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If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us! |
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E-Newsletter - July 13, 2007 Morning Fire Damages Columbia Home Under Construction  Columbia Firefighter Dan Callis looks through a hole in the first floor of a home under construction damaged by fire. – photo by Rich Dreher
A soon-to-be completed home off Route 158 in Columbia received fire and smoke damage Friday morning. Columbia and Millstadt firefighters responded at 11 a.m. to a report of a smoke filling up a structure in the new Braddock subdivision, located between Quarry and Triple Lakes Roads. The fire, which appeared to have started in the floorboards on the first floor, was discovered when a construction worker arrived at the home shortly before 11 a.m. and saw the smoke. An Illinois State Fire Marshal is expected to arrive on the scene this afternoon to determine the cause of the fire.
Grocery Store Opens In Hecker “They serve a good cup of coffee in the morning,” said County Commissioner Dale Haudrich, one of the store’s first customers. The store features deli meats, sandwiches, groceries, soda, beer, chips, snacks, cookies, fountain soda, coffee, ice cream, household cleaning products, paper products, shampoo, frozen foods and a full dairy line. Hecker Mayor Tom Hootselle said he is excited about the new business and hopes to have a ribbon-cutting in the next couple weeks.  Dennis Schreder, Sandy Sauget and County Commissioner Delbert Wittenauer stopped by Valmeyer’s Corner Pub Thursday evening to enjoy a chicken dinner sponsored by the Monroe County Democrats. “We wanted to thank Valmeyer residents for voting for Democratic candidates in the recent election,” said Alan Pirtle, chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. Valmeyer has been a traditional Republican stronghold.
Monroe County Veterans Biographical
Book The books will be hardbound, 8 ˝ by 11. They will cost $40 and those interested are encouraged to pre-order their books to receive a numbered, commemorative edition and save on sales tax. The book covers may be embossed for a small charge, and additional text and pictures can be included for a fee. Information is available from organizers Karen Buettner, 939-8240; Pam Foster, 935-4082; Vern Ritter, 281-5386; or Jan Wenk, 314-849-4982. “There is no better time than now to ensure that our military history is not lost or forgotten over time,” said Jan Wenk, book chairman. The Columbia Police Department concluded the July 4th holiday “You Drink and Drive, You Lose.” traffic safety campaign. Columbia police officers worked 92 hours of additional traffic safety patrols throughout Columbia. The Illinois Department of Transportation paid for the all of the overtime hours. There were 93 traffic citations issued during the campaign. Of that, 73 percent were for speeding, 18 percent for failure to wear a seat belt and the remaining 9 percent for driving on suspended licenses, illegal transportation of alcohol, no insurance and disobeying traffic control lights. Nearly 70 percent of the violations occurred on the Admiral Parkway corridor. Other enforcement zones were I-255, Quarry Road at Admiral Parkway, Old State Route 3 at the Columbia Lakes curve, and Main Street. Only 11 percent of the tickets were issued to residents of Columbia. “Eighty-nine percent of the drivers cited lived outside the city limits of Columbia and were passing through our community,” said Deputy Chief of Police Jerry Paul. “Our officers continue their commitment to improving traffic safety within our community and appreciate the support of our citizens making the roadways safer for everyone.” Children Participate In Columbia Police Department’s Safety Town  Kasey Ungerer, left, and Olivia Hunsaker, answer questions about safety under the watchful eye of Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards during CPD’s Safety Town. Volunteer Sam Heine, one of many high school students who are spending two weeks helping teach safety and survival skills to area children entering kindergarten or first grade, gives Hunsaker a high five for her correct response. The stars of the Mon-Clair Baseball League will face the top players from Clinton County on Wednesday, July 18, in an All-Star Game at the Gateway Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget. Jeannie Happel of Hecker will be sworn in today as the new postmaster in Baldwin. She previously worked at the Maeystown Post Office. The Humane Society of Monroe County will have a grand opening celebration Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for its newly completed headquarters. It is located on Route 3, eight miles south of Waterloo. A ribbon cutting is planned for 10:30 a.m. Morrison Talbott Library in Waterloo will celebrate the end of their summer reading program July 26, at 10 a.m. Chris McBrien, the Magic Storyteller, will entertain with tricks and talents. Refreshments will be served after the program. Tim Buchanan of Valmeyer will celebrate his 34th birthday on July 29. He is currently serving in Iraq. Those wishing to send him a birthday card can mail it to: Captain Timothy Buchanan, 332 EMDG/ICU, APO AE 09315-9997. Eugene Prange proposed to Ruth Pope on July 6, her birthday. Mike Caywood reports rock band Father Jack will provide musical entertainment July 21 at Tiny’s in Columbia. Luhr Bros. Receives Army Contract: U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello announced Luhr Brothers of Columbia has been awarded an $18,650,000 contract by the U.S. Army. The contract is for stone placement on the Atchafalaya, Mississippi and Red Rivers and Old River control channels in Louisiana. “I am glad that a local company is participating in this important work,” said Costello. “Our water infrastructure has many needs and I will continue to work to make them a priority of the federal budget.” Humane Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week:  Grizzly is a five-year-old, male, large mix breed. He is very affectionate and is terrific with kids, adults and other dogs. To adopt Grizzly visit him at the society’s shelter Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 282-PETS.
Recent Obituaries Mabel Marie McPheeters nee Kent, 83, of Dupo, died July 11, 2007. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Farrol McPheeters; daughters Gail (Ray) Cardwell of Edmonds, Wash., and Barbara (Dean) Lungwitz of Dupo; grandchildren Brian (Itaxte) Cardwell, Sarah Cardwell, Deanna (Andy) Dennes and Emily Lungwitz; brother Bob (Marilyn) Kent of Albuquerque, N.M., and sister Earline Pankey of Dupo. Visitation is Friday, July 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Dashner Funeral Home, and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Christ United Church of Christ in Dupo. A funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church. She will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Raymond E. Rick, 83, of Waterloo, died July 10, 2007, in Waterloo. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy C. Rick nee Schrader; children Virginia (Kurt) Faber of Shorewood, and Susan Rick of Waterloo; grandsons Capt. Michael Faber and Jonathan Faber; sister Clara Johnson of Columbia; and brother William (Dotty) Rick of Waterloo. Barbra E. Stemmley nee Boze, 67, of Waterloo, died July 10, 2007, in St. Louis. Survivors include her former husband Larry Stemmley of Waterloo; children Lawrence “Jay” (Patricia) Stemmley of Bethalto, Toni (James) Casson of Waterloo, and Duane (Santina) Stemmley of Valmeyer; and grandchildren Matthew, Zachary, Steven, Haley and Hannah. Visitation is Friday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Friday at noon at Quernheim. She will be buried at Valhalla Cemetery in Belleville.
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