Back in the Day 2-10-21
Ten years ago
February 16, 2011
The Tuscola Lady Warriors won the regional basketball championship game against the Central A&M Raiders. This year’s team included Audrey Mooney, Samantha Kohlbecker, Olivia Morris, Lindsay Troike, Kelsey Cleland, Leslie Borries, Kati Ponder, Amber Miller, Jodi Twedell, Susan Ponder, Erin Weaver, Jessica Hardwick, Madison Frerichs, Lisa Ponder, assistant coaches Aja and Justin Bozarth, and coach Tim Kohlbecker.
Alex Ruggieri, Tuscola alumni, shined a light on hard-workers, forward-thinkers, mom-and-pop businesses, and local captains of the industry on his “One on One with Alex Ruggieri” talk show on WCIA. During its run, Ruggieri featured Tuscola’s Ann Flesor Beck and Devon Flesor of Tuscola Candy Kitchen, chiropractor Dr. Bill Hemmer of Tuscola Pain & Wellness, Dr. Sally Foote of Okaw Veterinary Clinic, and Eastern Illinois University’s Buisness Student of the Year, Carly McCrory.
Christopher Ransom was named the January Rotary Student of the Month at Tuscola High School.
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Oye, residents of Tuscola Health Care Center, were crowned the Valentine king and queen at THCC’s annual party. The pair has been married for 62 years.
Twenty years ago
February 13, 2001
A malfunctioning light ballast and electrical wiring was thought to be the culprit in a downtown fire that caused the temporary closure of Dollar General.
Facade restoration was underway on the Sale Street office of attorney Jeannine Garrett, part of a continuing effort by the city, local business owners and the Mainstreet Tuscola organization to revitalize the downtown area.
Samantha Ledbetter, age 7, competing in the Gateway Gymnastics League in St. Louis, came home with the All-Around first-place trophy in her age group.
Lady Warriors Marissa McCumber and Jenny Mosely survived the first two rounds of the Three-Point Shootout held during regional action at Tuscola. McCumber advanced to sectionals, where she made 8 of 15 shots to head into round two.
High hopes turned into dismal reality in just over 16 minutes for the Lady Warriors, when the Heritage Hawks came to town for second-round regional tournament play and went home on the winning end of 61-47 score to end Tuscola’s season.
Tuscola’s boys basketball team clinched at least a share of the LOVC title with its 55-41 win over the Villa Grove Blue Devils. Corey Kleiss was high-point scorer with 15, followed by Kenny Hogue with 11, and Jeff Damler and Jared Blaudow notching 10 each.
Thirty years ago
February 12, 1991
The City of Tuscola appeared to have won its fight to have all five railroad crossings in town improved and repaired, while also saving the Carico crossing from closure.
The official grand opening for Video Ect., owned by Sheryl Downs, took place in downtown Tuscola with a ribbon cutting attended by city officials and Miss Tuscola Danielle Minks.
The Tuscola Warriors boys basketball team was sitting atop the LOVC conference with a perfect 4-0 record after crushing visiting Villa Grove 70-52 on the Warriors’ home court. Chris Spencer continued his torrid scoring pace with 20 points to lead Tuscola.
After beating Villa Grove in first-round action of girls basketball regionals, the Lady Warriors lost to Unity 69-49 in the championship title game. Tuscola gave a tremendous effort, as evidenced by 32 rebounds they recorded in the game.
Forty years ago
February 17, 1981
Red Proffitt, owner of Century Motors in Tuscola, welcomed Ed Norfleet of Monticello, who purchased an interest in the company and was now active in its operation.
Dennis and Mary Ochs of rural Tuscola announced the birth of their first child, a son named Brett Allen, born February 2 at 6:57 p.m. in Mercy Hospital, Urbana. He weighed 7 obs. 15 oz.
The eighth-grade East Prairie Hornets came within two points of winning the district tournament Saturday at Westville, but losing top scorer and ball handler Jeff Leininger in the fourth quarter with five fouls contributed to the 38-37 loss to Paris Mayo.
Some unsung heroes came through in a 51-49 upset of Mahoment-Seymour in Tuscola Warriors boys basketball action. Among them was Tom Peach, who hit the two game-winning free throws with 1:17 left in the final quarter. Backup center Bob Beasley and backup guard Andy Gangloff also received praise from Coach Gene Murray.
Fifty years ago
February 11, 1971
High winds, clocked at up to 60 mph, caused damage to roofs and TV antennas and blew out a window at the Tuscola Youth Center and on the west side of the city building Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Nine candidates had indicated an interest in serving as a city alderperson by circulating nominating petitions. Those folks included Bill Alvis and Dr. Robert Burns in Ward 1; David Schenkel and Ray Carlson in Ward 2; Jame Lovecamp, Wayne Seip and Gordon Goodpasture in Ward 3; and Kelly Williams and Ray Beals in Ward 4.
A new business that opened its doors this week in Tuscola at 102 North Main, was Citizens TV and Appliance, operated by Terry Savage and Bob Retliff of Mattoon.
Tuscola teacher Julia Bruce broke two bones in her ankle while skating, and was expected to be out of school for some time due to the injury.
The Tuscola seventh grade boys team defeated Arcola 39-29 to claim the Douglas County Grade School basketball tournament. Alan Weaver with 35 points and Darrell Rich with 28 paced Hornet scoring in three games of the tourney.
Jon Surma pumped in 36 points and hauled down 17 rebounds to pace Tuscola to an 80-65 conference win over Unity Friday night. The Warriors were now just three games away from the Okaw conference championship, with Bement, Oakland and Monticello left on the agenda.