If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

E-Newsletter - December 14, 2007

Sterritts Run Home Damaged In Fire

Waterloo firefighters work to put out the fire at Craig and Nancy Yarbrough’s home.

The home of Nancy and Craig Yarbrough in Waterloo was heavily damaged by fire this afternoon.

“I was watching television when a fire broke out in my office,” said Craig. He was unable to put out the fire by himself and quickly called the fire department. He said he was not sure how the fire started. Nancy was working at her job in St. Louis when the fire started, but soon rushed to the home located on Thomas Lane in Sterritts Run.

As Waterloo fire trucks arrived on the scene, a large plume of smoke was pillowing from the roof and windows. A second alarm to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department was requested.

Firefighters worked for more than one hour to put out the blaze. As the firefighters were completing the assignment, Craig was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis. His condition has not been released.

Firefighter spray water on the burning roof of Craig and Nancy Yarbrough’s home.

Turner To Retire As Columbia Superintendent: Columbia School Superintendent Jack Turner has announced he will be stepping down from his position at the end of this school year.

“Jack has done an outstanding job during his two-year tenure at the school,” said School Board President Bill Phelps, who added that Turner’s successor should be named shortly.

Legal Bills Growing In Columbia’s Lawsuit With Grewe
Attorneys representing both parties in the suit by Columbia Crossing developer G.J. Grewe & Co. against the City of Columbia have begun taking depositions in the case. Former Columbia Mayor Les Schneider testified for approximately five hours Wednesday in St. Louis. Other current and former city officials and employees are being contacted to schedule times for further depositions. The city’s legal bills for the first couple of months since the suit was filed have exceeded $60,000. The first bills were recently submitted for payment. Schneider said Thursday that he has been asked to schedule another time for further questioning by the attorneys. Grewe is seeking $2 million from the city for failure to follow through on plans for the proposed Columbia Crossing commercial development. Former Mayor Schneider, commenting on the first batch of legal bills, said the $60,000 could have been used to fund the Senior Center in Columbia for three full years.

Burton And May Honored For Service To WJHS

Jodi Burton, center, receives a plaque honor her 32 years as the WJHS cheerleading coach from RuAnna Stumpf, left, and current cheerleader Megan Kirkpatrick.

Jodi Burton was honored last night during the Waterloo Junior High School boys’ basketball game. She is stepping down as the WJHS cheerleading coach after 32 years of service. Burton said she will continue teaching at the school for one more year. In addition to her family and the current cheerleading squad, she was joined at center court by more than 60 former cheerleaders she taught through the years.

Also honored on his upcoming retirement was Douglas May, who, after nine years on the bench, is stepping down as the basketball team manager. “He never missed one of the 168 games we had in the past nine years,” said Mark Vogel, WJHS eighth grade basketball coach.  

During last night’s WJHS basketball game, Douglas May, center, receives a plaque from basketball coaches Mark Vogel, left, and Mark Jones. After nine years, May is stepping down as the team’s bench manager.

Charlie Kujawski, Hecker Village Trustee, firefighter and EMT, will celebrate his 25th birthday on Dec. 17.

The Waterloo German Band float will once again cruise the streets of Waterloo this Christmas season playing holiday songs. The float runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Dec. 16 through Christmas Eve. The schedule of areas the float will visit is located at the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce website: www.enjoywaterloo.com.

Calendar of Events
Friday
Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW

Saturday
Rock band Aftershock at Bobeck’s

Sunday
Santa Claus at Heckerdome: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Zarkie Music Store Recital at Hope Christian Church: 3 p.m.

The public is invited to Zarkie Music Store of Columbia’s Student Christmas Recital. It is Sunday, Dec. 16, beginning at 3 p.m., at Hope Christian Church, located on Route 3 between Columbia and Waterloo. Admission is free, but the organizers are requesting food or cash donations for the church’s food pantry.

“The more the merrier,” said Zarkie, owner of the music store. “The kids really put on a great show.”

The American Red Cross will have a blood drive Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Turner Hall in Columbia. All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross long-sleeve, vintage t-shirt. To make an appointment call 281-6941. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Recent Obituaries
Marcellus N. Flach, 89, of Belleville, died Dec. 10, 2007, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. He was born Jan. 27, 1918, in Belleville. Mr. Flach served in the Army during World War II and was a retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He previously ran a tobacco route into Maeystown and other Monroe County areas. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Cathedral Parish in Belleville, where he counted the Sunday collection for 30 years. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society at Cathedral. Marcellus was a 65-year and honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus - Belleville Council 1028. He was an avid bowler for over 70 years with a high game of 277. He also loved to play cards and dance. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 30 years, Imogene, nee Stock, Flach, who died March 8, 1977; his second wife of 23 years, Otha, nee Taake, Linnemann-Flach, who died March 6, 2002; parents, Joseph J. and Mary nee Benedick Flach; his only brother, Leo C. Flach; and Leo’s wife, Josephine, nee Luksza, Flach. Survivors include nephews Robert L. (Bonnie nee Howard) Flach of Millstadt and David L. (Diane nee Brueggemann) Flach of Mascoutah; great-nieces; two great-nephews; two great-great-nieces; step-children James (Ruth) Linnemann of Haslett, Mich., Joyce (Robert) Kitchell of Collinsville, Michael (Carolyn) Linnemann of Carlock, Alan (Cheryl) Linnemann of Waterloo and Carol (Floyd) Floarke of Valmeyer; step-grandchildren Rachel Linnemann, Katie Kitchell, Sarah, Kyle and Michael Steven (Terri) Linnemann; Brian, Nicholas, Charles and Rebecca Beall; Bryan, Laura and Matt Linnemann; and Jennifer, David and Michael (Kari Bouse) Berg; and step-great-grandchildren Emma Berg and Levi Berg. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Cathedral or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com. Visitation was at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. Funeral was Friday, Dec. 14, at St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church in Belleville, with Father John Myler officiating. He was buried at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville.

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

Ginger is a 16-week-old orange, long-haired kitten. She is a sweet and playful kitten. Ginger told Santa she is looking for a home for Christmas. She has a sister Boo who is also looking for a home. To see Ginger, visit the website www.hsofmcil.org or stop by the Columbia Animal Hospital. The society’s next adoption event is at their shelter on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. pm to 3pm.

If it happens in Monroe County, it's news to us!

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