At 7:24 a.m. on Monday, February 8, on Haney south of Fayette in Effingham, a Sanitation Service garbage truck driven by David L. Huffman, 49, of Dieterich, was struck by a CSX train driven by William R. Pack, 60, of Underwood, IN. Huffman sustained injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital. Huffman was ticketed for Failure to Yield at Railroad Crossing with Approaching Train.

On Monday February 1, the Dieterich High School Scholar Bowl team competed against Neoga and Beecher City. In round 1 of Junior Varsity, Dieterich was defeated by Neoga 125-50. In round 2, Dieterich was also defeated by Beecher City 159-52. High scorers for Dieterich on the JV team were Melissa Davis and Jason Tague with 30 toss-up points each.

The regular board meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of Teutopolis was held on January 20 at 7:00 p.m.

The President, Jerry Weber, called the meting to order and upon roll call the following trustees were present: Greg Hess, John Mette, Kenneth Esker, Joe Kroeger, Greg Oseland, and David Tegeler.

The minutes from the last meeting, treasurer's report and board report were approved and the January bills were paid.

Carl Pals reported that another water main break occurred on Green Street and reminded the board that the line needs to be replaced soon.

The Dieterich Village Board Met February 1.

Local business owner Rodney Fish addressed the Board expressing his desire to expand his Advanced Powder Technology, Inc. business in the Zumbahlen Industrial Park.  In order for a future building to be erected he would need more land to maintain proper easements.  The lot directly north of his current property belongs to the Village of Dieterich and contains a retention pond.  Rodney was inquiring if the Village would consider giving him approximately an additional 50 feet of the south portion of the Village owned lot so a future building could be constructed.  The Board agreed to donate up to 50 feet of the lot to Rodney once a land survey is completed to ensure the proper easements will remain surrounding the retention pond.  Rodney will be responsible for all closing costs and legal fees.

Thomas Michael Ordner, 22, of rural Sigel, IL was pronounced dead by Shelby County Coroner Brian Green at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010 on a family farm near Sigel. Mr. Ordner and two co-workers were moving dried corn with an auger, inside a large grain bin, when Mr. Ordner was suddenly entrapped and engulfed by the corn.

The Golden Circle Nutrition Tuesday evening meal at the Senior Center will be crowning a King and Queen for Valentine's Day. Vote by monetary donations. Jars will be at the Effingham Senior Center through February 9. Money received will be used for extra Tuesday evening meal expenses.

There's not much down-time in the Teutopolis Junior High School Library. Teachers often bring classes to the library for computer work; faculty uses the facility as a meeting area; and students keep the path well worn between the book stacks and the circulation desk. However, January and February seem to be busier than usual. Here's what's going on:

Book Fair: It seems that in the Teutopolis Unit 50 District there is always another Scholastic Book Fair on the horizon and this time it's at the Teutopolis Junior High School. The Fair officially opens Thursday, February 4 and runs through Tuesday, February 9. Hours for the Fair are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though parents and family members are welcome any time throughout the day, a special Open House will be from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, February 5. The evening will sport raffles and a variety of books and reading - related items that will make great Valentine remembrances. If you have questions, feel free to email yallalys@ttown.k12.il.us or call the junior high school (857-6678).

Dieterich won first place with 96 percent for the Seat Belt Compliance Award. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Sergeant Devvie Hodge, Gina Thoele, Rico Santos, Brittany Goeckner and Ashley Kreke. Back Row: Cory Niemerg, Cody Hinterscher, and Principal Cary Jackson.

Teutopolis received a 94 percent for the Seat Belt Compliance Award. Pictured in the front row from left to right are Sergeant Devvie Hodge, Alicia Grimes, and Rose Niemerg. Back Row: Zach Huston, Mike Esker, and Nick Heuerman.

The regular board meeting of the Village of Teutopolis met on January 6 at 7:00 p.m.

President Jerry Weber called the meeting to order and upon roll call the following trustees were present: Greg Hess, John Mette, Kenneth Esker, Joe Kroeger, and David Tegeler. Greg Oseland was absent.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Leah Westjohn was announced as the Teutopolis High School 2009 Homecoming Queen at the January 5, 2010 Homecoming basketball game against the Windsor Blue Devils. Teutopolis defeated Windsor with a score of 97-41.

Despite inclement weather, the Homecoming dance began as scheduled on January 8 at the Keller Convention Center. Each attendee received a purple Homecoming glass in memory of the 2009/2010 Homecoming. This year's colors were purple, silver, and black.

1. The Board hired the following personnel: Kari Musser as a Speech Pathologist, Dan Esker as a Substitute Custodian, Kent Probst as Assistant High School Boys Tennis Coach, Tim Bower as Assistant High School Track Coach, and Joyce Bateman as a Substitute Cook.

2. The Board Policy changes from the IASB presented at the last meeting were approved.

3. Staff meal Expenses were changed. The staff meal expenses go from $30 per day to $37 per day. This would change the dinner to $15, lunch to $12, and breakfast to $10.

St. John Lutheran Church in Dieterich will be celebrating a year long of church services and activities that began with a New Year's Service on December 31, 2009 and will go until December 2010.

On January 24, Dr. Wally Schulz of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation will be the guest preacher. This will be a dual parish service with St. Paul Lutheran Church and a lunch will follow with all visitors and members invited to stay for food and fellowship. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Services at 10:30 a.m. St. John's Lutheran Church is located 3 miles south of Dieterich. Everyone is welcome!

(Taken from the Teutopolis Press dated November 10, 1999. The student authors were seventh grade students at Teutopolis Junior High School with Mrs. Marjorie Wiessing as their teacher.)

The Great Depression

By: Chassy Lindsey

During the Great Depression people were out of work and the businesses were bad. It began in 1929. Dorene Moss was six years old when it began. Dorene lived in St. James in Illinois. The Great Depression was a time when businesses were bad and many people were out of work.

Her father's job was he worked for himself as a farmer. Dorene's mother's job was a homemaker. Dorene's chores were to clean her room and help with the farm. Dorene was forty-three when she first had her job out of the house. She worked in a restaurant that one of her family members owned. Dorene was paid thirty-five cents an hour. During the Great Depression kids had to work part time.

Representing Dieterich Unit #30 at the Illinois Music Educators Association District Music Festival on November 21 at Eastern Illinois University were: High School (front l-r): Melissa Davis, Hannah Moffitt, Courtney Smothers, and Beth Warfel. Back Row: Andrew Hall, Jason Tague, Theron Poe, Jon Hall, and Brandon Westfall. The groups rehearsed most of the day and presented concerts for the public in the evening.

The regular meeting of the President and Board of Trustees was held on December 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

The President, Jerry Weber, called the meeting to order and upon roll call the following trustees were present: Greg Hess, John Mette, Kenneth Esker, Greg Oseland, and David Tegeler. Joe Kroeger was not present.

A hearing was held to review the delinquent water bills. None of the persons having a delinquent bill were present at the hearing. Since no one was present to give just cause for being late the Village Foreman was instructed to disconnect their water on the 17th.