marcus Moultrie pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of attempted murder moments before press time Monday. Read the latest at dailyegyptian.com. Prosecutors say a southern Illinois man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s 8-year-old son and trying to kill her attempted to arrange the woman’s murder from jail before his bench trial on Monday. Marcus Moultrie, 37, of DeSoto, tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill Deborah Snider for $1,500 because it would “help in his case,” court documents allege. It’s the latest shocking detail in a tragedy that rocked the little town of about 1,500 people about six miles north of Carbondale. The family also had a lengthy history with child welfare services, with an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker last making contact with the family just hours before the deadly attack on May 13. The alleged plot included instructions for finding Snider on Facebook, code words for collecting the money from Moultrie’s mother, and a written agreement signed by Moultrie that he passed to the inmate in a neighboring cell who he hoped would carry out the murder upon his release from jail, according to court records. Jackson County Presiding Circuit Judge Ralph Bloodworth ruled Thursday, Oct. 1, that prosecutors may introduce evidence of the alleged murder-for-hire plot during Moultrie’s trial. Moultrie faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder stemming from the May 13
attack on Snider and her son, Leland “Lee” Arnett, who was described in his obituary as a quick-witted child with a big smile and sweet eyes who loved frogs, the color green, helicopters, cars and Cybertrucks. Three other children were living in the home, ages 11, 6 and 1. The 11-year-old sibling called 911, then ran to a neighbor’s house to get help. Authorities arrived to find both Snider and Leland beaten with a softball bat and seriously injured. They were airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. Leland died four days later. Snider, though she suffered serious injuries and spent weeks in critical care, survived the beating. Casey Bloodworth, sworn in as a special assistant Jackson County state’s attorney to prosecute the case, told the judge Thursday that a fellow Jackson County Jail inmate recently came forward with new information about Moultrie. Bloodworth said the inmate, identified in court records only as Cooperating Witness 1, told investigators that Moultrie had provided the inmate with “incredibly detailed information” about his actions during the May attack. Moultrie then made “overt statements” that he wanted the inmate to kill Snider, Bloodworth said. He told the inmate he had uncashed checks that could be used to pay him and offered $1,500 to find and kill Snider. The alleged plan was elaborate and documented, Bloodworth told the judge. Prosecutors say Moultrie provided his mother’s name and telephone number and advised the inmate of code words he could use to collect the money. Moultrie planned to tell his mother the payment was for disposing of some of his property, according to the state’s filing. Prosecutors say the agreement was eventually handwritten and signed by Moultrie. Celeste Korando, Moultrie’s public defender, questioned the other inmate’s credibility during Thursday’s court hearing, noting his lengthy criminal history and suggesting he may have come forward in hopes of gaining favor with prosecutors to lighten his own sentence on charges he faces.
A memorial for 8-year-old Leland Arnett pictured in front of the trailer where the family lived on Hickory Street in Desoto, Illinois. Brayden Guy | bguy@dailyegyptian.com
She also questioned aspects of the plan, including whether Moultrie could even give the inmate enough specifics to carry it out since he didn’t know where Snider had been living after she moved out of the trailer in DeSoto where the attack occurred. Bloodworth said the payment included finding Snider and that Moultrie gave the inmate tips for using Facebook to do so. The inmate told authorities he wanted nothing in return but was simply shocked by what he’d been told and asked to do. Bloodworth told the court the inmate was compelled by his own “moral compass” and wanted nothing but “justice for Leland Arnett.” Korando declined further comment on the case. A Daily Egyptian reporter attempted to conduct a video visit with Moultrie at the jail, but jail staff declined to make him available for comment. Judge Bloodworth, who is not related to prosecutor Casey Bloodworth, ruled the evidence in the alleged murderfor-hire scheme admissible. Prosecutors argue the alleged attempt to silence Snider is relevant to Moultrie’s intent and “consciousness of guilt.” The ruling allows prosecutors to present the allegations at trial; it is not a ruling that the alleged murder-for-hire plot occurred, and no separate charges have been filed. The murder case has also
raised questions about the family’s prior involvement with child welfare services. Illinois DCFS spokeswoman Heather Tarczan said the last contact with the family came on May 13, the day of the attack. Snider reached out to a caseworker to provide an “informal update,” Tarczan said. The attack occurred later that night. The agency has not disclosed what Snider said or how the conversation occurred, other than that it was not in person. Snider had been trying to leave the home and gave the caseworker an update on her attempts to find a new place to rent, according to sources intimately familiar with the family. The last in-person visit with the family was April 3 — 39 days before the attack. Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, whose district neighbors DeSoto, said the case is heartbreaking and raises bigger questions for the child welfare agency. She has been engaged in ongoing meetings with DCFS, alongside area state’s attorneys, judges and law enforcement, trying to address “how bad their system is” in delivering help to families that need it, including to mothers trying to escape domestic violence. Snider also had a child welfare case in Iowa before moving to Illinois. Tarczan said DCFS received a report from law enforcement on May 14 and has cooperated
with the investigation. She told Capitol News Illinois on June 1 that the agency was working to provide a comprehensive timeline of its contacts with Leland and his family, as the agency has typically provided in cases where a child dies after involvement with the department. Five months later, despite repeated requests, DCFS has not provided that timeline. Sources with knowledge of the family said its DCFS history was far more extensive and included an Intact Family Services case where a caseworker was assigned to regularly visit the home and help with parenting needs. That ended about a year prior. Snider has faced a long road to recovery Snider watched from the back of the courtroom as prosecutors described the alleged plot to kill her, seated beside a friend who rubbed her back during portions of the hearing. Her friend said the family still faced a tough road and had significant financial needs as they recovered, noting they have a GoFundMe for anyone wishing to help. Prosecutor Casey Bloodworth told the judge he expected so many interested members of the public to turn out to watch that not everyone may be allowed into the courtroom given its small size. DeSoto Grade School Superintendent Doug Corzine said in a statement to CNI that
Leland’s death was a huge loss for the school, where he was just finishing up the second grade. “Leland’s bright, gentle young soul brought immense joy, curiosity, and kindness to our school community every single day, leaving an indelible mark on classmates, teachers, and staff alike,” Corzine said in a statement. “We extend our deepest, most profound condolences to the family, friends, and everyone touched by this unimaginable loss, and we ask that the community wrap them in comfort and love.” Leland’s funeral was held May 28 in Lincoln, Nebraska. His obituary described him as a “protector” who, even at a young age, “stood up for others and defended anyone who needed kindness or care.” On Friday, Snider said she hopes to tell her full story after the trial, but until then she has been advised to limit her comments. But she wanted to let people know that she would appreciate a show of support from the community next week. “The ultimate goal is justice for Lee,” she said of the child she lost. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
From aging trucks to new wine tanks, state grants reach southern Illinois food businesses TAY ACREE Staff Reporter
At Rendleman Orchards, an aging refrigerated truck can spend days in the shop when it needs repairs, delaying deliveries of fresh produce. A $60,286.02 state grant will help the Union County orchard repair the truck and upgrade its cold storage equipment. “We had old, unreliable equipment,” Wayne Sirles, president and owner of Rendleman Orchards, said. He said the grant made improvements possible that the business would have struggled to afford on its own. The Illinois Department of Agriculture awarded nearly $4 million to 61 organizations across the state through the Illinois Local Food
Infrastructure Grant Program. The program supports equipment and facilities used to process, store, package and distribute locally produced food. Rendleman Orchards is one of five recipients in Union and Jackson counties awarded a combined $319,398.86 through the program. The other recipients are Alto Vineyards, Flamm Orchards and All Seasons Farm in Union County, and Raawi’s General Store in Jackson County. Sirles said Rendleman Orchards plans to replace the engine in its refrigerated delivery truck and install a new evaporator in a cold storage unit. He estimated the improvements could increase efficiency by at least 25%, reduce spoilage and food waste by 15% to 20% and
extend the life of stored produce by two to three weeks. “You’ve got a good car, it’s going to get you all over the place just fine,” Sirles said. “You’ve got an old car that needs repairs, and you’ve got to stop for a flat tire or take it to the shop. All that delays what you’ve got to get done. It’s the same way with the truck that delivers produce.” Sirles expects the work to be completed by the end of the year. He said more reliable equipment could help the orchard make more deliveries and reach additional markets. Alto Vineyards received $75,000 for new fermentation tanks and related wine production equipment. In an email to the Daily Egyptian, CEO Karen Renzaglia said
the investment would help the winery operate more efficiently and give it greater precision in making wine. “We will be able to experiment with new wines and eventually expand our efforts in style of wine, volume and distribution,” Renzaglia said. Renzaglia traced the family business to an experiment more than four decades ago, when her father, Guy Renzaglia, her brother Paul Renzaglia and Guy’s business partner Ted Wichmann planted 10 acres of French-American hybrid grapes to see which varieties would grow in southern Illinois. Wine production followed, and the business is now in its third generation. “My dad did not live to see his grandsons joining the team but we know he would have
been very proud,” Renzaglia said. “He planted the seed and we literally have cultivated and propagated it.” Flamm Orchards was awarded $44,355.59, All Seasons Farm received $64,757.25 and AL RAAWI received $75,000. As of press time, representatives of those three recipients had not responded to requests for interviews. In an email to the DE, Lori Harlan, the Illinois Department of Agriculture public information officer, said payments for all five local awards had been issued or paid as of Sept. 25, according to payment information from the Illinois Office of the Comptroller. Harlan said four of the five local recipients qualified for an exemption based on need and
were not required to contribute their own money toward the grant-funded projects. Alto Vineyards did not qualify for the exemption and contributed its own funds in addition to the state grant. When asked why the five projects were selected, Harlan did not provide individual reasons, but referred to the evaluation criteria in the program’s administrative rules. Individual applicants may receive up to $75,000 through the program, while collaborative projects may receive up to $250,000. A match is required unless an applicant demonstrates a highneed condition. Staff Reporter Tay Acree can be reached at tacree@dailyegyptian.com
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CAMPAIGN CONTINUED FROM 1
expansion enrollees are scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027. The work requirements include exemptions and do not apply to every Medicaid recipient. A September report from the University of Illinois System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs projects approximately 441,000 fewer Medicaid enrollees in Illinois by 2034 under the law. Most of the projected losses would be among adults covered through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. The report also warns that limits on provider taxes could reduce state revenue and increase pressure on providers serving lowincome communities. Its figures are projections of future effects, rather than a count of people who have already lost coverage. Mitchell argued that losing providers would affect both patients and the region’s workforce. He said hospital and doctors’ office closures could eliminate jobs and force residents to travel farther for treatment. “It’s a loss for everyone, and it shouldn’t be a partisan
SCHEME
CONTINUED FROM 1
of creative, insidious, and increasingly sophisticated ways that weaponize trust and fear. Criminals pose as techsupport workers, financial institution representatives and agents of the FBI, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Treasury Department. In this case, the Marion woman believed the man who greeted her in the Walmart parking lot in June was an agent of the U.S. Treasury. The precious metals industry has also taken notice. Gold can be a smart investment alongside traditional portfolios, but it’s also attractive to scammers because it’s hard to trace once it changes hands, said Paul Cox, director of sales for California-based Freedom Gold USA. It may be natural to wonder how someone could fall for these scams, but Cox said that until you’ve seen one up close, it’s hard to comprehend just how manipulative they can be. He’s seen smart people duped. Those who threaten to plant illegal material are particularly effective, he said: “People will do anything the minute they feel fear.” They may also use the opposite tact, building a close rapport over weeks with vulnerable seniors who come to trust them explicitly. Cox recalled one woman who had already lost about $50,000 in a gold-bar scam when she was approached by real police officers hoping to put an end to it. Yet the woman remained so convinced by the scammers that she doubted the sworn officers and chose to keep working with those stealing
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
issue,” Mitchell said. Mitchell also criticized Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey for what he described as a failure to speak out against the federal changes. He pointed to state support for community health centers, pharmacies and medical debt relief as examples of Democrats’ response. In a previous interview with the Daily Egyptian, Bailey raised concerns about pharmacy closures in Chicago, saying some residents must travel several miles to access services. He attributed the closures to business costs and theft and identified affordability as a central campaign priority. Mitchell pointed to state support for community health centers, pharmacies and medical debt relief as examples of Democrats’ response. Speakers also raised concerns about the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. Mitchell said the loss of that assistance would drive up insurance costs for Illinois residents who buy coverage through the marketplace. Kim Mitroka, a public health professional speaking on behalf of a community health center, said patients who lose insurance or face
higher premiums may postpone treatment until manageable conditions become emergencies. She warned that those delays could place additional pressure on hospitals and emergency departments. Mitroka said community health centers provide primary care, preventive services, behavioral health support and assistance navigating insurance and prescription programs. She argued that state investments
cannot replace stable federal support for coverage. The federal law also created the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Illinois received a $193.4 million award for calendar year 2026, according to the state health care department, with subsequent annual funding to be determined by federal officials. Planned uses include hospital transformation, mobile health services, telehealth and workforce development.
Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said negotiated health benefits mean little if workers have nowhere nearby to use them. Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez and state Sen. Ram Villivalam, a Democrat from Chicago also urged voters to support Democrats, framing health care access as an issue affecting urban and rural residents alike. Peek said rural health care depends on the connections
home care workers maintain between residents and providers. She warned that reducing resources could leave patients without transportation or care while making it harder for workers to remain in the profession. “Rural families and the workers who care for them are already stretched to the limit,” Peek said.
from her instead, he said. The FBI reported that between 2023 and May 2025, it had documented more than 1,700 bulk cash and gold-bar scams, resulting in losses of more than $186 million.
mandated that D.B. maintain regular contact with him, asking that she send “good morning” and “good night” texts every day. She was provided a “tracker phone” that Jones monitored. Jones later told D.B. that in order to protect her money,
federal court records show. D.B. believed them when officers told her she’d been duped. A sting turns the tables on the scammers For months, the scammers had called the shots. This time, they would be the ones set up.
U.S. District Judge Phil Gilbert that he understood only a little English. Appearing via Zoom, a Mandarin interpreter translated the words of the judge, prosecutor and his own attorney for him through headphones, then translated Lian’s responses back to the court. He pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, offenses that could carry sentences of up to 20 years and $250,000 in fines each. No family or supporters appeared in court with him. Defense attorney: To ring leaders, ‘Lian is expendable’ Federal court records make clear that Lian didn’t operate alone, but his lawyer, former Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez, said prosecutors painted a picture that made Lian appear to have a more active role than Cervantez believes he actually did. Cervantez said they pointed to his New York apartment and the fact he drove a Porsche to suggest he’d benefitted financially from this scheme or others. But Lian shared the apartment with his girlfriend and another roommate, drove an older, four-door model Porsche, and his father still provided him financial support so he could make ends meet, Cervantez said. Lian, he said, worked as a sushi chef in New York. He said Lian became acquainted with people in New York he didn’t previously know, at a New York establishment frequented by people who shared his cultural background. Over time, Cervantez said, they convinced Lian to play the role of the U.S. Treasury agent — making him the scheme’s “courier,” and thereby putting him at the greatest risk of arrest for little reward.
He received only a relatively small payment — amounting to about two weeks’ pay at his restaurant job — to fly to southern Illinois and collect the gold from D.B., Cervantez said. Cervantez said that, unfortunately, he believes Lian’s arrest will do little to deter such schemes. “Lian is expendable to them,” he said of the fraud ring leaders. “At the end of the day, everybody in the scheme is still on to the next one.” In exchange for Lian’s guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to pursue a sentence within federal guidelines, which Cervantez said ranges from 40 to 52 months in federal prison. The plea agreement preserves Cervantez’s ability to argue for a sentence below that range. In addition to any prison time or fines, Lian will be required to pay more than $318,000 in restitution for the gold taken from D.B. and never recovered, Howard, the assistant U.S. attorney, told the court. Judge Gilbert told Lian, a Chinese citizen and legal permanent resident, that he will be deported after completing his sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14.
Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell speaks about federal health care cuts Oct. 1, 2026, at the Sesser Opera House in Sesser, Illinois. Tay Acree | @tacree@dailyegyptian.com
“At the end of the day, everybody in the scheme is still on to the next one.” - Joe Cervantez Defense attorney for Ruoyu Lian
An NDA, a tracker phone and daily check-ins The scammers started working right away to get their hooks into D.B. and separate the Marion woman from the hundreds of thousands of dollars in her nest egg. After D.B. followed Williams’ instructions to give him remote access to her computer, he was able to learn about D.B. ‘s Edward Jones Investments account, according to a sworn affidavit by a Homeland Security Investigations agent, who worked the case with Marion police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Williams then transferred the elderly woman to another man, who identified himself as Kevin Jones, and who claimed he worked in Edward Jones’ fraud prevention department. Jones told D.B. that her Edward Jones account had indeed been compromised — and protecting it would require extreme measures. He then had her sign a purported nondisclosure agreement in which D.B. agreed to keep the operation a secret from family and law enforcement. Jones
D.B. needed to convert her assets to gold. She did as instructed and moved $1.8 million from her Edward Jones accounts into a money market account. She then spent $318,459 on six one-ounce bars and 20 100-gram bars. Jones instructed D.B. how to package the gold for transportation, and then gave her instructions for handing the gold bars over to a U.S. Treasury agent. She was instructed to meet the agent on June 8 — 67 days after she first made contact with the scammers. They’d meet in the Marion Walmart parking lot, D.B. was told, and after exchanging the code word “black bug” she should hand over the gold bars. The exchange went as planned, and the scammers were pleased. Not long after, Jones began instructing her to convert even more of her assets into gold — this time just over a half-million dollars. She did that, too. D.B., though, started to grow suspicious. The federal seal on the documents Jones sent her after handing over the gold bars didn’t look real. That’s when she finally contacted the Marion Police Department,
With the help of Marion police, another drop was arranged with Jones, who once again guided D.B. as she packaged two kilograms of gold bars worth about $272,000. On July 7, Jones told D.B. to meet the agent at the Cornerstone Church in Marion near Sam’s Club. And once again, he told her, she should exchange a password with the U.S. Treasury agent. Federal prosecutors say law enforcement watched Ruoyu Lian approach the elderly woman outside a Marion church later that day. He exchanged a new secret code word with her — this time, “poker queen” — and took the box he believed contained two kilograms of gold. Instead, it was filled with sandbags. Investigators arrested Lian moments later. Just 12 days later, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in the conspiracy. He’s the only one facing charges to date connected to D.B.’s lost investments. On Sept. 24, Lian, 30, of Flushing, New York, sat in federal court in Benton wearing an orange jumpsuit, his wrists and ankles shackled. Lian told
Staff Reporter Tay Acree can be reached at tacree@dailyegyptian.com
The Saluki Local Reporting Lab is a special project of the SIU School of Journalism and Advertising and is designed to give students from diverse backgrounds practical reporting experience while providing news coverage to underserved communities. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
News | Page 5
Abuse caught on camera at Choate Developmental Center, prosecutor offered plea deals BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois Union County State’s Attorney Tyler Tripp cut a deal with a worker caught on tape beating a resident, allowing the worker to walk free — seven weeks before he filed a federal lawsuit to stop the removal of people with developmental disabilities from a state-operated facility in southern Illinois. After numerous news reports of residents being whipped, beaten, neglected and abused at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a plan in March 2023 to improve residents’ safety. It included installing 75 surveillance cameras and increasing security staff and management presence in resident living areas, but he also warned that Choate’s future depended on correcting these safety conditions. Then, less than a year later, a camera caught worker John Curtis Spaulding repeatedly hitting a man who had developmental disabilities. No one reported the assault for days — evidence of a continued code of silence at Choate. Spaulding was indicted in February 2024 on an aggravated battery charge — a felony punishable by two-to-five years in prison. Then, it happened again. Another Choate worker, Joseph Clark, was caught on camera abusing a patient and charged with a felony in May 2024. But despite the videotape evidence in both cases, Spaulding and Clark would join dozens of past Choate employees accused of misconduct and be given the opportunity to enter guilty pleas to misdemeanors in deals that included no jail time. Capitol News Illinois, ProPublica and Lee Enterprises
released an investigative reporting series in 2022 that uncovered abuse and a culture of cover-ups at the state-run facility. The series found that at least 26 employees were charged with felonies related to the treatment of Choate residents. Despite the dozens of felony arrests and indictments over the years, none of the workers served prison time, with many cases resulting in dismissed charges, probation, or reduced misdemeanor pleas. Pritzker announces cuts Three days after Spaulding entered his plea more than two years later, in late July 2026, the Pritzker administration announced cuts at Choate, phasing out services to the general intellectual and developmental disabilities population, currently at 15, by the end of September 2026 and all 75 civil mental health beds by March 2027. The elimination of services for developmentally disabled and mentally ill residents will result in the loss of 250 of the existing 500 jobs at Choate. This has spurred litigation both from Tripp and the union that represents Choate workers. “I said this a couple of years ago, that if we couldn’t resolve some of the challenges there, that the only option that we really would have is to stand down on that facility,” Pritzker said when asked about the cuts at Choate in late August. He added the state would “make sure that the people who are working there are able to work elsewhere and the folks who are living there get the options that they want.” An advocate said she wasn’t surprised at the closure of the general developmental disability units. Stacey Aschemann, vice president of Equip for Equality’s independent monitoring unit,
said the governor invested money for infrastructure, studies to improve patient safety and a new management team to change Choate’s course, but in the end, it proved too much. “Despite committing resources to help effect change since that time, there have been ongoing problems with individuals receiving quality care and their safety from abuse and neglect. The facility’s culture is ingrained and shown itself to be very resistant to meaningful change,” Aschemann said in an email. Tripp filed the lawsuit on Sept. 8 on behalf of himself, Union County Sheriff David Wilkins and Justin Emrick, the guardian of a Choate resident with developmental disabilities who lives in Union County, against the Illinois Department of Human Services, the agency that operates Choate, and IDHS officials. The lawsuit claims IDHS did not follow the laws that govern closures of hospitals and requested a judge issue a temporary restraining order to stop IDHS from eliminating 75 mental health beds and the 15 beds designated for individuals with developmental disabilities. Tripp did not respond to requests for comment. Before the three-year transition plan went into effect, the developmental disability population at Choate was around 250, but under the plan, residents have been gradually moved out to community placements or other stateoperated developmental centers, such as Murray Developmental Center in Centralia. Last week, IDHS confirmed plans to extend the phase-down of the civil mental health beds from March 2027 to June 2027 to allow time to expand services to other parts of the state.
Choate will continue to house the forensic unit — a specialized 40-bed secure program that provides court-ordered treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities involved in the criminal justice system. Details of the assault The beating in the Spaulding case happened on Feb. 12, 2024 — more than a year after the investigative series by Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica ran. It occurred at the lower level of the Cypress Unit that housed people with developmental disabilities. Though allegations of abuse or neglect must be reported to the IDHS Office of the Inspector General — the entity that investigates abuse allegations for IDHS — within four hours of learning of the incident, the attack went unreported for days. Spaulding, who could not be reached for comment, resigned three days after the allegation came to light. A review of Illinois State Police and IDHS OIG investigative reports obtained by Capitol News Illinois under the Freedom of Information Act showed that after receiving the report in an anonymous note four days after the assault, OIG investigators then requested the video. Choate security reviewed the footage a week later, according to reports. After looking at the video, investigators identified the victim, who corroborated the assault. During an interview with investigators, the unidentified victim said he was frustrated because he wanted his radio to listen to music to calm down. The victim, who has been at Choate for three years, said Spaulding “hates” him and
calls him an “a--hole.” The day of the incident, he brushed up against Spaulding in the foyer and Spaulding “got in my face and he hit me,” according to one report. The victim told Illinois State Police investigators that Spaulding hit him twice in the face, picked him up and slammed him on the ground, then kneeled on his neck. The victim received medical treatment, including X-rays, following the assault. Photographs of injuries were not included with the initial report to state police, a report noted. One of the witnesses, a trainee, told Choate security that she saw Spaulding hit the resident six times. She also told security that there was at least one other worker who witnessed the assault. “I was nervous about reporting it because it had now been after the time frame and was afraid that I might lose my job,” she told the investigator, according to reports. “I worked here once before and was terminated for reporting sexual harassment so I was afraid this would turn out the same way with people having seniority and me being a trainee to be targeted.” Choate security did take pictures — 17 days after the assault. They showed no sign of injuries. In a State Police report, the investigator noted that on the video the supervisor was standing “within feet” of Spaulding and the victim when the two were on the floor. The supervising worker told police she saw Spaulding in a physical hold but did nothing. She told investigators that she stood by to “wait to see what she is supposed to do.” She also told police that
she assumed Spaulding would complete the required paperwork, and left work early to take her daughter to an appointment. When asked by investigators why he didn’t complete the report, according to reports, Spaulding said, “Why tell on myself for something?” The OIG had received at least five previous allegations involving Spaulding. Capitol News Illinois could not determine whether those allegations were found to be credible by the OIG. He would later tell police about the February 2024 incident that he “used a greater amount of force than necessary” to control the situation. Spaulding accepted the plea deal on July 20, 2026. As part of his plea agreement, Spaulding must participate in anger management and any recommended mental health treatment. The Union County state’s attorney complied with a Freedom of Information Act request for the reports in this case but denied a specific request for the video, stating that it was a protected medical record, and that it would violate the privacy of those in the video. IDHS declined to answer written questions but sent a statement in response. “The State of Illinois does not tolerate abuse or neglect. IDHS does not comment on pending litigation or internal disciplinary matters,” according to the statement. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
ACLU of Illinois holds banned book talk at Morris Library ZOREN ANAKO JRNL 201 During a discussion at Morris Library on Friday Oct. 2, Director of Communications and Public Policy of the ACLU of Illinois, Ed Yohnka, encouraged students and community members to push back against book bans and censorship efforts by advocating for access to all books and educational materials in their communities. The discussion took place during the national Banned Books Week, observed annually during the first full week of October to raise awareness about book challenges, intellectual freedom and access to information. As debates over what books should be available in schools and libraries continue across the country, the ACLU of Illinois officials emphasize how those decisions can shape education, public discourse and perspectives of future generations. Yohnka argued that book bans extend beyond restricting access to certain books. Instead, he said that it is a restriction that limits people’s ability to learn, grow and form opinions by reducing their access to information and different perspectives. He connected access to information to the right to free expression, arguing that it is not only essential to our education system, but also protected by
the First Amendment. According to Yohnka, efforts to restrict access to information often target specific types of books that discuss a less represented perspective. He outlined what he described as the three primary categories of books that are challenged in schools and libraries across the country: books discussing sexual orientation and gender identity; books addressing race and the difficult parts of American history; and books dealing with religious or supernatural themes. Of those categories, Yohnka spent most of the time discussing challenges to books that involve historical events and social issues. He warned that limiting access to different historical perspectives can distort our perception of history and create an incomplete narrative of our nation’s past. During the presentation, he cited historical events such as slavery, the displacement of Native Americans and the fight for women’s voting rights as examples of subjects that some groups have attempted to limit in educational settings. He argued that students benefit from learning about both the successes and failures of all of American history. “Ours is a history of struggle, of mistakes,” Yohnka said. “We have made errors, and our history has gotten better
because we have learned from those things.” While much of the discussion focused on what books are being challenged, Yohnka also addressed who should ultimately make decisions about access to educational materials. While he said parents should be able to determine what materials are appropriate for their own children, their parental choice should not determine what books are available to an entire community. “It is another thing to suggest that because I don’t want my child to have that, that no one else can,” said Yohnka. While Yohnka focused on book challenges from a national perspective, Morris Library’s Social Sciences Librarian, Moira Fiscus, said that the issue has direct implications for SIU students and future educators. Fiscus organized this year’s Banned Books Week and invited the ACLU of Illinois to speak at Friday’s event. As a liaison to SIU’s School of Education, Fiscus said discussions about book challenges are especially relevant to college students because many will eventually enter professions where censorship debates directly affect their work. Fiscus emphasized that book bans not only affect what students can read today, but can also shape future curriculum decisions and the educational experiences of generations to
Edwin Yohnka talks during an interview in a booth by Delyte’s in Morris Library Oct. 2 2026 in Carbondale Illinois. Brayden Guy | @bguy@dailyegyptian.com
come. For students preparing to become educators, librarians, journalists and public servants, those decisions carry long-term consequences. “Whatever book you chose could affect your career as an educator later on,” Fiscus said. Those consequences are especially visible in children’s literature, which Fiscus said is often at the center of book challenges. She encouraged students to think about how censorship influences the public’s understanding of different communities and experiences, noting that many of the books that are frequently challenged are written for young readers. “I always feel like it’s the books that are either picture books, middle reader or YA (young adult) that get targeted the most,” Fiscus said. As a librarian who oversees the
children’s collection at Morris Library, Fiscus listed titles such as “Dr. Seuss,” “New Kid” and “Gender Queer” as examples of works that have faced challenges or bans. Fiscus said that one of her goals behind organizing Banned Books Week was to encourage students to engage with ideas and perspectives they may not otherwise encounter. “Reading should never be discouraged, no matter what the material is,” Fiscus said. Chase Heinmeyer, a senior political science major who attended the Banned Book Weeks Talk, said the presentation increased his awareness of book challenges and intellectual freedom. “I feel like it is a significant issue that students aren’t aware of,” Heinmeyer said. “Every book has a purpose, and there should be no books that are banned.”
Yohnka echoed a similar sentiment during the presentation when discussing how access to literature can shape a person’s worldview. He recalled the experience of growing up in a small Illinois town and reading Ernest Hemingway after his teacher intentionally skipped the author’s work in class. What began as curiosity eventually exposed him to new perspectives and changed how he viewed the world. Reflecting on that experience, Yohnka said that intellectual freedom remains essential to personal growth and contributes to the development of a healthy democracy. “None of us benefit from not having our worldview challenged,” Yohnka said. This story was published in collaboration with JRNL 201: Writing Across Platforms.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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Entertainment and Culture
How Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch became a southern Illinois tradition ZOREN ANAKO JRNL 201 The crispy scent of a new fall season wafts in the air as sounds of children racing towards the play barn fill the atmosphere at Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch. Families gather around a community fire pit as school buses pull into the parking lot with another group of students. For 40 years, this pumpkin patch in Johnston City, Illinois has been a favorite family destination for fall activities. Since J.T. and Jana Bandy opened it in 1986, Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch has operated as a family-owned and -run business. According to co-owner Kelly Bandy, everyone on the patch is a family member or friend who volunteers their time to help keep the patch running throughout the busy fall season. But Bandy said the goal of the patch has always been about more than selling pumpkins. “Everyone is welcome here. No matter what,” Bandy said. As a family-owned business, their affordable prices and accessibility improvements has made the patch a consistent destination for local families throughout many generations. According to Bandy, the pumpkin patch has added multiple accessibility features over the recent years such as an ADA-accessible hayride ramp, wheelchair-friendly gravel pathways and a sensory shed for visitors who need a break from the many bustling activities that take place on the patch’s grounds. The shed includes calming jars, coloring books and a swing, which are all free for visitors to use.
Roxy Crawford and Rowan Taylor select pumpkins together Sept. 29, 2026 at Bandy’s in Johnston City, Illinois. Nazarene Lace | @nazarenelace “We made those changes to make sure that everyone could be included,” Bandy said. According to their website, the patch offers a variety of attractions, including a 10-acre corn mae, a play barn, a bubble station, corn cannons, a community fire pit and numerous scenic backdrops for photo opportunities. Visitors can also browse the gift shop, stop by the concession stand or purchase harvested take-home items such as corn stalks, straw bales and, of course, pumpkins. For $1.50 per person, visitors can ride through the woods and pass by Halloween-themed displays featuring skeletons that are dressed up to depict scenes from “Jurassic Park”, “Titanic”, “Star Wars”, and “Spider-Man”.
During the evenings, the wooded trails light up, creating a different experience for nighttime visitors. The atmosphere of the patch extends beyond its accessibility and scenery. Bandy said the pumpkin patch is committed to affordability. Parking and admissions to the grounds are free, and visitors wonly pay for activities they choose to participate in. Most activity prices have remained unchanged for five years, and school field trip prices have stayed the same for 30 years. “We wanted to make sure that we were still one of the affordable places to come so that people could still afford to come and bring their kids here,” Bandy said.
Bandy said that commitment has helped the patch become a traditional destination that spans generations. Many visitors who came to Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch as children now return with children and grandchildren of their own. “We’ve had (people) that said, ‘I’m bringing my grandkids now, and I used to come here whenever I was a kid,’” Bandy said. While many visitors of Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch are from the local southern Illinois region, the inclusivity of the patch has attracted many diverse groups to explore its grounds. Bandy said that they’ve received visitors from places as far away as Alaska, California and even Thailand. Bandy recalled
a time when a group of English as a second language students at SIU visited the patch. “We had 42 different countries in our 10-acre corn maze at one time,” she said. For Bandy, that memory stands out because it captures what the pumpkin patch is all about: to be a place that welcomes different people to enjoy a shared experience. Although the pumpkin patch is only open during the fall season, the grounds are open to be rented all throughout the summer. According to Bandy, visitors have rented out the property for weddings, birthday parties, corporate gatherings and other events. Bandy said one visitor even rented the entire pumpkin patch for a date night around a bonfire. According to their website, Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The last hayride departs 30 minutes before closing, and the last admission to the corn maze is one hour before closing. The pumpkin patch’s last day of operation this season will be Oct. 30. Whether visitors traveled from the local area or from another country, or if they arrive in a school bus or a wheelchair, Bandy hopes they leave with the same feeling: that Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch is a place where everyone feels welcome. This story was published in collaboration with JRNL 201: Writing Across Platforms.
Union County Sal: Performing in the prime of her life CALI ROY Staff Reporter
Susan Addington, better known as Union County Sal, has been singing on stages around southern Illinois for over a decade. For most of her life, Sal raised a family and worked an assortment of jobs, never dreaming of becoming a musician. But in 2013, after her first headlining show, Sal took the stage and never looked back. Sal was born Nov. 20, 1947, in Chicago, to her parents Joseph and Margaret. Growing up, she was always surrounded by music. She recalled her father always singing or whistling some big band tune around the house. “My father’s family was totally into music,” Sal said. “They all played instruments at every family party. It was wild.” But despite her family’s affinity toward music, Sal never found herself singing on stage or playing an instrument growing up. She spent the rest of her childhood and teenage years in Chicago, eventually graduating high school and getting a job at Madison Press, a printing shop, and moving to Lincoln Park. Sal continued living and working in Chicago for a few years, but with rising rent and Sal needing a change of scenery, she decided to move in with her friend Patty, who was getting her degree at Southern Illinois University. So, in 1974, Sal moved down to Carbondale and enrolled as a journalism student at SIU. Sal’s time in school was brief, as she quickly met her future husband, Loy “Lonesome Roy” Addington, that same year. They met through mutual friends and would see each other now and
then at parties, she said. Lonesome Roy said Sal was “funny, never boring.” “I thought she was outrageous,” he said. Over time, the two began dating, and by 1975, they were married and moving 20 minutes away to Cobden to start their family. Sal dropped out of school to take care of her two kids, Christopher and Alison. But even as she pursued motherhood, Sal always managed to stay busy. “I constantly painted,” Sal said. “If it wasn’t the walls, it was the furniture. If it wasn’t the furniture, it was acrylics with my friend, Judy.” Once the kids were older, in 1990, Sal and Lonesome Roy moved to Makanda, where they put down roots and spent the next 36 years calling it their home. Of course, Sal continued painting. “My mom used to say, ‘I think the house is getting smaller,’” Sal said. “Every time she’d come, it would be a different color, and I’d say, ‘Well, it’s meditation.’” After her kids had grown up and moved out, Sal continued to work an array of different jobs, helping out from place to place as she pleased. Sal was never afraid to offer herself up as part-time help. When she met Bill Abney, the owner of the Makanda Country Store, she offered to help out around the store. The next day, Abney was giving Sal a call. “So then I’m the short order cook at the Country Store, and I had a blast,” Sal said. “I ran the show.” While working at the Country Store, Sal got to know Jan York, who owned the neighboring Visions Art Gallery. For a while, the two
Union County Sal poses for a portrait Sept. 27, 2026 outside her home in Makanda, Illinois. Olivia Luesing | oluesing@dailyegyptian.com remained workers across the way, but eventually, York had to meet the cause of commotion in the shop next door. “She wanted to know why everyone was laughing all the time over there in the County Store, and it was me,” Sal said. “I was like a lunatic; it was great. I was like 50 and wild and free.” Sal and York became good friends over time, and so Sal moved from working at the Makanda County Store to Visions Art Gallery. But after a while, Sal wanted something new, and continued on to different jobs. Sal was no stranger to drawing in a crowd, but still, music wasn’t on her radar. The closest she had come to a job in the music industry was her time as a radio DJ at WDBX in 1996, where she acquired her stage name. She enjoyed working her different jobs and making her art along
the way, and that’s how she lived for most of her life. Then, around 2012, Sal bought an acoustic guitar from Mike’s Music. Sal had met Mike Ricci, the owner of the store, and gotten to know him well. After being in the store so many times, Sal decided it was time to get a guitar of her own. Ricci set Sal up with Dan Goett, a longtime musician, instructor and lead guitarist for bands such as The Woodbox Gang and The Giant City Slickers. From there, Goett started teaching Sal how to play the guitar. Once she learned a few songs, Goett convinced Sal to go on stage at the Yellow Moon Cafe in Cobden, performing what she described as, “crazy, drunk country songs.” After just a few months of learning music, Sal, in her 60s, was singing on stage as if she’d been doing it her whole
life. She would go wild at the Yellow Moon’s monthly open mic nights, performing with musicians such as Ray Hogan, Lew Hendrix and Robert Bowlin. “Yellow Moon was the initiation of me playing and having fun with all these great musicians that let me just go wild,” Sal said. “I had the backup band that would come on stage with me at the Yellow Moon, bless their hearts, ‘cause I had no idea what I was doing.” Around 2013, after months of open mic performances, Sal, accompanied by “her boys,” as she calls them, decided to start doing real shows. After a few years of performing together, Goett was moving to Colorado, so he set Sal up with another musical buddy of his, Kevin Ohlau, pianist and lead singer of The Jewels. Initially, Ohlau took over as Sal’s music instructor, but eventually, the two agreed
that Sal’s talents were best suited for singing, so Sal honed her craft. Sal started singing jazz with The Jewels, which consisted of Ohlau, Alderfer and Jimmy Beers. Sal decided that, once a year, she would set up a show and perform with the band alongside different guest musicians such as Joe Palermo and Tawl Paul. From the start, the shows were a success and have only continued to grow with each year. “Kevin always said, ‘Why didn’t you do this sooner?’ But I was raising children and I lived out in the country, and also, I wasn’t involved with musicians,” Sal said. “I knew musicians, but I was never involved with them. But as soon as I got with Dan Goett and started meeting other musicians, it just took off from there.” Throughout the years, Sal has continued to host her annual SAL | 7
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Still Brewing in the Big Muddy River DAYLIN WILLIAMS Staff Photographer
Tradition strikes again in Murphysboro, Illinois after the 16th Annual Brew Fest popped its cork inside Riverside park. The event was filled with adult beverages like beer, wine and seltzers. Attendees describe the brews with high ratings while sporting a snack-lined necklace to support their journey through Brew Fest. “You do a lap, see what you like, try what you like, and continue. There are more beers here than you could possibly drink,” Attendee John Rusnak said. First timers from all across mix in with brew veterans and distributors to learn about the craft of distillery. Vendors, home brewers and companies alike come together to toast to similarities. “This is just one of the best beer festivals in southern Illinois,” Schlafly representative Angie
Pepper said. “They interview us on TV and do that big warm up to the beer fest. Then we also work directly with our distributor to get the beer here so that we don’t have to travel with all of it. They treat and gift us, I can’t say enough about what a great beer festival it is The more experienced brewers get to unfold more emotion and memories from the Brew Fest. For extra cost, attendees could experience the Brew Fest at a more exclusive level. “The day the tickets became available, I purchased one,” Attendee Lauralee Bowers said. “You get food, you get 10 or 12 extra beers that no one else gets, and you have your own private restrooms which was the initial buying point.” Staff Photographer Daylin Williams can be reached at dwilliams@dailyegyptian.com or through Instagram @photosbydaylin
Attendees hold up event themed glasses near an inflateble Big Muddy Monster at the annual Big Muddy Brew Fest Oct. 3, 2026 in Murphysboro, Illinois Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin RIGHT: Ruth Emilia frolics around in the shade near her parents tent at the annual Big Muddy Brew Fest Oct. 3, 2026 in Murphysboro, Illinois Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
LEFT: Attendees pose with Big Muddy Monster at the annual Big Muddy Brew Fest Oct. 3, 2026 in Murphysboro, Illinois Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
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shows. In 2023, she transitioned from playing with The Jewels to her current band, The Squadfathers, which consists of “her boys”: Alderfer, Beers, Palermo, Eric Bandera and Robb Smith. Musicians Chris Thornton, Jim Childers and Joe Stafford also back up the band. But no matter what musicians
have backed her up, Sal has continued to own the stage. “It’s been a blast,” Alderfer, The Squadfathers bassist, said. “She brings really fun music to the table, and she’s always very enthusiastic … It’s just been a blast playing with Susan, and it’s been an honor to be, you know, the constant band member that she’s had at every one of her shows.” Sal has loved every one of
her performances, whether it’s been at Branch Cafe and Market (then known as Longbranch Cafe and Bakery) or The Varsity Center. Even though she spent most of her life off the stage, performing comes naturally. “As soon as I got comfortable at the Yellow Moon and open mic, and my lessons with Dan, it just made me … all of a sudden everything came out of
me,” Sal said. “All of a sudden I could sing wild songs and have all these great musicians backing me up. Before we go on stage, I totally have anxiety, but as soon as I get on that stage, I’m not anxious or nervous at all. It’s strange.” Sal never planned to become a performer, but once she stepped on stage, she never looked back. She continues to captivate those around her,
from behind the counter at the Makanda Country Store to under the stage lights at The Varsity Center. No matter what Sal’s done in her life, she’s always drawn in a crowd. “All I have to say is ‘Hit it, boys,’ and everyone just goes wild.” While there is currently no show on the books, Sal has performed on stage at The Varsity for over a decade. She
and “her boys” don’t have a set cadence for shows, but get together when they’re able for their annual set. For more information on when Union County Sal and The Squadfathers will next perform, visit https:// thevarsitycenter.org/. Staff Reporter Cali Roy can be reached at croy@dailyegyptian.com
Page 8 | Advertisement
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Entertainment and Culture | Page 9
RSO Karaoke Cup Week 2: Reigning champions Joyful Noise earn high score GUS BODE Campus Legend Group B of the RSO Karaoke Cup took to the Hangar 9 stage last Wednesday for their first performances at the second annual competition. Eight of the 10 organizations in Group B performed, with two noshows. The high scorer of the night was Joyful Noise Choir, who won last year’s competition. The group earned a score of 62 for their performance of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.
Alpha Gamma Delta sorority followed close behind with a score of 61.2 points for their performance of Britney Spears’s “Baby One More Time.” The Multicultural Empowered Women Student Association, MEWSA, earned a score of 57 for their performance of “Como la flor” by Selena. The competition returns Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 for Week 3. Group A will return to the stage. At the end of the night, the two organizations with the lowest scores will be eliminated.
Members of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority cheer as their organization performs ‘...Baby One More Time’ by Britney Spears on the Hangar 9 stage Sept. 30, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Sydney Davis sings ‘good 4 u’ by Olivia Rodrigo as part of Fierce Musical Theater’s performance Sept. 30, 2026 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Reigning champions Joyful Noise perform ‘I Want You Back’ by the Jackson 5 Sept. 30, 2026 at Hangar 9 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Why your vote matters To the editor: Every U.S. citizen who is eligible to vote should do so in the coming national election, because every vote matters. Why does your vote matter? If you believe that there is the slightest difference between candidates, think about the impact that difference may have over two years, four years or six years. Your vote is a significant way to express your values; your values are less likely to be honored if you don’t vote. The tax dollars you pay will be spent by the people who are elected, so if you want a say in government budget priorities, you need to vote. Are you satisfied with our government at the national, state and local levels? Or would you like to see things change? Either way, you should vote! There may be people close to you — children, younger teens, non-citizens, and others — who cannot vote. Your vote can express your sense
of what they need — so vote! If you’re a parent or an older sibling, set a good example for your children and younger siblings. Make a personal commitment to vote in the local election next April, not just in the national elections every second November. Learn about the local candidates — your informed voting strengthens our democracy and sets an example for future generations of voters! Each United States citizen has a personal responsibility to cast an informed vote. Learning about the candidates and issues, and then voting, fulfills this central duty of citizenship. Please familiarize yourself with the candidates and issues, and join me and your fellow citizens in voting this year! Thank you! William Sasso Carbondale, Illinois
Register to vote Dear readers, Do you like or approve of the way this government is running our country? Whether you think it is good, bad or some of both, your vote in the midterm elections is vitally important. What happens at the local level impacts decisions all the way to the top. Are you certain you are registered to vote? How can you find out? Call the Clerk of the Court in the court house of the county in which you currently live. OR use your computer and go to the Illinois State Board of Elections. You can register to vote online until midnight Oct. 18.
Early voting in Illinois starts Sept. 24. Mail-in ballots in Illinois will be mailed out by a couple days after Sept. 24, and return ballots must be post-marked Nov. 3. Since most of southern Illinois mail goes through St. Louis to get post-marked, mail your ballot much earlier to ensure it gets through the postal service in time. The sooner you vote, the more certain your vote will be counted. And your vote DOES make a difference. Support our democracy! Judy Ashby Carbondale, Illinois
Have an opinion you’d like to share with the Daily Egyptian’s audience? Email editor@dailyegyptian.com to submit a letter to the editor.
Puzzle Answers
Page 10
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
SPORTS Salukis volleyball split conference matches after two five-set matches
KYLA SMITH Sports Reporter
Salukis played the Valparaiso University Beacons and University of Illinois Chicago Flames on Oct. 2-3 for two Missouri Valley Conference matchups. The Dawgs took the match over the Beacons but surrendered to the Flames. Oct 2: SIU 3, VALPO 2 The Salukis took on the Beacons of Valparaiso University. The Dawgs started off slow but finished strong with a comeback win. Set 1: SIU 15, VALPO 25 The Salukis fell behind to begin the set, but still showed their offensive skill with two kills each by opposite hitter Ella Swansiger and outside hitter McKenzie Moeller Despite the early deficit, the Salukis kept up with kills and Valparaiso errors. Set 2: SIU 22, VALPO 25 Valparaiso got the upper hand to start off the set; still, the Salukis kept the score tied for
most of the set. SIU errors and the back-to-back points by Valparaiso changed the tide of the set, leaving the Salukis three points behind. Set 3: SIU 26, VALPO 24 Looking to shake off the sets before, the Salukis started the match off strong with an eightpoint lead, reaching 15 points first for the set. Swansiger tallied eight kills towards a third-set Saluki victory. Set 4: SIU 26, VALPO 24 Keeping the momentum from the previous set, the Salukis got a swift head start, gaining seven kills and getting 15 points first before Valparaiso. Still, Valparaiso didn’t let up, keeping the game a battle of ties. As the spectators stood to see libero Jillian Shaneyfelt strike an ace to win the set. Set 5: SIU 15, VALPO 5 With a tied match of two sets each for both SIU and Valparaiso, the fifth set was filled with suspense.
The set was tied until both teams reached five points, then the Salukis stormed the competition with multiple kills and Valparaiso errors, giving the Salukis the win. Oct. 3: SIU 2, UIC 3 The following day, the Salukis went up against the University of Illinois Chicago Flames. The Flames got the jump on the Salukis, causing a close 2-3 point match. Set 1: SIU 25, UIC 22 The Salukis set the tone for the set, getting their first kill right out of the gate on the Flames. Swansiger collected six kills in the set, giving the Dawgs the win. Set 2: SIU 25, UIC 20 The Flames gave the Salukis a run for their money, keeping up with the Dawgs in various ties. Opposite hitter Natalie Vance gave them a run for their money, tallying up five kills. Set 3: SIU 21, UIC 25 The Flames fought back,
with three consecutive kills, leaving them five points ahead of the Salukis at 15-10. The Salukis battled but ultimately lost by four points. Set 4: SIU 21, UIC 25 The Flames didn’t let up, getting an early lead against the Salukis. With various kills and SIU errors, they got the jump on the Dawgs, taking the set. The match went from a quick lead to a tied 2-2. Set 5: SIU 13, UIC 15 With a tied match of 2-2 between the Flames and the Salukis, the Dawgs kept the set close. Still, the Flames get two consecutive kills on the Dawgs and gain the upper hand. The close match went to the Flames. Although the Salukis lost their winning streak, they are still near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference with a 3-1 record. Sports Reporter Kyla Smith Lillian Dempkey (9) jumps up to hit the ball at the net Oct. 2, can be reached at 2026 in Davies Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. ksmith@dailyegyptian.com Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler
SIU football can’t topple the Penguins, lose 28-16 to Youngstown NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor After a dominant win against Murray State, SIU football traveled back to Carbondale for the first home Missouri Valley Football Conference game of the season. The Salukis took on the No. 8 Youngstown State University Penguins on Saturday, Oct. 3. After a close first half, the Penguins took control and won 28-16. The Salukis won the coin toss and started the afternoon contest with the ball. A couple of holding penalties slowed the Dawgs’ drive, and they settled for a 44-yard field goal by kicker Seth Adams. The Salukis forced a turnoveron-downs, stopping the highpowered Youngstown offense. In what was anticipated to be a high-scoring matchup, the Salukis led 3-0 after the first quarter. The Penguins got on the board with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, putting Youngstown up 7-3. After an eight-play, 75-yard drive, quarterback DJ Williams rushed into the end zone for the first SIU touchdown of the game. Williams’ touchdown
bumped him to third all-time in touchdowns among SIU quarterbacks with 57. As the first half wound down, the Salukis settled for a fieldgoal attempt but missed. The Penguins immediately turned the ball over when cornerback Gavin Shepard picked it off. The Dawgs could not score on the drive before the first half ended. After one half, SIU led 10-7. The Penguins started the second half with the ball and immediately converted two first downs. Despite strong offensive pressure, the Salukis came up with another pick, this time by safety Matthew McClelland. Youngstown quarterback Beau Brungard had only thrown two interceptions coming into the game. The Salukis doubled his total within a few minutes. The Dawgs couldn’t convert after the pick and turned it over to the Penguins. Youngstown went on a prolonged drive, ending in a rushing touchdown that put the Penguins up 14-10 with four minutes left in the third quarter. Following a sack, Williams fumbled and turned it over,
giving the Penguins a great look to score. Youngstown cashed in a touchdown on the subsequent play, giving them a 21-10 lead. Williams found wide receiver Kyle Thomas downfield for a 36-yard completion, getting the Dawgs within striking distance. The Salukis battled penalties and surrendered an interception in the endzone. After a long 12-play drive, the Penguins scored another touchdown, putting them up 2810 with around three minutes left in the fourth quarter. With the game clock winding down, Williams ran in another touchdown, but failed to score the two-point conversion. The Penguins kneeled out the clock and took the game 28-16. “To win at a high level, you’ve got to be resilient, you’ve got to be tough,” head coach Nick Hill said. With this loss, the Salukis fall to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Penguins improve to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in MVC games.
Allen Middleton (5) runs into the end zone after a Youngstown player misses a catch Oct. 3, 2026 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | @cookmeavisual
Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com
Youngstown players celebrate a win as Allen Middleton (5) falls to the field after a play Oct. 3 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Soph Levinson | @hpos.artz
Senior quarterback DJ Williams (1) jukes away from Youngstown freshman defensive back Dev Holman (22) in a SIU football game against the Youngstown State University Penguins at Saluki Stadium Oct. 3, 2026 in Carbondale, Illinois. Daylin Williams | @photosbydaylin
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Sports | Page 11
SIU swim and dive plunges into season opener against Missouri State NOAH PETSCHKE Sports Editor The SIU swimming and diving team opened up their season at home, hosting the Missouri State University Bears on Oct. 2-3. Similar to last season’s opener versus the Bears, the women’s team walked away with a commanding win, and the men’s team fell short. Both teams saw a plethora of podium finishes throughout the weekend, including first and third place finishes in the women’s 200-yard freestyle
relay to open the weekend competition. To close out the swimming events on the first day, the Salukis took a win in the women’s 400-yard medley relay. After Friday’s competition, the women’s team led the Bears 98-68 and the men’s team was down 93-74. Similar to Friday, the women started off with a victory, this time in the 200-yard medley relay. To conclude the weekend diving events, the Salukis took first place in the onemeter event.
To close the weekend, both the women’s and men’s teams finished first in the 400-yard freestyle relays. After two days of competition, the women’s team walked away with a 199-152 victory, and the men’s team came up 39 points short, losing 196157. The Salukis will be back in action on Oct. 16-17 for a meet at the University of Northern Iowa. Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com Livia Nagy stretches her neck after winning first in the freestyle race against Murray State Oct. 3, 2026 at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | @cookmeavisual
Alex Odom takes a breath and turns around in the pool Oct. 3, 2026 at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | @cookmeavisual
Kyler Beights swims freestyle Oct. 3, 2026 at the SIU Rec Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Peyton Cook | @cookmeavisual
Salukis Soccer extends program record winning streak in 2-1 win over Bruins AARON CARNAHAN Sports Reporter
Salukis played the Valparaiso University Beacons and University of Illinois Chicago Flames on Oct. 2-3 for two Missouri Valley Conference matchups. The Dawgs took the match over the Beacons but surrendered to the Flames. Oct 2: SIU 3, VALPO 2 The Salukis took on the Beacons of Valparaiso University. The Dawgs started off slow but finished strong with a comeback win. Set 1: SIU 15, VALPO 25 The Salukis fell behind to begin the set, but still
showed their offensive skill with two kills each by opposite hitter Ella Swansiger and outside hitter McKenzie Moeller Despite the early deficit, the Salukis kept up with kills and Valparaiso errors. Set 2: SIU 22, VALPO 25 Valparaiso got the upper hand to start off the set; still, the Salukis kept the score tied for most of the set. SIU errors and the backto-back points by Valparaiso changed the tide of the set, leaving the Salukis three points behind. Set 3: SIU 26, VALPO 24 Looking to shake off the sets before, the
Salukis started the match off strong with an eightpoint lead, reaching 15 points first for the set. Swansiger tallied eight kills towards a third-set Saluki victory. Set 4: SIU 26, VALPO 24 Keeping the momentum from the previous set, the Salukis got a swift head start, gaining seven kills and getting 15 points first before Valparaiso. Still, Valparaiso didn’t let up, keeping the game a battle of ties. As the spectators stood to see libero Jillian Shaneyfelt strike an ace to win the set. Set 5: SIU 15, VALPO 5 With a tied match of two sets each for both SIU and Valparaiso, the fifth set was
filled with suspense. The set was tied until both teams reached five points, then the Salukis stormed the competition with multiple kills and Valparaiso errors, giving the Salukis the win. Oct. 3: SIU 2, UIC 3 The following day, the Salukis went up against the University of Illinois Chicago Flames. The Flames got the jump on the Salukis, causing a close 2-3 point match. Set 1: SIU 25, UIC 22 The Salukis set the tone for the set, getting their first kill right out of the gate on the Flames. Swansiger collected six kills in the set, giving the Dawgs the win.
PIAIA
CONTINUED FROM 1
Piaia praised Harry and said she was excited to work with her new head coach. “What attracted me most was the values of the school when I talked to Brittany,” Piaia said. “It just interested me and how much she wants to work towards the program and inspire us every day.” From the 2025 season to the 2026 campaign, the SIU volleyball team looks very different, with a new group of middle blockers. “That was a wide-open position with graduation and transfers, so we knew we were going to have some newbies, and we knew that they needed to be able to come in and function, do some point scoring and block for points,” Harry said. “Bia does that.” In his second year as assistant coach, Yates has managed almost two entirely different rosters and values Piaia’s
Beatriz Piaia (13) looks back at McKenzie Moeller (3) before the point starts Oct. 2, 2026 in Davies Hall in Carbondale, Illinois. Riley Sembler | @riley_sembler
presence and coachability on a new team. “She’s still young, so she’s getting a lot of experience,” Yates said. “We know that we have a lot of time to work with her on little things, so we see really successful big picture things right now.”
Piaia and fellow middle blocker Chloe Anderson came in and have posted similar stats at the position. “Everyone has to pay attention to our middles, so that makes things a little bit easier on our pins,” Yates said. “The two of them coming
in and knowing that they’re succeeding right away, but still having time to develop and have them continue to get better in volleyball and be better players is really exciting for us as coaches.” During a spring scrimmage against the University of
Set 2: SIU 25, UIC 20 The Flames gave the Salukis a run for their money, keeping up with the Dawgs in various ties. Opposite hitter Natalie Vance gave them a run for their money, tallying up five kills. Set 3: SIU 21, UIC 25 The Flames fought back, with three consecutive kills, leaving them five points ahead of the Salukis at 15-10. The Salukis battled but ultimately lost by four points. Set 4: SIU 21, UIC 25 The Flames didn’t let up, getting an early lead against the Salukis. With various kills and SIU errors, they got the
jump on the Dawgs, taking the set. The match went from a quick lead to a tied 2-2. Set 5: SIU 13, UIC 15 With a tied match of 2-2 between the Flames and the Salukis, the Dawgs kept the set close. Still, the Flames get two consecutive kills on the Dawgs and gain the upper hand. The close match went to the Flames. Although the Salukis lost their winning streak, they are still near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference with a 3-1 record.
Evansville, Piaia’s performance led the Salukis to a victory. “Bia was just a force at the net,” Harry said. “You can just see from when she showed up in January to where she was when we were playing that match in April, there was just so much growth from her on the court.” Along with her on-court abilities, Harry gravitated toward Piaia during the scouting process for her attitude and personality. “We need gritty kids that have done more with less their whole career, are good students and have a really good character,” Harry said. “You have to check all those boxes before I even really look at you as a volleyball player.” Piaia’s attitude on and off the court has a major impact on those around her. “Her personality brings a lot of joy into our gym; we describe her as bubbly,” Yates said. “If she’s having a bad day, you see
her work through it like, ‘Well, I’m not going to let this impact my team or what I’m doing.’” After earning all-tournament honors, Piaia attributed a lot of her success to the preparation leading up to the Governors Classic. “During the week, I was just working and practicing. It was more mental work than even physical work, and I was just trying to get my confidence back and be more loose on the court,” Piaia said. “I think that was just a switch for me that weekend.” Along with adequate preparation, Piaia says that her teammates have a lot of influence on her success. “Whenever I’m good, I’m scoring and I feel good, it goes back to them,” Piaia said. “That was something that really boosted me that weekend.”
Sports Reporter Kyla Smith can be reached at ksmith@dailyegyptian.com
Sports Editor Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com
Page 12 | Puzzles
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Weekly PUZZLE PAGE
"City phrases" by Myles Mellor 1
Across
1. Guess 5. Short-billed songbirds 9. Harmon of 'Rizzoli & Isles' 14. Caffeine source 15. Brownish song bird 16. Travel routes 17. British school near Windsor 18. Gwyneth Paltrow film 19. Winged heavenly being 20. Message to Houston, 4 words 23. Gershwin's "The ___ Love", 2 words 24. Stan's partner in comedy 25. Atlas stat 28. Lady Macbeth kept seeing this weapon 32. Word with sports or squad 35. Ennoble 38. Five-star, 2 words 39. City ____ 3 words (Philadelphia) 43. French cheese 44. Fajita filler 45. "Danny and the Dinosaur" author Hoff 46. Balkan republic 49. Mystery writer Buchanan 51. Nips 54. Not tricked by 57. Ryan Adams song, 4 words 62. Plant fiber used for making rope 63. Cambodian cash 64. Hotel chain name 65. To conclude, 2 words 66. Hurler Hershiser 67. Type of light 68. Magnetic induction unit 69. Former Fords 70. Cornerstone abbr.
Down
1. Misrepresent
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Answers on page
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47 51
*To play Sudoku, fill a 9x9 grid with digits 1 through 9 so that each row, each column, and each 3x3 subgrid contains each number exactly once.
45
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49 52
31
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2. Alaskan carving 3. Luau greeting 4. Fruit that's a source of potassium 5. A bit too-too, to a Brit 6. "Joy of Cooking" author Rombauer 7. Beat 8. Hair tangle 9. Sandy Middle east peninsula 10. Outside the law, 2 words 11. Kind of plum, for short 12. Footnote word 13. Night school subj., abbr. 21. Small insect-eating bird 22. Ancient 26. Part of a business card phone number, abbr. 27. Sounds of contentment 29. Gunks 30. "Se7en" sin 31. Marsh growth 32. Salad type
56
33. 60s hairdo 34. Slugger's stats, abbr. 36. Give leave 37. Baobab or gingko 40. Subscription extensions 41. Stable boy, for example 42. "... see what I mean?" (slang) 47. Pastoral poems 48. "Long, long time ___" 50. Volunteer-seeking question 52. Swashbuckler Flynn 53. Go around 55. Big books 56. "Ready ___ ...", 2 words 57. Soul singer Simone 58. Biblical character 59. Food, clothing or shelter 60. Some building wings 61. Giving 62. John Hancock, abbr.
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