Today's News - June 23, 2010

Truck Rolls Over In Downtown Red Bud

Burnell Menard of Ruma received minor injuries Monday afternoon, June 21, when he was involved in an accident on South Main Street. According to the police report, Menard, 81, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on South Main when he drifted to the right and struck Cheryl Zanders’ 2011 Cadillac Escalade, parked on the side of the street. Zanders’ car was then pushed forward into Karen Eaton’s 2010 Honda Civic, parked along the street. The collision caused Menard’s truck to roll onto its side and land in the middle of the street. Red Bud firefighters assisted MedStar ambulance personnel in extricating Menard from his vehicle. He was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital for minor injuries and was reported to have been released from the hospital that evening.

Red Bud firefighters clean up the scene following Monday’s rollover accident on South Main Street.          – photo by the North County News

Waterloo Firefighters Called To Rescue Cat From A Tree

A cat climbed up a tree along Deer Hill Road in rural Waterloo early Wednesday morning and couldn’t get itself back down. The Waterloo Fire Department was called to assist in rescuing the cat on property owned by Rickey and Cynthia Tarpley. The WFD backed their 55-foot ladder truck to the tree and Firefighter Eric Osterhage climbed up and was able to bring the feline safely back to the ground.

WFD’s Eric Osterhage, left, climbs to the top of a ladder to rescue a cat stuck in a tree in rural Waterloo.          – photo by Mike Lloyd

The National Weather Service has extended their excessive heat warning. Dangerous levels of heat are forecasted with heat index values of 105 degrees and higher during the afternoon and early evening hours this week. 

Heat relief centers in Monroe County are the YMCA-HTC CENTER in Columbia and Oak Hill, the new Monroe County Nursing Home, in Waterloo. The YMCA-HTC Center is located at 4319 EE Road, just off of Route 3 between Columbia and Waterloo. Oak Hill is located at 623 Hamacher Street, next to the Southwestern Illinois Center for Health.

With high temperatures throughout the region, the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency and the Monroe County Health Department are advising citizens to check on the elderly, the incapacitated or those with breathing difficulties who do not have air conditioning in their residences or who may not have it turned on. If you know of any persons or animals who need assistance and are not getting it, please contact your local police department.   

Those who work outside or spend time in the heat can decrease the effects of heat by:

1.)   Drinking plenty of liquids, but avoiding the consumption of caffeinated drinks and alcohol.

2.)   Wear loose fitting, light color clothing.

3.)   In homes without air conditioning, keep the shades drawn, blinds closed and leave the windows slightly open.

4.)   Spend more time in the basement where it may be cooler. 

5.)   Never ignore the signs of overheating, including nausea and dizziness.

6.)   Take cool baths or showers.

7.)   Use cold compresses on the neck and wrists.

The Humane Society of Monroe County reminds everyone that severe temperature extremes are also unhealthy for pets and animals. Owners should take similar precautions in caring for pets and animals, including providing shade and plenty of water.

Columbia’s Safety Town Teaches Lifesaving Lessons: The Columbia Police Department, along with the assistance of the fire department and ambulance service, helped teach area children valuable life-saving lessons through their annual Safety Town. Activities included learning about the proper way to enter and exit a bus, safety around swimming pools, preventing fires, safely exiting a burning building, safely navigating along streets and sidewalks and first aid.

Columbia Firefighter Wes Mathany, left, and Columbia Police Officer Karla Heine, right, get ready to teach lessons about preventing fires during the annual Safety Town.    – photo by Rich Dreher

The Red Bud Firemen’s 82^nd Annual Picnic is set for this weekend, Friday, June 25 through Sunday, June 27. The event features numerous food, beverage and game stands, along with rides for children. Friday night’s food special is fish plates served after 4 p.m.; and fried chicken on Saturday (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Other foods include hamburgers, bratwursts, pork chop sandwiches, chicken strips, onion rings, French fries, potato salad and slaw. The musical entertainment lineup is Whiskey Dixon on Friday, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Johnny Rock-Itt on Saturday, June 26, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; and the Smash Band on Sunday, June 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The big parade is set for Sunday at 4 p.m.

Benefit Brought Indoors To Air Conditioned Oak Hill: The benefit Mouse Races to be held this Wednesday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m., at Oak Hill will be moved indoors because of the heat. Admission is free and we will be serving barbecue and hot dogs,” said Judy Niemann of Oak Hill “We are looking forward to a fun-filled evening.”

Beverly Hirstein of Waterloo is getting ready to entertain a family reunion during the first week of July. Her son John (Cheri) Hirstein of Germany will be home, along with local sisters Katha and Sharon. John’s children from Iowa, Amy and Raub, Holly, and Scott are also planning to visit with the Beverly’s two grandsons, Oliver and Emerson. Beverly’s other son, Gary, will fly in from Houston to attend.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting Wednesday, June 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Waterloo City Hall to discuss traffic flow through Waterloo along Route 3, including possible future plans to widen Route 3 to four lanes through South Market Street. Representatives from IDOT and local and state elected officials will on hand to accept input and questions from residents. For additional information, call 618-346-3157.

Waterloo Council Establishes Ordinance Pertaining To Tattoo Parlors: The Waterloo City Council voted Monday to adopt an ordinance regarding possible future requests for the establishment of tattoo parlors or body-piercing shops. The ordinance now states that such a business would need to be more than 300 feet away from a church, school or personal residence.