Back in the Day- 3/1/23
10 years ago
February 26, 2013
Tuscola Fire Department purchased a new fleet vehicle. Ladder 96 replaced three outdated vehicles.
The Illinois Rural Water Association selected the City of Tuscola as its “Runner-up Wastewater Plant of the Year.” The award is given to a plant dedicated to managing its wastewater plant to the highest standards.
Seventh-grade Lady Hornets claimed regional and section titles and were heading to the ISEA state tournament. The team, coached by Shelbi White, had a 19-4 record.
Two youths were heading to a state tournament in youth wrestling. Andrew Erickson and Cale Sementi both qualified for Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation State Tournament in Rockford after Sementi placed first and Erickson second in the sectional tournament in Pontiac.
20 years ago
March 4, 2003
Kyle Ransom was hired as principal for Tuscola High School, to succeed retiring TCHS principal Mike Damler.
The national Little League organization was now requiring background checks for anyone coming into regular contact with children within Little League systems across the country, including Tuscola.
Deon and Katrina Chester of Tuscola were proud to announce the birth of a son, Donovan, on Feb. 22, 2003 at Provena Covenant Hospital. Donovan weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.
An Illinois State University professor was doing a research project on WDZ Radio, the oldest continuously broadcast station in Illinois, and whose birthplace was Tuscola.
For the second consecutive year, Coach Bryan Smith and the Tuscola boys basketball team fell just short of a regional championship as the Warriors ended a great season with a heartbreaking 46-41 loss to Unity in the title game of the St. Joe Regional.
30 years ago
March 2, 1993
The five lucky winners who walked away with $3,600 each at the ABC car raffle fundraiser were Jim and Judy Brannon, Larry and Shirley Eastin, Penny and Brian Lynch, Tom and Diane Stewart, and the Arcola Pharmacy. More than 200 people attended this year’s event.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department had a new chief deputy by the name of Kerry Bittenbender, who came from Newark, Delaware.
The University of Illinois Assembly Hall was launching its 30th anniversary celebration with an open house reception on March 2. A collection of Assemby Hall memorabilia would be on display for the public to enjoy.
Becky Sudduth, a junior on the Lady Warriors 19-9 basketball squad, advanced to the state competition of the Three-Point Showdown by sinking eight of 15 attempts Friday night at Tolono.
40 years ago
March 8, 1983
Approximately 20 Tuscola residents, most of them downtown business people, heard the Tuscola Planning Commission vote unanimously to recommend to city council that the block of Sale Street between Main and Center streets be made two-way.
It looked as if Old-Fashioned Days would be a go for at least another year, as Clarence Snyder was just named general chairman, and most of the committee positions had been filled.
After serving for more than 24 years as a service representative for General Telephone Company in Tuscola, Marie Beard was retiring from her job, and a luncheon in her honor was held recently.
A hard-fought 43-34 victory over Chrisman in the Tuscola Sectional meant the Tuscola Warriors boys basketball team earned a berth in the Millikin Supersectional for the second time in four years. John Murray had 15 points and Steve Bates 12 to lead Tuscola in the exciting victory.
50 years ago
March 1, 1973
Plans for a large motel development at the I-57 Tuscola intersection were announced Tuesday morning. The development called for a 100-unit complex which would include indoor swim pool, sauna, restaurant, and meeting facilities. The motel complex would be located on a five-acre site between East Prairie Street and the I-57/Route 36 interchange.
Lack of ambulance service in Tuscola was reaching a critical stage, with “temporary” provider Shrader Ambulance noting it could not continue its interim situation much longer given the inadequate amount of staffing.
Rosemary Nussel of Nussel Real Estate in Villa Grove was opening a branch office in Tuscola at 704 South Main Street.
Sixteen-year-old TCHS junior Greg Skuta was accepted for membership in the United States Collegiate Wind Band, and would be touring with the organization next summer for concerts in England, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Russia.
The Tuscola Warriors ended the regular cage season on the sweet note of victory Friday evening by defeating Arcola 70-59. For Coach Bill Burress, it was win number 100 at TCHS.