Shelton Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder

Sam Shelton’s police mug shot following his arrest in April 2006.

Sam Shelton pleaded guilty this afternoon to the attempted first-degree murder of Ashley Reeves. Circuit Court Judge Milton Wharton gave Shelton a 20-year sentence, with credit for the 53 days he has served, reports Chris Pilcic of the 550 KTRS-AM newsroom. With good behavior, Shelton will be eligible for parole in 17 years.

Shelton, 27, was originally charged with attempted murder and kidnapping following the April 2006 attack on Reeves, then 17, in which he fought with her and left her for dead in a Belleville park. He confessed to sheriff’s deputies that they’d had a relationship and during a physical altercation he heard her neck snap and thought she was dead. He said he then drove her to a remote area of Citizens Park, put a belt around her neck, and attempted to strangle her three more times before covering her with dense brush. He led deputies to her body more than a day later. A grand jury indicted him on the single charge of first-degree attempted murder.

Reeves spent more than a month in a hospital and rehabilitation facility, and she continues to recover at home. She graduated last month from Columbia High School with her fellow classmates.

When addressed today by Wharton, Shelton provided only “yes” and “no” responses.

“Shelton had no comment when offered the chance to apologize for his actions,” said Pilcic.

Following the sentencing, Reeves’ parents said they are happy with the 20 years Shelton may spend behind bars. Ashley said she is glad to have the situation behind her and is looking forwarded to attending college. While her speech, movements and walking are much-improved, she continues to go to therapy sessions two days a week.

Shelton’s mother, Susan, with whom he’d been living with for much of the past year on house arrest awaiting his trial, was not happy with the plea.

“I realize my son made a mistake, but he should have gotten aggravated battery and obstruction of justice, not attempted murder. That is what I believe he is guilty of,” said Susan Shelton.

St. Clair Country State’s Attorney Bob Haida said he will continue to prosecute the six counts of aggravated battery charges against Shelton stemming from a struggle with police, ambulance and hospital personnel after a suicide attempt earlier this spring. His house arrest was revoked following that incident and he has been at the St. Clair County Jail since early May. The battery charges could result in an additional 30 year sentence, which Haida said would be served consecutive to the 20-year sentence he received today.

Justin Lenhard, 26, of Waterloo, was indicted in U.S. district court on 13 counts related to identify theft. Lenhard worked at Feld Chevrolet in St. Louis, where he allegedly took credit information from elderly customers. He has been charged with six counts of fraud with identity documents, six counts of identity theft, and one count of producing and trafficking in counterfeit devices, according to the U.S. District Court of St. Louis. Lenhard was released after posting $1,000 cash on a $10,000 bond. He and will appear in court before Judge Thomas Mummert on July 11 for an evidentiary hearing.

Murder In Millstadt
David Bratsch, 77, of Millstadt, was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder for the beating death of his wife in their home. Agnes Bratsch, 75, was discovered Tuesday morning by a family member and a Wednesday autopsy revealed she died of blunt trauma to the head from the claw end of a hammer.

Millstadt police have described the attack as a murder-attempted suicide; Bratsch was briefly treated at a hospital for self-inflicted wounds before being transported to the St. Clair County Jail. He is currently being held there on $2 million bond.

David Bratsch is suffering from dementia and Agnes Bratsch had recently quit her job to care for him full time, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.

Her funeral service was this morning and she is buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt.

Buchanan Honored Before Leaving For Iraq

Tim Buchanan of Maeystown was recognized June 14 at Maeystown Civic Park by the Valmeyer Cub Scouts. Buchanan, an Eagle Scout who serves as both a cub master and a den leader, volunteered for a 40-day-stint in Iraq as a critical care nurse. Buchanan and his family were treated to a meal and he was honored for his service to both the local scouts and his country. He leaves for Iraq this month. “If the wounded are alive when they come to my trauma facility, they will have a 95 percent chance of living,” said Buchanan. He is married to Lisa, and they have three children, left to right, Caleb, 9, Eli, 8, and Beth, 4.  – photo by Carol Floarke

Penberthy Says She’s Grateful Of Support After Honky Tonk Leveled By Fire
Restaurant owner Sherry Penberthy recently submitted a letter to The Hecker News thanking the Hecker Fire Department, and other local agencies that assisted, for their efforts to save the Honky Tonk when it was destroyed by fire last month. She also thanked several residents of Hecker for their support and kinds words offered to her following the fire, including Bruce Anderson, Virgil and Bernadette Gregson, Mrs. Eddy Eckart, Urban and Shirley Wittenauer, Nancy Anderson, Justin and Holly Blandford, Barb and Jody Hoock, the Belleville Health Department, Tony Biffar and a man named Al.

“I loved the Honky Tonk. It was and is a part of me, it was to be part of my legacy,” said Penberthy. “I truly enjoyed all of the customers and workers; they became the family that I always wanted.”

The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s investigation into the cause of the fire that destroyed the Honky Tonk in Hecker continues.

“I spoke to Sherry yesterday, and neither of us has received any word from the fire marshal,” said Hecker Fire Chief Ralph Eckart.

Penberthy told The Hecker News she has not made any final decisions about the future of her property.

“Right now, my focus is on removal and cleanup,” added Penberthy. “Please continue to keep me in your prayers and please stop by and sit a spell with me.”

Penberthy also addressed the rumors that have spread regarding the fire.

“I have gotten a chuckle from some of the rumors, others have hurt. The rumor regarding the alleged meth lab in the basement was particularly funny,” said Penberthy. “Fact: I have not been arrested; I have not even had a parking ticket.”

(Copies of The Hecker News can be picked up at the Hecker Public Library.)

Since the Honky Tonk was destroyed by fire last month, business has been brisk at neighboring Flo’s Bar. Copies of The Independent are now available for purchase at Flo’s. Pay at the bar.

Porta Westfalica Fest Is Next Tuesday
The 27th annual Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival is slated for Tuesday, June 19. Food stands open at 4 p.m., with the parade stepping off at 6 p.m. This year the parade will start at Gibault Catholic High School, travel up Columbia Avenue, turn right on Main Street and right on Third Street before disbanding near SS. Peter and Paul Church. Luella Mueller, 90, a longtime active member of the Sister Cities PortaLoo group and frequent host of exchange students, will be the grand marshal. To enter a float in the parade, call Debbie Augustine at 939-5698.

The German festival of food, music and fun is a celebration of the establishment of a Sister Cities organization between Waterloo and a group of villages in Porta Westfalica, Germany.

Children’s entertainment includes rides, inflatables, a bungee run, basketball hoops and a castle. Armbands are for sale in advance through June 16 at noon for $10, or $12 the day of the festival. They are available at all Waterloo banks. Musical entertainment will be provided by the New Hanover Deutschmeisters from 4 to 6 p.m., the Bud Light Brigade after the parade, the Waterloo Municipal Band from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the Waterloo German Band from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

A Wein and Stein Platz (German wine and beer garden) is one of the new attractions to this year’s festival. Food stand items include pork steaks, brats, potato pancakes, ribeye steak sandwiches, hot dogs, snow cones, ice cream, beverages, cotton candy, funnel cakes, caramel apples and popcorn. Featured desserts are German apple strudel and peanut cake.

Emery Takes Top Prize At Library Car Show

Bob Emery, right, discusses his 1962 Volkswagen Beetle with Bob Myrick during the annual Columbia Public Library Car Show. The “Herbie Racing” car won the first place trophy. “I’ve also won a Mayor’s Choice trophy at the Waterloo VFW Car Show and two awards in its class at the St. Louis Strassenfest Car Show,” said Emery. Myrick entered his restored 1960 Chevrolet Corvair. “That car got three of my children through high school,” said Myrick.

Erv Withum was reported to be doing fine Wednesday after undergoing surgery to correct an aneurism, according to his son Dan Withum, who flew up from Florida to be with his dad. Dan was pleased to be able to return home the very next day. Also, Dan reports his son’s 12- and 13-year-old boys’ baseball team finished second in state this season.

John Rouse of Columbia marked his 84th birthday on June 6, according to local birthday guru Jack Vaseska.

Columbia Postmaster Dawn Boma is back on the job part-time after being on medical leave for a couple of months.

Robert “Trey” Roessler III was born Wednesday night, reports grandma Sandy Roessler. Parents Robbie and Melissa (Asselmeier from home) are doing just fine.

Oliver Maximus Valerius was born June 13 to Jennifer Valerius of Fults. Oliver weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 ½ inches long. His proud grandparents are Butch and Laurie Sparwasser of Waterloo. The baby will likely be the topic of conversation Friday at the Waterloo VFW fish fry and bingo.

The cast of the upcoming Monroe Actors Stage Company production of Over the River and Through the Woods is Connie Bollinger, John Campbell, Jessica Hunt, Matt Dossett, Lindell Webb and Bev Factor. Their final presentation of the season is directed by Warren Frank with directorial assistance by Kristy Weber. Show dates at the Capitol Theater in Waterloo are June 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Recent Obituaries
Agnes Florence Bruehl-Bratsch nee Roos, 75, of Millstadt, died June 11 at her residence. She worked at Castle Haven Nursing Home and the Lincoln Home. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt and the Millstadt VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by husband, Floyd “Chuck” Bruehl; and  brother, Alvia Roos Jr. Survivors include daughters Karen (Curtis Paul) Gage and Kathy (Steve) Dunn of Millstadt; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Strauss Funeral Home in Millstadt.

Carol Schmeding nee Grove, 56, of Prairie du Rocher, died June 11 in Red Bud. Survivors include husband, Larry Schmeding; children, Vicki Moore, Valerie Ruffin, Pamela Horn, Sean Horn and Anthony Schmeding; and sisters JoAnn (David) Kettner and Patty (Bob) Bennett. She was preceded in death by brother Bruce Grove. Funeral arrangements were handled by Quernheim Funeral Home.

John Drury, 69, of Waterloo, died June 14, at his residence. Survivors include wife, Jeannine (Nottmeier) Drury; daughters Perri Kay Hoock and Jamesdaab Drury; sisters Francis Brown and Margaret Mary Hulin. He was preceded in death by half-sister, Leona Guithus, and granddaughter, Christi Marie Hoock. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The American Red Cross will have a blood drive Monday, June 18, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer.

Mon-Clair Weekend Baseball Schedule
(Double headers begin at 1:30 p.m.)
Saturday
Marissa at Waterloo
Millstadt at Columbia
Fairview Heights at Valmeyer

Sunday
Valmeyer at Millstadt
Waterloo at Columbia

Columbia Having Passport Fair Saturdays
The Columbia Post Office is hosting a “Passport Fair” on the following upcoming Saturdays: June 16, July 14, August 18 and September 22.

The hours of the event are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the post office located at 800 Columbia Centre. The Passport Fair will make it easy for customers who need to obtain their passports on a Saturday, since the post office does not currently accept passports on Saturdays. Customers can find passport applications online at www.usps.com/passport or they can pick them up at the Columbia Post Office, said Supervisor Customer Service Jeff Hamilton.

Regular passport acceptance hours at the Columbia Post Office are Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Passport applicants pay two fees at the time of application. Adults and children 16 years of age and older pay a $30 Postal Service processing fee and a $67 Department of State application fee. The total cost is $97. Cash or checks are accepted. If payment is made by check, two checks are required. Persons under 16 pay $30 to the U.S. Postal Service for a processing fee and $52 to the Department of State for the passport application fee. The total fee is $82. Applicants can have their passport expedited for an additional fee of $60, payable to the State Department and an additional fee of $32.50 for express mail for a total cost of $189.50 for adults and $174.50 for children under the age of 16.

The Postal Service offers the following suggestions to help the passport application process go smoothly and efficiently:
• Bring in proper proof of American citizenship such as a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. A hospital issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.
• Bring in proof of identity. This must be a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID.
• The passport application requires two recent identical passport photographs, which can be taken at the Post Office for a minimal fee. To save time complete the application http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html you visit the Post Office.

Customers can call 800-ASK-USPS or go to www.usps.com/passport to get other information on passport applications. It is recommended that customers apply for their passports at least two to three months before their departure date. Currently it is taking approximately 12 to13 weeks for the State Department to process Passports. You can also expedite your passport and the processing time for this has been four to five weeks.

Calendar of Events
Friday
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW
DJ at Valmeyer’s Corner Pub

Saturday
Sylvan Learning Center of Waterloo’s Summer Celebration and Open House: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sunday
Father’s Day

Tuesday
Porta Westfalica Festival in Waterloo. Parade at 6 p.m.

Humane Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week:

Artie is a 10-week-old long-haired male black and gray kitten. He will sleep in your arms and always stay right by your side. Artie also has a brother, Scottie, who is looking for a new home. To see Artie and Scottie visit the Waterloo Feed Store or call 282-PETS. The next adoption event is June 16, at the Waterloo Feed Store from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or you can visit the web site at www.hsofmcil.org.