Welcome Homes for Teutopolis, Dieterich 7th Graders, Other Sunday News for February 10

Today is Welcome Home Day for both the Teutopolis and Dieterich 7th grade boys basketball teams.

The Wooden Shoes 7th graders won the 7-3A State Championship Thursday with a 54-41 victory over Burr Ridge Middle School at Wenona.  The Roadrunners 7th graders lost the 7-1A state championship 45-40 to Annawan at St. Joseph.

Members of the Teutopolis squad are Alex Probst, Jackson Goeckner, Eric Kremer, Lee Hardiek, Landon Jansen, Michael Deters, Ian Addis, Brandt Young, Drew Thoele, Will Schlink, Mitchell Pals, Jason Kowalski, Collin Funneman, Ethyn Dust and Dylan Buenker.  Doug Smith is the coach of the Teutopolis 7th graders.

Members of the Dieterich squad are Zach Hanley, Bryce McClain, Devin Flach, Dalton Bloemer, Briar Schmidt, Paul Thoele, Clayton Mellendorf, Ryan Radloff, Peyton Winterrowd, Callaway Campton and Tyler Higgs.  Brant Nohren is the coach of the Dieterich 7th graders.

The Teutopolis Welcome Home reception will begin at 1:45pm today with a fire truck ride and parade through T-town, followed by a return to Teutopolis Junior High School for a brief ceremony and then a cake and punch reception at 2:40pm.

Dieterich plans a reception at 1pm today in the school cafeteria.

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Governor Pat Quinn reiterated his desire for a ban on assault weapons in Illinois during his State of the State address.  However, local State Senator Kyle McCarter says banning guns is not the answer to fighting crime.  McCarter said what he termed "an assault on the Second Amendment" has to end.  He said if you want to talk about an end to violence, talk about the cause, the evil that leads to violence.  McCarter said there needs to be a dialogue about what causes people to do bad things otherwise if you ban guns, those individuals will just use something else.

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Governor Quinn is also proposing an increase in the minimum wage to ten dollars an hour.  Rob Karr with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association said it's a bad idea.  Proposals to raise the minimum wage have failed in recent years.  Business groups say it hurts their bottom line and forces them to reduce their workforce.  Quinn says boosting the minimum wage will create jobs and give the economy a much-needed boost.

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Home owners, be sure not to purchase your insurance from Arkidus Home Protection.  The state's Department of Insurance has received several complaints about the company from customers who say they've had a hard time getting reimbursements.  The DOI says Arkidus is unlawfully advertising home warranty services for household appliances to Illinois customers online at TheAhp.com.  Check out Insurance.Illinois.gov for more details about the scam.

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The Illinois Attorney General files a complaint against Ameren Energy claiming the firm trashed nearly 200-thousand-tons of coal ash illegally.  The complaint to the Illinois Pollution Control Board alleges Ameren sent the material to its Duck Creek power plant in Peoria where it was used was fill material for a railroad embankment.  Ameren allegedly never received the proper permit to do the work.

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The man who died at the Archer Daniels Midland plant in Decatur on Wednesday died of blunt force trauma and "compressional asphyxia of the chest,".  Michael Cordray was cleaning the interior of a tank when his scaffold collapsed.  Cordray fell and landed in a confined space.  His chest landed on a metal beam.  Cordray was an employee of Bodine Services.

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The former Illinois capital of Vandalia is saying Happy Birthday to Abraham Lincoln this weekend with a series of activities at the former Statehouse downtown.  Local historian Kevin Kaegy will speak on "Lincoln and Slavery" today at 2pm.  Lincoln first served as a state legislator at the Vandalia capital.  Visitors can also explore Lincoln Park south across from the former Statehouse and take their picture with the Abraham Lincoln statue.  Explorers will also find "Looking for Lincoln" storyboards that highlight people, places and events from Lincoln's life.  Lincoln's 204th birthday will be on Tuesday.  The former Statehouse is open free of charge Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

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A reminder of the Effingham Sunrise Rotary's annual Sweetheart Brunch going on today from 9am to 1pm at the Effingham Country Club.  Tickets are $7.50 for children 12 and younger and $15 for adults.  The menu includes bone-in ham, omelettes, flaming crepes, rolls, sausage, hash browns, toast, fruit, eggs hussarde, mimosas (a combination of champagne and orange juice), and other appropriate drinks.

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The St. Thomas annual soup supper will be held today from 10am to 6pm at the Parish Center in Newton.  The menu includes chili and vegetable soup, hot dogs and ham sandwiches, pie, desserts and drinks.  There will be Bingo from 11am to 5pm and a variety of craft items and games.  All proceeds will benefit St. Thomas Catholic Church and School.

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The joint LYF of Grace, Trinity and St. Paul Lutheran churches will host a soup luncheon today at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Strasburg.  The youth will begin serving homemade chicken noodle soup, chili, chili dogs, potato chips, desserts and beverages shortly after the morning services, about 11am, until 1pm.  Proceeds will benefit youth group activities, including preparation for the Higher Things Regional Gathering at Purdue University and the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas this July.  St. Paul's located along Illinois Route 32 at the south edge of Strasburg.

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The Altamont High School is sponsoring the first-ever Mr. Indian Pageant.  The event will be held tonight at 6:00 in the high school gym.  14 junior and senior young men will be vying for the title.  They will be competing in the categories of formal wear, swimsuit, talent and an impromptu question-and-answer.  They will also offer a group performance.  Celebrity MC will be Charlie Niehaus with his comical sidekick Scott Beal.  Concessions will be available.  Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for those ages 6 to 12 and senior citizens.  Proceeds will help pay for the 2013 Post-Prom.

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The St. Rose Catholic Church Breakfast is being held today at the church in Montrose from now through noon.  On the menu is sausage, ham, eggs, pancakes, rolls, juice, coffee and milk.  The cost is $6 for a large plate, and $4 for a small plate.

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A sausage supper will be served today at St. Peter's Lutheran School Gym in St. Peter.  The all you can eat evening will begin at 5pm and is sponsored by the men of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

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The Edgewood Christian Youth Group is hosting a spaghetti lunch today from noon to 3pm.  On the menu will be spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drink.  It will be a free will donation.  All proceeds will go to benefit The Edge Youth Group's upcoming youth and mission trip.  The church is located at 511 Hickory in Edgewood.

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The Men's Club of St. John's Lutheran Church rural Louisville will host their annual soup supper tonight from 4:30 to 7pm in the church fellowship hall.  The all you can eat menu will include vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, ham and bean soup, cornbread, sandwiches, desserts and drinks.  A free will offering will be accepted.

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You can register as a bone marrow donor today from 8:30am to noon at the St. Aloysius Parish Hall at Bishop Creek.  For more information, phone Valerie at 217-663-6598.