Car Rolls On Hecker Highway

Lacy Dahlem of New Athens was injured Wednesday afternoon when she lost control of her Toyota Corolla while driving on Route 156 between Waterloo and Hecker. The car hit a utility pole and several trees before coming to rest on its roof. Dahlem, 18, was transported by Monroe County Ambulance Service to Memorial Hospital. Her injuries were not considered life threatening.

Truck Slams Into Car Near Jaycee Ball Diamond

Waterloo Assistant Fire Chief Jim Dietz, left, pries open the passenger side door of a car involved in an accident Tuesday on Route 3 in Waterloo.

There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Route 3 and Moore Road in Waterloo. According to the police report, Roy Nobbe of Waterloo drove his Chevrolet S-10 into the path of a Pontiac Sunfire driven by Cynthia Allen of Prairie du Rocher near the Jaycee Ball Diamonds. Neither Nobbe, Allen nor Jeremy Allen, a passenger in the Sunfire, required medical attention. The accident tied up evening rush hour traffic for about one-half hour until the roadway was cleared. Nobbe was ticketed for failure to yield at an intersection.

Kohnz To Serve Five Year Prison Term
Former Waterloo resident Garrett Kohnz, 36, of Olathe, Kan., was sentenced to five years in prison for the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian that occurred Aug. 11, 2006, near Kansas City, Mo. He pleaded guilty in late March to involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, and failure to stop at an accident that resulted in death.

Douglas Jordan, 38, was struck and killed by Kohnz as he tried to walk across an interstate after running out of gas. Kohnz was arrested later that month, and parts of the car he was driving were located in Waterloo. A police investigator said he estimated Kohnz to be driving 102 mph at the time of the accident.

Kohnz is an intensive care nurse, is married and has three children. Jordan is survived by his wife of three months, Alyssa, and a three-year-old son.

Two-Car Collision On Kaskaskia Road: Jamie Heusohn was not injured Thursday when her 2004 Mitsubishi collided with a 2007 Chevy driven by Arthur Coplen. The accident occurred just after noon on Kaskaskia Road, about one mile west of Route 3.

Sexual Offender Scheduled For August Appearance Before Judge Doyle
Joe Danco, of Columbia, is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Dennis Doyle during the August 1 docket call at the Monroe County Courthouse. Danco, owner of Thai House in Columbia, has been charged with several counts of criminal sexual assault involving a minor.

Danco, 46, was arrested without incident March 20 at the Columbia Police Department and charged with one count of criminal sexual assault of a female under the age of 18. The incident allegedly occurred between March and July 2005 at Danco’s residence on Oak Street in Columbia.

Danco posted bond and was released from the Monroe County Jail. He was then arrested March 22 in St. Clair County on three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault involving a female 13 and under. Danco remains in the St. Clair County Jail with bond set at $500,000.

Maeystown Man Found Guilty Inn Sexual Abuse Case
Jeremy Stout of Maeystown was convicted March 29 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Judge Dennis Doyle sentenced him Thursday to 120 days in jail and four years of probation. He also must register as a sexual offender and can have no contact with the victim.

Doyle ruled Stout will serve his 120 days of jail time at the Monroe County Jail in 30 day intervals each year for the next four years. Stout, 26, was arrested December 9, 2005, on charges of sexual abuse involving a minor.

Roadwork continues today on the Columbia Avenue extension onto Route 3 in Waterloo. The entrance is being built by the developers of Shady Springs, the new subdivision between Gibault High School and the Monroe County Annex. There were three minor vehicle accidents on Friday on Route 3 near the construction site.

Douglas Appointed Waterloo Deputy Police Chief
Newly-appointed Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham selected Waterloo Police Sergeant Mike Douglas on Tuesday to be the deputy chief of police. Douglas has been employed by the Waterloo Police Department for the past 16 years. Sue Sweet, who had served in that position since being appointed by now former Waterloo Police Chief Joe Brauer, has been reassigned to the rank of lieutenant.

Maeystown Homecoming Is This Weekend – Rain Or Shine
The annual Maeystown Homecoming is scheduled for Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, at the Civic Association Park. Rock band Aftershock will provide musical entertainment each night and the big parade will be Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m. There are rides and games for all ages.

“The children’s rides have arrived and will be ready to go tonight,” said Mark Bundy, president of the Maeystown Civic Association.

The food stand will feature hamburgers, fish, brats, pork steaks and sides. Fried chicken plates will be served Saturday evening.

“Rick Hoefft and Amy Hoffmann are all ready to cook up their awesome fried chicken on Saturday,” said Bundy.

While the weather has been cooperative the past two years, rain has been known to often fall during past Maeystown Homecomings.

"Wouldn’t it figure they’re predicting scattered storms this weekend,” said Bundy. “But just give me clear skies from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.!”

The second annual Maeystown Creekside Cup washer tournament will be held during the homecoming again this year. Starting time is 1 p.m. on Saturday. The duck race will be 3:30 pm on Saturday, at the old rock bridge.

“Rain or shine, this should be a great event to kick off the summer picnic season in Monroe County,” said Bundy.

A crew from Oates and Associates began the initial survey work this week to determine property lines as part of the city of Columbia’s streetscape program. Columbia received a $308,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for a series of aesthetic improvements planned for downtown.

“The streetscape will consist of improvements to lighting, sidewalks and landscaping, and may include items like planters and benches,” said Mike Hemmer, the city’s director of development. “The engineers will be out talking to businesses and residents to develop the plans and we’d like as much input as possible.”

The city council has budgeted funding to improve one block in front of city hall and organizers plan to reapply for construction funding for a future grant cycle.

“We have a leg up on future IDOT funding if we engineer the entire project now,” said Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

Columbia’s Memorial Day program will begin Monday at 11 a.m., at American Legion Post 581. The guest speaker will be Norm Smith, assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Refreshments and after-program provided by the Belleville Community Band will follow.

Captain Paul Herzberg will be the featured speaker during Waterloo’s Memorial Day service beginning at 11 a.m., at the Monroe County Courthouse.

A flyover by a1943 Navy Scout bomber and a 1942 Piper Cub will highlight the Memorial Day service in Hecker. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m., at the St. Augustine Church Cemetery.

The Valmeyer American Legion Post 901 and Ladies Auxiliary’s Memorial Day Service is 10 a.m., at the Legion Hall. Air Force Veteran James Heinen is the guest speaker.

A plaque honoring longtime Waterloo sports fan Fritz Vogel was placed May 22 on the first base line fence at Waterloo High School’s baseball diamond. Vogel died May 4, but is remembered for his love of youth baseball. Gathering by the sign are Fritz’s wife, Pat, and sons Jason, left, and Mark, coach of the Waterloo High School baseball team.

Calendar of Events
Friday
Maeystown Homecoming
Waterloo High School graduation
Open mike night at Cup Coffee in Waterloo: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW

Saturday
Maeystown Homecoming – parade at 6 p.m.

Sunday
Waterloo Sportsman’s Club youth fishing tournament

Monday
Memorial Day Programs
Hecker: 9:30 a.m. at Catholic cemetery
Valmeyer: 10 a.m. at Legion Hall
Waterloo: 11 a.m. at County Courthouse
Columbia: 11 a.m. at American Legion

Recent Obituaries
Robert T. Schlemmer Sr., 74, of Columbia, died May 23, 2007. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen H. Schlemmer nee Schaeffer; sons Robert T. (Lisa) Schlemmer Jr. of Metamora, Richard D. (Brenda) Schlemmer of Columbia, and C.J. (Joy) Schlemmer of Columbia; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Visitation is Friday, May 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral service will by Saturday, May 26, at 9 a.m., at Lawlor. He will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

Robert E. Marlo, 80, of Columbia, died May 24, 2007. Survivors include his wife, Catherine “Kay” Marlo nee Anthonies; children Donna M. Marlo Wirz of Highland, Michael (Chere) Marlo of Indianapolis, Ind., Phyllis (Jack) Marlo Finnerty of Carefree, Ariz., Thomas (Kathy) Marlo of Alpharetta, Ga., and Stephen Marlo of St. Peters; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. There will be no visitation. A funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 29, at Immaculate Conception Church. He will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

Elizabeth Ida McDonald nee Steppig, 94, of Columbia, died May 24, 2007, in Columbia. He was married to the late Richard M. McDonald. Survivors include her son-in-law Jon Kessler of Columbia. Visitation is Friday, May 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be Saturday, May 26, at 2 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Church. She will be buried at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Columbia.

Humane Society Of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week

Kobi is a one-year-old male Husky/Lab mix who was rescued from the Monroe County Animal Control. Kobi is calm (out of the puppy phase), obedient, is potty trained and gets along with other dogs. The foster parent has taught him how to walk on a leash, and responds to sit and stay commands. To adopt Kobi call 282-PETS or visit the society’s website: www.hsofmcil.org.  Their next adoption event is Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PetsMart on Lemay Ferry Rd.