Two Injured In Early Morning Accident On I-255

Two people were severely injured Thursday night when they were involved in an accident on I-255, just east of the J.B. Bridge. At 11:50 a.m., Robert Ferris of Belleville was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix with his 12-year-old daughter in the passenger seat eastbound on I-255. Just after they crossed the J.B. Bridge into Illinois, the father apparently fell asleep at the wheel and the car drifted into the emergency stop lane, where an unoccupied trailer owned by Trinity Logistics Group was parked.

After slamming into the back of the trailer, the car spun into the path of a semi tractor trailer also in the eastbound lanes. The driver of the semi-tractor, Don Leo Dye of Judsonia, Ark., was unable to avoid hitting the Grand Prix and hit the car head on. The semi-tractor overturned and landed on its side in the median of the highway. Dye, 65, was uninjured and was able to exit his truck.

Columbia and Mehlville firefighters and Columbia ambulance personnel extricated Ferris and his daughter using Jaws of Life equipment. The father was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis. He was treated for a bruised lung and several cuts. His daughter was flown by helicopter to Children’s Hospital with multiple injuries, including a large cut on her head. She is listed in serious condition.

Ground Broken At Future Home Of History Museum

Ground was broken this morning at the future sight of the History Museum of Monroe County. The site is located next to Waterloo’s historical Bellefontaine House. Construction is expected to be completed 2008.

Columbia City Council Still Divided On Columbia Crossing
Two ordinances regarding the Columbia Crossing commercial development were turned down by 5-3 votes at the Aug. 6 meeting of the Columbia City Council.  The votes reflect a continuing effort by a group of aldermen to block the project. Mayor Kevin Hutchinson warned the Alderman Jay Unnerstall-led faction on the council that their actions may result in litigation against the city by the developer.

In other business the Columbia council:
•Voted to reinstate the penalty provision for the city’s subdivision code.
• Approved a zoning code variance allowing the new Reliance Bank building in the Admiral Trost Development allowing the front of the building to face the rear lot line (Route 3/Admirals Parkway) instead of the front lot line (Admiral Trost Road).
• Amended an ordinance that provides for the appointment of boards and commissions by approving Jeff Huch as a member of the library board.
• Approved payment of vouchers through Aug. 2 for $270,652.01.
• Mayor Hutchinson advised the council that the city may be sued over a personnel issue. He said that the aldermen could review a deposition that was taken on the matter.
• Turned down a request by Kara Dubis to purchase part of Creekside Park adjacent to her home. The park had been deeded over to the city by the developer.
• Approved monthly reports submitted by various city departments and standing committees of the council.

The Aug. 6 meeting included a full gallery of approximately 50 people.  Most of those in attendance were there because of Columbia Crossing issues on the agenda. The next meeting is Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. when the council is expected to take action on “Exhibit H” of the development plan. In the Aug. 6 meeting a sizable contingent of citizens favoring Columbia Crossing attended. They were joined by a regular and vocal group of those opposed. Further details from the Aug. 6 meeting are in the current issue of The Independent.

Hecker’s Kirchenfest Is Saturday
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church’s annual Kirchenfest is Saturday, August 18 at the Hecker Community Center grounds. The event kicks off with an all-you-can-eat fried chicken and pork sausage dinner in the air-conditioned Community Center. Catholic Mass is at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Activities include bingo at 6 p.m., a washer tournament, games for children and adults, food stands, beer and soft drinks.

New this year will be the Hecker Tiki Trot, a walking and running course through town lined with tiki torches. “This will be a truly unique running experience,” said Hecker Mayor Tom Hootselle. The one-half-mile run / walk will begin at 8 p.m. The 5K run / walk will start at 8:30 p.m.

ICS Grad Mueller Brings Back Flag From Iraq

Air Force Captain Chris Mueller returned to his alma mater this morning to present Immaculate Conception School in Columbia with a flag flown at the United States Embassy in Bagdad, Iraq. The flag was raised to the top of the ICS flagpole during the ceremony. Mueller, a 1984 graduate of ICS and nicknamed “Boo Boo”, has served seven tours of duty in Iraq, and most recently was the United States liaison to Iraqi Vice President Hashimi. Captain Mueller, right, presents the flag to ICS student Jacob Knaup. Getting ready to assist in raising the flag are, left to right, ICS students Nick Helm, Nick Fiore and Steve Trottier.

Help Waterloo Firefighters Fill The Boot: Waterloo firefighters will be collecting donations at various locations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Rouse’s Discount Store in Columbia will continue operating as usual under the ownership and management of Bruce Rouse. Company founder John Rouse, Bruce’s father, died August 11. Store hours have changed to Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Former Dupo resident Leon “Lee” Shaffer of Arizona will sign his new book, B3: Valkyrie Incarnate August 20 from 3:30-8 p.m. at the Daugherty Public Library, 220 S. 5th St., Dupo. The story revolves around espionage and aeronautic design. Shaffer has 35 years experience on teams that developed various secret military aircraft.

The city of Columbia’s summer festival Columbia Daze will be Aug. 17 and 18 at Turner Hall. The event opens each day at 4 p.m. with carnival rides, games and food vendors. The band Freefall will play Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight; Aftershock will play Saturday night. Saturday during the day, there will be historical trolley tours, departing on the hour from city hall beginning at 9 a.m., and the Columbia Daze parade will be Saturday, starting at 5 p.m., at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park. The parade is open to local businesses, clubs and groups for a donation of $10. The parade will travel south on Main Street and will feature the music of the Bud Light Brigade, and the Columbia and Gibault high school bands.

Food will include fish, pork tenderloins, chicken, pork chops, funnel cakes, burgers, pizza, brats, hot dogs, soda and beer. Proceeds benefit the local clubs, groups and organizations that provide the booths. Advance ride tickets can be purchased at Ron’s Pharmacy. For more information on Columbia Daze, call 618-281-5393.

The Columbia Heritage and Preservation Commission will offer historical trolley tours of the city during Columbia Daze. Tours will begin Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. at city hall and leave every hour on the hour, breaking for lunch. Actors from the Monroe Actors Stage Company theater group dress in costume and narrate the tour, which takes riders past the historical buildings and sites downtown.

The Columbia Heritage and Preservation Commission is a nine-member city-appointed board charged with the preservation of physical evidence of Columbia’s past, including the designation of buildings and sites as Columbia landmarks. Currently, there are 19 such landmarks within the city, with more to come. Tickets for the trolley tour are $8 and can be purchased in advance from Joyce Schmidt at 618-281-5340.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company has announced it will produce "The Flood" to open its 2007-2008 season. This will be the first production of "The Flood" outside New York City. "The Flood" is a musical inspired by the Flood of 1993 and is based on interviews with local residents.

"This show presents an extraordinary opportunity for us, as an artistic group, and for the community as it pays tribute to the courage and spirit that is our Midwestern heritage," said John Campbell, MASC board of directors president and director of "The Flood."

Performances will be Sept. 6 through 9, and Sept. 13 through 16, 2007.

Humane Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week

Maggie is a 12-week-old female, heeler mix puppy. She and her three siblings are available for adoption. To adopt Maggie call 618-282-PETS. The shelter, located at 4172 State Route 3, is open Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives
September 13, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monroe County YMCA – HTC Center
September 18, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Paul UCC of Waterloo
September 20, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Millstadt Senior Center
September 20, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., New Athens Community Center
September 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Columbia

Columbia To Enforce Safe Driving Over Labor Day Holiday
The Columbia Police Department will join the Illinois State Police in the Labor Day holiday You Drink and Drive - You Lose, traffic safety enforcement campaign.

The program begins August 17 and will continue through Labor Day weekend.

“No matter what you drive - a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle - if we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions, no excuses,” said Captain Jerry Paul. “We will be conducting saturation patrols to get impaired drivers off the road-and save lives that might otherwise be lost.”

Driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is illegal in Illinois. In 2006 the Columbia Police Department arrested 88 drivers for driving under the influence. The average blood alcohol content of the arrest drivers was 18, more than twice the legal limit.

“We continue to see far too many people suffer debilitating injuries and loss of their loved ones as a result of impaired driving,” said Paul. “Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest is significant.”

Plans are well underway for the 2008 Monroe County Relay For Life. It will take place Friday, September 7, through Saturday, September 8, at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Friday’s events include a survivor dinner at 5:30 p.m., with opening ceremonies taking place at 7 p.m. The relay around the fairgrounds will begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue through Saturday morning at 6 a.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Bud Light Brigade and Steve “Elvis” Davis. There will be food stands and numerous other activities throughout the night. For additional information, visit the Relay’s website: www.acsevents.org/relay/il/monroe.

The Waterloo Optimist Club passed the half-way mark on their way to raising money for a new city skate park. The club has raised $64,216 toward its goal of $125,000. The park is planned to be built at the old nursing home property. In recognition of contributors donating more than $100 to the skate park, the club plans to have paver blocks with the names of major contributors engraved on the blocks and placed at the park. Donations may be sent to: Mark Neary, 6112 M Road, Red Bud, IL., 62278.

Calendar of Events
Friday
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW
Island Hopping at Lau Nae Winery in Red Bud – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Columbia Daze

Saturday
Columbia Trolley Tours of historic landmarks
Columbia Daze: Parade at 5 p.m.
St. Augustine’s of Hecker Kirchenfest
Hecker Tiki Trot at 8 p.m.

Sunday
Hecker Country Store ribbon-cutting at noon

Recent Obituaries
Sgt. Major John A. Rouse (US Army ret.) died Saturday, Aug. 11 at his home in Columbia. He was 84-years-old and had been ill. Mr. Rouse was born June 6, 1923 at Charlotte, NC. He was the owner and operator of Rouse’s Discount Stores, Inc. in Columbia for 43 years and remained active in the business until his death. Retired from the Army after 20 years, Sgt. Major Rouse served in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He did two tours in Korea and was the youngest sergeant major in the army infantry at the time of his promotion. He was assigned to army intelligence. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was Mason and a Shriner. Survivors include two children, Bruce Rouse of St. Charles, MO and Mary (Gus) Barnous of Arizona; one grandson, John Barnous; and lifetime friend Nancy Kurtz of Columbia. At his request, Mr. Rouse was cremated and there was no visitation or funeral. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children or Southern Illinois Hospice.

Amy Melissa Watkins, 34, of Dupo, died Aug. 12, 2007, in Dupo. She was born Jan. 18, 1973, in Centreville, the daughter of Fallis and Kay Watkins III nee McKinney. She is survived by her parents; daughter Ashley Watkins; brother Scot Watkins; grandparents Kelly and Ruby Heyen; and aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Fallis and Alice Watkins and her uncle Mike McKinney.

Marian Pieper nee Sumnler, 86, of Waterloo, died August 15, at Oak Hill. She was the daughter of the late Charlie and Myrtle (Miller) Sumnler. She was a retired seamstress for Carle Inc. in St. Louis. She was a member of the Columbia Senior Citizens, St. Paul UCC of Columbia and enjoyed playing bridge and reading. Survivors include daughters Carol Parker, Donna (Stewart) Frisch and Kathryn Harres; son, William (Marilyn) Boyd; and brother, James Sumnler. She was preceded in death by daughter, Betty Sedlack; and sisters Maxine Raker and Anna Stein. A memorial service will be Saturday, August 25, 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Columbia. Memorial may be made to the Columbia Public Library.

Norman Schroeder, 89, of Columbia, died August 15. He was a retired inspector for Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and a former member of the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include wife, Margaret (Mabel) Schroeder; brother Claude "Jim" (Donna) Schroeder; children Gerald Schroeder and Darlene Schroeder; and sister, Olive Happy. Funeral arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home.