Breaking News - January 19, 2010

A Red Bud youth was involved in a fatal accident on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 19, reports the North County News of Red Bud.

Kaitlyn Niermann, 18, was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a one car accident at 11:34 a.m. on Route 13 near Campbell Road in rural Coulterville. According to the police report, Vera Rees, 16, of Sparta was driving the vehicle westbound on Route 13, west of Jean Road when the vehicle went to pass a semi-tractor trailer truck. The vehicle left the road on the south side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned.

Niermann and another passenger, Ronald Rees, 23, of Coulterville, were ejected from the vehicle. Rees sustained major injuries and was first taken to Sparta Community Hospital and was then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital.

Other passengers, Wesley Durrett, 21, of Coulterville, and Alyssa Anderson, 15, of Sparta, received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Sparta Community Hospital.

The Illinois State Police report as of today did not state the condition of Rees, but they did note that she and Anderson were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident.

Niermann is the daughter of Tony Niermann and Gerry Niermann. Funeral arrangements are pending.

(Information reported by the North County News from the Illinois State Police report.)

Today's News - January 19, 2010

Locals Gather To Pray For Earthquake Victims

There were about 50 in attendance at the Monroe County Courthouse bandstand Monday evening joining to pray for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. During the candle light vigil, several prayers were read by area ministers and everyone joined in singing inspirational songs, including We Shall Overcome, Kumbaya and Amazing Grace. The gathering garnered St. Louis media attention, as Channel 2 KTVI News covered the event.

Kim Strellis, Darlene Weihl and Karen Schrader participate in the candlelight vigil Monday night at the Courthouse bandstand.

Lady Eagles Defeat Waterloo On The Road

The Columbia girls’ varsity basketball team traveled south to Waterloo Monday evening and came away with a 64-42 victory. Columbia improved to 12-10, while Waterloo fell to 4-12.

Junior Hannah Varel of the Columbia Eagles goes up to score two of her 12 points in Monday’s defeat at Waterloo.            – photo by Bob Haentzler - Gateway Photography / game photos at www.gatewayphoto.net

Waterloo’s Kelly Sandelin of Waterloo, right, launches a three-pointer during the Lady Bulldogs’ loss to Columbia.               – photo by Bob Haentzler - Gateway Photography / game photos at www.gatewayphoto.net

The Valmeyer Lady Pirates basketball team fell to Lebanon last night at home by a score of 70-29, dropping their record to 2-16. The Gibault Hawks next girls’ basketball game is Jan. 26 when they host the Windsor Owls of Imperial, Mo. High School.

Falcons Fall In Regionals: The SS. Peter and Paul Grade School girls’ basketball team lost to Nashville in the finals of the regional tournament. The final score was 45-7.

FNB Organizing Haiti Relief Drive: The First National Bank of Waterloo is collecting donations for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. “I have had several people ask about how they could help. We would gladly be a collection point for donations and will forward all monies received to Habitat for Humanity to provide homes and shelters for Haitians left homeless by the earthquake,” said FNB President and CEO Gary Hemmer. Donations will be accepted through March 1. Checks should be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to the First National Bank of Waterloo, P. O. Box 507, Waterloo, IL., 62298. Donations can also be dropped off at any of the First National Banking Centers, including 228 S. Main in downtown Waterloo,  744 N. Market in Waterloo, 1421 N. Main on the north end of Columbia and 645 E. Washington in Millstadt.

Author Jack Schultz is slated to be the guest speaker at the upcoming Monroe County Economic Development Committee Forum. The event will take place Feb. 8 at The Falls Banquet Center in Columbia. Doors open at 7 a.m., and will conclude around 9 a.m. Schultz is an authority in economic development in small towns and is the author of “Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys To Big Success In Small Towns.”

“I’ve heard Jack speak on a couple occasions and I can tell you he’s dynamic and well worth listening,” said Nora Feuquay, Community and Economic Development Director of the University of Illinois Extension.

Schultz has taken his message on the road to more than 300 communities in 44 states since 2004.  In 2005, Schultz was named Ernst & Young’s Illinois Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2006 he received the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship. At the MCEDC Forum, Schultz will talk about the characteristics of towns that are successful as well as the importance of encouraging an entrepreneurial approach in your community.  He will also give some insight into the importance of supporting your local business community, and how small towns can survive and thrive during hard economic times.

A full breakfast will be served at the beginning of the program. Registration can be done online at the website: monroe.extension.uiuc.edu or over the phone by calling 618-939-3434. The cost is $20 for those who own or work for a business in Monroe County and $25 for all others. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 1.

Recent Obituary

Julie Christine Seibold (nee Oxmann), 39, of Red Bud, died Jan. 18, 2010 in Red Bud. She was born Sept. 26, 1970, the daughter of Glenda (Dave) Baker and Dennis Oxmann. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Seibold is survived by her husband, Christopher Seibold; their children; Stephanie and Jonathan Seibold; half-sister, Lori (Charles) Elgart; half-brothers Clint Baker and Bill (Kelly) Oxmann; and her grandmother, Hilda Baker; along with sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Leona Roth, Conrad and Margaret Oxmann and Elmer Baker. Mrs. Seibold was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault. Visitation is Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. at her church with Pastor Ralph E. Laufer officiating. Mrs. Seibold will be buried at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Renault. Memorials may be made to her church.