Back in the Day 3-18-20
10 years ago
March 24, 2010
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) met with local members of the Illinois Municipal League in Springfield on March 11, including several Tuscola city officials attending the Illinois Municipal League Capitol for a Day Program. Those that met with Sen. Righter were Drew Hoel, Mark Maxey, Danny Cleland, Dave Slaughter, and Tim Seip.
A fire erupted at Tuscola’s LyondellBasell plant west of town on Monday. A fire in the furnace area of the ethanol unit brought emergency responders to the scene, but was quickly contained. No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The 2010 Mr. Tuscola candidates Pat Yoakum, Chase Little, Matt Pflum, and Christian Lehmann.
During National FFA Week Brandon Evans, Andrew Foy, Fernando Ramirez, Jeff Miller, Maddie Frerichs, and Nolan Walsh proudly displayed green hands for “Green Hand Day” while Kyle Miller, Chase Little, and Mike Adams drove tractors to school one day.
20 years ago
March 21, 2000
Winners in this years Pinewood Derby race included Andrew Kauffman, first place; Kalvin Kauffman, second place; Justin Klett, third place; and Matthew Wittington, fourth place.
Tuscola resident Mary Ann Brewer, director of technology education in the Charleston school district, was named Technology Educator of the Year.
The 11 folks seeking to fill the 11 openings on the Tuscola Chamber of Commerce board of directors included Stacey Elliot, Vicki Harriss, Sandy Hoke, John Chouinard, Pat Titus, Brian Moody, Sara Holmes, Tracy Hayes, Kim Higgins, Liz Killeen, and Morrie Mendenhall.
Curt and Kathie Clapper were helping lead an effort to reinstitute FFA and agriculture education into the Tuscola High School system.
Local resident Jerry “Gunnar” Taylor was recognized recently for his outstanding level of commitment to the Ducks Unlimited organization by being presented with the Area Chairman Award.
30 years ago
March 20, 1990
Approximately 35 percent of the registered voters of Douglas County turned out to choose their party candidates in the primary election, and also chose not to increase school taxes in Villa Grove.
The six TCHS students inducted into the National Honor Society included Missy Chappell, Jennifer Plaszczynski, Amy Seibold, Tim Smith, Elizabeth Spomer, and Travis Truitt.
Tuscola resident Ted Mick, a member of the Tuscola Lions Club for 23 years, was elected to a one-year term as district governor on the Board of Trustees of the Lions of Illinois Foundation.
Warrior basketball players receiving awards at the winter sports night included Chris Spencer, rebound award; Scott Zane, defense award; Brian Hatfield, MVP and free throw award; and Jeremy Ross, most improved. On the Lady Warriors side, Elizabeth Spomer, rebound award; Tisha Little, defense, MVP, and free throw awards; and Shelby Best, most improved.
The TCHS Pom Pon squad took third place in the state competition for dance among small schools in the March 10 state tournament held at Thornwood High School in South Highland.
40 years ago
March 18, 1980
The Tuscola Auto Show drew a weekend crows estimated at 2,500 people to the Tuscola Community Building, where Miss USA Mary Therese Friel was among the special guests of honor.
Local appearances by high profile political candidates abounded, with presidential candidates Ronald Reagan and John Anderson and VP Walter Mondale in Champaign; while President Jimmy Carter’s son Chip was in Tuscola campaigning on his father’s behalf.
Steve and Bev Wetzel announced the birth of their daughter, Rebecca Sue, on Saturday March 9 at 12:59 p.m. at Mercy Hospital in Champaign. Becky weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces at birth.
50 years ago
March 26, 1970
Bobbi McKinney accepted the Miss Tuscola crown from retiring queen Brenda Breen. First runner up was Johne Huber, while Carolyn Galloway was second runner up.
Tuscola city council hired the Champaign engineering firm Dailey & Associates to do a survey and study of the sewers and street improvements over the next 20 years.
In school board news, bids for school band uniforms ranged from $11,350 to $12,300. A gas leak discovered near the outside meter at North Ward had been repaired with no further problems.
Tuscola Grab-It-Here was featuring five-pound canned hams for $4.89 each, eggs for 49 cents a dozen, half-gallon cartons of ice cream for 59 cents, and iceberg lettuce for 19 cents a head.