Back in the Day–March 14, 2018
10 YEARS AGO
March 18, 2008
City police officers Gary Miller, Butch Hall, Scott Reed, and Rich Lamb responded to a bomb threat written on the wall in a boys’ restroom at the high school. Crime scene technician Officer Troy Chew along with U of I bomb dog, Nala, searched the building along with the officers. There was a similar incident at East Prairie, Champaign County Officer Ken Haluzak and his K-9, Duke, assisted in that search. Nothing was found in either building.
Eight TCHS students participated in the ICTM regional math contest and qualified for state in numerous areas. Coached by Robert Boyd were Stephanie Swaney, Liz Bosch, Cassie Grimm, Chris Adams, Darren Timlin, Tim Smith, Chase Little, and Chris Ransom.
2008 Miss Tuscola contestants were getting ready for their pageant. The ladies competing for the crown were Jessica Lee, Alyssa Gordon, Kammy Kinyoun, Kelsey Phipps, Courtney Day, Kelsey Robinson, Amanda Hollenbeck, Loryn Jacobs, Melissa Stenger, Katie Harris, Katie Bosch, and Michelle Ogden.
Competing for Junior Miss were Jami Knight, Courtney Kennedy, Alyssa Davis, Kayce Patton, and Kaitlyn Carter.
Little Miss contestants getting ready for their big day were Kaitlyn Reifsteck, Abigail Pettry, Caleigh Parsley, Rileigh Hawk, Kendal Morgan, Savannah Barnes, Daisy Mast, Abbie Heath, Carissa Denny, and Julia Kerkhoff.
20 YEARS AGO
March 17, 1998
An 11-year-old boy was injured during an accidental shooting in Tuscola. The boy’s 15-year-old brother and his friends were playing with a neighbor’s handgun when it went off. The bullet went through the bedroom and bathroom wall before shooting the 11 year old, who was in the bathroom at the time, in the stomach. The bullet passed through and exited his back. The 11 year old was rushed to the hospital, and he survived. The brother was brought up on criminal charges.
Sports awards were presented at the winter banquet for basketball, cheerleading, and Pompon. Awards were presented to the following: Basketball (girls): Becky Wetzel, Tami Snyder, Rebecca Stephenson, Janeen Sutherland, and Casey Roberts; Basketball (boys): Chris Roberts, Josh Huber, Chris Brian, and Matt Schweighart; Pompon: Meredith Cole, Carrie Foltz, Katy Ochs, and Crystal Obrecht. Cheerleading: Amanda Cline and Erica Hall.
The Tuscola Woman’s Club served corned beef and cabbage at their annual St Patrick’s Day luncheon. Kitchen helpers were Betty Leonard, Georgia Stewart, Beverly Cheek, Helen Lee, Darlene Wiesner, and Mary Kay Kalmar.
30 YEARS AGO
March 15, 1988
Richard Broch won the primary election for state’s attorney. He went unopposed in the general election.
Tuscola City Council awarded a 2.1 million dollar contract to Felmley-Dickerson Co. The contract was for a new sewer plant northeast of Tuscola.
Dale Mooday of Tuscola built a very nice, detailed scale model of the Strand Theater. He built it because it was part of his history, as well as Tuscola’s and other former patrons of the Strand.
Radio Shack was preparing for its grand opening here in Tuscola. It was located inside the Tuscola True Value.
Warriors basketball season came to an end after losing to Pana at the foul line. Although both teams were “hard-charging,” Tuscola was charged with 24 fouls, while Pana was only charged with 10. This was the final season for Lance Little, Rob Taylor, and Marke Hatfield.
40 YEARS AGO
March 16, 1978
Norm Rentz released a statement saying he saw a lot of potential in Jarman Hospital. He wanted to make it the best small hospital in the state and believed it was well on its way. Qualicare officials were quick to point out that much of the success was due to their involvement.
A storm stranded several motorists in Tuscola for 2 days. “Coal Miners and Friends” was organized to assure that there was a comfortable place for everybody to stay during bad weather. The Community Building was available, and families in the community were accustomed to having overnight guests. Warren Hotte, Robert Shepherd, and Lyle Meyer helped place stranded motorists in Tuscola. Don and Linda Hance were one of many families who offered their homes. The Elks, Moose Lodge, and Eagles made their facilities available, as well. Tuscola IGA and Four Seasons offered their parking lots for semis. There still were some semis that had to park along Rt. 36, as all the other spaces filled up.
Mrs. Margo Blaudow’s car stalled at the second underpass on Rt. 36 west of Tuscola. The viaduct was flooded, and her car drifted into the water. She climbed out a window and was rescued by Darrell Stenger. Later, her car was found completely submerged in approximately 12 feet of water.
Three more young ladies entered the Miss Tuscola Pageant before the deadline. Deann Coons, Anna Meyer, and Beth Beranek would also be competing, bringing the total to 12 contestants.
50 YEARS AGO
March 14, 1968
Tuscola was chosen for the site of a 49-bed nursing home facility. It was estimated that the home would be expanded to contain 98 beds.
Elk Officers who served during the Century Year at the Tuscola Lodge were Bill Henderson, Tom Atwell, John Kruschinski. Terry Binnion, Maurice Stanaford, Ray Weatherford, and Bob Harper.
Gymnast and fitness students, instructed by Peg Pettitt, performed for the Arthur Grade School PTA. Letha Heit, Cristal Heit, Debbie Mayrcroft, Pam Mayrcroft, Janet Lewis, Tina Rodmaker, Delores Trinkle, Cristal Henningson, and Sara Metheny exhibited tumbling floor exercises. The Tuscola Physical Fitness Class, also instructed by Peg Pettitt were meeting once a week. Members of the class were Nola Pangburn, Wanda Vestal, Ruth Benner, Betty Romine, and LaVerne Anderson.