E-Newsletter - July 10, 2009

Cars Lands In Creek Underneath Maeystown Bridge
There were no major injuries reported after a car left the roadway in Maeystown late Tuesday night and landed in the creek next to the Old Rock Bridge. The driver of the car, Mathew Miller, 36, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries. Passenger Nathan Pegg was not injured. According to the initial report, Miller was driving down the hill coming into Maeystown when the car skidded off the roadway at the curve just before the bridge. The vehicle slid down the hill and came to rest just before entering the creek bed. Wheat’s Towing soon arrived on the scene to pull the car out. Miller was ticketed for driving with a suspended license.

No Injuries In Truck-Rollover In Waterloo
Dany Lyons of Waterloo escaped injury when his truck rolled over Wednesday on a side street between Market Street and Waterloo High School. Lyons, 17, said he lost control of his vehicle when the accelerator stuck. The truck rolled and landed on its roof, but  he was able to safely get out on his own.

Coroner’s Inquest Confirms Colemans Were Strangled To Death
It took less than 10 minutes for a jury this morning at the Monroe County Courthouse to confirm what was already suspected, that Sheri Coleman and her sons, Gavin and Garett, died from strangulation by means of ligature.
 
Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer held an inquest today beginning at 10 a.m. A jury of seven men and women heard testimony from the coroner  and Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards relating to the triple-homicide case, which occurred May 5 at the Coleman residence on Robert Drive on the north end of Columbia.
 
Edwards discussed the events occurring that morning when the bodies were discovered lifeless in each of their beds. The only new evidence revealed was that toxicology reports showed that no drugs were discovered in Sheri or the boys. Sheri’s husband and the boys’ father, Christopher Coleman, was arrested two weeks after the incident on three counts of first degree murder and remains at the Monroe County Jail awaiting his next court appearance. His attorney, Art Margulis, was present at the inquest. Following the inquest, Margulis reiterated that his law firm is considering asking for a change of venue for the trial.
 
“I am thinking the trial would likely begin sometime in 2010,” Margulis said. He also added that he visits his client in jail about once a week and Christopher is doing just fine in light of the circumstances.
 
An attorney with Jack Carey’s law firm, the firm representing Sheri Coleman’s family, was also present, but did not talk to the media afterwards.
 

Attorney Art Margulis, center, who represents Christopher Coleman, addresses the media Friday morning at the Monroe County Courthouse following the coroner’s inquest of the deaths of Sheri, Gavin and Garett Coleman.

Attention Former Monroe County Fair Queens: This year the 50th Monroe County Fair Queen will be crowned at the pageant on July 19. All former queens are invited to attend the pageant and be recognized. For more information, contact Yvonne Dehner at 618-444-8952 or by email: yvonnewaterloo@aol.com.

The Dupo Fire Department picnic is this weekend. Festivities began Friday evening with the fish stand and beverages. Rides opened at 6 p.m., and the Big Boss Blues Band begins playing at 8 p.m.
 
There are numerous activities planned for Saturday. The day kicks off bright and early with the firemen’s muster competition at 10 a.m. Firefighters from several area departments will go head-to-head in tests to strength, speed and skill.
 
“This is a real crowd pleaser, especially for children,” said Fire Chief Kurt Johnson.
 
Amusement rides begin at 3 p.m., and the parade kicks off right at 5 p.m. Following the parade, wrestling matches will take place inside a ring set up next to the fire station. Johnson advises bringing lawn chairs to watch this event. Musical entertainment that evening will include rock band Breach of Peace.

The third annual A.C.E. Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 9, at Borsch Memorial Park in old town Valmeyer. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital For more information and to sign up, check up the website: www.acecarclub.com.

Berry Pitches Waterloo To Victory
Behind a strong pitching performance Wednesday from Waterloo's Matt Berry, the
Bulldogs defeated Mascoutah 10-1 in Southwest League baseball action.

Matt Berry had a strong performance Wednesday against Mascoutah.           - photo by Bob Haentzler - game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Mon-Clair League Weekend Baseball Schedule
With the heavy rain last weekend canceling the Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic, area sports fans were not able to see a possible match-up between the host Lakers and their cross-county rivals, the Waterloo Millers. Well, fans will have their chance this weekend as the boys from Valmeyer are scheduled to head to Waterloo on Sunday for a double header at the SPPS Fields behind Peterstown House. First pitch is at 1:30 p.m. Other local teams taking the diamond on Sunday are Alton at Columbia and Millstadt at Fairview Heights.

Work continues on the new WHS Bulldog’s football field located next to the soon-to-be-opened high school on the south end of Waterloo.       - photo by Bob Haentzler of www.gatewayphoto.net   

Columbia Daze Parade Entry Sign-Up: Parade entries for the Columbia Daze parade are currently being accepted. The theme of this year’s parade, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, is “Celebration 2009” commemorating Columbia’s sesquicentennial (150th year) celebration. Advance registration is required. Contact Parade Chairman Paul Khoury at 618-281-7133.

Recent Obituary
Harlan Wentzel, 76, of Collinsville, died July 2, 2009, at his residence. He was born Aug. 16, 1932, in Gwinner, ND, the son of the late Karl and Magdalena (nee Quindel) Wentzel. He married Irene (Wolf) Wentzel in 1957. In addition to his wife, Mr. Wentzel is survived by his children, Loren (Debra) Wentzel of Troy, David (Lisa) Wentzel of Maryville, Carol (Brian) Hart of Waterloo and Ellen (Mike) Mikovich of Collinsville; a sisters Erna Greenwald of Wayne, Neb., Donna Bresemann of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and Doris Burns of Troy, Mo.; brothers Herman Wentzel of Roseville, Minn. and Ernest Wentzel of Glen Carbon; and five grandchildren. Mr. Wentzel was a retired Collinsville school teacher, worked with United Spraying Service and volunteered at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. Visitation was at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville. Funeral was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo with Rev. Fred Kramer officiating. Mr. Wentzel was buried at the Waterloo City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the American Cancer Society or Creation Science Evangelism.