Today's News - July 26, 2009

Demo Derby Ends In Three-Way Pile-Up

Alex Voelker, 40, Ted Ahrens, center, and Scott Kohler collide in the center of the arena for one big hit at the conclusion of this year’s demo derby.

Although there were many newcomers participating in this year’s event, three veteran drivers were the top finishers of the demolition derby at the 2009 Monroe County Fair. When the steam cleared from the track following the final heat, Scott Kohler’s 1975 Ford Grand Marquis was the last car running. He took home the first place trophy to add to his numerous demo trophies he has won in past county fairs. Finishing in second place was last year’s winner, Ted Ahrens, and Alex Voelker took home third. He won the second place trophy in 2008.

Kohler, Ahrens and Voelker put on quite a show in the final heat. With all the other cars eliminated, they battled fiercely to the end to decide the contest. They collided several times and all three cars had steam shooting from their motors until the end.

Kohler had vowed to retire from the derby after winning first place in 2007, but decided to participate at least one more time. “I came  out of retirement because my son Lance was going to run a car for the first time,” said Kohler. “So we worked together on getting each other’s cars ready for the demo.” First time demo runner Lance Kohler finished in fifth place.

Some of the other highlights of the event included Tony Ahrens being escorted out of the arena after he confronted another driver during a red flag stoppage of a heat, the cars of Don Ries and Kody Schwarze jumping over the retraining log, the boos from the crowd when Kohler won, Joe Callis’ car catching on fire and the roof Shelby Mathes car collapsing. There were no major injuries, although one driver received a cut to the cheek. He required stitches.

This year’s demo derby was run in memory of Joe Wilson, who died this past year from a heart attack. He was a fixture at the demo derby and other fair events. Several drivers painted their cars yellow in memory of their friend and folks wearing yellow shirts were spotted throughout the grandstands.

Fair Queen Amanda Stumpf presents trophies to demolition derby winners, left, to right, Alex Voelker, third place; Ted Ahrens, second place; and first place, Scott Kohler

With steam shooting out of his radiator, John Ahne, 59, goes in for a big hit. Part of his rooting section cheers him on from atop a grandstand. Ahne’s car was painted yellow memory of his friend, the late Joe Wilson.

Demo promoter Rodney Webb, right, stopped the demo prior to the start of the third heat to relay a message to Pat Seymour, the driver of car 62. Seymour’s girlfriend, Heather Dudley, had asked the announcer to stop the race so she could ask Pat if he would marry her. He accepted the proposal then went on to compete in the demo.

Heather Dudley gets ready to watch the demo derby. Moments before, her boyfriend Pat Seymour accepted a proposal of marriage. Before his heat began, Seymour’s car, in background, idles in a slot in the arena near the grandstands where Dudley was sitting.

After a big collision in the final heat of Saturday night’s demo derby, Ted Ahrens, left, and Alex Voelker feverishly try and start their cars. Voelker pulled his stick down first for third place. Ahrens went home with the second place trophy.           - photo by Judy Brinkmann

T.J. Ervin Wins First-Ever Truck Demo

T.J. Ervin holds his first place trophy after winning the truck demo derby at the Monroe County Fair

Zack Wienhoff, 11, goes in for a big hit during the truck demolition derby.       - photo by Gage Wienhoff

Monroe County Fair Queen Amanda Stumpf holds Grand Champion Draft Mule Shorty, 3, while owner Tom Renner shows his mule the ribbon. Stumpf said her family has draft horses, so she is used to being around large equines.           - photo by Carol Floarke

The Waterloo Fire Department was called out to a home on Paul Street Saturday afternoon for a report of a fire in a barbecue grill getting out of hand. The flames caught part of the home on fire. The homeowner, Grant Youngs, was able to use a garden hose to extinguish the blaze before firefighters arrived on the scene. Youngs is now trying to figure out what to do with some extremely well done steaks, burgers and bratwursts.

East Carondelet Police Chief Alan Biggerstaff died Friday of an apparent heart attack in an apartment in downtown Chicago.
  
Rock band Morland Drive is performing a benefit concert Sunday afternoon at Tiny’s in Columbia. Proceeds benefit the Lepp Memorial Fund, which provides Columbia Volunteer Fire Department scholarships given to local high school students.