Today's News - December 31, 2008

Movie Gallery Burglarized In Overnight Break-In

Burglars broke into the Movie Gallery overnight and stole several items before making their escape. The business is located at 140 Columbia Centre in Columbia. Entry was gained by breaking the glass of the front door. The items taken and their worth which have not yet been released. The store rents and sells movies, video games and gaming machines. The Columbia Police Department is working with the Illinois State Police Crime Lab investigating the incident.  

The mother Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards has died following an extended illness. She resided in Granite City. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Waterloo Fire Department with the help from Maeystown firefighters put out a brush fire Tuesday night in a wooded area between Hartman Lane and Paul Simon Drive on the south end of town. Strong winds fanned the flames, but firefighters were able to get in under control in a short time.

The Waterloo Fire Department was also called out Wednesday to put out a vehicle on fire on Laurel Drive in Hardy Acres at 1:30 p.m.

Incumbent city office holders in Columbia may all face competition when the consolidated election takes place next April 7. Nineteen people have picked up election packets since the first day to begin circulating petitions Oct. 28. City Clerk Wes Hoeffken said that this may be a record as far as candidate interest.

As many as seven candidates could challenge incumbent Mayor Kevin Hutchinson. The exact number won’t be known until the deadline for filing nominating petitions Monday, Jan. 19 (or Jan. 20 if an office is closed for the Martin Luther King Holiday). Those picking up election packets can use the same petitions to file for mayor, city clerk or city treasurer and don’t have to disclose their intentions until the petitions are filed. Some potential candidates either previously announced their interest in an office or indicated to the clerk’s office their intent. Petitions can also be picked up by a third party on behalf of someone else.

Those who have taken petitions that could be filed for mayor, city clerk or city treasurer include Harold McCarty, Dennis Patton, Ron Langhans, John Coats, Candace Hejna, Ron Colyer and Randy Mathews. Patton, Langhans, Coats and Mathews also took out petitions for alderman in their respective wards. McCarty has publically announced he is running for mayor. Candace Hejna is currently an alderman in Ward 4 and is not up for re-election in that post. City Clerk Wes Hoeffken could face competition from any of the candidates depending on how or if they end up filing petitions by the deadline. Colyer  previously ran for city clerk against Hoeffken.

City Treasurer Robert Naumann is seeking re-election. Rodney Schreckenberg has indicated that he took out a petition with the intention of running for treasurer. Hoeffken said that there seems to be a lot of political maneuvering going on during this phase of the election process.

It appears Aldermen James Agne in Ward 1, Jay Unnerstall in Ward 2, Gene Ebersohl in Ward 3 and Mary Ellen Niemietz in Ward 4 could each face competition. Mark Roessler and Robert Fillback took out petitions for alderman in Ward 2 to run against Unnerstall. Dennis Patton also lives in Ward 2 and took out both types of petitions as did John Coats. Bob Schaefer and Joe Maul took out petitions for Ward 3 to run against Gene Ebersohl. Mary Ellen Niemietz may face a challenge by Randy Mathews, who took out both types of petitions. Ron Langhans took out both types of petitions and could challenge Agne in Ward 1.

Tougher DUI laws are set to take effect at midnight tonight throughout Illinois. The current law is that a first time DUI offense results in a three-month suspension of a driver’s license and a six-month suspension if the breathalyzer test was refused. 

The new 2009 legislation states that first time DUI offenders who test higher than .08 blood alcohol content will result in a six-month suspension and a refusal to take the breathalyzer  results in a one-year suspension. These suspensions take place 46 days after the arrest date or the date when a blood or urine test is taken.

Additionally, in 2009, first time DUI offenders will be issued a monitoring device driving permit. The offenders will only be allowed to operate their vehicle when it has been equipped with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device. This device is a breath tester connected to the vehicle’s ignition. The operator must provide a breath sample below DUI limits or the vehicle will not start. The offender is responsible for purchasing the devise.

Columbia’s 150^th anniversary celebration will officially get underway with a fireworks display at midnight tonight. The community’s year-long sesquicentennial celebration, Celebration 2009, will begin with a fireworks display from the top of Cherry St. overlooking the city. The city’s emergency sirens will sound and church bells will ring to coincide with the beginning of the new year. Residents are encouraged to join in the celebration by making their own noise with car horns, bells and other legal noise-makers. The fireworks display will be shot from the yard of Mayor Les Schneider, co-chairman of the Celebration 2009 Committee.

The committee has been meeting for the past year and has planned various activities and events to celebrate the city’s milestone. Representatives from various community organizations serve on the committee. John Conrad is co-chairman, Jim Vogt treasurer and Wendy Norman is the secretary. Others serving on the committee during the past year include Alderman Mary Niemietz, Art Baltz, Lynn Colyer, Jean Marie Conrad, Rich Dreher, Carol Fries, Walter (Gig) Giffhorn, Florence Haberl, Gene Haller, Del Hannegan, Jackie Hausmann, Mike Kish, Shirley Langhans,  Lucille McKinney, Bob Naumann, Vic Reichert, Joyce Rose, Kenny (Spooner) Schmidt, Herb Schueler, Susy Schweigert, Ingrid Soraghan and Grace Volkert. Mayor Kevin Hutchinson and many others behind the scenes have also participated in the planning. The committee is also enlisting the support and involvement of civic, social and church groups throughout the community.

“We are very excited and looking forward to another great year in the City of Columbia,” said Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

The first social event will be a Mardi Gras Ball Saturday, Feb. 21 at Turner Hall. The dinner and dance will revive an annual tradition that was observed for many years at Turner Hall. The Second Generation Swing will provide music. Tickets are now on sale for $20 per person and may be purchased at Turner Hall, Ron’s Pharmacy, Conrad Press, Ltd. and Conrad Travel, Ltd. Table reservations for 8 or 10 people are available by contacting Jean Marie Conrad at 281-4667 or Shirley Langhans at 281-5718. The Mardi Gras dinner will feature fried chicken, black beans and rice and King Cake. Those attending are encouraged to wear costumes or dress in a festive manner. The Mardi Gras was a tradition in Columbia for decades prior to World War II. The event was cancelled following the beginning of the war and never permanently revived.

Other events and activities are being planned by the Celebration 2009 Committee throughout the year. The main celebration will be July 3, 4 and 5, the same dates as the community’s centennial celebration in 1959. A book of remembrances is being compiled. A Power Point presentation has been completed for showing in the schools and at various public meetings.  A commemorative calendar and souvenir items will be offered for sale.  

The Village of Valmeyer’s will kick off their Centennial Celebration Jan. 6, 2009, at the village board meeting when Mayor Howard Heavner signs an official proclamation declaring 2009 as the Centennial Year. Valmeyer was officially incorporated as a village on Dec. 4, 1909.

Numerous Valmeyer residents reported receiving a rolled up paper thrown their yard the Sunday before Christmas. The material promoted white supremacy. The village police department said they have not received any formal complaints from residents yet regarding the matter. The origin of the material is not known.

Eagles Win Columbia – Freeburg Holiday Tournament

The Columbia Eagles celebrate their 68-58 victory over Triad on Tuesday evening to win the championship of the Columbia – Freeburg Holiday Tournament held in Freeburg.   – photo by Debbie Roediger

Bulldogs Post First Hard-court Victory

Jake Degener goes up for two of his game-high 16 as Waterloo defeated Marquette for ninth place in the Columbia – Freeburg Holiday Tournament. This was the first victory for the Bulldogs, bringing their record to 1-9 on the season.    – photo by Bob Haentzler – Gateway Photography

The SPPS Grade School boys’ basketball team defeated Millstadt in the championship game Tuesday of the SPPS Holiday Tournament. The victory brings the Falcons record to 18-1.

There were 60 donors who braved slick roads and wintry weather Dec. 16 to donate blood for the Red Cross at Turner Hall in Columbia. Al Hudzik reached his 7-gallon donation milestone and Don Vaughn the reached the 3-gallon mark. The next Columbia Community Blood Drive is Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Turner Hall. 

Recent Obituary

Edna Kistner, 93, of Waterloo, formerly of Granite City, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. She was born May 12, 1915, in Normal, the daughter of the late Joseph and Faye (Burns) Kistner Staikoff. Ms. Kistner is survived by her close friend, Janette Fields of Columbia, along with other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her step-father, Delcho Staikoff; and a sister, Irma Kistner. Ms. Kistner was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia and the Catholic Deaf Ministry of St. Louis, Mo. A memorial Mass will be Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. She will be was cremated according to her wishes. Arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Deaf Ministry of St. Louis, Mo., or the Immaculate Conception School Education Fund.