Back in the Day 9-16-20

Ten years ago
September 22, 2020
2010 Homecoming king and queen candidates included Olivia Morris, Cody Shelmadine, Stephanie Swaney, Pat Yoakum, Lindsay Troike, Jack Leonard, Katy Yoakum, Chase Little, Alex Brown, and Trace Quinn. 

Four new TCHS alumni were added to the TCHS Hall of Fame; Frieda Morris, Class of 1927, John Morris, Class of 1927, Wayne Meyer, Class of 1949, and Doug McCumber, Class of 1967. Homecoming court consisted of junior attendants Tammy Little and Dan Yoakum, sophomore attendants Dillon Hoel and Kelsey Cleland, and freshman attendants Allison Hemmer and John Evans. 

During their monthly Douglas County Board meeting, member Chob Edmundson was honored by Regional Office of Education Superintendent Nik Groothius for his service to the BOE over the last ten years. 

The Lady Warriors volleyball team held their Volley for a Cure event on September 16. They defeated the Unity Rockets in two games. 

Twenty years ago 
September 19, 2000
Firefighters from Tuscola, Camargo, and Villa Grove combined efforts to put out a fire in rural Tuscola that scorched 45 to 50 acres in a just-harvested cornfield. The blaze was thought to have come from a spark from a nearby trash fire. 

Midwest Galleries officially opened for buisness in the former FMIB bank building on Main Street. The business would feature retail and wholesale antiques, reproductions, and new furniture. 

County board candidates running under the newly formed Property Rights Party held the second in a series of six meetings at Tuscola’s ASCS Ag building Thursday night. Dean Scoggins, Roy Bird, and Bruce Chancellor were running for county board seats on the PRP. 

The Warriors rolled up 159 yards and three touchdowns rushing to match 159 yards and three touchdowns passing in a 41-0 defeat of East Central in LOVC football action Friday night.

Jordan Bozarth, Andrew Kling, Jared Blaudow, Tom Sluder, Austin Arseneau, and Andy McGillen were the six-man team that took top honors at the Judah Chrisitian Invitational held Sept. 9 at Stone Greek Golf Course. Arseneau led Tuscola with 41, while Blaudow came in right behind him at 42.

Thirty years ago 
September 18, 1990 
The two-day sale at auction of the former Jarman Hospital property and contents, conducted by the Huber Auction Team, netted a total of $301,000 for Douglas County. Dr. Sally Foote’s bid of $59,000 for the building was unchallenged. 

TCHS varsity cheerleaders who placed third in a competition at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield this summer included Tony Snyder, Missy Chappell, Heather Kappes, Tangie Rahe, Carrie Brian, and Shelby Rahn.

Runners representing 31 boys and girls cross country teams toured the streets of Tuscola for the annual Tuscola Classic meet. The 212 competitors were a record turnout for the event, with the Shelbyville Rams winning the boys title and University High claiming the top girls spot.

Members of the Tuscola High School Lady Warriors rejoiced Sept. 8 after winning the Windsor Tournament, then went on to defeat Champaign Central to start the season at 8-0. 

Forty years ago 
September 23, 1980
The Tuscola Board of Education approved a budget of nearly $3,000,000 at the regular monthly meeting. Actual estimated expenditures, as presented by Superintendent Jack Williams, were $2,945.201. 

More than 20 truckloads of waste from the Niles and Carico street railroad repairs was sitting on the property of Doris Crossman, and the owner couldn’t get the contractor to do anything about it, according to a complaint heard at a recent city council meeting. 

Close relatives and friends gathered recently to help Miss Lida Jane Hunt of Tuscola celebrate her 100th birthday. Her niece, Clarabelle Henson, was hostess for the event. Miss Hunt was a widely known and well respected citizen of Douglas County. 

The Unity Rockets got behind the Warrior secondary to score what proved to be the winning touchdown in a 17-13 victory in Tuscola Friday night. Dropped passes by Warrior receivers hurt Tuscola’s offensive threat. 

Fifty years ago 
September 24, 1970 
Tuscola firemen battled for more than 10 hours a blaze that destroyed the second floor of the Tuscola Locker. Owner Jack Keller estimated the loss of meat at between 10,000 and 30,000 pounds. 

Room rates at Jarman Hospital were being raised, effective Jan. 1, 1971. The county board voted to raise semi-private rooms from $35 to $40 per day, and private rooms from $40 to $47.50 per day. Garland Strohl’s contract as hospital administrator was renewed at an annual rate of $13,500 for the first two years, and $15,000 for years three and four. 

Paris came to Tuscola Friday evening a 12-point favorite but went home a 14-point loser with the Warriors’ 20-6 win over the Tigers. Quarterback Larry Ring scored two touchdowns and completed to Jim Cox for the third, led Tuscola defense with six solo tackles and nine assists, and netted 202 yards on 20 carries to dominate the offense. 

Warriors cross country squad members contributing to the team’s undefeated season so far included Mike Runyan, Bruce Rogers, Steve Chapman, Jim Lee, Kevin Waite, Greg Lindsay, Kenny Burke, Richard Fitch, Gary Lake, Scott Flesor, J.C. Sigler, Randy Coverstone, Bill Weber, Jon Surma, Greg Hastings, and Dave Halleck.