News Follow Up - June 26, 2009

One Injured In Three-Vehicle Pile-Up In Waterloo

A young man was sent to the hospital after being involved in an accident Friday evening at 8 p.m., at the intersection of Route 3 and Illinois Avenue in Waterloo. The victim was in the passenger seat of a Mazda truck which was rear-ended by a Chevy SUV. Ambulance crews, with the help of Waterloo firefighters and police officers, extricated the man from the truck and into a Monroe County ambulance.

The accident involved three vehicles in the southbound lanes of Route 3, reports witness Ann “Ollie” Schneider. A pizza delivery car was stopped attempting to turn left onto Illinois Ave., when the Mazda truck hit their brakes and sideswiped the back of that car. At that time, the SUV rear-ended the Mazda truck sending the truck into a ditch in front of the Monroe County Annex. A Waterloo police officer witnessed the accident and immediately called for an ambulance, which is housed nearby inside the Annex. Waterloo firefighters also arrived within minutes because they were returning from a field fire near Fountain. Names of the those involved and the exact cause of the accident has not yet been released.

An injured man is taken out of a truck following a multiple- vehicle accident Friday evening in Waterloo.

A damaged Chevy SUV and two ambulances sit on Route 3 in Waterloo following Friday evening’s three-vehicle pile-up.

Field Fire Blazes Out Of Control In Fountain

Tens of acres of a wheat stubble field burned out of control Friday evening in rural Fountain. Firefighters from Valmeyer, Columbia, Maeystown and Waterloo responded to the scene after the call went out just after 6 p.m. They arrived to find the fire burning near the intersection of Merrimac and Levee Roads. The initial report is that the land is owned by Delbert and Gerard Wittenauer. Firefighters worked for nearly an hour and a half to get the fire under control. They were hampered by muddy conditions in the field.

Firefighters work through the heat and flames of a field fire in rural Fountain

The fire burned several acres of a wheat stubble field.

Firefighters were dispatched from a command center along Merrimac Road. Water and ice were delivered to the thirsty firefighters by Laurie Brown and Dianne Stuckmeyer from Mike’s Convenience Store in downtown Valmeyer.

E-Newsletter - June 26, 2009

The world famous Anheuser Busch Clydesdales will be the featured entry during the Valmeyer Centennial Parade. The event takes place July 5 during the village's annual Mid-Summer Celebration. Step-off is at 2 p.m., according to the Valmeyer Jaycees. Monroe County's own Bud Light Brigade will play their signature song, "Here Comes The King," while leading the eight-horse hitch along the parade route.

When they Clydesdales arrive at Borsch Park, the baseball tournament will be interrupted as the gate will be opened to allow the horses to circle the field. They will stop as they get back at home plate to allow the driver a chance to step off to deliver a commemorative keg of beer to Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heavner.

The Centennial Parade is one of the many planned events in 2009 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Valmeyer. Groups, businesses or individuals wishing to participate in the parade are asked to contact Todd Hildreth at 935-0500.
 

Children Learn Valuable Lessons During Safety Town

Area youth once again learned valuable lessons during their summer break during the Columbia Police Department’s Safety Town program held at Parkview Elementary School.

During this week’s session of Safety Town, Columbia Firefighter Rich Dreher, right, gives the children a close-up look of the new 100-ft. ladder truck.

Cert Offering Training Session This July

The Monroe County Community Emergency Response Team is planning a training session this July. It will be held on Saturday, July, 11 and 18, and Friday, July 24, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo. The course is free and teaches basic first aid, fire suppression, light search and rescue and being prepared for a man made or natural disaster. To registration is required, visit the website www.mococitizencorp@yahoo.com or call Kim Strellis, 307-699-1737, or Glen White, 618-939-8784

Safety Sam Chosen 2009 CERT Mascot

Bill Seibel of Columbia’s entry of “Safety Sam” was chosen as the winning mascot design for 2009 in a contest sponsored by the Monroe County EMA’s Citizens Corps Council the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Seibel chose a dog emphasizing putting on a pair of sturdy shoes by your bed and a flashlight because most fatalities and injuries are due to debris.

Bill Seibel displays Safety Sam, his winning entry in the CERT mascot contest.

Girl Scouts Deliver Blankets And Bears To Chief Edwards

Columbia Girl Scout Troup 864 donated blankets and Build-A-Bear stuffed bears to the Columbia Police Department. They presented the items to Police Chief Joe Edwards Thursday evening at the police station. Police officers will in turn give those items to children involved in stressful situations.

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards, left, accepts the blankets and stuffed teddy-bears donated by Girl Scout Troop 864.

Mon-Clair Baseball League Weekend Schedule

Sunday, June 28 doubleheaders begin at 1:30 p.m.

Valmeyer (5-5) at St. Louis Spikes

Millstadt (3-7) at Edwardsville

Alton at Waterloo (7-3)

Columbia (5-5) is idle this weekend.

Work Days At The Fair: With the Monroe County Fair only a few weeks away (July 19-26), preparations are underway to prepare the fairgrounds for the week-long event. Volunteers are now needed to help with sprucing up the place. Those wishing to pitch in and help are asked to show up July 11 and July 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Lunch will be provided.

Baseball Schedule Released For Mid-Summer Classic

This year’s Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic baseball tournament should be a memorable one because several talented teams are participating. “It should be a real dandy,” said Valmeyer Lakers Manager and Tournament Director Dennis Pieper. “Six of the eight teams are good enough to win it.” The tournament is the center-piece of the annual Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration which runs July 3-5 at Borsch Park in old town Valmeyer.

The baseball begins Friday, July 3, at 9 a.m., with Waterloo taking on Millstadt. Game two (11:30 a.m.) is Fairview Heights versus Cape Girardeau. Belleville and the St. Louis Spikes take the field at 2 p.m. The nightcap is St. Louis Printers against host-team Valmeyer. Game time is 4:30 p.m. The tournament resumes Saturday morning, July 4, at 9 a.m. The final game for the day begins at 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 5, begins with the consolation championship at 10 a.m., followed by the third-place game at 12:30 p.m. The first pitch of the championship game should be around 3:30 p.m.

Senator Brady Makes Campaign Stop In Valmeyer

Republican Hopes To Run For Governor In 2010

Illinois Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington made a campaign stop Thursday evening in Valmeyer. Brady, 47, is the first candidate to officially throw their hat into the ring for governor in the 2010 election. During a swing through Southern Illinois this week, he met with supporters at the Rock City Business Complex. Brady said changes need to be made at the state level to get things turned around in Illinois, especially to brings back jobs, employment and to begin to eliminate the state’s budget deficit. Brady has set up a website to promote his campaign: http://bradyforillinois.com/.

Illinois Senator Bill Brady, left, visits with Monroe County Commissioner Terry Liefer Thursday evening at the Rock City Business Complex in Valmeyer.

4-H Honors Top Projects

Numerous blue ribbons were presented earlier this week to area 4-H students for their project displays. Several of the projects qualified for the state competition to be held later this year in Springfield.

The Robert Mathews Foundation For Families in Need is having their annual fundraiser on Sunday, June 28 at the Waterloo Sports-man's Club. Proceeds go toward paying medical expenses for Monroe County families in need. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Activities  and attractions will include a silent auction, meat wheel, music, a raffle, food and beverages. In the past nine months the foundation helped three families that fit its criteria for assistance. Applications will be accepted until June 30 for the fourth quarter.

The not-for-profit organization considers applications for financial assistance from residents of Monroe County  suffering from a serious illness for a minimum of six months. Those with lawsuits pending are not eligible. "We realize that because of today's economy many budgets have been stretched. It is not the foundation's intent to cause financial burdens, but to assist in eliminating them," said Linda Mathews, president of the board of directors and widow of Robert Mathews. Her husband died after a lengthy battle with cancer. "Support can be given in many ways, be it by monetary donations, silent auction item or by passing the information on to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers," she added.

For more information, contact Linda Mathews at 618-473-2139. The foundation address is 5805 State Route 159, Red Bud, IL 62278.

Benefit  Sunday To Help Drummer’s Wife: The Michael Lacey Jazz Band is joining to help one of its own band members during a fundraising performance Sunday, June 28 at West Park Bowl's Columbia City Saloon. Activities and music will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Mary Buerger, wife of the band's drummer, Joe Buerger, suffered a  brain injury in a fall and medical  bills have been mounting. Proceeds from a silent auction, drawings and donations will be used to help with medical expenses, according to Vicky Diekmann of the City Saloon. A highlight will be Joe Buerger doing his Elvis impersonation. More information is available by calling Diekmann at 314-346-2153, Billie Reidel at 618-520-7121 or Joe Buerger at 314-429-6249.

Hecker firefighters and Red Bud High School teacher Greg Wiegand is getting ready for his marriage July 11 to Melissa Ann Rudy, a fellow teacher of RBHS.

Recent Obituaries

Vernon Schneider, 92, of Columbia, died June 25, 2009 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born March 16, 1917, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Peter and Caroline (Eckert) Schneider. Mr. Schneider married Marcella (Janson) Schneider in 1946. She died in 1995. He is survived by a daughter, Pearl Schneider of Jacksonville. Mr. Schneider served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia where he was a former member of the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus 6165. He was also a member of Columbia American Legion Post 581. Mr. Schneider was a retired car repairman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Visitation is Sunday, June 28, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday June 29, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. He will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to Garden Place Assisted Living’s activity fund.

 Lillian Louise Landgraf, 102, of Columbia, died June 26, at the Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born Jan. 31, 1907, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late William and Mina (Fischer) Greatting. She was married to the late William Landgraf. He died in 1990. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Landgraf was also preceded in death by a brother, Roland Greatting; and sisters Helen Fox and Mildred Juengling. She is survived by a son, Leon (Jean) Landgraf of Columbia; a daughter, Ellen (Dean) Schorr of Millstadt; grandchildren Tim (Karla) Landgraf of Red Bud, Laurie (Dan) Korte of Ladue, Mo., Lisa (Vic) Turvey of Chesterfield, Mo., Cari (Paul) Reinneck of Smithton and Kelly (Justin) Toal of Columbia; a sister, Irene Buss of Waterloo; and nine great-grandchildren. Lillian was a homemaker and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia. Visitation is Sunday, June 28, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, June 29, at 2 p.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia with Pastor Steven Theiss, officiating. Mrs. Landgraf will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund.