Monroe County Independent

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If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

Today's News - March 15, 2007

20 Acres Burns In Field Fire In Rural Columbia

More than 20 acres of a corn stubble field and a small section of woods burned March 12 after a fire at Tom Brown’s residence in the 2000 block of Imbs Station Road got out of control.

“The wind shifted and the fire quickly spread,” said Columbia Assistant Fire Chief Jim Broshears.

Also helping put out the blaze were firefighters from Prairie du Pont, Millstadt, Cahokia and Waterloo. Columbia firefighters, left to right, Dan Callis, Eric Woodcock and Mike Kolweier spray water along a woods line.

With the dry weather and gusting winds the county has experienced, Broshears urges citizens to avoid burning debris until further notice. “We’ve responded to put out eight brush fires since Sunday,” said Broshears. Other fire departments in the county have also had several similar calls.

Judge Rules In Favor Of County
The lawsuit filed by Gene Taake against Monroe County claiming the county breached a contract and deprived him of due process when they sold the old Monroe County Care and Rehab Center to the city of Waterloo rather than Taake, in accordance with the bid he submitted, has been dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Taake sought damages and an injunction to keep the county from transferring the property to the city and the Waterloo Community Fire Protection District, which plans to build a new station on the site. He alleged the county accepted the terms of his bid for the property, the only one submitted, and entered into a verbal agreement with him.

The county alleged they never accepted his offer. They also stated they gave Taake additional time to secure a change in zoning with the city, even though the document in which bids were requested stipulated that any bid that was contingent on a change in zoning would not be accepted.

“I felt confident all along the judge would side with the county, and am disappointed the decision took so long, but I’m happy to now move on with our plans,” said Dale Haudrich, president of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners.

Taake has 30 days to appeal the decision. After that, the county will schedule another auction to sell fixed items, and demolition will begin in mid-May.

Recent Obituaries:
Brian David Stegmann, 50, of Waterloo, died March 11, 2007, in St. Louis. He was born Sept. 25, 1956, in St. Louis, the son of the late Roy Frank and Virginia Mary Stegmann nee Lavin. He was married to Nancy J. Stegmann. Mr. Stegmann is survived by his wife; children James Ehrenstrom, Michael Ehrenstrom, Renee Ehrenstrom, Jay Stegmann and Emily Ehrenstrom; brother David (Deanne) Stegmann; son-in-law John (Barb) Lingelbach; siblings Mary (Chuck) Green, Karen (Ross) Monterusso, Tamy (Gary) Barbee, Denise Maisel and Steve Lingelbach; and dear friend Dave Young. He was preceded in death by is parents. Visitation is Wednesday, March 14, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. at DeFabio Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 6:30 p.m. He was cremated at his family’s request. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Next Paper Printed:
Friday, April 6

Upcoming Events:
March 14-16: Waterloo Preschool Screening

March 18: Immaculate Conception School kindergarten and new student registration.

April 18-20: Columbia Preschool Screening

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