They're Off! Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kicks Off Downtown

We have a high-resolution gallery of images from the Torch Run, located here.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics kicked off Wednesday morning on the lawn of the old courthouse in downtown Effingham.

A good crowd was on hand to cheer on the Effingham County Lightning team members, as they helped carry the torch before handing it off to State Police officers who will take it from Effingham to Neoga, then to Mattoon.

The local observance is the kickoff to the State Finals to be held Friday through Sunday in Bloomington at both Illinois State University in Normal and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. A variety of activities are provided for the participants, in addition to the sports competitions.

Members of the Effingham Lightning that are going to the Special Olympics State Summer Games are Karissa Bean, Jay Borries, Reagan Brown, Kraig Dahnke, Thomas Frichtl, Adam Gharst, Angie Haarmann, Abbie Koester, Jessica Ludwig, Caleb Scott, Shane Soltwedel, Emily Stead, Dallas Tegeler, Chase Wendte, Callie Westendorf, Joe Westendorf, Michael Westendorf, Macey Williamson and Rachel Zakutansky.