Back in the Day–May 2, 2018
10 YEARS AGO
May 6, 2008
Ann Flesor Beck and Devon Flesor Nau were named the 16th Tuscolians of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Ann and Devon are third and fourth generation owners of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen.
A gas main was hit during the Ficklin Street construction. The line, buried at the corner of Ficklin and Main, was cut by a backhoe. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
The TCHS Physics Team placed in the top 20 during the semifinals of the national Wired Science contest. Joel Lee, Megan Wakefield, Colin Mosely, Anders Bjoerndalen, and Matt Whittington placed with their video about super-conductivity.
In TCHS track, Tyler Carter took first in four events at the St. Joe Classic. He clocked 15.17 in the 110 hurdles and 41.35 in the 300 intermediates. He also jumped 22 feet 5 1/2 inches in the long jump and 44 feet 6 1/2 inches in the triple jump. TCHS also won the Redskin Invitational 147-124 against the Green Wave, and the Freshman-Sophomore team took 3 events at the Monticello Invitational.
20 YEARS AGO
May 5, 1998
A new slide was installed at the Tuscola Swimming Pool. The twisting and turning new slide consisted of 72 feet of tubing.
Barb Kleiss became the new head of the Tuscola Chamber of Commerce. Tom Chamberlain was the retiring president.
Operation Cool, originated by Illinois State Police Captain David Morgan and his officers, held an awards ceremony. They encouraged teen drivers to wear seatbelts with testimonials and presentations. TCHS student, Brandy McGee, told her story at the ceremony about how wearing her seatbelt allowed her to escape a possible fatal collision with only minor injuries.
TCHS senior Luke Little signed a Letter of Intent. Little’s plans were to play football for Eureka College the following fall.
The Tuscola Novartis Seeds production facility reached a new milestone. They became the first single crop production facility to process one million bags of seed in a single production season.
30 YEARS AGO
May 3, 1988
Tim Mooney purchased the Ford dealership in Tuscola. The business was formerly operated by Ned Fergeson.
Kimberely Sievers was crowned Miss Tuscola 1988. Dawn Coon received first runner up, and Tisha Travis received second runner up. Tine Turner and Julie Clark were both named Miss Congeniality.
Toni Best of Tuscola was chosen to represent Illinois in regionals at the Class II US Gymnastics Federation Region # 5 meet. Only the top 22 girls in the state were chosen for the regional team. Toni ranked fourth in the top 22.
The Warrior boys were 7-1 in the season for baseball with a loss of 10-7 against Neoga. The Warriors’ boys’ track team received fourth place at the St. Joe Spartan Classic, and the Lady Warriors place third in the Niantic Open Track Meet. The Hornet boys’ track team finished fourth in the Trojan Invitational. Nine teams competed in the event.
40 YEARS AGO
May 4, 1978
James “Mack” McColgan filed a $3 million suit and demanded a jury trial for severe injuries he sustained in a work-related accident at Zeigler Coal Company. It was alleged that equipment sold to Zeigler by Shamrock Mine products was the cause of the accident which left McColgan paralyzed below the rib cage.
Fire Chief Dennis Dietrich and Jarman Hospital anesthetist Tom Capie conducted an emergency drill with a simulated disaster at DeKalb. The simulation included a fire and dust explosion along with injuries ranging from dead on arrival to a pregnant woman in shock. The time it took to get all the victims from the scene to Jarman’s ER for treatment was 45 minutes.
TCHS held its annual Junior-Senior prom with music by “Aura.” Other events included a banquet at East Prairie, the movie “Sting,” and the annual trips to Turkey Run and Six Flags.
50 YEARS AGO
May 2, 1968
The former home of Tack A. Green at the corner of South Main and VanAllen streets was demolished. The residence had been a Tuscola landmark for over 80 years.
Officers were elected for the Tuscola Elk’s Lodge. Tom Atwell, Ray Weatherford, Bill Henderson, Maurice Stanaford, Russ Swofford, Cliff Drescher, Lionel Lewis, Bill Jaus, and John Kruschinski were installed into various positions.
TCHS was preparing for their annual prom at the Tuscola Community Building. The theme was “East of the Sun.” Dinner would be served prior to the dance. Following the dance, guests attended a movie at the Villa Grove movie theatre. Breakfast was served at the Tuscola Community Building.
The Warriors beat the Monticello Sages in a two-way track meet. Varsity won 68-58, and the freshmen won 85-27.