On Saturday, March 22, the Woodford County chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Driving conducted its second annual Heroes of the Highway. This event was at The Woodford in Minonk. After the welcome, the Minonk Boy Scouts presented the flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Marla Miller, the MADD Illinois State Chair spoke and offered her congratulations to those who have helped keep drunk drivers off the road. She stressed that educating children while they are young is our best hope of lowering the number of drunk driving arrests and crashes. Dwight Hedrick, the MADD Illinois State Chaplain, gave the invocation before a breakfast buffet was enjoyed by those in attendance.
After the meal, Mark Spencer, Mayor of Minonk, gave his greetings. Then Dwight Hedrick and Ruth Ann Lipic, MADD President of the McLean County chapter spoke on the aftermath of drunk driving. Statistics given show the need to continue working toward education and prevention efforts.
The program ended with the presentation of Heroes of the Highway awards to the following officers-
· Patrolman Doug Bray of the Washburn Police Department
· Deputy Shawn Curry of the Woodford County Sheriff's Department
· Trooper Anthony Halsey of Illinois State Police District 8
· Patrolman Daniel Harlow of the Washburn Police Department
· Patrolman Albert Holocker of the Washburn Police Department
All the officers receiving awards were nominated by someone within their department for work they have done over the past year to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving.
A special award was given to Mrs. Linda Howley-Scuby for her part in organizing the Fieldcrest High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group and her involving her students in the volunteer efforts of the local MADD chapter.
