|
|
|
Morton, Ill. —
Most memorable:
Snow-pocalypse
Morton made it through the blizzard of Feb. 1-2, with only a few problems.
The Morton Public Works Department had nine snow plows and three tractors working 52 hours straight from noon Feb. 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 2. They also had the help of an end loader.
Deputy Chief of Police Craig Hilliard said there were 11 accidents total.
Referendum shot down
The school board had to review its options on how to meet the state mandated daily physical education after Mortonites voted the referendum down.
In the unofficial results, 65.2 percent voted against the Morton 709 School Board’s proposed referendum to add gymnasiums and classrooms to three of the four elementary schools.
Most inspiring:
Local pushed across finish line
Though it was rainy and cold day in California, Doug Shull had no regrets after completing his second L.A. Marathon as a quadriplegic 25 years after participating the first time.
Taufers start fund
It took six months, but Vicki and Jed Taufer were united back in the U.S. with their daughter.
Nima was adopted by the Taufers from Nepal in August, but Vicki didn’t return home with her until January.
The Taufers began The Aasha Fund at the Morton Community Foundation to give grants forever to children in need.
Most uplifting
Diane Kruzick benefit
Saturday night in January was a night for the community to show support and love for a fellow Mortonite and friend.
The Knights of Columbus Hall was packed with friends, family and co-workers of Diane Kruzick for a spaghetti dinner benefit in her honor.
Teri Horner benefit
The April 9 benefit for a longtime Lettie Brown teacher was a joyful celebration, not a sorrowful experience.
Teri Horner, who has cancer, said she was blessed to have such an event thrown for her.
“It was more a celebration of life like they do at funerals, but I got to be there,” Horner said. “Usually people share those memories afterward. It was a blessing to see all the people who care for me.”
Most discussed:
Mortonite murdered in St. Louis
Jenifer M. Goertzen, 28, of Morton was found murdered Oct. 20 at a hotel in St. Louis.
Her ex-boyfriend, a suspect in her murder, was located that evening in Creve Coeur where he took his life, according to Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard.
“She left home with her ex-boyfriend, Robert Fuller, on Oct. 15 en-route to St. Louis,” Hilliard said.
Most memorable:
Snow-pocalypse
Morton made it through the blizzard of Feb. 1-2, with only a few problems.
The Morton Public Works Department had nine snow plows and three tractors working 52 hours straight from noon Feb. 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 2. They also had the help of an end loader.
Deputy Chief of Police Craig Hilliard said there were 11 accidents total.
Referendum shot down
The school board had to review its options on how to meet the state mandated daily physical education after Mortonites voted the referendum down.
In the unofficial results, 65.2 percent voted against the Morton 709 School Board’s proposed referendum to add gymnasiums and classrooms to three of the four elementary schools.
Most inspiring:
Local pushed across finish line
Though it was rainy and cold day in California, Doug Shull had no regrets after completing his second L.A. Marathon as a quadriplegic 25 years after participating the first time.
Taufers start fund
It took six months, but Vicki and Jed Taufer were united back in the U.S. with their daughter.
Nima was adopted by the Taufers from Nepal in August, but Vicki didn’t return home with her until January.
The Taufers began The Aasha Fund at the Morton Community Foundation to give grants forever to children in need.
Most uplifting
Diane Kruzick benefit
Saturday night in January was a night for the community to show support and love for a fellow Mortonite and friend.
The Knights of Columbus Hall was packed with friends, family and co-workers of Diane Kruzick for a spaghetti dinner benefit in her honor.
Teri Horner benefit
The April 9 benefit for a longtime Lettie Brown teacher was a joyful celebration, not a sorrowful experience.
Teri Horner, who has cancer, said she was blessed to have such an event thrown for her.
“It was more a celebration of life like they do at funerals, but I got to be there,” Horner said. “Usually people share those memories afterward. It was a blessing to see all the people who care for me.”
Most discussed:
Mortonite murdered in St. Louis
Jenifer M. Goertzen, 28, of Morton was found murdered Oct. 20 at a hotel in St. Louis.
Her ex-boyfriend, a suspect in her murder, was located that evening in Creve Coeur where he took his life, according to Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard.
“She left home with her ex-boyfriend, Robert Fuller, on Oct. 15 en-route to St. Louis,” Hilliard said.
The East Peoria Police had no comment on Fuller, 34, of East Peoria.
Goertzen was reported missing at 8:50 a.m. Oct. 20 by her mother at the Morton Police station. Morton Police put Goertzen on the NCIC database. Shortly afterward the Morton Police were contacted by the St. Louis Police.
Public works chief Wraight arrested
Morton’s superintendent of public works was arrested March 23 after allegedly having an appointment with a Mount Zion woman who promised sex for money.
Robert C. Wraight, 61, of Morton was arrested around 12:30 p.m. March 23 by Decatur police.
Wraight was charged with solicitation of a prostitute and official misconduct, according to a Decatur police officer.
Wraight was released on $5,000 bond.
According to the report, Wraight drove a village-owned vehicle and was on duty when he solicited sex from a woman who goes by the alias “Cotton Candy.”
Cotton Candy was later identified as Carla Johnson, 53, of 100 W. Roberts Drive in Mount Zion.
Vehicle burglary suspects arrested
A rash of vehicle burglaries in Morton caused an increase in police patrol and safety precautions, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.
Morton Deputy Police Chief Craig Hilliard said Joshua Kensil, 17, and Elijawon Hicks-Roots, 18, were caught at about 12:45 a.m. Aug. 13 in the act by officers running surveillance on the south side of Morton, where most of the burglaries had been reported.
The third suspect, Christopher Lee, 17, was apprehended around 10 a.m. Aug. 15 after Kensil and Hicks-Roots linked him to the burglaries.
Most expansive:
Chinese company chooses Morton
The Morton community became the first U.S. headquarters for a large Chinese company in May.
Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co. Ltd. announced in March their plan to purchase a 50,000-square-foot facility on Commerce Drive in Morton to establish a United States base subsidiary, Yinlun USA Inc.
Alwan Pharmacy opening second location
Mike Minesinger has always wanted to open a pharmacy in Morton, his hometown. But up until recently there has been a local pharmacy operating in town.
Alwan Pharmacy and Compounding Center announced their second location to be in Morton in July.
Most technological:
Technology in the schools
Morton High School: As advancements in technology continue to change the world, Morton High School principal Dennis Johnson said it is not possible to keep up. However, MHS teachers and students alike are utilizing technology in the classrooms in many interesting ways.
Students in the high school’s entrepreneur class design a project from start to finish, or from concept to marketing.
Morton Junior High: Morton Junior High School teacher Jennifer Dawson said students in her career cruising class use the school’s mobile iPad lab quite often.
According to Principal Greg Crider, the mobile lab of 25 iPads for student use is constantly checked out.
Morton Elementary Schools: With the mercury barely hitting 40 degrees Nov. 9, fifth-grade Lettie Brown Elementary teacher Michael Finck kept his students inside in his classroom for a game of soccer, boys vs. girls.
Finck turned to technology for help. His classroom’s SMARTboard served as the soccer field.
Most sports success:
Decade of dominance
The Morton girls soccer team won its 10th consecutive Mid-Illini Conference title in May.
The Potters later reached the Class 2A sectional final level during a 19-3-2 season under head coach Brian Deters.
First sectional title
The Morton boys basketball team won the first Class 3A sectional championship in school history in March.
The Jarrett Brown-coached Potters also claimed Mid-Illini Conference and Lincoln Regional titles along the way while finishing 25-8.
Inaugural state berth
The Morton girls golf team earned the program’s first appearance in the Class A state tournament in October.
The Potters, directed by Scott Lynn, placed 10th in the two-day event in Decatur with only one senior.
