E-Newsletter - July 16, 2010

 

The Fults Softball Classic will take place this weekend, Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18, at Cedar Bluff Park in downtown Fults. Teams competing this year will be J.C. Hauling, Coors Light, Outsiders of Waterloo, Outsiders of Millstadt, Tiny’s, Weir Chevrolet of Red Bud, The Outlaws, Four Baggers, Miller Lite, Chris Muertz’s Marauders, Bud Light of Chester, Lazy Bears of Sparta, Sidebar Technologies / JDR, The Undertakers, The Clubbers and Throw Down. Games begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday night and the championship game will be held Sunday evening. Jackie and Good Gilbert will once again be hard at work serving up grub at their food stand. There will also be beer, soda and water for purchase. For those heading to the event for the first time, Fults is located along Bluff Road about six miles south of Maeystown.

Fults softball team player Brad Juelfs painted the field in anticipation of this week’s tournament.

 

Former Monroe County resident Mallory Krump is relieved BP has found a means to finally cap the oil leak from their well in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil had been washing ashore on the beach near her home in Pensacola, Fla. Clean up crews have been on the beaches in her neighborhood for a couple weeks sifting the oil out of the sand.

An oil-covered beach near the home of Mallory Krump.

Clean-up crews use shovels and rakes to clean the beaches of oil in Pensacola, Fla.

 

Waterloo K-5 Class Times Moved Back To 8:30 a.m.

In a cost-cutting move, the Waterloo School District has decided to change the class start time for students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grades to 8:30 a.m. “The state budget crises has forced us to look very closely at all of our procedures and personnel,” according to a letter sent to parents from the district. “The school day will still end at 3 p.m.” This will affect the students of the three elementary schools, W.J. Zahnow, Rogers and Gardner.

The initial rule is that children will not allowed to be dropped off at those schools until 8 a.m. The schools are currently in discussions with outside vendors to provide day care for those students who will need to be dropped off earlier than 8 a.m. The cost and other details regarding the day care will be announced as soon as an official agreement has been made. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you,” the letter states.

Class times for Waterloo High School and WJHS will remain the same, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for WCUSD is scheduled for July 26 and 27.

 

Flood Insurance Legislation Spearheaded By Costello Passes House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday which would delay the mandatory purchase requirements for flood insurance for those living along areas scheduled to be included as flood areas following FEMA’s current re-mapping process.

Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) lauded the passage of H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010.  The bill contains provisions authored by Costello that would prevent mandatory purchase requirements for flood insurance from taking effect for five years. The bill also phases in flood insurance rates over an additional five years. 

The provisions are based on H.R. 3415, legislation introduced by Costello last July in reaction to concerns about the FEMA’s s nationwide effort to redraw flood maps. Like H.R. 3415, H.R. 5114 requires local jurisdictions to have an evacuation plan and an outreach and communication plan in place, advising residents about local flood risk, the availability of flood insurance and the potential consequences of not purchasing insurance.

“The vote represents a major step forward in our efforts to give communities the time necessary to rebuild levees and address other flood control projects,” Costello said. “In our region, local leaders have moved quickly to address the decertification of our levees, and the federal government should assist them in that process.”

Costello added that the bill provides incentives for local jurisdictions to take on this work, and allows constituents to make their own decisions regarding the purchase of flood insurance. The bill has now been sent to the Senate, where Costello hopes it will soon pass and then finally get signed into law by President Obama.

Locally, the remapping affects those owning property along the bottoms area from Columbia to Alton. Monroe, St. Clair and Madison Counties are currently collecting a quarter-cent sales tax, which began in 2009, to help raise funds to upgrade the levee system to the new FEMA and Corps of Engineers’ standard.

 

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will hold a quarterly night meeting on Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. in room 200 (the old courtroom) at the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo. The County Board scheduled quarterly night meetings this year to provide an opportunity for citizens to attend who might otherwise be unable to attend a Monroe County Board meetings during the day. Speakers and topics at the July 21 meeting will include Ambulance Director Carla Heise presenting an update on the service, Monroe County Zoning Director Mike Fausz discussing the county’s 911 Emergency Telephone System and Extension Director Pam Jacobs addressing the University of Illinois plan to reorganize the extension service to combine Monroe County’s office with those from Randolph and St. Clair.

 

Mon-Clair Squad Defeats Clinton County In Annual All-Star Game

The Mon-Clair league continued its dominance over the Clinton County All Stars last night, winning 10-6. The last victory by Clinton County came in 1971. Mon-Clair was keyed by Fairview’s Michael Adamson’s four-hit performance. He was named the game’s MVP. Clinton County was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead, but the boys from Mon-Clair soon took control of the game. Other highlights of the game included Reagan Posey, granddaughter of Millstadt Manager Len Voelker, singing the National Anthem,  and Waterloo Millers manager Vern Moehrs throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of 2010 being his 50th year in organized baseball.

Players and coaches from local teams included: Columbia - Brian Smith; and Manager Doc Kleinschmidt; Waterloo - Mark Mueller, Corey Blackwell, Jeff Schwierjon and Manager Vern Moehrs; Valmeyer - David Briesacher and Manager Dennis “Boog” Pieper; Millstadt - Alex Kollack, Kurt Kessler and Manager Len Voelker.

Brian Smith of the Columbia Saints blasts an RBI single to help propel the Mon-Clair team to victory.             – photo by Paul Baillargeon

 

Reagan Posey sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Mon-Clair vs. Clinton County All-Star Game at GCS Ball Park. Looking on is her grandfather, Millstadt VFW Manager Len Voelker.      – photo by Paul Baillargeon

 

The Mon-Clair Baseball League is scheduled to play on July 18 at 1:30 p.m. The games are Valmeyer at Millstadt, Belleville at Waterloo and St. Louis Longhorns at Columbia.

 

The Alzheimer's Association’s In the Moment support group will meet Thursday, July 29, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oak Hill Senior Care Center in Waterloo. Anyone who is a family member, caregiver or friend of someone with Alzheimer's disease can attend. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Julia at 618-939-3488, ext. 1248.

 

Local author Bill Nunes will discuss his new book about Buster Wortman at the upcoming Monroe County Genealogy Society meeting, July 15, at the Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo. Nunes has authored 15 books, many of them have covered topics about Southern Illinois. Frank L. "Buster" Wortman (1904 – 1968) was a St. Louis-area bootlegger, gambler and a former member of the Shelton Brothers Gang during Prohibition. Wortman would eventually succeed the Sheltons and took over St. Louis's gambling operations and southwest Illinois until his death.

 

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of July 12 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding:

Richard C. Stellhorn, 63, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol-first offense. Stellhorn was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,380 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. Stellhorn's license was suspended six months commencing July 31. The violation occurred June 15 at 200 North Main St.; Waterloo Police handled the incident. A charge of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident were dismissed.

Arnulfo M. Gutierrez, 25, of Columbia pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Gutierrez was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $500. The violation occurred June 16 in the 100 block of Veterans Parkway; Columbia Police handled the incident. Charges of obstructed license plate and driving under a suspended license were dismissed.

Jack M. Fiala, 24, of Akron, Ohio pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license. Fiala was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $286 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred June 13 on Lakeview Drive at Paul Drive; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Gregory T. Clark, 19, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to reckless driving. Clark was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $250. The violation occurred June 12 on Church Street at Mill Street; Waterloo Police handled the incident. Charges of failure to report/duty on damage to property, speeding 79 mph in a 55 mph speed zone and squealing tires was dismissed.

Alexander G. Lawrence, 19, of Valmeyer pleaded guilty to unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. Lawrence was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $272 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred June 13 at 1331 Rachel Ln.; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Christopher M. Bond, 18, of Valmeyer pleaded guilty to unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. Bond was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $272 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred June 13 at 1331 Rachel Ln.; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

 

Monroe County Courthouse employee Brian Hooten of Waterloo is celebrating his 47^th birthday today. He plans on meeting up with his friends the Muertz boys for a beverage after work before heading to the Fults Softball Tournament to meet up all his friends he grew up,

 

Columbia Band Participates In Cardinals Battle Of The Bands

Local indie rock band Where’s Charlie? of Columbia were one of 18 bands which competed Thursday evening outside of Busch Stadium as part of the 105.7 FM The Point’s Battle of the Bands. Where’s Charlie played four songs, including their new hit “The Bee Song.”  Band members sold 250 tickets to Monroe County residents, including Columbia Alderman Dan Row, who wanted to support the band and enjoy the Dodgers versus Cardinals game. Everyone left happy as the Redbirds won the game 7-1. The winner of the Battle of the Bands will be announced soon with the top band receiving $1,000 credit to a music store, an on air live performance and interview on the radio station and throw out the first pitch at an upcoming Cardinals game.

The band Where’s Charlie? Performs at the Battle of the Bands prior to Thursday night’s Cardinals game.        – photo by Ayden Wittenbrink

 

Monroe Countians will once again have a chance to win more than $7,000 at the Monroe County Fair as part of the Monroe County Economic Development Council’s Think Monroe County First give-away. Consumers need to turn in their receipts from local merchants from July 1 to Aug. 1. Participants will then to turn in those receipts at the council’s booth at the Monroe County Fair, which runs July 25 through Aug. 1. There will be three big winners this year, instead of one in the 2009, the initial year of the event. Last year, consumers presented more than $500,000 in local receipts. Last year’s winners were Dale and Kay Haudrich of Hecker who had purchased a new combine for their farm.

This year’s drawing will feature a Super-Sized Taste of Monroe County Blue Ribbon Prize made up of products and services valued at $5,000 donated by local businesses. A list of the items in this prize package is on the website www.thinkmonroecountyfirst.com. The Red Ribbon Prize is a $1,000 gift certificate to The Market Place in Columbia and the White Ribbon Prize is a Craftsman 6.75-ft./lb. torque Briggs and Stratton yard vacuum donated by Sears.

Consumers will be awarded one chance for every $100 of in-county purchases. To enter the drawing, participants must present their receipts between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. any evening during fair week at the council’s booth located in the commercial building. Receipts must clearly show the name of the Monroe County business, the date of purchase and the total amount. Receipts may be combined to reach the $100 requirement. No photocopies or reproductions will be accepted. If you do not plan to attend the fair, you may send your receipts with someone else to enter for you.

 

Recent Obituaries

Margaret Mary Schuermann, nee McFarland, 55, of Waterloo, died July 9, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born Jan. 23, 1955, the daughter, of the late Edwin Philip and Sally (nee Noll) McFarland. Mrs. Schuermann is survived by her husband, Eugene Schuermann; daughter, Hanna Schuermann; and brothers, Mike (Barb) McFarland and Edwin (Tammy) McFarland; along with extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her a brother, James Sheridan McFarland. Mrs. Schuermann was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Waterloo, was a grade school soccer coach and was a employed as a clerk at Scott Trade. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at her church with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Francis H. Heller, 86, of Fults, died July 10, 2010 in Des Peres, Mo. He was born May 4, 1924, the son of the late Frank and Anna (Krupp) Heller. Mr. Heller is survived by his wife, Joyce (Koch) Heller; children Donna (Don) Gariglietti and Terry Heller; grandchildren Greg (Dana) Hahn and Carrie Hahn; step-grandchildren Chad (Nike) Gariglietti and Nicole (Justin) Tolliver; and step-great-grandchildren  Christopher Gariglietti, Morgan Orverbey and Sadie Tolliver; along with a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Velma Meyer. Mr. Heller was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault and the Monroe County Farm Bureau. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault with Pastors Tony Troup and Matt Clark officiating. Mr. Heller was buried at her church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Paul F. Schlemmer, 81, of Columbia, died July 12, 2010 in Columbia. He was born June 22, 1929, the son of the late Armin and Mildred (Kuni) Schlemmer. Mr. Schlemmer married Annette (Grasshaw) Schlemmer in 1952 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Schlemmer is survived by sons, Gary Schlemmer of New York, Michael (Mary Broome) Schlemmer of Valmeyer, Paul (Laurie Cousin) Schlemmer of Columbia, Steven (Donna) Schlemmer of Columbia, Mark (Kathy) Schlemmer of Waterloo, Dan (B.J.) Schlemmer of Columbia and Scott Schlemmer of Valmeyer; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters Violet E. Hemstedt of Columbia and Lucille (Ellard) Rieso of Columbia; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Armin Schlemmer; and a grandchild, Austin Schlemmer. Mr. Schlemmer served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He retired as a flight line mechanic from Boeing. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Columbia and American Legion Post 581. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. Private family services were held with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mr. Schlemmer was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Columbia American Legion Park Endowment Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dennis L. “Denny” Hamann, 66, of Millstadt, died July 12, 2010 at his residence. He was born Sept. 8, 1943, in Belleville, the son of the late Howard and Irene (Speichinger) Hamann. Mr. Hamann is survived by his wife, Rosemarie (nee Strecker) Hamann; daughter, Julie Ann (Bradley) Gaffney; sons Jeffrey Scott (Hannah) Hamann, Michael Lacy (Laura) Hamann; and step-son, Kevin Allen (Jaime) Dill; and grandchildren Reis Alexander Gaffney, Logan Thomas Gaffney, Hannah Rebecca Hamann, Blake Thomas Hamann, Seth Thomas Hamann, Paige Elise Dill and Macie Lynn Dill; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Hamann. Mr. Hamann started right out of high school opening up Denny Hamann Signs in 1973. He was a member and disc jockey of the M.U.S.I.C. dance club. Visitation is Friday, July 16, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral is Saturday, July 17 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Matt Friz officiating. Memorials may be made to the Belleville Human Society or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Kenneth Rahn, 75, of Maeystown, died July 13, 2010 in Maeystown. He was born Oct. 20, 1934, the son of the late William and Frieda (Eggers) Rahn. Mr. Rahn is survived by his wife, Jean (nee Vogt) Rahn; a daughter, Debbie (Terryl) Walster; grandson, Josh (Traci) Crimm; sister, Leona Kent; and brother, Bill Rahn; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Orville, Harold and Norman Rahn; and brother-in-law, Lee Kent. Mr. Rahn was a member of St. John UCC, Maeystown Sportsman’s Club and he loved to hunt and fish. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at St. John UCC in Maeystown with Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. Mr. Rahn will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. John UCC Cemetery Fund or BJC Hospice.

Gertrude C. Maher, nee Althoff, 97, of St. Louis, died July 14, 2010 in St. Louis. She was born Oct. 23, 1912, the daughter of the late Jacob and Caroline (nee Garleb) Althoff. Mrs. Maher is survived by her children, Sue (Ivan) Parada and Carol Conglis; grandchildren Dr. Michelle Kettler, Kitty (Neal) Christenbury, Javier (Beth) Parada, Sean Parada and Blaine (Jen) Parada; and great-grandchildren Alixandria and Trevor Radcliffe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester W. Maher; brother in infancy Arthur Althoff; half- brother William Rehling. Mrs. Maher was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer. Visitation is Sunday, July 18 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is Monday, July 19, at 10 a.m. at her church with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Mrs. Maher will be buried at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Masses or doing something kind for someone.