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Weekend Wrap-Up - October 1, 2007

Large Police Action Yields Arrest In Columbia

Columbia Police Officers place an alleged criminal in the back of a squad car Saturday afternoon following an arrest at the Edelweiss Apartments.

A man residing in the Edelweiss Apartment complex in Columbia was arrested Saturday evening by a large contingent of law enforcement officers. Columbia police officers, assisted by an Illinois drug enforcement agency, combined to apprehend the individual, whose name has not yet been identified.

Earlier that day, a person called into the Columbia Police Department to report illegal activities being conducted at an apartment in the complex located behind the MarketPlace grocery store.

Responding to the allegations, Deputy Chief Jerry Paul conducted a stake-out of the apartment to monitor activities. In the mean time, a contingent of Columbia police officers, Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies, ILEAS agency tactical specialists and Columbia firefighters and ambulance personnel gathered at the Columbia Police Department to plan their pending action. The tactical agency came heavily equipped, including arriving in several heavily-armed vehicles.

At 6:40 p.m., the order was given to surround the apartment and the vehicles proceeded to circle the entire MarketPlace area. While not knowing what to expect when approaching the residence, the officers were able to make contact with the individual and quickly make an arrest. The man was soon shackled in handcuffs and placed in the back of a squad car.

“We have in custody a person arrested on gun and drug charges,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.

Apartment residents were soon allowed to return to their homes. The person was charged and taken to the Monroe County Jail awaiting an appearance before Judge Dennis Doyle early this week.

Home Next To Farmer’s Inn Destroyed By Fire

Julie Maul’s home and all its contents were destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. The home, located on Route 156 behind Farmer’s Inn in Millstadt, caught fire at 2:30 p.m., while Maul was at work in St. Louis.

Brandi Hill of O'Fallon, Mo., was on her way to a relative’s home in Millstadt when she noticed smoke coming from the home. She pulled her car over, raced to the home and knocked on door.

“I prayed no one was inside,” said Hill.

When no one responded she dialed 911 on her cell phone and the Millstadt Fire Department was soon en route. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene. Columbia and Waterloo firefighters were also called to the three-alarm fire. The firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour before the fire was under control.

The contents of the home, including a dog and a cat, were lost in the blaze. A cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Business at Farmer’s Inn was not interrupted by the fire.

Festifall Brings Out Big Crowd To Columbia

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson participates in dollar dance with Stacey Pelate while the Smash Band performs during Sunday’s Columbia Festifall at A.C. Metter Memorial Park. The band’s lead singer, Smash, talked Hutchinson into participating in the spectacle. “We helped raise $6 for Columbia,” said Smash. It was speculated the money may go towards the town’s pending lawsuit regarding the Columbia Crossing development. Festifall had a large turnout with attendees listening to the music, visiting the food and craft booths and participating in the washers tournament.

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