New's Follow-Up - May 20, 2009
 

Gas Line Situation On North End Of Columbia

A fire next to a gas line inside the Quizno’s on the north end of Columbia was reported at 5:15 p.m. Columbia emergency personnel are rushing to the scene to handle the situation. Employees of the nearby businesses are evacuating to a safe location.

Joyce Meyer Ministries Releases Statement

Earlier today, Joyce Meyer Ministries released the following statement regarding Chris Coleman. He resigned last week from his position in security after a representative of the ministry visited Coleman at his parent’s home in Chester. It was reported he resigned because of a "a violation of moral conduct."

“Joyce Meyer Ministries has learned that charges have been filed against former employee Chris Coleman. This horrible tragedy has deeply saddened us all and although nothing can compensate for the loss of this beautiful family, our ministry remains fully behind the diligent efforts of the law enforcement community.”

Police Pick Up Evidence At Joyce Meyer Ministries: A Columbia police officer traveled Wednesday afternoon to Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo. to retrieve evidence. The nature of the evidence is not known at this time.

Open House Today At Historic Columbia Home

As work is nearing completion on one of Columbia’s historic treasures, guests have been filing in today to the Miller-Fiege Home in downtown Columbia. An open house is being conducted today until 7 p.m. It is located on Main Street across from city hall. The structure was purchased last year by the city and renovations of the 1800s-era home continue.  

Joyce Rose, left, and Catherine Kutterer get ready to take a tour today of the historic Miller-Fiege Home in downtown Columbia.

Columbia Votes Against Buying Sam’s Club Cards

During Tuesday night’s meeting of the Columbia City Council, Aldermen Brad Oberkfell, left, and Dan Row discuss the city purchasing Sam’s Club memberships.

Choosing to show further support for the Think Monroe County First program, the Columbia City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to discontinue the city’s practice of purchasing Sam’s Club membership cards for department directors. Previously, the directors could travel to South County to purchase supplies.

“Because we recently voted in favor of supporting Think Monroe County First, I just don’t feel it is appropriate to buy items from outside the county,” said Alderman Dan Row.  “I believed nearly all of the supplies we need can be bought locally.”

In other Columbia news…

·         City officials continue to look for a new home for the Columbia Senior Center. Seniors are currently meeting at the Old CUSD Unit Building, but an alternate site is needed in the near term. “We have had several property owners who have indicated an interest, including the YMCA of Monroe County,” said Paul Ellis, the director of community and economic development.

·         Drainage work has been completed at the Historic Shoemaker School House at the intersection of Gall Road and Route 3. If work goes according to plan, the city is hoping to have the planned visitor’s center open by the  end of the year or early next year.

·         Frosty Treats Inc. is planning to sell frozen novelties this summer from an ice cream truck rolling through the streets of Columbia.

Improvements Coming To Waterloo’s Moore Street

With the pleasant spring weather, improvements to the streets in Waterloo continue. This week, work began on the laying of new curb and guttering on Moore Street between Columbia Ave. and Illinois Ave. The road will then be resurfaced with asphalt. The city’s effort will next turn to Waterloo Drive.

Huebner Concrete employees work today on the new sidewalks along Moore Street in Waterloo.

Waterloo To Play Mascoutah In Regional On Friday

Waterloo High School girls’ soccer team is scheduled to play Mascoutah Friday evening at 4 p.m. in the second round of the Class 2A Mascoutah Regional. The Bulldogs are coming off of a 10-0 first-round victory Monday over Salem. WHS has a 16-3 record so far this season.

Waterloo’s girls soccer team stand-out Callie Settles, left, heads the ball away from the net as Jordan Bartlebaugh trails the play. The Bulldogs defeated Salem 10-0 in first-round action of the Class 2A Mascoutah Regional. Settles was recently named the female recipient of the Vernie Moffitt WHS Athlete of the Year.          - photo by Bob Haentzler / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Eagles Soccer To Face Alton-Marquette In Sectionals

The CHS girls’ soccer team is set to battle with Alton-Marquette on Thursday during the Metro-East Lutheran Sectional Tournament. Play begins at 7 p.m.

Kaitlyn Stoner, right, of Columbia passes the ball in the direction of Lindsay Nanna who promptly kicked in the lone goal in the Eagles victory Tuesday night. Stoner was credited with the assist.                       - photo by Bob Haentzler / game photos available at www.gatewayphoto.net

The Columbia High School baseball team will host Freeburg this afternoon in a Regional Tournament match-up.

Eagles Softball Advances To Second Round Of Regionals

The Columbia High School girls softball team handily beat Roxana 12-0 Tuesday evening in the opening round of the Marquette (Alton) Regional. On Saturday, they will face the winner of the Metro-East Lutheran versus Wood River game. Game time is 1 p.m.

CHS’ Brooke Carroll Receives Softball Scholarship

Recent Columbia High School graduate Brooke Carroll will continue her softball career at the University of Illinois – Springfield. She recently accepted an athletic scholarship to play for the Prairie Stars team. Her high school playing days are not quite over yet, as CHS recently won their regional and is getting ready to compete in the sectional tournament. Carroll also has received the CHS Penzler Award in softball.
 

Brooke Carroll, center, is joined at the letter of intent signing by, left to right, first row, her parents Scott  and Danielle Carroll; and second row, Jim Greiner, pitching instructor at Greiner Fast-pitch; and Scott Sullivan, hitting instructor at St. Louis Baseball and Fast-pitch Academy.

WJHS Names Most Valuable Chorus Members

Several Waterloo Junior High School students were honored for achievement for the 2008-2009 school year during the annual WJHS Spring Chorus Concert on May 12. Musical Director Carrie Munsell presented Most Valuable Awards to Blair Hempen, Most Valuable Soprano; Elizabeth Bandy, Most Valuable Alto; and Lucas Smothers, Most Valuable Tenor.

WJHS Music Teachers Mrs. Munsell, left, and Mrs. Nold, right, present Most Valuable Chorus Awards to, left to right, Elizabeth Bandy, Blair Hempen and Lucas Smothers.