This evening’s snow storm has resulted in several minor accidents with vehicles sliding off of roadways. One area in particular is Route 3 at the intersection of EE Road near the Monroe County YMCA. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is assisting Illinois State Police in handling about three vehicles which have driven into the ditches at that location. One sheriff’s deputy reported seeing several IDOT trucks dumping salt in the area so the ice is being melted. He further advises drivers on Route 3 and throughout the county to drive very carefully and only be out on the road if absolutely necessary.

 

The Columbia Fire Department was called at 10 p.m. to 318 Metter for the report of smoke in a duplex. Additional information will be released regarding this call Saturday morning.

 

In boys’ basketball….

Columbia lost to Central 59 to 31.  

Gibault lost to Okawville 50 to 47.

Red Bud beat Freeburg 59 to 52.

 

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Fults Fritz Confronted About Prediction In Light Of Snow Storm

Fults Fritz admits to not being in his right state of mind when he predicted an early spring Feb. 2 on Groundhog Day. “I know I came out of my burrow, didn’t see my shadow and headed into town, but I would like to fess up something,” Fritz said in an interview this evening at Freeda’s Bar in Renault. As several inches of snow began to fall Friday evening, Fritz was confronted by several of Freeda’s bar patrons who questioned his apparent erroneous prediction.

Fritz admitted that the night before Groundhog Day, he ran into a moonshine still up in the Fults hollow and may have sipped a little too much. “I admit I had one heck of a hangover Feb. 2 and couldn’t tell you one way or another if I saw my shadow that morning,” he said. “I just made a bee-line to Merrill Prange’s house to get some aspirin for my throbbing headache.”

When confronted as to who is operating a still in that part of the county, Fritz’s quipped, “What goes in Fults Hollow, stays in Fults Hollow.”

 

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E-Newsletter - February 5, 2010

 

The Waterloo High School concert and jazz bands held their annual Winter Concert Thursday evening. It was the band department’s first major performance at the new WHS auditorium.

Waterloo High School Band Director Michael Mullins, left, directs the concert band during their annual Winter Concert.

 

Cherry Street Open: Earlier this week, Veile Construction moved their earth-moving equipment from their job site in old town Columbia, allowing the city to open up Cherry Street to vehicle traffic. Because of some possible financing issues with Veile, their work on the Cherry Street / Old Town Development came to a halt. Columbia City Engineer Ron Williams, Administrator Al Hudzik and Attorney Tom Adams are working with Veile and the bonding agent to determine whether Veile is in compliance with the performance bond and the payment bond. Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said the city continues working to resolve this issue in a very prompt manner. They do not expect much delay in the scheduled completion of this project.

 

High School Basketball Update

Girls’ basketball regional tournaments begin next week, starting with the Class 1A Marissa Regional on Monday, Feb. 8, where Valmeyer plays Trico at 8 p.m. The 2A action also begins on Monday in Breese, where Columbia with play Gibault at 6 pm. The Lady Bulldogs begin play in the Class 3A Mascoutah Regional on Feb 15 – WHS will take on Cahokia at 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming games include the Waterloo boys traveling to Triad this evening. The Lady Bulldogs play at Highland on Monday. The Columbia boys will host Breese Central tonight, while the Gibault boys’ squad travels to Okawville. The Lady Hawks host Whitfield Friday evening. The Valmeyer boys’ basketball team will host Marissa tonight, and the Red Bud boys have a home game with Freeburg.

Columbia junior Hannah Varel, 23, goes hard to the hoop last night while being guarded by Red Bud's Emma Posth, 54, and Hannah Stamm, 35. Varel led all scorers with 25 points as Columbia defeated Red Bud 59-41.                      - photo by Gateway Photography - game photos on line at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

The Red Bud boys headed to Columbia on Tuesday and overran the Eagles. The Musketeers came away with a 52-47 victory. Columbia led most of the game, but struggled in the fourth quarter while the Musketeers shooters found a way to get hot. Red Bud’s Adam Kunkel led all scoring with 24.

Columbia’s Wilson Babb, right, does up high for a block as Red Bud’s Adam Kunkel drives the lane. Columbia’s Robbie Likens, left, does down under  the basket.              – photo by Debbie Roediger

 

Columbia Ice Eagles To Play For Decisive Game Three Of Division Championship

The Columbia Club Hockey team is currently in the thick of the Division 1A hockey playoffs. The best-of-three match with Timberland is tied at one game each. Columbia took game one 4-0, only to see Timberland bounce back with a 2-0 victory, forcing the third and deciding game. It will be held Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 8:15 p.m. at the U.S. Ice Complex in Fairview Heights.

The Columbia Ice Eagles players named to the recent All Star game are, left to right, Kyle Steibel, Alex Nanna, Cody Overmann, Kyle Royer, Matt Royer and Matt LaMonica .       – photo by Bob Straub

 

The Immaculate Conception School boys’ basketball teams just wrapped up successful seasons. The sixth grade white team led the way with a 14-3 mark, followed by the fifth graders (13-3), eighth graders (13-10), seventh grade (10-8) and the sixth grade blue team (4-12). Overall, the basketball teams had a combined record of 54-36.

Head Coach Grant Frierdich and Assistant Jason Megginson let the sixth grade white team to the squad’s first diocesan midget-level championship since 2001. “All the boys played hard and did their jobs, and that work helped them win the championship,” said Frierdich.

Fifth grade coach Jeff Heet credited his team’s success with teaching the fundaments playing hard.

Coach Pat McDermott’s seventh grade team withstood injuries to gain their winning record. Tim Sippel, the B-team’s leading scorer, missed the last five games of the season with back problems. During that time, the team was 2-3, but won the last game against Dupo to get it two games over .500.  “The boys did a nice job overcoming Tim’s injury, and didn’t give up after he couldn’t play,” said McDermott.

The sixth grade blue team, coached by James Witges and Bob Freyman, had a tough year record wise, but the players got valuable playing time which should help them next year.

The eighth graders, led by 29-year veteran coach Dale Anderson, just couldn’t get the big basket at the right time. “We finished 13-10, but lost six games by less than five points,” he added. “If we got a couple more baskets or stopped a few of the opponents’ baskets, we would have ended up 19-4, and that would be a great year.”

Anderson, whose record at ICS is 487-258, got nice scoring from Mitch Meyer with 11.9 points per game, and Ricky Schmersahl, who averaged 11.6 points and six rebounds per game. “The boys played hard, and that’s all you can ask,” Anderson said. “Zac Epplin, Alex Webb, Jared Rueter and Caleb Weiler did a nice job all year. Michael Kruetzer, AJ Hannon, Ethan Stumpf, and Jon Lantsberger came off the bench to give the starters a rest, and helped out a lot,” said Anderson.  “For me, it was a thrill to coach the sons of Doug Epplin and Tim Meyer, who played for me at ICS. In the 1970s and 80s, I guess what that really means is that I am just getting old,” Anderson said.

The ICS eighth grade boys basket ball team is, left to right, first row, Jon Lantsberger, Alex Webb and Ethan Stumpf; and second row, Coach Dale Anderson, Michael Kreutzer, Zac Epplin, A.J. Hannon, Jared Rueter, Ricky Schmersahl, Mitch Meyer, Caleb Weiler and manager Sam Drennan.

 

First National Bank of Waterloo employees participated today In the “Go Red For Women.” The national wear red day event promotes awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of women over the age of 25. About one of every 2.6 deaths in women are from cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Go Red For Women is the association’s call for women to take charge of their health and live longer. First National Bank matched the funds the employees raised to be donated to the American Heart Association.

First National Bank of Waterloo employees celebrate “Go Red For Women.”

 

Eagles Tops In Scoring So Far In State Cheerleading Meet

The Columbia High School cheerleaders made it through today’s IHSA State Championship tournament preliminaries in Bloomington. The Eagles’ squad had the highest score in the small town division. They will next compete tomorrow in the finals. 

Columbia cheerleading high flyers in an arabesque pose during a routine are, left to right, Emma Marsoun, Paige Gruber and Audrey Krump.                            – photo by Don Voelker

 

Chief And Several Board Members Step Down From Their Positions With The RBFD

Several long-serving Red Bud Fire Department members decided to step down from their positions Jan. 28 during the annual election meeting. After 11 years as the chief, Curt Guebert decided it was time to retire from that post. Guebert said he will continue serving the department as a firefighter. Earl Ruez, Ron Whelan and Gary Woods retired from the rural board. Both Ruez and Whelan joined the board in 1975. Ruez has served as chairman since 1980, while Whelan has been the membership chair for the past 16 years. Woods has been on the board since 1989.

Making up the new rural board are Chairman Dale Heller, Vice Chair Ed Piel, Membership Chair Orville Heller, Treasurer Mike Schaefer and Secretary Perri Mehring. The Fire Department officers are Chief Kevin Miller, First Assistant Chief Alan Piel, Second Assistant Chief Bruce Rensing, Captain E.J. Roscow, Lieutenants Brian Montroy and Chad Langrehr, President Jason Guebert, Vice President Ron Shields, Secretary Sean Landgraf and Treasurer Tim Fahey. (information provided by the North County News)

Retiring from their positions last week on the Red Bud Fire Department and its Rural Board are, left to right, Curt Guebert, Earl Ruez, Ron Whelan and Gary Woods.         – photo by North County News 

 

The Valmeyer Fire Protection received a $17,100 Federal Operations and Safety Grant. The funds were made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance To Firefighters program. The funds are allocated for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities. U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello co-sponsored the legislation that created the Assistance To Firefighters program. “These awards will enhance fire protection services and keep our communities safe,” said Costello. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day, and their dedication deserves our full support.”

 

The Hecker Fire Department was once again called upon to come to the rescue of a dog which had fallen through the ice. On Thursday morning, a dog owned by Lonnie Blanchard fell through a thin layer of ice on his lake in the 6600 block of Brand Lake Road, just off Route 3 between Waterloo and Red Bud. Before the Hecker fire trucks arrived, one of Blanchard’s neighbors had used a john boat to reach the dog and pull it in, reported Hecker Fire Chief Ralph Eckart. The HVFD then threw a rope out to the boat and helped the neighbor pull himself back to shore. The dog appeared not to have sustained any injuries.

 

There was a small fire earlier this week in the bathroom of a Waterloo home in the 100 block of Debra Lane, on the south side of town. The homeowner accidently discarded a cigarette in a trash can in the bathroom which ignited the contents. Police officers soon arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the blaze before the firemen arrived. The WFD used large fans to help remove the smoke from the home.

 

Columbia’s TIF district appears to be performing as it was designed, according to the annual report issued today by Columbia Economic Development Director Paul Ellis. The Admiral Parkway Redevelopment Area Joint Review Board held its annual meeting Friday, Feb. 5 at Columbia City Hall. Since its inception in 19995, the TIF district’s assessed value has grown from under $1 million to $8 million. A detailed report was reviewed by the joint review board. In other business of the TIF district, Mayor Kevin Hutchinson was re-elected chairman, and John Conrad was re-elected citizens representative. Monroe County, Columbia Community Unit District No. 4 and  Southwestern Illinois College also have representation on the board.

 

The Waterloo VFW will welcome revelers Sunday, Feb. 7 for their annual Super Bowl Party. “The bar will be open at 2 p.m.,” reports Commander Stephanie Kirksey. A big screen with surround sound will be brought in. “We’ll be featuring drink specials and attendance prizes,” she added.

 

The Waterloo VFW Post 6504 and Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring the annual VFW Color, Poster and Essay contests, with entries needed by Feb. 19. The coloring contest is for children ages three, four and five and those in Kindergarten. The poster contest is for students in grades one, two and three. The essay contest is for students in grades four through sixth. Those wishing additional information, can contact Laurie Sparwasser at 939-8104.

 

Recent Obituaries

Robert C. Poole, 79, of Columbia, died Feb. 3, 2010. He was born Oct. 28, 1930, in Huntington Park, Calif., the son of the late Carter and Martha (Driver) Poole. Mr. Poole is survived by his wife, Marie (Chaudet) Poole; children Becky Hays of Columbia, Cherie (Michael) Harris of Columbia, Traci Butz of Millstadt, Brian (Amy) Poole of Columbia and Scott Poole of Greenville; 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; and puppies Toby and Tyson. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Poole Jr.; a sister, Virginia Burk; and a brother, Richard Poole. Mr. Poole served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He retired as a parts manager at Elder Cadillac in Belleville after 24 years of service. Bob was a past member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6165. He enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s activities. Visitation is Monday, Feb. 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Columbia or Hospice of Southern.

Marjorie F. Trost, 93, of Columbia, died Feb. 3, 2010. She was born Nov. 11, 1916, in Columbia, the daughter of the late Harry and Bertha Arnin (Kunz). She married Monroe H. Trost in 1949 in Columbia. He died in 1991. Mrs. Trost is survived by a brother, Walter (Marie) Arnin of St. Louis; and friends Gail (Galen) Riebeling, Chad and Lucas Riebeling, Matt (Shelley) Riebeling, Noah, Ethan and Kane Riebeling, Lauren (Jimmy) Foran, Lincoln Foran, and Kent (Joan) Weisenstein; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Trost was retired from the finance and accounting department at Scott Air Force Base. She attended St. Paul UCC of Columbia for more than 70 years, where she was a part-time book keeper and was also in the Evening Women's League. Majorie was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Rob Morris Chapter 98, Columbia Senior Citizens, Columbia Women's Club and the American Legion Post 581 Auxiliary. There was no visitation. Graveside services will be Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, in Columbia with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Memorials may be made to her church or to Shriner's Hospital For Children.

Mildred A. Middleton, 78, of Orion, died Feb. 1, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born June 23, 1931, the daughter of the late Edward F. and Lula (Johnson) Middleton. Mrs. Middleton is survived by her grandchildren Donna Esker, Michael Haas, Vince Stern, Andrew Stern and Raymond Stern; sisters, Masie Mehrtens and Myrtle Walker; a sister-in-law, Marlene Middleton; and son-in-law, Vince Stern Sr.; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cora Esker; grandson, Donnie Esker Jr.; three sisters; and four brothers. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home.