Fire Damages Dupo Home

Dupo firefighters remove fire damaged furniture today from a burning home on State Street.

A home at 312 State Street in Dupo received extensive fire and smoke damage today. The Dupo Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Columbia and Cahokia in putting out the blaze.

Mark Rambo, his wife and their two children reside in the home owned by Bob Stumpf of Waterloo.

Irvin Smith heard an explosion from the residence across the street from his home.

“It sounded just like a big aerosol can blowing up,” said Smith.

Soon windows in the front of the home blew out and smoke and fire were emanating from inside. A 9-1-1 call was then made to the fire department. Not sure if anyone was inside, Smith entered the home through the front door.

“The bed in the front room was completely on fire, but I could not find anyone inside,” Smith said. “Everyone must have been at school and work.”

He soon left the burning home and waited safely outside until firefighters arrived. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire. They stayed at the scene for another hour to remove smoldering furniture and other household items.

“It appears to be an electrical fire that started in the bedroom,” said Dupo Fire Chief Kurt Johnson.

Columbia Fire Chief Mike Roediger rescues a cat from the burning home in Dupo.

 

Missouri Man Arrested In Connection With Rash Of Burglaries

A construction trailer at the Hampton Inn in Columbia was burglarized earlier this week.

Several area police departments worked together to make an arrest yesterday in the case of several area break-ins. John Jason Woods of Afton, Mo., was arrested Monday, May 5 by the Columbia Police Department at an acquaintance’s home in Cahokia. Woods, 36, has been charged with one count of residential burglary and four counts of burglary.

“He mainly stole tools and other items,” said State’s Attorney Kris Reitz.

According to the police reports, Woods’ crime wave in Monroe County began April 9 when he took items from storage sheds at J.B. Golf Tee and River Lakes Golf Course, both on Ramsey Road in Columbia. He is suspected of next striking May 4 when items were reported stolen at a building owned by John Galle on Shadow Ridge Lane in Columbia. Woods is also accused of stealing tools on May 5 from a GRS Construction trailer located at the Hampton Inn construction site in Columbia.

The residential burglary charge stems from a break in May 5 at a display home owned by C.A. Jones Construction on Sherwood Lane in Waterloo. Several items were reported missing from the home, including a 42-inch flat screen television.

Woods was confronted Monday by an individual at the Shadow Ridge Lane burglary site. When Woods fled the scene in a gray Jeep Cherokee, the witness was able to obtain the license plate number.

A Cahokia police officer noticed a vehicle matching the description at a home on Maynor Drive and contacted the Columbia Police Department. Columbia officers went to the Cahokia residence and spoke to Woods.

“After questioning Woods, his involvement in this case became clear,” said Columbia Deputy Police Chief Jerry Paul.

He was soon arrested and taken to the Monroe County Jail.

Woods had a considerable past criminal record, according to Reitz.

“He had about 20 prior felony convictions, most of them in Missouri,” Reitz said. 

Woods is being held at the Monroe County Jail awaiting arraignment today before Circuit Judge Dennis Doyle. He is next scheduled to appear before Judge Doyle on May 22 at the Monroe County Courthouse for his preliminary court appearance.

“I want to thank the police officers from Columbia, Waterloo and Cahokia, along with the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services for their hard work in making this arrest,” Deputy Chief Paul said.

 

The vandalism at Rock City Monday morning was limited to one vehicle. “It was a Pyramid Electric truck,” said Valmeyer Police Chief Tom Andres.

Sometime over the weekend, someone sprayed orange marking paint into the bumper and tire of the utility vehicle. Andres said nothing appeared to be stolen off of the truck.

 

Columbia’s Passes Budget Which Includes Cuts In Services

Columbia Deputy Police Chief Jerry Paul inquires about some of the proposed cuts to the police department budget during a recent Columbia City Council meeting.

Columbia aldermen passed the city’s annual budget during the April 28 special meeting of Columbia City Council. A special meeting was needed because details of the proposed $17.5 million budget could not be reached on the regular April 21 meeting. The aldermen voted 6-2 for the April 28 adjusted budget, with Aldermen Mary Ellen Niemietz and Gene Ebersohl casting the no votes.

“This is not a perfect budget that is balanced to the penny, but it is much better than the initial proposal,”’ said Alderman Dan Row.

With revenues to the city coffers tightening up in recent years, the aldermen made some tough choices in deciding which expenses to cut.

“We are just asking for some cuts to work out this year’s budget,” said Alderman Fred Stumpf. “I am positive about Columbia’s future. Once we get passed this blip in the economy, we should be okay.”

In addition to the cutting of expenses, the balancing of the budget was helped out by the aldermen agreeing to transfer $545,000 from the capitol development fund and $150,000 from the garbage fund into the general cash fund.

Former Mayor Lester Schneider advised the council this is not a prudent means to help the longtime fiscal situation of the city.

“We now are down $1 million in our reserves with no plans for future revenue. Next year the situation will only be worse. It is your responsibility as aldermen to correct this,” said Schneider.

City Administrator Anthony Traxler concurred with Schneider.

“I would like to see our general fund higher than what it currently is,” said Traxler. You cannot predict all of the unbudgeted expenses which will arise in the future. That is why you need a cash reserve.”

Traxler said most of the cutbacks in expenses were from street projects, maintenance and equipment, services and salary cuts.

“We will instead have a smaller workforce, but will likely be paying more in overtime or cutting shifts,” said Traxler. 

Large building projects put on hold for this year include the preliminary engineering work on Old Town Phase 2 and Metter Street ($150,000), the Cherry Street sidewalk ($35,000), the park at Creekside Estates ($100,000) and bridge deck overlays ($50,000).

More than $130,000 was cut from the Columbia Police Department budget, including not rehiring a patrol officer who left for other employment and not replacing three aging patrol cars.

There was also $17,000 cut from community development projects. Programs that could be in jeopardy this year includes Music At Metter, Movies At Metter and the Historic Preservation Committee’s trolley rides, Traxler said.

Alderman Niemietz said she could not support this budget because of the cuts in services and the $350,000 which was earmarked for legal fees for the litigation regarding the Columbia Crossing Development.

“This is a great community. People live here because of the services they are accustomed to, like streets, parks, leaf and limb pickup, security cameras and recycling. If we start down the road of cutting services, it will be a dismal future,” Niemietz said.

Showing his displeasure with the cuts in the budget and support of the Columbia Crossing development, Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said the budget could have been balanced a long time ago if the city council would have passed the Master Development Agreement with G.J. Grewe.

“When we are cutting police cameras at ICS and live scan updates at the police station, we are cutting the quality of life for the residents of Columbia,” said Hutchinson.

Hutchinson said the city is fighting a losing battle in the lawsuit with Grewe. “And the people fighting it do not have a plan to replace the revenue,” he added.

 

The Waterloo High School concert and jazz band’s annual Spring Awards Concert is Thursday, May 8. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the high school gym. The concert band will perform selections from the musical “Chicago.” The jazz band will play swing, blues, funk and Latin selections. In addition, senior band members will be recognized and the John Philip Sousa band award and Louie Armstrong jazz award will be presented. 

 

Recent Obituaries

Timothy Joseph Racine, 51, of Lake St. Louis, Mo., died May 1, 2008. He was born June 5, 1956 in Florida, the son of Joe and Mary Racine of Waterloo. In addition to his parents, he is survived by brothers Glen Racine of St. Charles, Mo., John Kyle (Janis) Racine of Aurora and Sean Racine of St. Charles, Mo.; and niece Lauren Racine. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and uncles. He was a member of the BMW Car Club. Visitation is Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, May 9, 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester with Father Eugene H. Wojcik officiating. Mr. Racine will be buried at the church’s cemetery.

Erika St. Arbor, 22, of Millstadt, died April 26, 2008 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville following an automobile accident. She was born April 17, 1986, in Belleville. She is survived by her fiance, Kristofer Hall of Collinsville; his daughter, Jaylnn Hall; parents, Brian and Tammie, nee St. Arbor, Heet of Millstadt; brother, Zachary Heet of Millstadt; maternal grandmother, Martha (Carl) Gallion of Cahokia; maternal grandfather, Kenneth (Juanita) St. Arbor of Burksville; paternal grandparents Gregory and Barbara Heet of Shiloh, Ill; and special aunt, Michelle (Richard) Rist of Millstadt; along with other aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. She was a 2004 graduate of Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo was an early childhood development student at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, scheduled to graduate May 10, 2008. She was employed at Lighthouse Day Care Center in Columbia. Miss St. Arbor was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt. Visitation was at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. Funeral service was at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, with Monsignor Marvin Volk officiating. She was buried at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the SIUE Foundation.

Herbert Probst, 90, of Hecker, died May 5, 2008 in Red Bud. He was born Oct. 9, 1917 in Hecker to the late William and Bertha (nee Koerber) Probst. Survivors include stepchildren James (Theresa) Higgins, Steve (Alice) Higgins, John (Lisa) Russo, Anthony (Mary) Russo and Constance (James) Treiber; and brother William (Myrtle) Probst of Waterloo; along with numerous step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Celestine (nee Neff) Probst; second wife, Mildred (nee Milster) Probst; daughter, Gail Ruhmann; and brothers Robert and Hugo Probst. He was the former owner of Probst Egg Co., and a member of Swansea Moose Lodge, Waterloo Senior Center and Red Bud Senior Center. Visitation is Tuesday, May 6, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, May 7, 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with Father Robert Gore officiating. Mr. Probst will be buried at St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery in Hecker. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Marjorie Massie, 87, of Dupo, died May 2, 2008, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. She was born Jan. 12, 1921 in Scott City, Mo., the daughter of the late Gordon and Iva Estella, nee Jones, Tapp. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Henry Lee Massie; and brothers and sisters. Survivors include sons Charles (Karen) Massie and Gary (Sandy) Massie; daughter, Beverly (Mike) Pulcher; and grandchildren Robert Lee Massie, Paul Scott Massie, Matthew Massie, Keith Massie and Michele Hicks; along with 11 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Visitation is Wednesday, May 7, 9 a.m. to noon, at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home with Rev. Paul Rose and Rev. Wayne Walborn officiating. Mrs. Massie will be buried at Palmier Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to Evangel Assembly of God Church in Columbia.

Brent Stayton, 48, of Red Bud died May 5, 2008, at Red Bud Regional Hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 18, 1959, on the family farm in Carlinville, the son of Dean and Helen Stayton. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree. In addition to his parents, he is survived by wife, Lois Stayton of Red Bud; daughters Ashley, Brooke (fiance Alex Bunte) and Morgan Stayton, all of Red Bud; grandmother, Mildred Mayes of Palmyra; brothers Brad (Cindy) Stayton and Baron (Suzanne) Stayton, both of Carlinville; nieces and nephews Derek, Dane, Damon, Megan, Drew and Jillian Stayton; and in-laws Peter and Joyce Olroyd of Carlinville; along with brothers-in-laws, uncles and aunts. He was preceded in death by grandfather Al Mayes; and uncles Henry Mayes and Jack Stayton. Visitation is Wednesday, May 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Thursday, May 8, 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Red Bud with Rev. Dennis Morgan officiating.  Graveside service is May 8, 4 p.m., at Charity Baptist Church Cemetery in Carlinville. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Red Bud Building Fund.