Today's News - October 26, 2009

Pregnant Woman Trapped In SUV In Burksville Rollover

A expectant mother was involved in a rollover accident Sunday morning in rural Burksville. Just after 9:30 a.m., the woman lost control of her Chevy Tahoe in the 4900 block of KK Road. Waterloo firefighters assisted Monroe County Ambulance Service personnel in extricating her from the vehicle. She received what appeared to be minor injuries, but was transported to a hospital for observation. Her name and current condition are not yet available.  

Kneeling atop a Chevy Tahoe rolled over on its side, Waterloo firefighters Jeff Davis and Bruce Kohnz reach in to help secure the driver trapped after an accident Sunday morning in rural Burksville.

A truck and a car collided Monday morning on Route 3 near Hills Castle Road between Waterloo and Columbia. Just after 9 a.m., a Chevy truck driven by Henry Horschmann of Waterloo collided with a Ford Escort driven by Margaret Restivo, also of Waterloo. Horschmann, 67, was ticketed for an improper turn. Restivo stated she received a minor injury, but declined to be transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

Columbia Cross Country Teams Advance To Sectionals

The Columbia High School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams had a great showing last week at the Carlinville Regional. They both qualified for the upcoming Edwardsville Sectional races Oct. 31.

The CHS girls’ team finished in first place with 70 points. They were led by senior Taylor Byrd, who finished in eighth place with a time of 20:50 over the three-mile course. Her sister, Torey Byrd, finished eight seconds behind, good enough for tenth place. Rounding out the Eagles’ times were senior Carly Evans, 16^th place; junior Brittany Huebner, 23^rd; and freshmen Jenna Vogt, 28^th, and Nicole Fetcho.

The CHS boys’ finished in second place at the Regional, behind host team Carlinville. The Eagles were led by sophomore Drew Spargo, who finished in third place with a time of 16:37 in the three-mile course. Following close behind were teammates Josh Riddle, a sophomore, 13^th place; junior Ben Schmid, 15^th; junior Trevor Wood, 17^th; and junior John Pirtle, 28^th; along with senior Zach Simmons and junior Phil Crouse.

The CHS girls’ cross country team celebrating their regional victory are, left to right, Coach Suzanne Obszanski, Chelsea Hagan, Jenna Vogt, Carly Evans, Taylor Byrd, Nicole Fetcho, Brittany Huebner and Torey Byrd.            – photo by Alan Pirtle

Red Bud Only Local Football Team To Make Play-off Cut

With a 7-2 record, Red Bud High School is the only area football team qualifying for the playoffs. The Musketeers will head to Chester next Saturday in a first-round game of the Class 2A IHSA State Tournament. While both Waterloo and Columbia had the minimum of five wins to be play-off eligible, they did not secure the required 38 playoff points. With a strong contingent of junior and sophomore players, both the Eagles and Bulldogs are hoping to have strong seasons in 2010.

Columbia backup quarterback Alex Schlemmer, center, hands off to senior Clayton Revelle, right, in Friday’s loss to Nashville. Schlemmer’s strong throwing arm will be put to good use during the Eagles next two football seasons.       – photo by Don Voelker

JV Bulldogs Fall To Lincoln: The Waterloo JV football team wrapped up their season Saturday with a 28-26 loss at home to Lincoln.

Waterloo JV running back Austin Schrock, 42, avoids the referee as his cuts up field for a nice gain in the team’s loss to Lincoln.   - photo by Bob Haentzler / game photos on line at www.gatewayphoto.net

Farmers Working To Get Harvest In Between Showers

Despite muddy conditions in the  field, several area farmers took advantage of the sunlight this weekend to harvest some corn. “It rained all last week and it is suppose to rain every day this week, so me and dad (Ellery) thought we could get through a few acres,” said Garrett Hawkins of rural Valmeyer on Sunday. The Hawkins recently purchase a Caterpillar Lexion combine equipped with track tires which help it get through the mud. “We got about 75 percent of our corn in and hopefully we’ll start in on the beans when the weather clears up,” Hawkins added. There was a wide fluctuation of yields recorded by the Hawkins. “It was way down in some of the wetter areas, but we had some really good yields in the higher elevations,” Hawkins said.

Garrett Hawkins gets ready to unload a hopper-full of grain onto a truck.              – photo by Gage Wienhoff

The Waterloo Sportsman’s Club welcomed nearly 1,000 visitors each night to its Haunted Trail which took place over three October weekends. Among those bringing their children to the event were Columbia Alderman Mark Roessler and Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.

The Voss family of Red Bud was recognized Saturday night during the Gibault Oktoberfest. “We wanted to thank them for donating the services of their Action Auction Associates to our annual fundraiser since 1995,” said Gibault Principal Russ Hart.

Action Auction Associates members accepting an award at the Gibault Oktoberfest are, left to right, first row, Barb Phillips, Jeanie Voss, Gale Branson, Lela Koester and Angela Voss; and second row, Ron Phillips, Wayne Voss, Melissa Daab, Harvey Koester and Mark Voss.

Valmeyer High School took home one of the top awards this weekend at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The VHS chapter was recognized as a National Two Star Chapter based on their activities conducted this past year. This recognition means that Valmeyer’s FFA ranks in the top three percent of the more than 7,000 FFA chapters at high schools throughout the U.S. During their trip to the convention, the VHS delegation enjoyed watching the FFA Talent Show, attended a career expo, visited an FFA shopping mall and toured historic Greensburg, Ind.

Valmeyer FFA members attending the National Convention are, left to right, Eric Brellinger, Lauren Matthes, Kyle Kipping, Amy Burns, Taylor Doyle, Kristen Baum, Dallas Robert, Jessica Gaynor and Patrick Mollett.   – photo by Howard Heavner

Waterloo High School Ag Advisor Mindy McDermott has been named the National Agriscience Teacher of the Year. She received her award Friday, Oct. 23 at the 82^nd National Future Farmers of America Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The award, sponsored by Potash Corp., recognizes outstanding agriculture teachers who emphasize agricultural technology in their curriculum. Finalists have developed innovative programs in food, environmental, animal, plant, soil and mechanical/engineering sciences.

In her classes at WHS, McDermott has incorporate more scientific content into the traditional FFA curriculum. Students in McDermott’s courses learn about the process of scientific inquiry and then use the knowledge to help design laboratory procedures. In the classes, students study genetically modified organisms and build mini-turbines to learn about alternative forms of energy. These creative ways to make agriscience applicable to real-life situations has attracted more students to her FFA classes.

“With less students going back to the family farm after graduation, the snapshot of what a typical agriculture student looks like has changed,” McDermott said. “This allows us to develop applied scientific skills as well as leadership skills through FFA activities.”

The National FFA Organization has 507,763 student members in 7,439 FFA chapters in all 50 states.
 

Waterloo High School Ag Advisor Mindy McDermott, right, accepts her Agriscience Teacher of the Year award from Laila Hajji, National FFA Central Region Vice President.

Meat Shoot Raises Funds For Lakers Ball Team

There was a big turnout Sunday at Fountain Inn for the annual Lakers Meat Shoot. Proceeds help support Valmeyer’s team in the Mon-Clair Baseball League. “We had a great turnout once again and I thank everyone who showed up to support the team,” said longtime Lakers Manager Dennis Pieper.

Joy Schlemmer won several packages of pork sausage, bacon and ham Sunday at the Valmeyer Lakers Meat Shoot at Fountain Inn.

Joe Cocos of Columbia, left, gets ready to take aim to win a turkey Sunday afternoon during the Valmeyer Lakers Meat Shoot at Fountain Inn.    – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Recent Obituary
 

Joseph F. “Jabby” Jablonski, 89, of Fairmont City, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Columbia Convalescent Center where he had been a resident for 32 months. He was born Jan. 26, 1920 in Fairmont City, the son of the late Joseph F. Jablonski Sr. and Mary (nee Skiera) Jablonski. Mr. Jablonski is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline F. Jablonski, who resides at The Bridges in Columbia; daughters Jeanne (Mike) Kish of Columbia and Nancy (Rick) Ballew of Granite City; sons John Jablonski of Fairmont City and Tim (Sheri) Jablonski of Glen Carbon; grandchildren Amy (Tim) Meyer, Andrea (Todd) Biske, Kristi (Mike) Stuart, Kara (Steve) Mathes, Ryan (Jayne) Ballew, Eric Jablonski, Chris (Alli) Jablonski, Nick Jablonski, Jeremy Jablonski and Brendan Jablonski; great-grandchildren Mitch Meyer, Abbie Meyer, Elena Biske, Spencer Biske, Maria Biske and Shawn Stuart; sisters Florence Ruder of Mehlville, Mo., Mildred (Ted) Dobkowski of Belleville; brothers Hilary Jablonski of Glen Carbon and Jerome Jablonski of Hot Springs, Ark.; brothers-in-law Steve (Mariann) Maliszewski, Frank (Gerry) Maliszewski and Bernard Maliszewski; sister-in-law, Dorothy (David) Gravoits; special aunt, Pearl Gruchala; a cousin, Dennis Gruchala; and roommate, John Deleveski; along with nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers Henry Jablonski and Leonard Jablonski; sister, Regina Roberts; brothers-in-laws Bob Roberts and Joe Ruder; and sister-in-law, Frances Maliszewski. Mr. Jablonski was committed to his Church, family, community and country. Jabby served 37 months in active duty with the U.S. Air Force during World War II achieving the rank of sergeant. He was stationed in England with the 368^th Fighter Squadron. As a radio technician station, he maintained radio communications on P-51s. Mr. Jablonski was employed as the city clerk for the Village of Fairmont City for 27 years, from 1970-1997. He also worked 25 years for American Zinc and 15 years for Pepsi. Jabby was a life member and past commander of the Fairmont City American Legion Post 961. Jabby was very dedicated to the Holy Rosary Parish. He sang in the choir, served on the bingo and picnic committees and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He also was on the Holy Rosary School’s board and the building committee. Visitation is Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights, and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Holy Rosary Church in Fairmont City. Funeral mass will follow at the church with Father David Wilke officiating. Mr. Jablonski will be buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Parish, 2716 N. 42^nd St., Fairmont City, IL, 62201 and the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund, 117 E. Madison, Columbia, IL, 62236. The family would like to thank Columbia Convalescent Center for their constant care, the Eucharistic Ministers of Immaculate Conception Parish, Unity Hospice these last weeks, and Father Dave Wilke, Father Carl Scherrer and Father Steve Gira, C.R. for their pastoral care.