E-Newsletter - June 11, 2010

Minor Injury When Car Slams Into Utility Pole: Kaitlyn Boyer of Dupo sustained a minor injury to her neck Thursday afternoon when the four-door Saturn she was driving slid into a utility pole in rural Columbia. Boyer, 16, was driving westbound on Centerville Road on the south end of the Columbia city limits when she lost control of her vehicle. The car spun, crossed over the oncoming lane and slid through the grass. The car finally came to rest when it became wedged between a utility pole and a guy wire near the entrance to Herbeck Lake. Shannon Bowman, a registered nurse, was driving eastbound on Centerville Road at the time and witnessed the accident. Bowman provided first aid until a Columbia ambulance arrived on the scene. Boyer was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital. She was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Columbia fireman Andrew Callis, center, gets ready to cut the wire leading to the battery of a car involved in an accident Thursday on Centerville Road.

There were no injuries yesterday when a van pulling a load of telephone poles jackknifed on Route 3 on the north end of Waterloo. Kenneth Fulton Jr. of Columbia was driving a 1996 GMC van northbound on Route 3 heading out of Waterloo. As the van approached Warren Drive, the trailer began to swerve and jackknifed into the median causing the van to slowly roll onto its side. Fulton, 45, was not injured. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating a vehicle with an expired registration.

The Mon-Clair Baseball League schedule for Sunday, June 13 is: Waterloo at Alton, Columbia at Belleville, Edwardsville at Fairview Heights, Millstadt at Valmeyer and St. Louis Longhorns at the St. Louis Spikes. All games are double-headers which begin at 1:30 p.m.

The Waterloo Millers earned a home victory Thursday evening with a 11-8 win over the Millstadt VFW. Millers’ pitcher Brandon Musso picked up the win.

Following a wild pitch by Millstadt’s Gurdine Ackline, right, Waterloo’s Dusty Lepere slides safely across home plate underneath the leaping Ackline.            – photo by Bob Haentzler

The Spring Adult League wrapped up their regular season Thursday at the WSA Jaycee Ball Diamonds in Waterloo. Winning first place in the woman’s division was The Awesomes with a record of 11-1. On top of the men’s division was Sidebar Technology at 10-2. The end of season tournaments begin next week.

Katie Waldron of The Awesomes knocks a triple on her way to hitting for the cycle in their victory Thursday evening.

Sidebar Technology’s slick-fielding third baseman Tom Schilling snares a hard grounder and throws out a runner in the team’s final regular season game.

Golf Tournament Raises Funds For Waterloo School District

Golfers hit the Waterloo Country Club links Thursday, June 10 for a good cause. The annual Waterloo Foundation For Excellence in Education Golf Tournament raises funds for the students of Waterloo Community Unit School District 5. Proceeds help with scholarships, funding for field trip transportation, equipment and computer purchases.

“Thanks to all sponsors and participants that help make the tournament a success,” said Gordon Gregson, one of the event’s organizers.

The top teams were: Championship Flight, first place (53), Bill Nobbe, Russ Nobbe, Greg Skinner and Kevin Schaefer; and second place, (55), Tim Birk, Lonnie Ludwig, Mitchell Gregson and Gordon Gregson; A Flight, three-way-tie for first (60), Bill Wirth, Scott Upchurch, Dale Ruess and Bob Osterhage; Dan Spickard, Ron Kaiping, Ellen West and Lance West; and Leo Hefner, Alan Wattles, Tom Dahncke and Scott Giles.

Golfers from WHS’s 2010 squad participating in the Waterloo Foundation For Excellence in Education Golf Tournament are, left to right, Johnny Wirth, Jacob Brumfield, Derrick Allen and Clayton Stoker.      – photo by Bob Haentzler

County Board Considers Litigation, Bonding Options For Levee Mitigation
by Joe Leicht

The Metro East levees dominated discussions at the Monroe County Board's June 7 meeting, as the board - apparently - mulled both the best and worst case scenarios. The board met in a 40-minute closed session with State's Attorney Kris Reitz, Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council Construction Supervisor Les Sterman and bonding expert Mary Kane to discuss possible litigation regarding the Metro East levee system. Observers speculated the board was discussing options to sue or join with other entities in a suit to prevent the decertification of the levees and adoption of new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps that are used to determine flood insurance rates.

In February, Monroe County and other areas affected by the federal government's threat to decertify the region's levees  were encouraged when -- under pressure from U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin -- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were unable to document evidence that the levee system is in imminent danger of failing.

"I can't imagine what else they would be discussing. Either suing the (U.S. Army) Corps (of Engineers) or FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), " said Tom Prost, an engineer from Columbia who had been in the audience before the meeting went into closed session.

Another citizen, Rita Diehl, disputed the necessity of closing the meeting. Both Diehl and Prost were vocal opponents of the aborted Columbia Crossing proposal four years ago. Commissioner Mike Kovarik appeared to share Diehl's misgivings; he initially declined to vote in favor of calling an executive session.

But after the meeting, none of the commissioners would even hint at what they had discussed, saying only they "took no action on litigation." Upon re-opening the meeting, the board took up discussion on the county’s four-per cent share of the cost of repairing the levee system, in the event a $150 to $180 million levee overhaul is approved by the Corps of Engineers and FEMA.

County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein explained the quarter-cent sales tax for levee protection the county has collected since January 2009 generates about $450,000 per year.  Monroe County's estimated $6 million share of the cost would likely be covered by a series of bond issues. The sales tax would be used to retire the bonds. If the construction bids come in within the cost estimates, the sales tax revenue would be adequate to repay them, according to previous analysis by the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Council (SWIFPDC). Earlier estimates by the corps, of as much as $500 million, put the project out of reach without significant federal participation. The SWIFPD made the decision to seek alternative proposals for the repairs to determine if they could be financed with local revenue generated by the sales tax. Corps funding for the project would mean the repairs would not be completed until 2044. The locally funded fix would take between two-and-a-half and five years, according to proposals being reviewed by the SWIFPD.

Though no action was taken, the county board appeared to favor revenue bonds, which would be supported solely through the quarter-cent sales tax.

Congratulations go out to Josh Mueller, a 2007 Columbia High School graduate who pitches for the Eastern Illinois University baseball team. Mueller was recently chosen by the Colorado Rockies as the second player in the 13^th  round of the Major League Baseball draft. Through three years at EIU, he has compiled a record of 17-10. During his senior year at Columbia High School in 2007, he helped the Eagles win the IHSA Class 2A State Championship. In their post season run, Mueller figured in all eight playoff victories, with four wins and four saves.

The bleachers at the Monroe County Fairgrounds were filled to near-capacity Monday evening as the Ainad Shrine Circus was in town. Children of all ages were thrilled by the various death-defying acts. “We had a great turnout and the weather was perfect for this year’s circus,” said Shriner Kurt Grosse of Waterloo.

A tiger jumps through a ring of fire as the tamer stands underneath.

A contortionist bends her body around and uses her feet and a crossbow to shoot a balloon. (Ed-itor’s Note: It is unknown if she has ever attempted to shoot a buck in this position from atop a tree stand in Monroe County during deer season.)

Reitz Proposes Sales Tax Holiday On School Supplies: State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) announced plans this week to propose a bill which would help parents save money on back-to-school shopping through a sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies for a period of 10 days in August.

“The working families in my district are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and for many it is a daily struggle just to make ends meet,” said Reitz. “Record unemployment coupled with high taxes and monthly bills have kept parents from being able to afford even the most basic necessities for their children.  Among these are back-to-school supplies and clothing, which every child should have.  A sales tax holiday will be critical to helping these families send their children back to school prepared.”

Senate Bill 3658 provides for a sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies from Aug. 6 though Aug. 15, 2010. The sales tax on these items will be reduced from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent. The legislation is expected to boost sales before the upcoming school year, as back-to-school spending has slipped in the last few years in southern Illinois. Reitz believes the tax holiday will be a boon to local businesses by encouraging families to get out and shop in local stores.

“A sales tax holiday will not only save consumers money, but equally as important, it will provide a much-needed boost to our economy as people take advantage of reduced costs,” Reitz said. “Creating jobs and supporting businesses in Illinois is critical to restoring economic stability, and I will continue to do everything I can to stimulate our economy and look out for the hardworking families of my district.”

Senate Bill 3658 passed both Houses and now awaits the governor’s approval.

The 30^th Annual Porta Westfalica Fest Is
Planned For June 15 In Downtown Waterloo

The 30th annual Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 in downtown Waterloo. The event celebrates Waterloo partnership with its sister city in Porta Westfalica, German. Food, beverage and game stands open at 4 p.m. and the parade begins at 6 p.m.

The parade theme is “You can always tell a German!” featuring all floats having a German theme.

“Get creative!  The more lederhosen we see the better,” said Debbie Ruggeri of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. “We hope to see a lot of lederhosen, hats with feathers, and flags, streams, flyers and balloons featuring traditional German colors.”

A new rule is this year is that floats cannot simply be trucks with a business nameplate on the side. The Grand Marshal Float will lead the parade and carry many of the Grand Marshals from the past Porta Westfalica parades, including John Huetsch. He was the mayor of Waterloo in 1980 who signed the proclamation with the German officials establishing the partnership. The parade route starts at Gibault Catholic High School at 6 p.m. and head up Columbia Avenue before turning right on Main Street at Peterstown House. After passing the courthouse grounds, the parade will turn right on Third Street and end at the SPPS Grade School.

Also new this year is a special viewing area for a birds-eye view of the parade. Reserve tables seat eight people for $50 and include souvenir glasses. Armbands for rides will be available at all local banks prior to the festival.

As always, there will be plenty of food and beverages served at the festival. Menu items include German potato pancakes, bratwursts, pork steaks and ribeyes sandwiches. “And don’t forget to visit the Bier Garten and Wine Platz for plenty of authentic German spirits,” said Ruggeri.

Music will be provided by the Waterloo German Band, Waterloo Municipal Band, New Hanover Deutchmeisters and Bud Light Brigade. Kids’ ride armbands are now available at all local banks for $17 or $20 on the day of the Fest. An entire street of inflatable blow-up rides will be lined along Mill Street next to the courthouse.

For parade reservations, email Jared Nobbe at jnobbe@wmnobbe.com; vendors - Yvonne Dehner, yvonnewaterloo@aol.com; reserved tables - Debbie Ruggeri, chamber@htc.net; one-hour work-shifts - Sharon Hirstein, shirstein@fnbwaterloo.com or Lisa Meegan at lisameegan@remax.net.  

The Waterloo Porta Westfalica Festival is hosted by three local Sister Cities of Porta-loo, the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions club. 

Sharon Ebersohl, left, directs the Waterloo Municipal Band this past Tuesday as they play a medley from “Phantom Of The Opera.” The band will provide musical entertainment during next Tuesday’s Porta Westfalica Festival.

The annual SS. Peter and Paul Church of Waterloo Summer Picnic is this weekend, Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12. Friday features a fish fry and hamburgers, bingo, games from children and adults, bingo (7 p.m.) and music by rock band Dr. No from 8 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, the main event is the all-you-can-eat chicken dinner from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mass at the church is at 4 p.m. and bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. The ZB’s Band (Ziebold Brothers) plays that night.

The annual Monroe County Garden Tour is this Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are six gardens to visit during the event. This year they are located in the southern portion of the county between the Waterloo, Maeystown and Tipton areas. The featured gardens are those of Marty and Cheryl Kinert, Keith and Kathy Keim, Doug and Sarah Sparwasser, Gerald and Debbie Shermann, Dale Hoffmann and Rooster Hill Farm and Gift Emporium. Tickets are $10 per person in advance or $12 on Saturday. Tickets and maps are available at the County Annex in Waterloo, Diehl Florist, Schaefer Farms Nursery, Stuckmeyer Plants & Produce along Route 3 between Waterloo and Columbia, Shady Creek Nursery & Garden in Columbia, Sonnenberg Landscape Material & Supply and Cowell’s Nursery and Landscaping in Red Bud.

The Monroe County Historical Society will officially celebrate their 50th anniversary on Sunday, June 13 at the Bellefontaine House. Festivities begin at 12 noon. Special guests will include a couple dressed as President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln discussing life during their days in the White House. Guests are asked to bring a picnic lunch. Refreshments will be provided.

There were 69 donors at the American Red Cross Blood Drive June 8 at Turner Hall in Columbia. St. Paul UCC supplied donors with homemade cookies. Reaching milestones were Norman Wessel, 1 gallon; Carrie Kettler, 2 gallons; Wayne Doerr, 6 gallons; Yvonne Schutzenhofer, 9 gallons; James Lawlor, 12 gallons; Helma Kleinschmidt, 15 gallons; and Mary Lynn Harres, 17 gallons. The next Columbia Community Blood Drive is Aug. 17, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Turner Hall. All donors will receive a t-shirt.

St. Paul UCC of Columbia will have an open house Sunday, June 27 for their new addition. A dedication service will be at 10:30 a.m. on their Bottom Avenue parking lot followed by a reception lasting until 2 p.m. A central goal of the million-dollar project was to make the facility more accessible to all individuals. The new addition includes full-service elevator serving the three Primary floors of the church and parish center. The addition also includes a renovated youth space, a new fine arts room, in addition to other renovations to the church. This expansion will allow the congregation to continue expanding its ministries in the decades to come,” said Pastor Bob Goddard.

Columbia’s Laura Neal Oberkfell will be one of the featured artists this weekend at the 16th annual Central West End Taste and Art Fair. The event runs Friday through Sunday at St. Louis’ historic Central End, along the streets of Euclid, Maryland Plaza and McPhearson.

The second annual Carstar Soaps It Up! Car Wash will be Saturday, June 12 at Charlie’s Columbia Carstar at 431 N. Main in Columbia. The event benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Columbia Boy Scout Troop 357. Scouts will wash cars from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 each through the Boy Scout Troop or at either of the two Charlie’s Carstar locations in Columbia and Cahokia. “It was great to see all the support from everyone last year and fun to be part of a record-setting event,” said Charlie Eilers, owner of Charlie’s Carstar. “We hope to sell more tickets and wash more cars this year so we can help grant a wish through Make-A-Wish and support our local Boy Scouts.”

Auditions for the Monroe Actors Stage Company’s September performance of the musical “Smoke On The Mountain” will be June 20 and 21, at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Waterloo. The show, set in the 1930s, mixes gospel and bluegrass, and features an all-acoustical instrumental ensemble. All roles require singing and parts are available for three women and four men, ranging in age from 17 to the mid-40s. Musicians are also needed for guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle, violin, piano and percussion. For more information, contact Director Kathryn Campbell at 281-4631.

Frances “Curly The Clown” Meyer is offering free clown class at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo on June 11, 18, and 25 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Morrison-Talbott Library. Classes, which include magic and ballooning, are open to teenagers through seniors. To register, call Curly at 939-7250 or send her an email at curly@htc.net.

Recent Obituary

Lafreda “Country” Jackson, 75, of Dupo, died June 8, 2010 at her residence. She was born May 19, 1935, the daughter of the late Covie and Onamay (nee Spence) Riggs. Mrs. Jackson is survived by her children, Sharon Alexander, Jeffrey Jackson, Nicole Warren and Paula Gerou; a sister, Louise Travis; brother, John Wayne Riggs; grandchildren Jennifer Carrieri, Heather Esmon, Christopher Alexander, Joshua Jackson, Chase Gerou and Kaitlyn Gerou; and great-grandchildren Christa, Briana, Taylor, Madison, Alyssa, Hailey and Zachary; along with other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Jackson. Visitation is Monday, June 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Memorials may be made to the Dupo VFW Post 6368

James A. Trantham Sr., 84, of Cahokia, died at his home, on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. He was born Sept. 21, 1925 in Springfield, Mo., to the late Charles and Louise (nee Rhodes) Trantham. He graduated from Soldan High School in East St. Louis in 1943. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served on the Destroyer USS Murphy DD603 and garnered several medals for his active duty and bravery. After his naval service, James worked and later retired from Switzer Licorice as a journeyman machinist. He also attended and worked at New Testament Baptist Church. James was an avid gardener, fisher and devoted family man who loved spending time with his loved ones. He developed a strong Christian faith and was baptized in 1966. He became a member of New Testament Baptist Church in Cahokia and later Waterloo where he taught Sunday school, served as deacon and led a bus and prison ministry for many years. Mr. Trantham is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen (nee Moore) Trantham of Cahokia; Charles Trantham of St Louis, Helen (Den) Boyer of Columbia and Jim (Rita) Trantham of Waterloo; grandchildren Jeff (Stacy) Boyer, Brian (Dawn) Boyer, Ron (Mary Ellen) Boyer, Christine Hinkle, Kathy (Zack) Hopkins, Jennifer (Charlie) Kujawski and Andi Trantham; great-grandchildren Ronnie, Dakota, Layne, Samantha and Hanna Boyer; and siblings Elizabeth Oppermann, Dot Shownes, Pat Miller and John Trantham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Fred Trantham and Betsy Rawie. Visitation is Monday, June 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Waterloo. A funeral will immediately follow the visitation on Tuesday at the church. Mr. Trantham will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Unity Hospice or New Testament Baptist Church of Waterloo.

Hildagard S. Schneider, nee Faust, 86, of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died June 10, 2010 in St. Louis. She was born Dec. 14, 1923, the daughter of the late George and Sophia (nee Thoma) Faust. She married Sylvester Schneider in 1955. He died in 1973. Mrs. Schneider is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Cliff) Stebe of St. Louis and Kay (Ron) Reilly of Columbia; a son, Kenneth (Jan) Schneider of O’Fallon, Mo.; and grandchildren Kristi (Mike) Weiss, Renee (Steve) Doyle D.M. D., Douglas Reilly and Brad and Cory Schneider; along with brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Schneider was preceded in death by her brothers Herman, Walter, Edwin and Raymond Faust. Visitation is Sunday, June 13, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral mass is Monday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Schneider will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony’s Hospice.

Mildred L. Schmitz, nee Prince, 92, of Ruma, died June 10, 2010 in Red Bud. She was born June 22, 1917, the daughter of the late George and Margaret Caroline (nee Wells) Prince. Mrs. Schmitz is survived by her daughter, Frances (James) Novak; granddaughter, Stephanie (Jerry) Koester; great-grandchildren Jonathan Koester and Samantha Koester; and a friend, Ramona Kezely; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar “Pat” Schmitz. Mrs. Schmitz was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church of Renault and American Legion Auxiliary Unit Post 1215. Visitation is Friday, June 11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. at her church with Father Roger Karban officiating. Mrs. Schmitz will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to masses at her church or to the American Diabetes Association.