E-Newsletter - June 25, 2010

WHS’s Kruse And Kaiping Named To All-Conference Team: Waterloo High School soccer stars Samantha Kruse. Forward; and Eric Kaiping, midfielder; were named to the Mississippi Valley’s All-Conference Soccer Team.

Waterloo’s Samantha Kruse, left, kicks the ball past a Mascoutah defender in a game earlier this spring.              – photo by Bob Haentzler

The local Mon-Clair Baseball League teams will be in action with double-headers this weekend. Saturday, Waterloo travels to Columbia; Edwardsville is at Millstadt; and Valmeyer hosts Belleville. Sunday games include Valmeyer at Waterloo, Belleville at Millstadt, Fairview Heights at Alton and Columbia at the St. Louis Spikes. The games begin at 1:30 p.m.

Current league standings are: Monroe Division - Waterloo is on top with a record of 8-2, Valmeyer, Millstadt and Belleville are tied for second at 6-4, and Columbia’s record is 3-7. The St. Clair Division has Fairview Heights leading the pack at 6-4, Edwardsville 5-5, St. Louis Spikes 3-5, St. Louis Longhorns 2-4, and Alton is 1-7.

The Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic is almost here. The area talent will be showcased July 3, 4, and 5 at Luhr Field at Borsch Park in old town Valmeyer.

No Injuries In Two Vehicle Accident Near Waterloo’s Wedge

A BMW rolled on its side after it collided with a work van Friday afternoon at the intersection of Hamacher Street and North Market (the Wedge) in Waterloo. No injuries were reported, but traffic was tied up until Wheat’s Towing of rural Waterloo arrived and removed both vehicles from the scene. Names have not yet been released.

Steve Wheat, left, loads up one of the vehicles involved in an accident Friday afternoon at Hamacher and Market Streets in Waterloo.           – photo by Bob Haentzler

Krista Wheatley and Russ Thomas of Waterloo were married last week at the Harry Leu Gardens in Orlando, Fla. The bride and groom wore Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears to their reception attended by family and friends. Russ is back home working at J.V.’s Downtown Bar and Grill and invites all his friends and patrons to stop by to visit. Mr. Thomas also sends out his condolences to all the other women in Monroe County who lost their opportunity to snag him while he was single. Krista is a teacher in the Dupo School District.

Krista Wheatley and Russ Thomas share their first dance during their wedding reception.      – photo by Joe Lenhardt

Waterloo officials gathered in Sauget early this week to attend Waterloo Night at the Gateway Grizzlies baseball game. The Kaskaskia Trail Barbershop kicked off the game by singing the National Anthem.

Barbershopper’s Director Mark Heise leads the guys in the singing of the National Anthem at Waterloo Night at the Gateway Grizzlies Game.     – photo by Paul Baillargeon

Despite the warm daytime temperature last Tuesday, the evening breeze provided for a wonderful concert of the Waterloo Municipal Band at the courthouse bandstand. The theme was Talent Showcase and featured several soloists, including Karen Hodap on Danny Boy, Julie Downs singing If They Could See Me Now and the trumpet section on Trumpet’s Ole. “I never miss these concerts and it is very comfortable under the shade trees,” said Frank Boo of Columbia, who said he never misses a muni band concert. The theme of this Tuesday’s concert, June 29, is Swing’s The Thing and will feature guest conductor Craig Rysterski. Songs will include Big Cage, Sinatra In Concert, Sentimental Journey, Count Basie Salute and Duke Ellington Medley.

Sharon Ebersohl leads the Waterloo Municipal Band last Tuesday in the song “E Capitan.”

Officer Biggs Featured On Episode Of COPS: Former Valmeyer resident Gary Biggs, who worked as a police officer with the Valmeyer, Dupo and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department has been living in southern Arizona the past few years working as a Mexico-United States border patrol agent. He was spotted June 12 on a Fox Television episode of COPS. In the scene, a subject approached the Border Patrol Checkpoint located on U.S. Interstate 8 at mile-marker 78. Officer Biggs referred the subject to the secondary inspection area. The subject proceeded to the secondary inspection area, but then fled in his car and a pursuit ensued. Another border patrol agent was able to deflate the subject’s tires utilizing strips. The person then exited the car and fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by Officer Biggs, along with two other agents. The episode can be viewed online at www.hulu.com and search for COPS Season 22, episode 30. Gary’s younger brother, Nathan, formerly of Waterloo, has accepted a police officer position in Carbondale. Nathan graduated June 17 from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute’s Basic Law Enforcement Class 2672.

This year’s Waterloo Homecoming is scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 at the courthouse square in downtown Waterloo. It is being sponsored by the VFW Post 6504 and Ladies Auxiliary, the Lions Club and the Optimist. The parade will be Saturday, Aug. 28. with the theme, “Take Me Out To The Ballgame!” This year, there will be a $30 charge for non-pedal pusher floats. “We want to encourage organizations, sports teams and businesses to enter real float in this parade,” said Waterloo VFW Post Commander Stephanie Kirksey. The organizers are trying to limit businesses which enter just a truck with their business logo on the side. “If you are a business, we encourage you to spend some time making an interesting float using the baseball theme,” added Kirksey.” Local non-profit organizations will be except from the charge. In addition, no four-wheelers will be allowed along the parade route. Reservations will be taken after July 1 by calling Mikey at 618-791-1240.

Columbia Taking Former Officer To Court

by Joe Leicht

Columbia officials who have been trying to amicably settle their differences with a probationary policeman who left the department in March after several weeks of field training to join another department have taken the gloves off. On June 21, the city filed a two-county suit in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, seeking up to $21,155 in quantum meruit compensation from Aaron Griffith, a New Douglas resident and member of the Bond County Sheriff's Department.

The suit alleges Griffith breached an agreement created by a city ordinance in 1999 that he assented to by signature. The agreement requires that an officer who leaves the department after only six months of service must repay the city 75 percent of the costs of his or her training and equipment. The suit, authored by Columbia City Attorney Tom Adams, states in part, "Although the city has made numerous demands of Aaron for payment of said reimbursement in the sum of $15,866.27, the defendant has failed and refused to pay the same."

Police Chief Joe Edwards said Griffith did not defect from the ranks because of salary or benefits, "He left because he wanted to be closer to home,” Edwards said at last Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting.

Adams further states in the suit the higher figure - $21,155 - is appropriate recompense to the city because the training Griffith received in Columbia "conferred a benefit (to him)" and he "knowingly and voluntarily accepted and retained this benefit." The figure also incorporates post-judgment interest and legal fees the city will have incurred in pursuing Griffith's compliance.

As of June 25, Griffith had not responded to the suit. Edwards explained the city instituted the ordinance in response to past defections of officers who were seeking higher pay and benefits from - specifically - the Illinois State Police as well as other agencies.

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of June 21 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding:
Chad M. Zini, 22, of Alton pleaded guilty to retail theft. Zini was sentenced to three years in a state correctional facility. The violation occurred Sept. 12 at the large department store in Waterloo; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident. A charge of burglary was dismissed.
Jerry T. Shaw, 44, of Cahokia pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license - repeat offense. Shaw was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,000, credited with two days served in the Monroe County Jail and given a one-year conditional release. The violation occurred June 6 on Interstate 255; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of non tail light was dismissed.
Timothy J. Williams, 48, of St. Louis pleaded guilty to no valid license. Williams was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $100. The violation occurred Nov. 12, 2003 on Interstate 255; Illinois State Police handled the incident. A charge of failure to wear a seat belt was dismissed.
Gregory T. Clark, 19, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to illegal tire squealing. Clark was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $173 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred May 23 on South Moore Street at Park Street; Waterloo Police handled the incident. A charge of failure to signal properly was dismissed.
Richard A. Myers, 52, of Columbia pleaded guilty to improper use of registration. Myers was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $153 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred April 19 on Admiral Parkway at Bottom Avenue; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle was dismissed.

Douglas Beeson, 19, was sentenced to three years of prison in a charge of an April 14, 2010 burglary at the home of Michael Yount and Stacy Martin of Columbia. According to the report, Beeson had attended a gathering at the home earlier in the evening, then returned and stole electronics equipment.

Recent Obituary

Frank J. Kupinkski Jr., 69, of Red Bud, formerly of Belleville, died Thursday, June 24, 2010 at his residence. He was born Feb. 26, 1941, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Frank and Julia (nee Thomas) Kupinski Sr. He married Sharon Coder on July 21, 1962 in East St. Louis. In addition to his wife, Mr. Kupinski is survived by his wife, Sharon Coder; children Ed (Lisa Wittenauer) Kupinski of Hecker; Cindy VanHoose of Arnold, Mo., and Rick (Amie) Kupinski of Waterloo; three grandchildren, Brittany VanHoose, Dakota Kupinski and Conor McHenry; a brother, Ken (Lexie) Kupinski of Glen Carbon; and a sister, Judy (Ed) Venorsky of Swansea; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Kupinski had been a captain on the Belleville Fire Department Local 53 during his 31 years with the department. He also served nine years with the East St. Louis Fire Department. Visitation is Monday, June 28, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Tuesday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Brad Gruenwald officiating. Mr. Kupinski will be buried at the Red Bud City Cemetery.