Back in the Day–Jan. 17, 2018
10 YEARS AGO
Jan. 22, 2008
Nike Outlet donated 5 percent of its sales from its grand opening at the Tanger Outlet Center to the Rotary Club. The money was for grants for the youth sports organization within the community. The Tuscola Police and Fire departments also received checks from the outlet center in appreciation for their prompt and professional emergency response service.
Dane Winn had a game winning “buzzer beater” against Monticello. Tuscola Warriors won 54-52. Lady Warriors compiled an 8-2 mark in their first year at the Okay Valley Conference.
The Douglas County Farm Bureau participated in National Food Checkout Day, a program to help keep track of the income needed by American families to purchase food on an annual basis. Participating grocery stores were Tuscola IGA, Arthur IGA, P&C Market, Villa Grove Foods, and Newman J&T’s One Stop. It was concluded that while the average household had the income needed, there were some families that would not be able to afford to buy food. However, Illinois farmers were proud to say they had a hand in producing “the most affordable food in the world,” according to Dan Myer of the DCFB.
20 YEARS AGO
Jan. 20, 1998
The Douglas County Board voted to support tourism, granting $5,000 to the Douglas County Tourism Council toward a $100,000 promotional project. The supported idea consisted of a toll-free, automated phone network with Consolidated Communications and GTE. The network would route calls to information the caller was interested in about towns, organizations, and events.
The Douglas County Mental Health Center was conducting town meetings to gather ideas of needed services and to inform the public of provided services. They were also excited about a building expansion that would allow more room for counseling and programs.
The seventh grade Hornets boys’ basketball team brought home the second place trophy, after losing by only one point to Monticello in the conference title game.
The Warriors also lost by only one point against Arcola in the LOVC, and the Lady Warriors were tied with Arcola and Cerro Gordo for second place in their conference.
30 YEARS AGO
Jan. 19, 1988
Ben Franklin was making progress toward reopening after roof damage caused flooding in their store. Extensive repairs and restocking were needed, but the support they received from their employees and the community had storeowner Kent McGillan hopeful and eager to open his doors.
Warriors basketball players, including Matt Washburn, Steve Weemer, Roger Warner, and Brian Hatfield, under coach Kerry Kincaid, led the Warriors to a 99-54 victory against Shiloh. The highest scoring game of 108 points did not break the school record, but it was believed the record was only four points higher at 112 points.
Warrior JV basketball heated things up with their game, also against Shiloh. A two-point buzzer shot by Scott Zane caused quite a dispute. One official ruled the shot good, while another claimed the shot came after the buzzer. The two points would have won the game for Tuscola, and according to the video, the shot was in the air. Still, Shiloh walked away with the win, 41-40.
40 YEARS AGO
Jan. 19,1978
Newly elected and retiring Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District directors were Dale Cooch, Curt Cannon, Max Lewis, Joe McCoskey, John Wax, Robert Hemmingway, and Wayne Meyer.
Most offenses investigated by Douglas County Probation Department officers Drusilla Taylor and Peter Nuccio in 1977 involving people over the age of 21 included areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and theft. The offense committed mostly by younger persons was driving without a valid driver’s license.
John Patton’s goal of a 100-member band was expected to become a reality in the next school year according to the TCHS band director who was a guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting.
Tractors, combines, and other farm equipment were destroyed by fire at the Purl Culp home. The loss was estimated to be in the hundreds of thousand of dollars.
50 YEARS AGO
Jan. 18, 1968
The Tuscola JAYCEE officers were presented with the charter of their group. Officers included Fred Ross, president, and Charles F. Seibold and Bob Hack, vice presidents.
Candidates for queen of the Beta Sigma Phi Heart Fund Ball set to be held at the Elks Lodge were Mrs. Sandra Von Lanken, Mrs. Shirley Walker, and Mrs. Doris Miler.
John Cox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Cox, was named the recipient of the Youth Leadership Award presented by the Elks Lodge 1970 of Tuscola.
The Tuscola boys’ JV basketball team was on a nine-game winning streak. The team included Fred Hausmann, Rick Welborn, Bill Anderson, Dennis Ochs, Tom Harriss, Randy Owen, Eric Seip, Phil Rome, Gary Maier, and John Cornwell. The team was coached by Bob Trimble.