E-Newsletter - August 8, 2008

Arkansas Man Charged With Car Theft

 

Joe Craig Roberson of Little Rock Ark., has been identified as the man arrested Wednesday afternoon in Waterloo in connection with the car theft at Red Rood Liquor and Lottery in Columbia.

He was charged by the Columbia Police Department with felony counts of theft over $10,000 and aggravated fleeing and eluding of a police officer. In addition, he received traffic tickets for driving while suspended, disobeying a traffic control device and improper passing on the shoulder.

Roberson, 26, is alleged to have stolen a 2008 Lexus owned by Randall Hancock of Columbia Marine at 1:15 p.m., while it was parked at Red Roof. Hancock was talking to one of the owners of the gas station when he noticed a black man not wearing a shirt get into his vehicle and drive away. A Columbia police officer observed a car matching the description driving southbound on Route 3 near the intersection of Carl Street. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver sped away at a high rate of speed.

Police officers from Columbia, Waterloo, Millstadt and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department set up  a perimeter around the area trying to locate the stolen vehicle. With tips from several citizens and the Millstadt Police Department, the vehicle was tracked going to Waterloo, back to Columbia, to Millstadt and then again in Waterloo.

The car was found abandoned in the driveway of Russ Row Sr. at the intersection of North Library and Magnolia Street in Waterloo Casey Schreder, a member of the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency office, spotted the vehicle and reported the information to the emergency dispatcher’s office. Police officers verified this was the stolen vehicle and secured the area.

Local commercial truck driver Morris Brandt of Fults was driving in Waterloo at the time and reported a man matching the description of the wanted individual jogging along Moore Street between the Gateway FS Elevator and the new Waterloo water storage tank. At 3:30 p.m., County Deputy Steve Meister quickly arrived at the scene, made an arrest and transported Roberson to the Monroe County Jail. On Thursday, Roberson made an appearance before Judge Dennis Doyle at the Monroe County Courthouse. Bond was set at $50,000 and Roberson remains detained at the jail. His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 4, at 1 p.m.

Roberson previously served jail time in Arkansas and has a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation in that state, said State’s Attorney Kris Reitz.

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards was thankful to everyone who contributed to the arrest, including several citizens and police officers from Waterloo, Columbia, Millstadt and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

“This case is a perfect example of how citizens can assist area law enforcement with the capture of criminals,” said Edwards. “Because of this cooperative effort, an individual who placed a number of people in jeopardy of being injured by his reckless driving will now be held accountable for his actions.”

Hank Sinda was named Columbia’s interim city administrator during last Monday’s city council meeting. He will serve in the position until a full-time person is named to fill the position vacated by Anthony Traxler, who accepted a position with the city of Maplewood, Mo. Sinda previously was the city manager for Collinsville.
 

Columbia Teens Injured When Car Slides Down Embankment

Three Columbia teenagers were injured Wednesday evening when their car left the roadway, went airborne and came to rest at the bottom of a sink hole. The accident occurred at 6:30 p.m., in the 1900 block of Stemler Road in rural Columbia. The names of the victims and their conditions have not yet been released.

Enjoying bowls of ice cream and cookies Thursday evening during the Farm Bureau’s annual Ice Cream Social at the fairgrounds are, left to right, Wendy Reitz, State’s Attorney Kris Reitz, Nick Reitz and Circuit Clerk Aaron Reitz.   – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Mon-Clair Baseball League’s Revised Playoff Schedule

Rain showers Thursday evening led to the second time this week the Mon-Clair Baseball League playoff games were postponed. There was about 6/10th of and inch that fell Thursday evening in Waterloo, soaking the field just before the scheduled 6:30 p.m. first pitch. The new playoff schedule is:

Saturday, Aug. 9 (at Valmeyer’s Borsch Park)

10 a.m.: Millstadt vs. Valmeyer

12 noon: Columbia vs. Waterloo

2 p.m.: Belleville vs. St. Louis Spikes for St. Clair Division Championship

4 p.m. Winner game 1 vs. winner game 2 for Monroe Division Championship

Sunday, Aug. 10 (at Valmeyer’s Borsch Park)

Mon-Clair Championship Series – best two out of three  

1 p.m.: Game 1

3 p.m.: Game 2

Monday, Aug. 11 (at a yet to be determined site)

7:30 p.m.: Game 3 (if needed)

Running the lucky duck game at A World Of Difference during the Waterloo Merchant Group’s Hawaiian Luau on Thursday evening are, left to right, Doc and Barb Rayot and Lauren Dietz. Pat Waterman of Waterloo won the event’s $100 gas card.

Texas Professor To Revisit Valmeyer 15 Years After Flood

A professor from the University of North Texas is inviting the public to a meeting Monday, Aug. 11, in Valmeyer to discuss the lessons learned 15 years after the relocation of Valmeyer following the Flood of ’93. Dr. Jack Rozdilsky, a professor of Emergency Administration and Planning, will be at St. Mary’s Parish Center in new town Valmeyer from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The professor is hoping to learn about Valmeyer’s experiences and listen to stories so other communities can learn of Valmeyer’s success.

Rozdilsky studied Valmeyer from 1993 to 1996 looking at the village relocation. He is revisiting the area 15 years after the flood to further study how the village was successfully relocated. This information will be used provide other flood towns and emergency managers dealing with their own flood recoveries.

Waterloo’s W.J. Zahnow Elementary is featured on the back of General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The accolade is for the amount of box tops turned in by the students.

Heather Mehrtens recently returned from a six-month study abroad program in Vienna, Austria followed by a two-week visit to Waterloo’s sister city of Porta Westfalica, Germany. She is the daughter of Marcia and Vince Mehrtens of Waterloo. Heather will begin classes later this month at the University of Illinois at Champaign.
 

Kansas State golfer Mitchell Gregson of Waterloo is competing this weekend in the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Championship at Norwood Hills Country Club in Missouri. Coming into play today he was tied for second place. Several family members and friends plan to be in attendance to watch the rounds, including his grandma Jeanette Gregson. She will report in with updates.

Local rock and blues band Father Jack will play Saturday, Aug. 9, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Wilson’s Corner Grill and Bar’s grand opening celebration.

Humane Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week

The pet of the week is one-year-old Jasmine. August is Adopt An Adult Cat Month at the Humane Society of Monroe County. They are offering a special price on adult cat adoptions of $39.95. There are 25 to choose and they can be viewed at www.hsofmcil.org.

Recent Obituaries

Daniel James Marquardt, 54, of Waterloo, died Aug. 6, 2008. He was born Oct. 30, 1953, in East St. Louis, the son of August and Helen Marquardt of Columbia. In addition to his parents, Mr. Marquardt is survived by children, Ellen, Laura, Renee and Shara Marquardt, all of Ireland; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Marquardt. He worked as a chemical engineer for Petrolite and Mallinckrodt in St. Louis. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral mass is Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church in Dupo wit Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. He will be buried at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials made by made to Masses.

Dorothy Webb Koerber nee Rehling, 87, of Waterloo, died Aug. 6, 2008. She was born Dec. 9, 1920 in Breese, the daughter of the late Charles and Olinda (nee Ruch) Rehling. Mrs. Koerber is survived by daughters Linda Gozdecki of Waterloo and Dr. Jo Ann Westphal of Lemont; son-in-law Robert Westphal of Lemont; step-son John (Vicki) Koerber of Waterloo; and step-grandchildren Andrea Dill and Kyle, Kelly and Kate Koerber; along with step-great-grandchildren, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by first husband, Lloyd Webb; second husband, Raymond Koerber; brothers Charles and Frederick Rehling; sister, Ruth Rehling; step-daughter, Donna Schneider; and step-grandson, Sean Schneider. She was a member of St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, Eastern Star (Twice Worthy Matron), Illinois State Retirees Association and was employed by the Illinois State Commerce Commission in Springfield for 26 years. Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 10, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m., at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Monroe County, Canterbury Manor Nursing Home and Rehab Center or Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Kathleen Straub nee Dannehold, 85, of Columbia, died Aug. 6, 2008, in Belleville. She was born Nov. 19, 1922, in Millstadt, the daughter of the late Leo and Rosa (nee Kolmer) Dannehold. Mrs. Straub is survived by children Lynette “Lynn” Toenjes of St. Louis, Mo., Colin Straub of New Baden, Michael (Sherry) Straub of Columbia and David Straub of Columbia; granddaughter Michelle Schmiemeier; sisters Alberta Hicks and Rosalie (Harold) Baum; and brothers Harold (Irene) Dannehold and Eugene Dannehold; along with sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Straub; brother, Warren Dannehold; and sister, Evelyn Janson. Mrs. Straub was a member of Columbia Senior Citizens and a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia. Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 10, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia, Father Steve Gira officiating. She will be buried at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to masses at her church or the American Stroke Association.

Leopoldine Maitz, 80, of Columbia, IL, formerly of Bowling Green, Kent., died Aug. 7, 2008, at the St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood, Mo. She was born May 26, 1928 in Bonisdorf, Austria, the daughter of the late Franz and Emilie (Sampl) Reindl. She married Anthony Maitz in 1952. He died in 2000. She is survived by her children Lee (Egon) Scheuring of Columbia, Dr. Carlos (Judy) Maitz of Clarkson Valley, Mo., John (Donna) Maitz of London, England, Michael (Marki) Maitz of Bowling Green, Kent., and Tony (Michelle) Maitz of St. Louis, Mo.; 16 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helga Turtscher; along with other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Mrs. Maitz was a homemaker and was retired from Red Lobster Restaurants in St. Louis, Mo.  She was a member of the C.W.O. and the Legion of Mary in Bowling Green, Kent. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at St. Agnes Chapel, 10341 Manchester Road in Kirkwood, Mo. A funeral service will follow. Mr. Maitz will be buried at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the St. Agnes Home Building Fund.
 

Calendar of Events

Friday
Fish fry and Bingo at Waterloo VFW

Kevin Scheibe Benefit Dance at Heckerdome

Saturday
Wilson’s Corner Grill and Bar’s Grand Opening

Mon-Clair Baseball League Playoffs

Sunday
Mon-Clair Baseball League Championship Series