2021-2022 Junior High 2nd Quarter Honor Roll

The following Morrison Junior High School students achieved Honor Roll status, during the Second Quarter of the 2021-2022 school year. 6th Grade High Honors – Caylee Bramm, Ethan Bush, Sophie Damhoff, Gabe Dykhuizen, Chace Edwards, Randy Gerlach, Noah Icenogle, Taylor Osborn, Jovie Patton, Logan Peavy, Cody Peters, Johanna Plemons, Charles

It’s Third Thursday Time Again

Start the new year with the first Third Thursday gathering, at The Loft on Main, 112 E. Main Street, Morrison, IL, on January 20, 2022.  From 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., enjoy free juice and coffee with delicious homemade goodies. Please join us for conversation and time to browse before the

NPR Showed Us the Best Way to Interview a Totalitarian Liar

Dick Polman, a veteran National Political Columnist based in Philadelphia, PA, and a Writer in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania, writes at DickPolman.net. Email him at dickpolman7@gmail.com. Journalists have been debating how to most effectively cover a defeated ex-President, who lies as he breathes and aspires to restore his

Billy J. Jones (1941 – 2022)

Billy J. Jones, age 80, died Friday, January 14, 2022, at Pleasant View Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Morrison, IL. Billy was born on May 27, 1941, in Trumann, AR, the son of Billy R. and Agnes L. (Lafarlett) Jones.  He was employed as a Machinist with Illinois Forge

Marilyn M. Vogelsang (1929 – 2022)

Marilyn Marie Vogelsang, 92, of Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community, Morrison, IL, and formerly of Decatur, IN, passed away at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Morrison Community Hospital. Marilyn was born in Greeley, IA, on December 26, 1929, to Estella and Fred Woeste.  She met her soon-to-be

The Whiteside Forum Schedule for 2022

Marc Adami reported, “Due to the recent COVID-19 surge, we are going to postpone our January in-person event, at the City of Morrison Community Room, with Jacob Campbell.  Hopefully we can reschedule him sometime this year in April or May 2022. “We are still planning a virtual event on Zoom

About the GOP’s Historical Amnesia on Voting Rights

An award-winning political journalist, John L. Micek is Editor-in-Chief of The Pennsylvania Capital-Star in Harrisburg, PA.  Email him at jmicek@penncapital-star.com. If you get into an argument with a Republican about the GOP’s lamentable support for voting rights and its fractured relationship with Black Americans, it won’t be long, before your

What Sidney Poitier Taught Us about Ourselves

Christine Flowers is an Attorney and a Columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times.  She can be reached at cflowers1961@gmail.com. When my sister texted to tell me that Sidney Poitier had passed away[, on Thursday, January 6, 2022],  I started crying. All I could do was conjure up the black

Why Teach about Slavery?

Arthur C. Donart, Ph.D. wrote this essay. Certain Republican politicians have sought to re-invent a race strategy, in the fashion of former President Richard Nixon, in order to scare white voters into voting for them. Were it not for that fact, this question about teaching the history of slavery would

Thank You, Donors!

Odell Public Library Friends member Anne Frame wrote this report. We are officially more than halfway to our $80,000 fundraising goal, as of Monday, January 10, 2022.  The Odell Public Library Friends have collected $41,132 in the “Fund Our Floor” campaign, to replace over 8000 square feet of library flooring.

The Edgar B. Speer Braves Lake Superior Ice

Editor’s note:  Find more dynamic photography by Jeffrey Doty at www.facebook.com/jeffrey.doty.71 and https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/befromduluth. On Friday, January 7, 2022, Jeffrey Doty captured this striking image on Lake Superior, in Duluth, MN.  Sailing under the flag of the United States, the Edgar B. Speer approaches the city, emerging from the lake’s whispy

Order Super Bowl Sunday Sub Sandwiches

Sauk Valley Steam Academy is selling sub sandwiches to enjoy on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13, 2022.  The order deadline is Saturday, February 5; payment due when you order. To order, contact a Steam softball player (or parent); call Jackie Damhoff at 815-499-0029; email steamsoftball.fund@gmail.com. Pick up will be from

One-Size-Fits-All 2022 Resolution

In October 2014, I was paired with a travel companion.  Within minutes of conversing, we realized we shared many similarities, as retired Illinois elementary teachers.  We both are world travelers; love to read; take lots of photographs; experienced a simultaneous case of gelato addiction while in Italy. I read her

Rita K. Haan (1949 – 2022)

Rita K. Haan, 72, of Chadwick, IL, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL. Rita was born October 30, 1949, in Sterling, to Wayne and Frances (Marsh) Dersham.  She was educated in the Fenton, IL, grade schools and was a graduate of Erie High School

December 31 Morrison Police Report

The following Arrests were made and Citations issued since Friday, December 31, 2021. Arrests:  On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at approximately 10:23 a.m., Morrison Police arrested Sarah J. Grothe, age 34 of Morrison, IL, pursuant to an Arrest Warrant issued by Lee County, charging Grothe with Failure to Appear/Pay.  Grothe