Columbia City Employee Under Investigation
The Columbia Police Department obtained a warrant May 11 to search the home of city of Columbia employee Fred Devenport.

“Judge Dennis Doyle believed there was probable cause to issue the warrant to Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards,” said Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz.

No charges have been filed against Devenport, Columbia’s information systems manager, but Edwards said his department continues to investigate the matter. Edwards declined to elaborate what, if anything, was taken from the home or what is the nature of the investigation.

“An Illinois State Police trooper assigned to an FBI task force also participated with the search,” Edwards said.

Devenport lives on Darwin Court in the Lakefield subdivision off Rueck Road.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson confirmed Devenport is the subject of a criminal investigation, and said he is currently on a leave of absence from his job.

Kieran Blanks of Cahokia is recovering from serious injuries sustained yesterday afternoon in a one-vehicle accident yesterday on I-255. Blanks, 17, lost control of his Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, which left the roadway, traveled up an embankment, collided with the Davis Street Ferry overpass, then rolled back down the embankment, coming to rest on its roof on the shoulder of the interstate, trapping Blanks. He was transported to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis and is listed in critical condition.

Bud Rippelmeyer, Valmeyer native and Major League Baseball player, coach and scout, was honored May 12 by his alma mater, Valmeyer High School. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award during the annual Alumni Banquet. Rippelmeyer, left, is congratulated by siblings Maggie Louer and Bob Rippelmeyer.

Longtime Gibault High School teacher Ann Limestall was treated to an outdoor dinner Saturday evening in honor of her upcoming retirement. She was the school’s science teacher for the past 40 years. A tree was planted in her honor on the garden patio next to the gymnasium.

The American Red Cross will have a blood drive Tuesday, May 29, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at St. Paul UCC of Waterloo. All presenting donors will receive a Maul’s Barbecue apron.

Recent Obituaries
Jay W. Henson, 40, of Waterloo, died May 14, 2007, in Waterloo. Survivors include his parents, Larry and Pat Henson of Maeystown; wife, Tabitha Henson nee Tedford; children Ayla Henson, Paige Henson and Jayda Henson; and sisters Vicki (Steve) Frank of Waterloo, DeAnn (Steve) Pate of Montgomery, Ala., Terri Henson (Tina Cherpes) of St. Louis, and Jill (Jason) Crouch of Maeystown. Visitation is Wednesday, May 16, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Quernheim. He will be buried at St. John Cemetery in Maeystown. Memorials may be made to a trust fund set up for Ayla, Paige and Jayda Henson.

Robert G. Huntley, 65, of Red Bud, died May 15, 2007. Survivors include his wife, Susan E. Bates; daughter Frances Huntley of Red Bud; sister Marilyn Canady of Swansea; and brothers Bruce Huntley of Delta, Colo., and Benjamin Huntley. Visitation is Friday, May 18, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, from 8 to 11 a.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Welge-Pechacek. He will be buried at Ellis Grove City Cemetery.