Three Red Bud Youth Injured In Accident

An Arch helicopter lifts off from Powell Road this afternoon to transport a young man to an area hospital. Three young people, all from Red Bud, were injured when the driver of a Chevrolet Cavalier lost control of the vehicle on Powell Road near LL Road in the rural Red Bud / Hecker area of Monroe County. One individual was ejected from the car and landed on the road several yards from the car. The man received a severe wound to his head and was airlifted to a hospital. The other two individuals with less severe injuries were transported by ambulance to Red Bud Regional Hospital. The names of the victims and their conditions have not yet been released.

Winter Storm Races Through Columbia

Despite strong winds and falling snow this morning, H.J. Frierdich Construction employees continued working on a new comfort station and bathroom in Columbia’s Bolm-Schuhkraft Park. The storm stayed to the north end of Monroe County and lasted about 15 minutes. The sun soon emerged from the clouds and melted all the morning’s snow.

Security Tightened At Columbia And Waterloo City Halls

In response to the shooting earlier this month at a Kirkwood City Council meeting that left six people dead, including two police officers, three public officials and the shooter, a disgruntled Kirkwood citizen, the cities of Columbia and Waterloo have decided to increase security during city council meetings.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said a police officer will be present during all city council meetings at city hall. In additional, there will only be one entrance and exit into the chamber meeting room.

“We are trying to control the flow of traffic during the meetings,” said Hutchinson.

Those attending meetings should still enter through the front door of city hall, said Hutchinson.

“We ask you to then take the back staircase or elevator to enter the meeting room,” said Hutchinson.

A city council meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, but Hutchinson said there are no major issues, including Columbia Crossing, scheduled on the agenda.

The city of Waterloo already had a police officer in attendance during all city council meetings. Police Chief Jim Trantham attends the meetings. In addition, the city is in the process of studying several different means to increase security.

“The incident in Kirkwood has prompted Waterloo to increase security at city hall to protect the employees, city officials and the public,” said Alderman Vicki Koerber, who also serves as the chairman of the safety committee.

Last week, Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith and Public Works Director Tim Birk invited an architect to walk through city hall and make recommendations to make the building more secure. The safety committee will meet Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. to study the findings of the architect and discuss additional ideas to implement at city hall.

Josh Boyer popped the question Sunday to longtime girlfriend Kayla Brennan… and she said, “Yes.” The two are now trying to determine a wedding date. Josh and Kayla have helped out at The Independent’s distribution department for several years.

Recent Obituaries

Donald Reis, 77, of Columbia, died Feb. 20, 2008, at Columbia Convalescent Center.  He was born August 9, 1930 in East St. Louis, the son of the late Carl and Hilda (Habermehl) Reis. Survivors include special friend Marcella “Sally” Schmittling of Waterloo; daughters Jerri (James) Standing of Creve Coeur, Mo., Donna Reis of Minneapolis, Minn. and Susan Mueller of Edwardsville; sons Steven (Teresa) Reis of Columbia and John (Renee) Reis of Valparaiso, Ind.; eight grandchildren; a brother, David (Margaret) Reis of Fla.; and other relatives and friends. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Reis; and a sister, Rose Marie Nottmeier. He was a retired mechanic at Ryder Trucking in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Thursday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. He will be buried at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Willis Henke, 76, of Waterloo, died Feb. 18, 2008 in Belleville. He was born Nov. 5, 1931 in Waterloo, the son of the late Theodore and Olga (nee Mueller) Henke. Survivors include brother Roy (Anola) Henke of Waterloo; nieces Lori Morton of Waterloo, Marla (Robert) Byrd of Waterloo, Karen (Rick) Hoff of Wentzville, Mo. and Kirsten (Nat) Bongiovanni of Fairfax, Va.; nephews Scott Henke and Troy Henke, both of Waterloo; great-niece, Erin Polacek; and great-nephews Ted Polacek and Zachary Byrd. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Henke. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home, with Pastor Dawson Miller officiating. He will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to New Harmony Church of Waterloo.