News Update - August 10, 2009

Mullins Dies From Injuries Sustained In Bike Wreck
Jimmy Mullins, 27, of Waterloo, has been identified as the man who died this afternoon from injuries sustained when he struck a car along South Market Street near the Courthouse in Waterloo. He was pronounced dead at Red Bud Regional Hospital by a coroner from Randolph County. The driver of the 1998 Pontiac involved is listed as a 61-year-old male from Missouri. His name has not yet been identified.

According to the initial report, at about 4:15 p.m., Mullins had made a purchase at Gas Mart (the former Gas N Grab) and was biking back to his residence located along Mill Street behind The Outsider bar. A witness reported to the Waterloo Police that Mullins rode on the Courthouse grass, went over the sidewalk and onto the southbound lanes of Route 3. At that point, he struck a car heading southbound on South Market. Mullins’ face struck the front windshield of the car. His body then flew into the air and he landed on the roadway.

Several individuals came to the aid of the severely injured man. An ambulance soon arrived on the scene and he was rushed to Red Bud Regional Hospital. The driver of the car was not injured, but was very distraught over the incident. Courthouse employees brought out a chair so he could sit down. The man was picked up at the scene by his son, who is a police officer in St. Louis, Mo.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Mullins. In addition to his girlfriend, local relatives include a sister in Red Bud and his mother who lives in Missouri. According to friends who arrived at the scene, Mullins grew up in Ireland where he served in that country’s military. He had been married and was the father of a child from that marriage. After his divorce, he moved to the area and has been in Waterloo for about six months.  

“He was a very sweet and caring person, especially to his girlfriend,” said Justina Polacek, a friend at the scene.

“Jimmy has the nicest person to everyone he met,” added Sydney Tojo. “We’re really going to miss him.”

News Update - August 10, 2009

Bicycle And Car Collide In Waterloo
Young Man Is Severely Injured

A young man bicycling in Waterloo this afternoon was severely injured when he collided with a car.  The incident occurred along Market Street across from the rear entrance to the County Courthouse. The man hit the front windshield of a car and landed on the concrete street. Several witnesses rushed to provide first aid until an ambulance arrived on the scene. He was rushed to Red Bud Regional Hospital. His name and condition have not been released.

The driver of the car (with Missouri plates) was not injured. His name also has not been released. Accident reconstructionists from the Illinois State Police arrived at the scene at 6 p.m. to try and determine the cause. Market Street from Fourth Street to Mill Street will remain closed for several hours this evening.

Weekend Wrap-Up - August 10, 2009

Bike Run Raises Funds For Coleman Family Memorial
While the exact amount of money raised is still being tallied, organizers of Saturday’s Bikers Save Lives benefit were very pleased with the turn-out for the event. Proceeds will benefit a memorial planned in honor of Sheri, Gavin and Garett Coleman, the family who was murdered May 5 at their home in Columbia. Nearly $13,000 has been raised toward the goal of $300,000 for the memorial to be located in Bolm-Schuhkraft Park.

“I am amazed and very appreciative of everyone who took part in this event,” said Mario Weiss, brother of Sheri Coleman.

More than 600 bikes, cars and trucks participated in the event which started at Parkview Elementary and  stopped at several locations in southern Illinois before finishing at Top Shooters on the north end of Columbia.  

Top Shooters owner Tim Wheeler, left, and employee Garrett Kennily, right, welcome Mario Weiss, Sheri’s brother; and his cousin, Joe Miglio, second from right, to Top Shooters following the biker run.

Pet Foster Homes Needed
The Humane Society of Monroe County is in need of families willing to house cats and dogs as part of their fostering program. The animals stay on a temporary basis with foster families until the pets are adopted.  
  
“The shelter is full and we are in urgent need to find some temporary homes,” said HSMC President Paula Hutchinson. “We have several nice dogs and cats at the shelter that would do great in homes.”
 
Foster pets arrive in a crate, which the animals can stay in while their families are away. The food and vet care in provided.

“It's a great opportunity for a fun, family project and a great learning experience for kids,” Hutchinson added.

To inquire about becoming a foster parent at the local Humane Society, call 282-PETS or send an email to hsmc@htc.net.

An early morning thunderstorm dropped a lot of rain in a short period of time over Monroe County. Harvey Ries of New Hanover said he got 9/10” while Laurie Sparwasser’s gauge Wartburg showed right at an inch. “But it hardly rained at all when I went through Millstadt,” said Butch Sparwasser, Laurie’s husband. “This was really unexpected,” said Ries, who said the television weathermen last night were not predicting this much rain overnight.

Weekend Victory Secures First Place Finish For Millers
A double-header split on Sunday by the Waterloo Millers was good enough to secure yet another first place regular season finish in the Monroe Division. The heat didn't seem to phase the Millers or pitcher Mark Mueller in their first game match-up against Belleville. Mueller threw 111 pitches over six and a third innings in brutally hot conditions at Whitey Herzog Field. He was aided by a three run home run hit by outfielder Jake Hurst. Brandon Musso came in relief to get the final two outs in the seventh inning to secure a 6-2 victory which clinched the division title.

In game two, the Columbia Saints had an easy time beating the Millers. Columbia came out strong and found themselves ahead 16-0 after two innings. The Saints held on for a 19-7 victory.

The Valmeyer Lakers won one out of two games in their double header at the Alton field. They beat Alton 11-1 in the first game, but fell to Edwardsville 5-9 in the nightcap. The Lakers finished the regular season with a 11-11 record, just behind the 12-10 Millers. The Columbia Saints and Millstadt VFW round out the division.

The Mon-Clair League playoffs begin Wednesday, Aug. 12, and run through Sunday, Aug. 16. The best of three Championship Series will begin Saturday, Aug. 15 at Borsch Memorial Park in old town Valmeyer.

Waterloo Millers slugger Jake Hurst, right, gets the glad hand from Manager Vern Moehrs after  blasting a three-run homer in the team’s 6-2 victory over Belleville.          - photo by Bob Haentzler / www.gatewayphoto.net

New Dish At Waterloo VFW: To compliment the wide selection of fish items on the menu Fridays at the Waterloo VFW, the cooks decided to add deep fried green beans to the menu. “They are really tasty,” reports VFW member Butch Sparwasser.

Recent Obituary
Sandra Taake, nee Coats, died Aug. 10, 2009 in St. Louis, Mo., following an extended illness. She was born May 8, 1943 in East St. Louis. Mrs. Taake is survived by her best friend and life partner, Jim Gray; mother, Marie Coats, sons Jeffrey (Jody) Taake, Gregory (Kimmy) Taake and Douglas (Jill) Taake; grandchildren Clara Taake, Maxwell Taake, Chase Taake, Logan Taake, Avery Taake and Addison Taake; and siblings Constance (Bud) Elliot, Glenda (Max) Churchill, Rita (Jeff) Engbring, Glenn (Linda) Coats, Candy (Barry) Vogt, Randall (Michelle) Coats and Kimberly (Todd) Ruff; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Glenn F. Coats Sr. Mrs. Taake was the owner of Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia. Visitation is Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Mrs. Taake will be buried at St. John UCC Cemetery in Valmeyer.