Today's News - May 12, 2010

Vehicle Rolls Over West Of Hecker: The driver of an SUV lost control of his vehicle Wednesday just before 3 p.m. along Route 156 a couple miles west of Hecker. The vehicle went off the roadway near the George Gregson farm and overturned in a ditch trapping the driver inside. Hecker firefighters assisted Monroe County Ambulance personnel in extricating the driver. He was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries.
Hecker Fire Chief Ralph Eckart, right, heads to a fire truck to get a piece of equipment following the rollover accident today along Route 156 west of Hecker.            – photo by Gage Wienhoff

A truck and a car collided Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 3 and Hanover Road. There were no injuries.

A Wheat’s Auto Body tow truck prepares to load up a truck and car involved in a two vehicle accident Wednesday at the intersection of Route 3 and Hanover Road.

Limited Loss Of Electric During Overnight Storm: The storms which swept through the area early Wednesday morning knocked out electric service to more than 500 members of Monroe County Electric Cooperative. The hardest hit areas were around New Athens, East Carondelet and IMBS Station Road north of Millstadt. The majority of the outages were due to lightning strikes and there were no reported trees knocked onto power lines from the storm. Service was restored to all of the affected members by noon today, said Allen Wattles, CEO of the Co-Op.

During Wednesday morning’s thunderstorm, a lightning strike sparked a gas line to catch fire next to a home in the Burroughs subdivision off of Carl Street in Columbia. CVFD firefighters arrived on the scene and were able to extinguish the blaze. Lightning also hit homes in Floraville and Millstadt causing minor roof damage to both residences.

The Waterloo girls’ soccer team fell at home Tuesday evening to Mississippi Valley Conference rival Triad by a score of 1-0. Waterloo dropped to second place in the conference with a record of 7-1-1 while Triad improved to 7-0 for first place.

Waterloo’s Cassie Kaiping, center, jumps high as she prepares to head the ball towards the goal during Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to Triad.        – photo by Bob Haentzler - game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

The 11^th annual area Special Education Olympics were held Wednesday, Mar 12 at the Columbia High School track. Athletes form Waterloo, Columbia, Evansville and Red Bud competed in various track events, including track, soccer, bowling and swimming.

Waterloo freshmen Devin Hunter, second from right, participates in the softball toss. He was able to throw the ball 58 feet and 7 inches.        – photo by Bob Haentzler

CHS Student Council Earns Awards During Visit To State Capitol

The Columbia High School Student Council headed to Springfield last week to attend the Illinois Association of Student Councils State Convention. During their stay, they sat in the State Capitol’s visitor’s gallery to watch the proceedings of the House of Representatives as they debated and voted on bills, including a tax holiday bill and the proposed Star Bonds tax incentive plan for Marion.

The CHS team earned several awards at the convention, including the Illinois Association of Student Councils Honor Council Award, Excellence in the Mechanics and Activities and was recognized as a National Council of Excellence Individual awards were presented to CHS students Matt Chkautovich, special recognition for demonstrating outstanding leadership at the State Re-election Ceremony; Cody Singer was on the State Credentials Committee; Keagan Kristoff and Raven Stringer were on the Honor Council Committee; Mallory Stumpf was a Group Discussion Leader; and teacher Linda Pickett was elected to the Executive Board of the IASC.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, third from left, visits with Columbia High School students, left to right, Keagan Kristoff, Mallory Stumpf, Kelly Newton, Matt Chkautovich, Cody Singer and Blake Stumpf.       – photo by Tina Stumpf

The City of Columbia’s annual recycling day is Saturday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia High School parking lot. Nice Twice At The Depot, a not-for-profit resale shop located in Waterloo which supports Camp Wartburg, will collect gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, toys and other household items. The Columbia Library will accept gently used books. Web Innovations and Technology Services will accept electronic items, including VCRs, stereos, audio/video equipment and small home electronics, such as blenders, toasters, irons, old motors, batteries, cell phones, printers, computers, monitors, washers, dryers, dishwashers, furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, humidifiers and other Freon containing devices.

Reliable Sanitation will accept recyclable items, including glass, plastic and aluminum. Newspapers and other paper products can be dropped off at the bins located at the Columbia public schools and ICS. Reliable Sanitation will also provide dumpsters to allow citizens of the City of Columbia to dispose of non-recyclable items. Proof of residency identification will be required for this service. Paper shredding for documents will be available that day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. There is a limit of 10 boxes per person. This shredding service is sponsored by Columbia National Bank, Reliance Bank and Midland States Bank.

Fluorescent tube lights and compact fluorescent light bulbs will be collected by Cotton’s Ace Hardware, which will continue to accept the bulbs throughout the year. Smaller batteries (A, AA, AAA, D, etc.) will be collected at the recycling event and can also be brought to City Hall throughout the year for proper disposal.

In order to continue its effort to promote recycling in the community, the City of Columbia will be giving out a free recycling bin at the CHS parking lot (while supplies last). Again, proof of residency is required. The City is also looking for volunteers or organizations to assist in this event and to help remove trash from various locations throughout the town.

On both June 4 and 5, the city will waive the need for yard and garage sale permits. Any unsold items remaining from those sales can be put in a sturdy box or plastic trash bag and brought to the high school parking lot until 3 p.m. on June 5 for recycling or disposal.

For additional information about this event or to volunteer, contact City of Columbia’s Jackie Hausmann at 618-281-7144, ext. 106.

Virginia Pieper and Dale Marcisson were crowned the queen and king of the Oak Hill Senior Center Prom earlier this week. Residents gathered in the activity room for a gala event which featured musical entertainment by the Bud Lighters Orchestra. A special treat for the seniors were a group of Waterloo High School students who joined along in the festivity.

Queen Virginia Pieper and King Dale Marcisson gather with WHS students after being crowned the royalty of the Oak Hill Senior Center Prom.

Mehrtens Retiring In Millstadt: Charlotte Mehrtens, director of the Millstadt Township Senior Services, is retiring after 27 years of service. An open house in her honor will be held Sunday, May 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Millstadt VFW. The public is invited.

Recent Obituaries

Jessica Koen, 28, of Waterloo, died May 12, 2010 in Columbia in an automobile accident. She was born March 30, 1982 in Oxnard, Calif., the daughter of Gary Koen and Debra Koen. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Koen is survived by her siblings Garrett (fiancée Megan Veit) Koen, Rebecca (fiancée Mike Amann) Stone and Christopher Stone; grandmother Lamaar Rodriguez; and pet Mr. Chico; along with aunts, uncles, cousins and  friends. She was preceded in death by her step-mother, Joan Marie Koen; grandparents Dan Rodriguez and Glendon Ray and Wanda Koen; and an uncle, Mark Rodriguez. Jessica attended Sanford - Brown College and loved animals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, art and her family and friends. Visitation is Friday, May 14, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Monroe County Humane Society.

Jeffery L. Pirtle, 51, of New Athens, formerly of Monroe City, died May 10, 2010 in New Athens. He was born Jan. 7, 1959 in Tampa Bay, Fla., the son of Cletus and Linda (nee Woodard) Pirtle. Besides his parents, Mr. Pirtle is survived by a sister, Clarice Korte; and brothers Brian Pirtle and Mitchell Pirtle; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Mary A. Bahr, Harry F. Pirtle, Lucille Riggs and Clarence V. Woodard Sr. Mr. Pirtle was employed at Hubbell Wiegmann in Freeburg and was a member of the NRA and the Town and Country Gun Club of Maryville. . Visitation is Wednesday, May 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, May 13, at Quernheim’s with Pastor Royal Boeder officiating. Mr. Pirtle will be buried at the Monroe City Cemetery.

Breaking News - May 12, 2010

A purse was stolen this morning at 9:15 a.m. from a vehicle parked at Christ Community Church in Columbia (near Oerter Soccer Park). The Columbia Police Department sent out an all-points-bulletin for fellow officers in neighboring communities, along with citizens, to be on the lookout for an older model slate gray, four-door hard top Jeep. The driver was described as a white female with dark hair. The passenger was a tall, skinny, white male in his 20s with red hair and tattoos on his neck.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 281-5151.

News Update - May 12, 2010

Jessica Koen, 28, of Waterloo was the girl who died early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle accident on Route 158 at the intersection of Centerville Road in rural Columbia. Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer pronounced Jessica deceased  at the scene just after 1:30 a.m. Koen’s car rolled and Jessica was thrown from her Chevrolet Malibu. It initially appears she was not wearing a seatbelt, reports Gummersheimer.

Jessica’s mother, Joan, died in 2004 at the age of 45 in an automobile accident on Route 156 between Hecker and Waterloo. Joan collided head-on with a garbage truck and died instantly.

Jessica Koen’s picture on Facebook.

Severe Storm Rolls Through Monroe County - Fatal Car Accident In Columbia

The severe thunderstorm rolling through the Metro-East on Wednesday morning has resulted in one fatality, along with several reports of weather-related damage.  

A female was reported dead at the scene of a one-vehicle rollover accident about 2 a.m. along Route 158 (Millstadt Highway) and Centerville Road. The car lost control at a curve, went off the roadway, rolled and landed upside down in a field. The victim was ejected from the vehicle. Columbia Ambulance Service Personnel quickly arrived at the scene, but the person showed no signs of life. A Monroe County Coroner was then dispatched to the scene. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

Columbia, Waterloo, Millstadt, Hecker and Dupo Fire Departments have each been called out on numerous reports of fire alarms sounding after buildings were struck by lightning. Some of the more severe incidents include a gas line being struck in Columbia and a home on Celeste Drive in rural Floraville (Waterloo mailing address) was struck by lightning. The owners of that home reported smoke in their attic just after 4:45 a.m. Millstadt, Smithton, Hecker and Columbia firefighters are at the scene handling that situation. Firefighters contained to the roof.

Hail was reported in Columbia earlier this morning, but now only reports of heavy rain downpours and lightning are being called in. The city of Waterloo had a brief power outage just after 5 a.m., but electric was quickly back on.

With the large volume of rain falling this morning, streams and other waterways may overtop their banks causing some flooding along low-lying waterways.

Additional updates will be provided later on Wednesday.

A public meeting to discuss the levee upgrade situation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Middle School. Speakers will include Les Sterman, the construction supervisor of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District, which is working in conjunction with FEMA and the Corps of engineers to improve the Metro East levee system. He previously headed the East-West Gate Council of Governments for more than 25 years. In addition to Sterman, civic leaders from Columbia, Waterloo and Dupo will be in attendance to help answer questions.

Weekend Sports Results: In baseball, both Gibault and Columbia were swept in double-headers. Civic Memorial beat Gibault 3-2 and 4-0, while Belleville West took two from Columbia, 11-6 and 6-3. Waterloo’s baseball squad split a double-header with Mater Dei - winning 9-4, then losing 6-5. On the softball field, Waterloo beat Dupo 2-0 and Carbondale 1-0. The Columbia Lady Eagles headed to Gibault Saturday and defeated the Lady Hawks 9-5.

Columbia's Wilson Babb came in to pitch during the first game of a double header Saturday versus Belleville West. Columbia dropped both games, 11-6 and 6-3. The losses dropped the Eagles record to 16-14.              – photo by Bob Haentzler - game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Columbia Still Fighting Landfill Suit
By Joe Leicht

The cost of being certifiably "green" continues to give Columbia officials the blues. City Attorney Tom Adams told the city council at its May 3 meeting he is still working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to resolve a $20,000 lawsuit over the city's landfill off Todd Hall Drive. The IEPA - due to what Adams called a "breakdown in communication between the IEPA in Collinsville and the IEPA in Springfield" - has considered Columbia out of compliance with environmental standards since 2006 for its regulation of the landfill.

Adams said IEPA has "invited us to come up with some supplemental environmental projects in lieu of the $20,000 in fines. We are having some success, though obviously it hasn't been resolved yet." The city attorney said Columbia only recently received state permits for closure and monitoring of the site. The city likely will pursue grants for as yet undetermined green projects. Meanwhile, Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz thinks Columbia should get credit for the eco-friendly projects it has initiated in recent years.

"I think we've probably taken a lot more action in this area than most surrounding communities. I think we're the first in the county to offer curbside recycling and we have our mass collection recycling days. This has been ongoing and has taken effort, staff and time. We've been so progressive for so many years, we ought to be able to reap some benefit from that," Niemietz said.

Not so, Adams said. “Apparently, if you're already doing it, it shouldn't count, to the IEPA," said Adams, who along with City Administrator Al Hudzik and City Engineer Ron Williams recently met with IEPA officials.

In other Columbia city government news:
- Columbia is among a number of cities that has promoted proposed state legislation aimed at curbing false-alarm emergency calls that tax local response resources.
The proposed law - sponsored by both State Rep. Dan Reitz and State Sen. David Luetchefeld - would impose a fine against persons who initiate more than three false alarms within a 12-month period though exempts person who call to cancel the emergency before units are sent to respond or whose alarms go off during installation, repair or testing.
Adams said, however, the legislation - thought to be a "slam dunk" when first proposed - has become "a blood bath" due to opposition from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
The proposal is targeting at though not exclusive to the proper maintenance of alarm systems;
- The city is expecting - but not hoping - to spend a tidy sum to replace the roof on the Miller-Fiegge home, which was designated a historic landmark by the city last June.
City Community/Economic Development Director Paul Ellis said at the May 3 meeting said the Columbia Historic Preservation Agency is "fine with whatever we do, as long as keep the water from coming in." Preservationist prefer, though, the centennial residence be fitted with a tin roof, if feasible. Ellis said initial inquiries suggest it will cost at minimum $10,000 to replace the roof and up to $50,000 to use metal roofing. Mayor Kevin Hutchinson directed Ellis to put out bid specifications for the project that ask for standard as well as metal roofing options. "I know because of historic considerations, there are some who really want to see (tin roofing.) Maybe we'll be lucky and someone will give us a bunch of money," the mayor said, hinting at the possibility a benefactor may come forward.

The Waterloo School Board met Tuesday evening to discuss the teachers, administrators and other personnel they plan to hire back for the 2010-2011 school year. Much of the discussion was held in two closed-door executive sessions. They did announce that current WJHS Asst. Principal Tim Keefe would be stepping down from his position to take an opening as an English teacher at the high school. Current Zahnow Asst. Principal Brian Smith would take Keefe’s position as WJHS Asst. Principal. Superintendent James Helton said additional information would be released on Wednesday. The school district, like most of those throughout the State of Illinois, continue to patiently wait for delayed payments due from the state coffers. Waterloo will likely have a budget shortfall of approximate just over $1 million this year because of that shortfall in payments. The current plan is to open up the old high school building this year and turn it into the new WJHS housing grades six through eight. Zahnow would have K-1, Rogers would be for second and third graders and the still-to-be-renamed current WJHS would be utilized for grades four and five under new principal Dawn Ivers. The new high school will continue to teach grades nine through 12. Brian Charron of Valmeyer will replace Tim Kreinberg as principal of the high school beginning this July.

Eagleston - Niebruegge Are Engaged

Stacey Lynn Eagleston and William George Niebruegge

Mrs. Nancy Mowry of Mansfield, Oh. and Ted Eagleston of Indianapolis, Ind.,  announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Stacey Lynn Eagleston to William George Niebruegge. Stacey is a graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School and a 2006 graduate of the University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Health Science with an emphasis in Personal Training and a Master of Athletic Training.  She is the assistant athletic trainer and senior woman administrator at Maryville University of St. Louis, Mo. 

Bill is the son of Bob and Darlene Niebruegge of Waterloo. He is a graduate of Gibault Catholic High School and a 2002 graduate of Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering.  He has a Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering from Washing-ton University in St. Louis and is currently employed as a Software Engineer at the Boeing Co. in St. Louis.  Stacey and Bill will be married in a formal ceremony at The Journey Hanley Road Campus in Clayton, Mo. on Aug.  21, 2010.

A Waterloo Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul UCC in Waterloo. The event is sponsored by First National Bank of Waterloo and Harrisonville Telephone Company. To schedule an appointment, call Luanne Ragland at 939-1860 or Marilynn Schaefer at 939-8360.

Recent Obituaries

Frederick John Wood II, 85, of California, died April 27, 2010. He was born June 21, 1924 in Bellingham, Wash., the son of the late Frederick and Pearl (Pinkel) Wood. Mr. Wood is survived by his daughters, Kathryn Church Wood, Margaret Ann Kirk and Elizabeth Wood Antes; five grandsons; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; and a cousin, George (Noreen) Ziebold of Waterloo. A prayer service will be held Wednesday, May 12 at 4 p.m., at Brown Colonial Mortuary in Santa Ana, Calif. A military graveside service will be held Friday, May 14, at 11 a.m., at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo.

Rayburn A. Fricke, 70, of Red Bud, died Friday, May 7, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He was born July 24, 1939 in Murphysboro to the late Arthur and Leta (nee Rayburn) Fricke. Rayburn married Glenda Smith on April 2, 1966 in Chicago. In addition to his wife, Mr. Fricke is survived by his children, Robert Fricke Jr. of Red Bud and Chris (Will) Trowbridge of Columbia; a sister, Dottie Hoffman of Columbia; brother, Robert D. Fricke of Belleville; and a granddaughter, Grace Trowbridge of Columbia. Mr. Fricke received a football scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., where he earned a degree. He also graduated in 1977 from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Mr. Fricke was an attorney who served as a public defender for eight years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud, the Illinois Bar Association, Randolph County Bar Association and Red Bud Lion’s Club. Rayburn had been an active member of the Muskets Athletic Club and coached Pee Wee Football for several years. Visitation is Monday, May 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Tuesday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Russell Koen officiating. Mr. Fricke will be buried at Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church of Red Bud or the Muskets Athletic Club.