A storm this week brought a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow throughout Monroe County. There were several minor accidents, including a driver who lost control of their BMW on Gall Road in rural Columbia. The car slammed into the side of a home, but there were no injuries. The name of the driver has not yet been released.

Columbia Police Catch Two Burglary Suspects

A gun was fired Sunday night when two men attempted to steal a television from the Century 21 office in downtown Columbia. After they failed to pry a monitor from its stand, they fled the scene.

A person walking along Main Street saw the incident and called the police. The witness also provided a description of the get-away vehicle. Columbia police officers pulled over the vehicle and arrested the suspects on Route 3, less than five minutes after the 9-1-1 call was made.

Arrested were Matthew T. Goodman, 45, of St. Louis and Jason T. Darnell, 33, of East Carondelet. Goodman was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, unlawful possession of burglary tools and unlawful possession of cannabis. Darnell was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and burglary. Goodman posted $25,000 bond and was released awaiting trial. Darnell remains at the Monroe County Jail.

According to the police report, at 11:19 p.m. a gun was fired to break a window and gain access into the Century 21 office. Goodman and Darnell allegedly entered the building an attempted to steal a video monitor.

“They were unable to pry the monitor off the wall, so they fled,” said Linda Frierdich, owner of the building.

Using a description of the vehicle provided by a witness, at 11:22 p.m. a Columbia police officer pulled over a vehicle at the intersection of Eagle Drive and Route 3 in Columbia. Goodman and Darnell were arrested and taken to the Monroe County Jail.

“I want to publicly thank the individual who called the police and reported this crime,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards, “Because of this individual’s involvement, two dangerous people are off the streets and incarcerated. This is a perfect example of how citizens can assist the police with solving crimes. I encourage all citizens to report suspicious activity to the police. 

Frierdich said she is very glad the Columbia police officers arrested the suspects. The window to her office building has been repaired.

Three Red Bud High School students are recovering from injuries sustained Monday in a car accident on Powell Road in rural Red Bud on the far east end of Monroe County. Christopher Hanger, 18, was driving his Olds Cutlass on Powell Road when he lost control. The car rolled several times before coming to rest. Hanger and passenger Jacob Adams, 16, received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Red Bud Regional Hospital. Passenger Ronnie Cornstubble, 16, was ejected from the vehicle and landed on the roadway. He received a severe head wound and was transported by Arch helicopter to a hospital in St. Louis.

 

 

As part of National FFA Week, Waterloo High School students participated Wednesday in a tractor parade through the streets of Waterloo.   – photo by Gage Wienhoff

St. Louis Police Lt. Robert J. Cooney, 43, died Feb. 19 from injuries sustained in a fall from the roof of his one-story house. He was the husband of Cindy (Parrott) Cooney, originally from Columbia. The couple has two children, Sarah, 13; and Sean, 10. A funeral was today at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Louis with burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. A trust fund has been set up for the family at A.G. Edwards-Wachovia, 10369 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Mo., 63131. Cindy Cooney works for A.G. Edwards-Wachovia and was administrative assistant to Don Barlow of Columbia prior to his retirement from the brokerage. Lt. Cooney was commander of the police department’s Mobile Reserve, K-9 and Hostage Rescue units. He slipped while making repairs to wire mesh around the chimney and fell to his death.

Coyotes Spotted In Columbia City Limits

A coyote wanders at the bottom of a hill of a wooded area near the intersection of Bottom Ave. and Giffhorn Street in Columbia.    – photo by Christa Mahon

Several coyotes have been spotted lately wandering around downtown Columbia. In particular, three were seen last week near the St. Paul UCC Cemetery.

“Many times my neighbors and I can hear the coyotes howl at night, especially when the weather is nice,” said Christa Mahon, who lives on Giffhorn Street.

While the coyotes should not pose any harm to humans, Mahan believes the coyotes may be responsible for the death of one of her cats. Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards said they are aware of the situation and police officers shot and killed three coyotes last year.

 

Alderman Candace Hejna and Police Officer Steve Patton participate in a moment of silence at the start of last Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting. Mayor Kevin Hutchinson began the meeting with an observance in honor of those killed during the Kirkwood City Council meeting. Because of the incident in Kirkwood, security has tightened up at Columbia City Hall. There is only one entrance and exit to the council chambers and a red security line has been put up to prevent citizens from approaching aldermen and the mayor during meetings. A police officer is also present at all city meetings.

 

A court hearing scheduled for today in Carbondale involving Gene Taake’s lawsuit with Monroe County involving the old County Nursing Home was canceled. It has been rescheduled for a later date. The venue has also been moved to Chicago.

The Columbia Middle School and High School students will perform "You Can't Take it With You" at CMS Cafetorium. Performances are Feb. 28 and 29, and March 1 and 2.

Carstar Coming To Columbia: Charlie’s Carstar Quality Collision Service will soon open an auto body repair shop in Columbia. It will be located on North Main Street at the former site of Kruse Chevrolet. Carstar, managed by Dale Hoepfinger, also has a location in Cahokia.

The Fountain Creek Band is going on the road again. On March 8 they will be the first band to play at the Kaskaskia Roadhouse and Grill in downtown Burksville. Owners Ricky and Sharon Muertz welcome everyone to drop by for a festive evening of entertainment. The band starts playing at 9 p.m.

Upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives
Feb. 25, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Valmeyer High School

March 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Smithton Senior Citizen’s Center

March 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., New Athens High School

March 5, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Millstadt Quail Club

March 6, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Waterloo High School

March 6, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dupo High School

March 18, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Waterloo VFW

March 24, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Hecker

March 30, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia

The Valmeyer Senior Citizens next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m., at the Emergency Services Building. Frances “Curly the Clown” Meyer will entertain.

Calendar of Events

Friday

Fish fry and bingo at Waterloo VFW

Saturday

Waterloo Sportsman’s Club Trivia Night at 7 p.m.

St. Paul UCC of Columbia Trivia Night at 7 p.m.

Rock band Jump the Shark at Bobeck’s

Country band San An Tones at Hecker Community Center.

Sunday

SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo Wurstmarkt

 

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Weather Cancellations - February 22, 2008

 

Weather Causes Cancellation Of Two Fish Fries: Because of the schlick road conditions, the Waterloo Sportsman’s Fish Fry and the Valmeyer School Fish Fry and Music Marathon have been canceled for today. While Friday’s fish fry at the Waterloo Sportsman’s Club has been cancelled, the trivia night on Saturday night will be played.

 

The fish fry and bingo is still on at the Waterloo VFW.

 

Basketball Tournament Game Rescheduled: The Columbia versus Central basketball game slated for this evening at the Columbia High School gym has been canceled. The Class 2A Regional Tournament Championship game has been rescheduled for Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.