Waterloo Couple Seriously Injured In Rollover Accident

Brandy and Thomas Clements of Waterloo were seriously injured Sunday, July 4, when they were involved in a single-vehicle accident along Route 158 between Columbia and Millstadt. Brandy, 33, was driving their 2002 Ford Explorer eastbound on Route 158 toward Millstadt when she lost control, went off the roadway, up a steep embankment and went airborne. The SUV landed and rolled several times before coming to rest on its side in front of a home located at 541 State Route 158.

Although the top of the Explorer was smashed nearly flat, both Brandy and Thomas, 34, were able to crawl out of the vehicle. They were laying on the ground next to their truck when Columbia police, ambulance personnel and firefighters arrived on the scene. They were rushed by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center and were listed in serious condition, according to the Illinois State Police Report. The ISP officer ticked Brandy Clements at the scene with DUI and driving too fast for conditions.

 

Fire Damages Waterloo Home

The Waterloo Fire Department was called out Monday evening, July 5, to the home of Rich Harbaugh of Waterloo to put out a fire in a second bedroom. The fire is believed to have started in a clothes hamper. Harbaugh and his two brothers, Kenny and Rob, had just finished some yard work and were standing outside the home at 227 Mockingbird Lane talking when they notice flames through one of the windows. Rich, a Waterloo firefighter, and his two brothers immediately dialed 911 and headed inside to attempt to put out the blaze and salvage some valuables in that room. While putting out the fire, Rich suffered minor smoke inhalation and cut his arm which required 13 stitches. Harbaugh’s two dogs were able to safely make it out of the house.

Waterloo Fire Chief Mark Yeager, right, requests more equipment while firefighters put out the blaze at Rich Harbaugh’s home in Waterloo.

 

Millers Come From Behind to Win Valmeyer’s Mid-Summer Classic

Despite trailing 5-0 in the sixth inning, the Waterloo Millers were able to rally to earn a come from behind win over the Fairview Heights Redbirds on Monday afternoon to finish in first place in the Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic Baseball Tournament.

Fairview pitcher Mike McDonough blanked the Millers in the first five innings, but his arm appeared to run out of gas in the sixth as he allowed the Lakers to tie the game at 5-5. The inning was highlighted by a two-run blast by Millers’ catch Chas Wigger, who was named the tournament’s MVP. Each team pushed across a another run in the seventh inning, but a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning by Redbirds’ pitcher Stephen Siegel allowed Pat Miesner to score from third for a Millers’ 7-6 lead. Waterloo reliever Andy Galle closed the door on the Redbirds in the top of the ninth to pick up the victory. He came in relief of starter Corey Blackwell and set-up man Chris Otten.

While Wiggers was named the tournament MVP, Millers Manager Vern Moehrs said the entire team played spectacular, with clutch hitting and great pitching performances. The Millers had previously won the tournament in 2008. There was no winner in 2009 because the tournament was canceled midway through because of rain.

 Waterloo's Pat Miesner, left, scores the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Millers a 7-6 lead, which they were able to hold for a victory in the championship game on Monday of the Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic.       – photo by Bob Haentzler

The Waterloo Millers gather with their championship plaque following their 7-6 win over Fairview Heights.

 

Tournament MVP Chas Wigger, left, and Manager Vern Moehrs, center, thank the Miller’s sponsor, Chick Fritz Distributing, represented by Ray Famula.

 

Chelsey Kipping of Valmeyer may soon find her name and accomplishment listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The 13-year-old gymnast completed 32 consecutive back handsprings at Luhr Field in old town Valmeyer Monday prior to the start of the championship game of the Mid-Summer Classic. The previous record was 26, which Kipping had unofficially broke with 28 during last year’s baseball tournament. Chelsey’s mother, Vicki Rednour, and father, Dennis Kipping, are now collecting the required video tape, pictures and witness statements to be sent to Guinness to have the feat certified as a world record.

Chelsey has been training under Melissa Barron of Barron’s Gymnastics Team since she was four-years old. “She’s a wonderful and hard-working student,” said Barron. Kipping raised $700 from supporters in the days leading up to the event. The proceeds will be donated to the Lakers and to Barron’s to help pay expenses of trips to competitions. Chelsey said she is hoping to soon hear back from Guinness if her flips will be considered a world record.

After she completed her 32nd flip, Kipping was mobbed in the outfield by family and friends. One of the first people there was her older brother and Lakers player Kyle Kipping who proudly picked up his sister and gave her a big hug. The ball players in the field applauded and she was given a standing ovation by all those in the grandstands at the stadium. "Today, Chelsey was Valmeyer's daughter. She made us all proud," said Judy (Wilson) Davis of Waterloo, a Valmeyer graduate and former Pirate cheerleader.

Chelsey Kipping flips her way into the record book as she completed 32 back handsprings in a row in the outfield of Luhr Field in Valmeyer.                              – photo by Bob Haentzler

Chelsey Kipping is congratulated by her brother, Lakers player Kyle Kipping.                                                                                          – photo by Bob Haentzler

Prior to her world-record-setting attempt, Chelsey Kipping, front, in red shorts, gathers with her team of supporters, including many of her family, friends and gymnastics coach Melissa Barron.

 

The Columbia Police Department has hired Kathleen Endraske as the new administrative/computer technician. She replaces Bev Heller who stepped down from the position earlier this year. Endraske was selected from the 86 persons who applied. “The number of quality applications made the hiring process extremely difficult,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.  “Kathleen’s work history and education will be beneficial to the Columbia Police Department and the City of Columbia for many years to come.” 

Edwards said that Endraske’s position is extremely important because of the amount of sensitive and confidential information she will be exposed to. Her duties will include preparing department reports, maintaining records, being the computer / IT liaison for various department vendors, preparing accounts payable purchase orders, maintaining personnel files and training records and continuing to improve automation within the department.

After graduating from Columbia High School, Endraske earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. Endraske left her legal secretary position at Haar and Woods LLP in St. Louis. She previously was employed as a data analyst with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Before working for the DEA, Endraske was as an administrative assistant with the St. Clair County State Attorney’s office. Kathleen and her husband, Jeff, live in Columbia. They have a son, Andrew.

Kathleen Endraske

 

The Columbia Historical Society will offer a German-speaking class on Monday, July 12, at 7 p.m., in the Columbia Public Library’s lower level. University teacher Lucille McKinney will help attendees learn about local names and their proper pronunciations. She will be assisted by a lady who formerly taught in Germany. In addition, John Coats of Columbia will present a program on early Columbia settler Captain James Piggott. Coats recently traveled to Springfield to obtain additional information about Piggott and his outpost fort located on Bluff Road.