Today's News - January 6, 2010

A winter storm appears to be heading toward Monroe County along with the entire St. Louis Metropolitan area. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch as three to five inches of snow is expected to fall from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. The snow will be followed by an arctic cold blast increasing the wind speeds out of the northwest from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 35 mph. The high winds are expected to cause significant blowing and drifting of the snow reducing visibility and making travel difficult.

Another factor to contend with will be the severely cold temperatures. Tomorrow’s high will reach 19, but will then fall to around 5 degree overnight into Friday morning. With winds gusting to 30 mph, wind chills may reach as low as -10 degrees. Friday will also be extremely cold, with a daytime high expected to be 10 and a nighttime low of near zero. Citizens are advised to limit their time outdoors and driving. In addition, those with outdoor pets are urged to bring them inside or find proper shelter until the temperature warms to a safe level.

Columbia, Gibault And Red Bud Win On Hard Court, While Waterloo Falls

High school basketball teams from Gibault, Columbia and Red Bud won their Tuesday night away games, while the Waterloo Bulldogs suffered a home loss.

Columbia defeated Carlyle 52-37 with Taylor O’Connor leading the Eagles with 18 points. Red Bud easily handled Freeburg 56-35. The Musketeers’ Stefan Gregson led all scoring with 15. The Gibault Hawks played tough enough to get a 54-49 victory over New Athens. Kyle Prader had a hot hand and put in 20 points for the Hawks.

Waterloo hung with Pinckneyville for three quarters, but was outscored 30-20 in the fourth quarter which lead to a 75-60 Pinckneyville win.

Monroe County Basketball teams are currently in a bit of a funk, the only exception right now would be Columbia. The Columbia boys’ team is 11-4, after a good showing in their recent Christmas tournament. Next up for the Eagles is a road game with Breese Central on Friday. The Columbia girls’ squad is 9-9, playing at Wesclin on Thursday.

The Waterloo Bulldogs did show some improvement in the Columbia – Freeburg Holiday Tournament, and current have a record of 5-10. Next up for the Bulldogs is a home conference game Friday with Mascoutah. The Lady Bulldogs have struggled, after losing several starters from last year. Currently they own a 3-9 record and play next Monday at Triad.

The Gibault boys’ and girls’ teams both have records of 6-8. The next game for the boys is Friday at Mater Dei, while the girls take on Steelville at home this evening.

The Valmeyer boys’ are 1-11, and play at Marissa on Saturday. The girls’ record is 1-10. They play Trico today at Chester.

Waterloo's Brad Dillenberger drives the lane for a lay-up Tuesday night during the Bulldogs’ 75-60 loss to Pinckneyville.        - photo by Bob Haentzler / game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net     

Polar Bears Make Annual Motorcycle Ride

While some folks jumped into a freezing swimming pool in Maeystown, another group of brave souls revved up their motorcycles. The Monroe County Polar Bears departed New Year’s Day from Main Street Tavern in downtown Waterloo and headed to several establishments throughout the area, including Fountain Inn and Valmeyer’s Corner Pub. With the temperature hovering around 20 degrees, everyone made sure to wear several layers of thick clothing.

The Monroe County Polar Bears line up in front of Main Street Tavern in Waterloo on New Year’s Day.        – photo by Jim Jackson

FEMA Delays Flood Maps Until Next January: The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated Tuesday that the implementation of new Metro-East flood maps will not occur until at least January 2011. Previously, the deadline had been set for August 2010. Congressman Jerry Costello welcomed the news, but stated it only amounts to a five-month delay. He added there still needs to be a long-term solution to the problem of flood insurance premium increases. “I will continue to pursue my legislation, H.R. 3415, which would freeze current flood insurance rates in place as long as the local jurisdiction is implementing a plan to fix its levees,” Costello said.

FEMA’s decision to delay the deadline came one day after U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin urged FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to publicize the information regarding their findings on the current condition of the levee system from Alton to Columbia.

"Understanding the structural integrity of the levees in the Metro East area and the risk to those living behind them is fundamentally important to my constituents. Hundreds of thousands of lives and billions in economic activity are at stake,” Durbin said. “Having access to information and your commitment to work with the local communities in addressing their concerns should be the bedrock of updating flood maps in any area."

The new flood plain maps are expected to include a wider area of the bottom area to be considered in a 100-year flood level. The property owners, both residential and commercial, in the affected area would be subject to higher flood insurance rates.

Randy “Mush Head” Rippelmeyer of downtown Fults could use some prayers as he battles an illness. His wife, Pam “Puddin” Rippelmeyer thanks everyone for their support so far.

Matt Dechau proposed to Victoria Graber on Christmas Eve. The couple are planning a fall wedding.

Morrison-Talbott Library’s Genealogy Society has several upcoming events planned to help locals learn more about their roots. The Genealogy Till You Drop day is Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Genealogist will be at the library all day assisting those interested in beginning or continuing their research. The next planned event is Feb. 18. Dana Prusacki, an archivist from the Belleville Public Library, will discuss the items available at her library. William Florsch, executive director of the Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation, will speak March 18 on the history of the foundation and the Jefferson Barracks site. Finishing up their activities this spring will be a presentation by Monroe  County Clerk Dennis Knobloch. He will speak about the history of both old and new Valmeyer. Knobloch recently penned the book “Wail of the Steamboat…Whistle of the Dingy…The Centennial History of Valmeyer, Illinois.”

The Independent has finally gotten around to adding some new videos to its YouTube web video site. New additions include the Maeystown Polar Bear jump and some action from the 2009 Monroe County Fairgrounds. To take a look, visit the website: http://www.youtube.com/user/MoCoIndependent. Additional videos will be added in the coming weeks.

Recent Obituaries

Michelle "Shelley" Decker, 39, of Waterloo, died Jan. 3, 2010 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis, County. She was born Dec. 22, 1970 in Belleville. Mrs. Decker is survived by her sons Gregory and Brandon Wallace of Waterloo; her father, Robert (Edna) Johnson of Barnhart, Mo.; sisters Cathie (Roger) Massie of Waterloo, Janet (Larry) Harris of East Carondelet and Teresa (Joe) Hurt of DeSoto, Mo.; half-brother, Tim Johnson, of Barnhart, Mo.; step-brother, James Donahue of Barnhart, Mo.; and companion, John Bagsby of Waterloo; along with nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanette Johnson; brothers, Mark, Robert and Dennis Johnson; and a sister, Bobbie Lou Johnson. She was employed at St. Louis University as a grants development specialist for the chemistry department. Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow. A private interment of ashes will take place. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Gayle DesCombes Jeffries, 87, of Waterloo, formerly Columbia, Carbondale and Gillette, Wyo., died Jan. 3, 2010 at Oak Hill Nursing Home in Waterloo. She was born Sept. 7, 1922 in the Owsley Community in Johnson County, Mo., the late Everett and Ella (nee Champ) Craig. Mrs. Jeffries is survived by a son, Larry (Carol) DesCombes of Leeton, Mo.; daughters Jody (Ray) and Jack Miller of Smithton, Dee Linda (Gene) Rohrer of Mayview, Mo., and Janet (David) Finnerty of Columbia; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters. Gayle attended grade school in Johnson County, Mo. and worked as a secretary for the Laborer’s Union Local 588 in Sedalia, Mo. Mr. Jeffries also was a Singer Company sewing instructor for 15 years and managed a consignment shop and shoe store for several years. She enjoyed sewing, reading, cooking, jewelry (especially Turquoise), NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt), yard sales, country music, fall colors, leather shoes and purses, the police blotter and her scanner, bragging on her children (“I’ve got four good kids!”) and great big, fat, juicy greasy cheeseburgers. Private services were held. Arrangements were handled by Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in rural Carbondale. Memorials may be made to Oak Hill Nursing Home.

Jerod Alan Reitz, 28, of Trenton, died Dec. 30, 2009. He was born Sept. 17, 1981. Mr. Reitz is survived by his wife, Malinda Mae (nee Carter) Reitz; children J.D. Reitz, Justin Reitz, Leevi Reitz and Aryan Reitz; parents Leroy (Donna) Reitz of Red Bud and Patricia (Craig) Dye of Millstadt; siblings Derek (Nicole) Reitz of New Athens, Sheila Reitz and Roger Reitz, both of Red Bud; step-brother, Derak (Allison) Schubert of Red Bud; maternal grandparents, Dr. Harry Richard and Jacqueline Hern of Belleville; and in-laws Shane and Rachel Carter. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Margaret (nee Mate) Reitz. Mr. Reitz was employed as a roofer. Visitation and funeral were at Creason Funeral Home in Millstadt. A private burial was held.

Elmer “Ham” Riechmann, 90, of Waterloo, died Jan. 4, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born March 2, 1919 in Valmeyer, the son of the late George and Louisa (nee Kruse) Riechmann. Mr. Riechmann is survived by his wife, Bernice (nee Lark) Riechmann; children Lynn (David) Goeddel, Patsy (Dale) Burns and Celeste (G. Michael) Tichy; grandchildren Elise (Steven) Horvath, Toni (Joshua) Hogan, Noel (Beth) Goeddel, Jarrett Burns, Morgan Tichy and Gavin Tichy; great-grandchildren Greyson and Chase Horvath, Ethan and Cannon Hogan and Lucy and Violet Goeddel; brothers Howard (Melba) Riechmann and Roy (Alberta) Riechmann; sister-in-law Gloria Riechmann and Mary Lark; and brother-in-law, Melvin (Phyllis) Lark; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a son in infancy; and a brother. Oliver Riechmann. Mr. Riechmann served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the Waterloo VFW Post 6504. He was retired from Luhr Brothers Inc., and was a member of Operating Engineers Local 520. Mr. Riechmann attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 7, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral mass is Friday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul in Waterloo. Mr. Riechmann will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the Waterloo VFW, Oak Hill of Waterloo High School baseball.

Bernard C. Wuertz, 69, of Red Bud, formerly of Valmeyer, died Jan. 2, 2010 in Red Bud. He was born Aug. 31, 1940 in Harrisonville, the son of the late Frank and Lillian (nee Keepes) Wuertz. Mr. Wuertz is survived by his wife, Eileen (nee Fusch) Wuertz; sons Carol (Denise) Wuertz and David (Sarah) Wuertz; grandchildren Will, Emma, Matthew and Audrey Wuertz; sisters Marilyn Schuttenhelm and Carol Roy; brothers Donald (Judith) Wuertz and Tom (Linda) Wuertz; sisters-in-law Jeannie Wuertz and Mary Ann Naimey; brother-in-law, David Ahrens; and uncle, Jacob Keepes; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers James and William Wuertz; a sister, Rose Ahrens; brothers-in-law Don Schuttenhelm and Earl "Buck" Roy; and nephews John and Scott Wuertz. Mr. Wuertz was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ruma and the Illinois - Mississippi Valley Gun Club. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Mr. Wuertz was buried at Immaculate Conception Church in Madonnaville. Memorials may be made to his church or Hospice of Southern Illinois.