Vance Johnson of Waterloo and John Chinn of Belleville are recovering from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident yesterday in Columbia. Johnson, 52, was driving a Ford Ranger northbound on Route 3 with Chinn, 45, in the passenger seat. When they turned onto the exit ramp onto Route 158 at 3 p.m. heading toward Millstadt, Johnson lost control of the truck. The vehicle rolled and landed and landed on its wheels at the top of the ramp.

Johnson and Chinn were transported to Memorial Hospital in Belleville with minor injuries. Johnson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid and accident and driving under the influence.

 

Eagles To Face Wesclin In Sectional Championship

Columbia Eagles’ shooter Brian Winters sinks one of his seven three-point shots during the 66-60 victory earlier this week over White Hall North Greene.   – photo by Debbie Roediger

The Columbia High School boys’ basketball team will face Wesclin this evening in the championship game of the Class 2A Nashville Sectional Tournament. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville High School.

Both teams come into the game with matching records of 23-7. The winner will play in the SIU-Carbondale Super Sectional beginning next Tuesday. Columbia made it into the championship game by defeating Gibault, Central and White Hall North Greene in the Columbia Regional Tournament.

 

New Mississippi Gets Okay From Illinois And Missouri Officials

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, left, and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt sign-off on the new bridge to span the Mississippi River near downtown St. Louis.   – photo by Ed Rahe

by Ed Rahe

Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois and Gov. Mat Blunt of Missouri signed a ceremonial agreement yesterday to build a bi-state bridge from East St. Louis over the Mississippi River to connect with I-70 north of downtown St. Louis. Politicians from both sides of the river were on hand to show bi-partisan support for the agreement.

Earlier this week the two states agreed to mutually-acceptable provisions to allow construction to move forward. A new bridge has been talked about for many years and in 2001 the Federal Highway Administration approved its construction. Since then both states disagreed whether the bridge would be partly funded with tolls. Under the recently hammered out agreement the bridge will be toll-free.

The total cost of the bridge is estimated to be $306 million with $209 million coming from the federal government, $49 million from the state of Illinois and $18 million from the state of Missouri. In addition, Illinois will spend $264 million to relocate sections of I-70.

Both governors touted the bridge as a bi-partisan effort which will provide economic stimulus, improved safety and less traffic congestion in the region.
 

The Waterloo German Band has been spotted on numerous occasions in recent reports by St. Louis newspaper and television stories covering the announcement that the St. Louis Strassenfest will cease operations this year. In particular, band leaders Brenda Johnson and Harry Wolf were spotted in several of the news reports. For those wanting a complete history of the Strassenfest when it was originally held in Columbia, make sure too ask former Mayor Lester Schneider.

 

Former Waterloo resident Anita (Kruse from home) Sennott was effected by the wide-spread Nuclear Plant shut down earlier this week. “Here in Oscela County, my power and phone system were out,” said Sennott. “Thank goodness it wasn't the middle of summer!”

 

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

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 Monroe County Farm Bureau’s 91st annual meeting is March 8, at Turner Hall in Columbia. The meal will start at 6:30 p.m. Comedian Ron Dentinger of Dodgeville, Wisc. is the guest speaker. Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased by calling the Far Bureau office at 939-6197.

Saturday Night Is Big Night For Trivia: There are three benefit trivia nights scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. this Saturday. The one at SPPS in Waterloo will benefit the All American Dream softball team. Backstoppers will receive the proceeds from the trivia night at the Hecker Community Center. And Fountain Inn is the place to be for a lively trivia night for the Sure Cures Relay For Life team.

Other weekend entertainment includes the Waterloo Optimist Bowling Tournament. It is slated to run Friday through Sunday at Westpark Bowl in Columbia. All proceeds are donated to Gibault High School and Waterloo High School.

Humane Society Of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week

Corbin is an 18-month-old, blonde Labrador Retriever. He is a very sweet, friendly dog who needs is someone willing to spend time with him and help him learn a few manners. To visit Corbin, stop by the Waterloo Feed Store on March 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The society’s website is www.hsofmcil.org.
 

Calendar of Events

Friday
Lenten Fish Fries

Fish fry at St. John UCC of Valmeyer

Rock band Aftershock at Valmeyer High School

 

Saturday
Trivia Night: SPPS for All American Dream Softball Team

Trivia Night: Heckerdome for Backstoppers

Trivia Night: Fountain Inn for Sure Cures Relay For Life Team

Country band Dixie Express at Bobeck’s

 

Recent Obituaries

Mary Hippe nee Rickert, 86, of St. Louis, Mo., died Feb. 26, 2008 in St. Louis County, Mo. She was born Oct. 27, 1921, in Tipton, the daughter of the late George and Gertrude (nee Crook) Rickert. She was preceded in death by husbands Lamar Wild and Richard Hippe; brothers George Jr. and Edward (Yvonne) Rickert. Survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins and special friend, David Sahraman. She was a longtime member of Ste. Genevieve Dubois Church in Warson Woods, Mo. And a former co-owner of Gus T. Handge Painting Co. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 29, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m., at the funeral home, Father Jose Jacob officiating. She will be buried at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo.

Randall "Mouse" Levin, 47, of Columbia, died Feb. 25, 2008, at Des Peres Hospital. He was born Feb. 20, 1961 in East St. Louis, the son of John Levin and the late Norma Mae (Brown) Levin. Survivors include brothers Scott (Lisa) Levin of Waterloo and Todd (Betty Graves) Levin of Waterloo; niece, Zailey Levin; and nephews Clayton Levin and Zack Martychenko; along with other relatives and friends. He was a carpenter for John Levin Builders in Waterloo, member of Carpenter's Union Local 1997 of St. Louis, Mo. and was an avid outdoorsman. Funeral arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. A funeral was held at the funeral home, Pastor Mike Kumm officiating. He was buried at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made the Ocean Conservancy of Washington, D.C.

Albert Hornbostel, 95, of Columbia, died Feb. 28, 2008, at St. Luke's Hospital. He was born Dec. 10, 1912 in Shiloh, the son of the late William and Minnie (Nordmeyer) Hornbostel. He married Virginia (Willis) Hornbostel in 1935 in Chester. She survives him. Also surviving are sons Ray (Linda) Hornbostel of Forney, Tex., Paul (Gail) Hornbostel of Caseyville and George (Dixie) Hornbostel of Columbia; a foster son, Peter (Sandi) Woolley of Columbia; sister, Helen Grennels of Chester; 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters. He was a retired maintenance man with the Columbia School District, a WWII Navy veteran, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, American Legion Post 581 of Columbia and the Millstadt V.F.W. Post. Visitation is Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, March 3, 11 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, Pastor Steven Theiss officiating. He will be buried at the Percy Village Cemetery in Percy. Memorials may be made to the church’s Building Fund.

Deborah Simmons, 56, died Feb. 28, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 25, 1951 in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Jacob Edgar Steppig and Patricia (Mason) Steppig, of Eldon, Mo., who survives her. She married Michael Lee Simmons in 1972. He survives her. Also surviving are daughters Michelle (Tori) Bartlett of Hiram, Ga., Christine (Thor) Lohrberg of rural Waterloo and Jessica (Bradley) Sager of Dupo; sisters Mary (Robert) Golaszenski of Bonne Terre, Mo. and Rita (Charles) Kempf of Eldon, Mo., grandchildren Tory, Thomas, Trece, Grant and Jacob. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Taylor Thomas Bartlett. She was a longtime postal employee at the Columbia Post Office, with more than 30 years of service to the USPS. Visitation is Monday, March 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Tuesday, March 4, 10 a.m., at the funeral home, Rev. Charles Kempf officiating. She will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  

 

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Leap Year News - February 29, 2008

 
Columbia Convalescent Center residents Verna Farney, second from left, and George Keller, third from right, celebrated their Leap Year birthdays today. Farney marked her 23^rd birthday, while Farney was only 24. They gathered with family, friends and fellow residents.

 

The Columbia Middle School and High School students will perform "You Can't Take it With You" at CMS Cafetorium. Performances are Feb. 29, and March 1 and 2. Saturday and Sunday performance are at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s matinee begins at 2 p.m.