Today's News - February 24, 2010

A local Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Austin Baum is scheduled for Thursday evening, Feb. 25, at Hope Christian Church between Waterloo and Columbia. Family, friends and fellow Zahnow Elementary classmates are invited to come together between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Austin’s parents, Steve and Deena, thank everyone for their support in their time of grief and welcome guests with open arms to this gathering. Memorials may be made to the Austin Baum Memorial Fund established at State Bank of Waterloo, PO Box 148, Waterloo, IL, 62298. Donations will be dispersed in Austin’s memory. Arrangements were handled by Schrader Funeral Home in St. Louis.

WJHS Students Teaching Benefits Of Recycling CFL Light Bulbs

A group of Waterloo High School eighth graders are hoping to spread the word about the benefits of using and recycling compact fluorescent lamps. The CFL bulbs are becoming more popular than the traditional incandescent bulbs because they use less energy and have a longer life. The students want people to know that the CFL bulbs do contain mercury and should be disposed of properly – not simply throwing them away in the trash. WJHS students Micki Brinkmann, Kennedy Moehrs and Brooke Kean are participating in eCYBERMISSION, a free, web-based science, technology, engineering and math competition for students in grades six through nine. Their project, Operation 62298, is to devise a plan for Waterloo citizens to be able to easily recycle their old CFL light bulbs. The girls recently displayed their plan to Alderman Clyde Heller. Mr. Heller was impressed with their idea and invited the students to give their presentation to the entire city council at an upcoming meeting at city hall.

Waterloo Alderman Clyde Heller, left, visits with WJHS eighth graders, left to right, Brooke Kean, Kennedy Moehrs and Micki Brinkmann.

Extension Office Seeks Input On Its Future: State budget constraints have prompted the University of Illinois Extension to explore ways to cut costs and still provide its programming. Extension leaders are seeking public input on their options. Monroe County Extension Director Pamela Jacobs is encouraging the public to participate in one or more of a series of upcoming local meetings at the County Annex at 901 Illinois Ave. in Waterloo - Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday, March 11, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  During the meetings, citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the rationale of the reorganization and ask questions to the interim extension director, Bob Hoeft. This process is studying the concept of multi-county units to reduce costs, including facility rental and staff.

“To be fiscally responsible, the U of I Extension is planning for funding cuts, but we want to make these cuts in such a way as to maintain extension’s strong tradition of high-impact educational programming, which has had a dramatic effect on the citizens of Illinois over the years,” said Hoeft.

It’s projected that Extension funding will decline between $2 and $5 million in the 2009-2010 budget year. While a cost-savings plan is not yet finalized, Hoeft says he’s operating on several guiding principles.

“First, we want to maintain a system that produces and delivers effective, high-impact educational programming in response to local needs,” he said. “We also want to support youth programming and 4-H at the same high level because it has a major impact on Illinois children.”

After the public meetings, Hoeft expects to finalize reorganization plans in mid-April and start implementing soon afterward.

Jacobs added that the county extension program is a vital part of the community. “The extension connects Illinois citizens with the University of Illinois and has a 90-year history of providing educational programs to improve the quality of life in the state,” she said. “The 4-H Youth Development program is the national premiere youth program. In addition University of Illinois Extension facilitates the Master Gardener program and many other educational services to the local people.”

Gibault’s Basketball Season End: The Gibault Hawks boys’ basketball team was eliminated from the Wood River Regional last night when they fell to Metro East Lutheran by a score of 59-48. Columbia plays tonight in the same regional. They square off with the host team at 7:30 p.m.

Waterloo Police Apprehend Hamburglar

A Waterloo youth who attempted to steal two hamburgers Tuesday night from U-Gas was quickly apprehended by the Waterloo Police Department. Just after 9:30 p.m., officers were called by U-Gas employees who witnessed the theft. A Waterloo police officer happened to be right near the scene and followed the get-away vehicle. The teen was soon apprehended and was released into the custody of his parents. The juvenile’s name and the amount of restitution for the stolen merchandise were not released.

Recent Obituaries

Sytha Ellen Hatfield, 70, of Prairie du Rocher, died Feb. 24, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. She was born Jan. 20, 1940 in Jasonville, Ind., to the late William and Opal (nee Stout) Turley. She married William “Bill” Hatfield Jr. in 1962 in Coalmont, Ind. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hatfield is survived by her children Pamela Hatfield of Ruma, William Hatfield III of Evansville, Ind., and Mark Hatfield of Prairie du Rocher; five grandchildren, Corey, Cameron, Meagan, Cassidy and Caleb; one brother; and three sisters; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by two brothers; and a granddaughter, Darian Lee Hatfield. Mrs. Hatfield was a homemaker and small business owner. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 26, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Welge-Pechachek Funeral Home in Red Bud. A memorial service will immediately follow. Mrs. Hatfield will be buried at a later date.

Charlotte (Hirsch) Fobar, 55, of Dupo, formerly of Columbia, died Feb. 24, 2010 at The Lincoln Home in Belleville. She was born April 11, 1954, in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Emil and Rose Marie (Wylie) Hirsch. She was married John H. Fobar. He died in 1990. Mrs. Fobar is survived by a son, John Fobar Jr. of Chula Vista, Calif., brother, Charles Hirsch of Dupo; and a sister, Darlene Hirsch of Belleville. A cremation was held and an internment of ashes will take place at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.