Back in the Day–March 7, 2018
10 YEARS AGO
March 11, 2008
The Douglas County Regional Prevention group discussed underage drinking at the Town Hall Meeting. The purpose was to raise awareness and to come up with solutions.
Senator Dale Righter was the guest speaker at a meeting for the Douglas County Republican Women. The Senator updated the ladies on pending budget and legislation items.
The TCHS National Honor Society sponsored a blood drive for the Community Blood Services of Illinois. Seniors Clayton Meyer and Alyssa Gordon were co-chairs. This was their second year in a row heading up the event.
TCHS band members went to North Ward to read to to students. Seniors who participated were Colin Mosely, Linda Romine, and Matt Whittington.
TCHS FFA Alumni raised approximately $2,950 for the high school FFA organization with their chili supper and pie auction. FFA members who worked the event were David Meyer, Jordon Baird, Caleb Little, Mollie Kresin, Mike Adams, Lily Benner, Jackie Carter, Jazman Bailey, Hannah Williams, and Shannon Breen.
20 YEARS AGO
March 10, 1998
Tuscola received a grant from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. According to City Administrator Drew Hoel, the money would be put toward the reconstruction of the wastewater treatment facility.
Tuscola was to be the site of a Korean War Vet Museum. East of I-57, on the south side of Route 36, 22 acres owned by Leona Steven was chosen to be the site of the $20+ million dollar project.
Jeannie Craddock’s sixth grade chorus presented original skits to parents and fellow sixth graders. “Wheel of Fortune” was one of the skits presented by Megan Lehmann, Alex Fitzgerald, Jodi Dyke, Steven Jones, Kane Kleiss, Kyle Conner, and Brittany MacGibbon.
Tuscola schools ranked in the top 10 percent on IGAP testing. Out of 393 schools, Tuscola schools placed 30th.
TCHS students were preparing for their act of “Bye, Bye Birdie.” Cast members captured during rehearsal were Allyson Higgins, Beau Walker, Adam Ruggierri, Andrew Haggler, Ian Pearse, Andrew Rahn, and Brett Lehmann.
30 YEARS AGO
March 8, 1988
It was Newspaper in Education Week nationwide, and The Tuscola Review sponsored an editorial essay contest for seventh and eighth graders. The winning entry was submitted by Ben Sluder. Many views about the newspaper were shared. Kyle Frederick said that the news in the paper, “isn’t the basic ‘I heard it through the grapevine’ gossip.”
Warriors’ boys’ basketball was looking forward to a supersectional matchup against Pana. A victory would have placed them in the 1988 Elite 8 state tournament.
Students at East Prairie took fourth place in the MathCounts regional contest, and Shelby Best qualified for the state championship. Other competitors in the regional contest were Heidi Gaddey, Regina O’Brien, Dean Mann, Doug Pickett, and Dawn Barnett. The team was coached by Sue Moore.
40 YEARS AGO
March 9, 1978
The Douglas County Farm Bureau paid off debt and elected new directors. One major debt was a bank note that was taken out on the building to rebuild it following a fire. The directors elected for 1978 were Laverl Byers, Merle Buddemeir, Tom Hudson, Earl Riggins, Robert E. Coombe, Leland Cassida, Rich Carter, G. Jay Stiehl, and Milton Miller.
Nine Ladies entered the Miss Tuscola contest. Contestants were Patty Pankau, Cathy Ring, Cindy Cleland, Linda Hillard, Pam Harting, Janet Kalmar, Chris Hance, Janet Pflum, and Amy Smith.
Chief Illiniwek of the University of Illinois was chosen to speak at the annual Methodist Men’s Father and Son banquet. They chose a notable person of the sports world to speak each year.
The 1978 Cagers basketball players were Robbie Bennett, Drew Hoel, Mike Zane, Dave Wolfenberger, Mike Boyer, Doug Sievers, and Ronnie Hector. The team was coached by Dave McCrory, Kenny Bragg, and Greg Burleson.
50 YEARS AGO
March 7, 1968
An electronic intercommunication service was installed at the Tuscola High School by General Telephone Company. Karen Rahn was the first person to use the new system in Tuscola. It allowed her to be able to take classes while at home through a private telephone system. Approximately 2,700 feet of cable and 19 jack positions were used for the installation.
TCHS students elected John Cox as chairman of the Youth Committee. Committee members were John Waters, Debbie Allen, John Huber, Jim Cox, Marsha Green, Tom Harriss, Kathy Jolley, Rich Welborn, Eileen Kleiss, Esther Skinner, Cindy Thode, Holly Smith, Jack Holden, Joan Weber, Kit Koehnemann, Judy Kanitz, Sarah Romine, Melinda Ringer, and Les Hall.
In sports, TCHS Warriors advanced to regional competition after a 65-55 win over Villa Grove. Tuscola was scheduled to play against Cumberland in the semi-final round.