Waterloo Piranhas Suspend Operations

During a Waterloo Piranhas Swim / Dive Team board meting earlier this week, it was decided the team will immediately suspend operations and not compete in this summer’s season. Their decision was based on the recent failing of a bond referendum sponsored by the Waterloo Park District which would have funded a new swimming pool in Konarcik Park.

The current pool used by the Piranhas, the Park District pool located on North Library Street, is in need of more than $1 million in repairs. The district was hoping the third time was a charm for the passing of the referendum, but it was again defeated by the voters. The district previously stated that without the funding from the referendum, the pool would close after the summer 2008 swimming season.

“The difficult decision was not made without much debate and discussion and several meetings and was based on a multitude of issues and continued challenges with the current Park Board,” said Piranhas Parent Board President Jim Fritz.

The Piranhas board has not dissolved the team, just suspended operations of the team in case other options open in the future.

“We are still investigating options and will continue to petition the park board to reconsider their current position on the pool,” said Fritz.

The Piranhas board sent out a letter this week to parents of team members advising them to consider signing their children up in the Columbia, Red Bud and South County swim teams.

“This is unbelievably sad news,” said Fred Schmitt, a former longtime Piranhas coach. “I hope something can be worked out. The Piranhas is such a great program for the children of Waterloo. 

(Ed-itor’s Note: Current and former Piranhas swimmers are encouraged to send in photos of their swimming days into The Independent for printing in the upcoming edition.

 

The Waterloo Bulldogs fell to Freeburg 60 to 50 in Monday night’s Class 3A Mascoutah Basketball Regional. Nick Webb led the Bulldogs in scoring with 15 points.

 

U.S. Representative Jerry Costello is happy to report the recent progress on the proposed new Mississippi Bridge. Official from Illinois and Missouri are planning a press conference on Thursday to announce the details.

“I am pleased that Illinois and Missouri have worked out their differences and that the region can look forward to reduced congestion and better commutes,” said Costello.

Initial reports are that the bridge will not be a toll bridge, will not be privatized and will be four lanes instead of the originally planned eight lanes.

“Building the bridge is an essential step in ensuring the economic health of our region into the future, and it will again demonstrate what we can accomplish when federal, state and local government work together to address shared problems,” Costello added.

 

WJHS Principal Stepping Down: During Monday night’s Waterloo School Board meeting, Waterloo Junior High School Principal Linda Yagge announced she will retire from her position at the end of the 2008 school year. She had been with the school since 2005.

 

Board Hires New CHS Principal

Mark Stuart

Mark Stuart has accepted the position of the new Columbia High School principal. The Columbia School Board unanimously approved Stuart’s hiring during its Feb. 21 meeting. He will take the position beginning on July 1. Current Principal Dr. Sara Keene has accepted the position of principal at Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Mo. Her last official day as the CHS principal will be June 30.

Stuart was selected for the position of CHS Principal following a selection process which involved input from CHS students, staff and parents. Superintendent Jack Turner and Ed Settles, who will move into the role of superintendent this July, were also involved in the process.

“The interview team was most impressed with Mark’s ability to build strong relationships with students, staff and families,” said Turner.  “He has proven that he can lead and encourage staff toward excellence and make a difference for the children in our community.”

Stuart, who has 15 years experience in public education, has been serving as principal at Pittsfield High School since 2005. Prior to that, he held positions as assistant principal, teacher and football coach at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville. Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and physical education from North Park University, a master’s degree in athletic administration from Western Michigan University and has completed his coursework for administrative certification from the University of Illinois-Springfield. 

In other Columbia School District news… Current Columbia Middle School Assistant Principal Beth Horner has accepted the newly created position of assistant to the superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

 

Trivia At Fountain Inn Saturday Night

Cathy Washausen, Jeanette McClellan and Angie Jehling are putting the final touches on the trivia night scheduled for this Saturday night at Fountain Inn. Questions begin at 7 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Sure Cures Relay For Life team. The ladies are hoping some of the guys who posed for their Men Of Monroe County Calendar might be in attendance. “They can keep their shirts on this time,” said Jehling. To reserve a table, call Fountain Inn at 935-2266.

 

With last week’s winter storm closing school a couple days last week, the Valmeyer High School FFA has rescheduled some of its FFA Week activities. The tractor show and parade will be Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. The FFA Sweetheart Dance will be Saturday, March 1. The Valmeyer High School Music Marathon and Fish Fry has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. There will be a fish fry on Feb. 29 at St. John UCC in Valmeyer.

 

Cooper And Kovarik Are Gibault Homecoming Royalty

Danielle Cooper and Jon Kovarik were crowned Saturday night the queen and king of the Gibault High School Homecoming Dance.

 

Andrea (Knobloch from home) and Corey Blackwell are parents for the first time. Yesterday, Andrea gave birth to a son, Lucas Paul. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. It has not yet been determined if Lucas will be a righty or a lefty, but he may grow up to be a great Mon-Clair Baseball League pitcher like his father, who is a starter for the Waterloo Buds. His Valmeyer grandparents, County Clerk Dennis Knobloch and his wife, Elaine, may try to sway him to play for the Valmeyer Laker.

 

Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Gardner is happy with the early sign-up for this Saturday’s Backstoppers Benefit Trivia Night at the Hecker Community Center. “We’ve got 40 tables so far, and we have room for a lot more teams to sign up,” said Gardner.

 

Recent Obituaries

William "Bill" Kennedy Sr., 77, of Prairie du Rocher, died Feb. 24, 2008, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. He was born August 3, 1930 in Ames, the son of the late William and Leona (nee Laurent) Kennedy. He married Judy Hunter in 1966 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher. She survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Bill (Candy) Kennedy Jr. of Hecker and Becky (Charlie) Cowell of Sparta; grandchildren Erin (fiancé Brian) Kennedy, Josh Kennedy, Allison Kennedy, Kayla Cowell and Jacob Cowell; step-grandchildren Jayne Kirkpatrick and Jim Heinz; step-great-grandchildren Jaxon and Trinity Heinz; siblings Darlene (Arthur) Frisch of Columbia, Paul (Rose) Kennedy of Waterloo, Marlene (Everett) DeRousse of Lee's Summit, Mo., Marin Kennedy of Prairie du Rocher and Richard (Phyllis) Kennedy of Ruma; sister-in-law, Jeanette Kennedy of Prairie du Rocher; along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Robert and Harold Kennedy; and a sister, Auvergne Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was an Army veteran, a farmer and also worked at Gateway FS in Prairie du Rocher for 48 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher, American Legion Post 622 and the Randolph County Farm Bureau. He also served on the Prairie du Rocher Fire Department Board. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Wednesday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher, Father Tom Stout officiating. He will be buried with a military graveside service by American Legion Post 622 at the church's cemetery.

Norma Lindemann nee Sopp, 97, of Waterloo, formerly of Dupo, died Feb. 19, 2008, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. She was born Oct. 18. Survivors include son, William (Clara) Lindemann of Las Cruces, NM; daughter, Joan (Arland) Nottmeier of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren Kate and Carl Nottmeier, Eric (Tracy) Nottmeier and Alex (Jennifer) Nottmeier; great-grandchildren Reese, Sloan, Turner and Hudson Nottmeier; sisters-in-law Norma Sopp and Elva Sopp; and god-daughter, Linda Frisch; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Lindemann; brothers Otto Buehler, Oliver Sopp and Russell Sopp. She was a member of the Women's Guild of Christ UCC Church in Dupo, Dupo Volunteer Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary and the Monroe County Home Extension. She was a secretary at Dupo High School and East Carondelet Grade School. Funeral arrangements were handled by Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral services were held at Christ UCC of Dupo, Rev. Kim Kelly officiating. She was buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Christ UCC of Dupo Elevator Fund, Oakhill Memorial Fund or A.C. Daugherty Library Fund.

Laura Thomas, 94, of Breese, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. She was born June 28, 1913, in Columbia, the daughter of late Herman and Christina (Klohr) Osterhage. She married Alvin Thomas on August 17, 1940, at St. Philips Church in Edgemont. He died in 1995. Also preceding her death were a son, Alan Thomas; brother, Raymond Osterhage; and great-grandson, Arthur Alan Mucciante. Surviving are a son, David (Jan) Thomas of Aviston; daughter-in-law, Rosalie Thomas of Centralia; grandchildren Diane (Art) Mucciante of Presque Isle, Mich.; Lynn (Mark) Featherling of Centralia, Rodney (Corina) Thomas of Bartlett and Scott (Kathy) Thomas of Aviston; great-grandchildren Rosalie, Brianna and Bruno Mucciante, Megan and Jacob Featherling and Jessica, Gavin, Caleb, Collin and Griffin Thomas; and twin sister, Myrtle Jung of Millstadt. Laura was a homemaker and co-owner of Western Auto Supply in Breese. She was a member of St. John UCC of Breese Women’s Fellowship. Visitation is Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Moss Funeral Home in Breese. Funeral service is Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m., at St. John UCC in Breese, with Rev. Lisa Hart officiating. She will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.

Carl Emil Kuester, 76, of Millstadt, died Feb. 22, 2008, at his residence. He was born Aug. 23, 1931, in Sugar City, Colo., the son of the late Simon and Minnie (nee Bauer) Kuester. He was preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Peterson; brothers Elvin Kuester and Richard Kuester in infancy. Survivors include his wife, Ruth nee Eickhoff; children David (Jane) Kuester of Millstadt, Debra (Mark) Vendermyde of Forsyth, Karen Glenn of O’Fallon and Kevin (Karen) Kuester of Freeburg; grandchildren Will, Adam, Noah and Emma Kuester, Rachel Vendermyde, Ryan and Alex Glenn, Christopher and Daniel and Sarah Kuester; and sisters Selma Wiles Of Oklahoma and Bernice Kuester of Tyler, Tex; along with other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements were handled by Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home of Millstadt. A funeral was held at Zion Evangelical Church of Millstadt, with Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. He was buried at Freivogel Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical Church or Parkinson Support Group of Belleville.