Today's News - July 27, 2010

 

4x4 Truck Pull Highlights Tuesday Night At The Fairgrounds

Despite a late evening thunderstorm, most of Monday’s events were able to be completed at the 2010 Monroe County Fair. A shower began to fall just after 8:30 p.m., canceling the 12,000-pound Farmer’s Class Pull and the ITPA Semi-Truck Pull. The farmer’s pull will be concluded as part of Tuesday’s 4x4 truck pull. The rain cleared the grandstands, but brought the attendees to the food stands and commercial exhibits.

Tuesday events at the Monroe County include the Open Class Horse Show (6 p.m.) and 4x4 and Truck Pull and ISPA Tractor Pull (7 p.m.) Admission is $6. The Rooster Crowing Contest at 9:30 a.m. kicks off Wednesday’s activities. The Figure 8 Race is at 7:30 p.m. in the main arena. Admission on Wednesday is $10 after 3 p.m. Thursday is a free admission day and arm-band carnival ride night (6 p.m. – 11 p.m.). The Bud Light Brigade will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the beer pavilion and the Senior Class Horse Show is at 6 p.m. The evening will be highlighted by a Memories of Elvis Show with Steve Davis in the main area beginning at 8 p.m. This musical entertainment is once again sponsored by Harrisonville Telephone Co. The demo derby returns this year to its normal Friday time slot at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15 after 3 p.m. Saturday’s admission is $14 after 3 p.m. Activities include the Heavy Horse and Mule Show (9:30 a.m.), Youth Pedal Tractor Pull (11 a.m.) and the ITPA Truck and Tractor Pull in the main arena at 6 p.m. Local rock band Dr. No will provide musical entertainment in the beer pavilion from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight. This is expected to be the band’s last performance.

The last day of the fair, Sunday, Aug. 1, is another free admission day / armband night. The Antique Tractor and Garden Tractor Pull is at 11 a.m., the Thunder and Lightning Cloggers will perform from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the FFA Fun Night will be in the main arena at 7 p.m. The night and the fair will then conclude with the HTC-sponsored fireworks display at 9 p.m. Information on season passes ($35) and other fair specifics is located on the website: http://www.monroecounty-fair.org.

Doug Sparwasser’s eat frenzy continues at the fair’s food stands. Sunday evening he ate a fish sandwich, French fries and a hot dog washed down with freshly squeezed lemonade. Monday night’s dining included a rib-eye sandwich, French fries, a bottle of Miller Lite  and a glass of lemonade.

Adam Stumpf drives his Oliver tractor Monday night in the 9,000-pound Monroe County-Only Farmer’s Class Tractor Pull.      – photo by Judy Brinkmann

Angie Schmidt provides an umbrella for her friends Brian Stellhorn, left, and Scott Nobbe as rain fell during Monday’s night’s ITPA Truck Pull.

Winners of the Monroe County Fair's Junior Horse Show on Sunday evening are, left to right, Jeremy Rettig, Reserve High Point Buckle, Youth Division; Jessica Crabtree, High Point Buckle, Youth Division; and Lexi Kelley, Pee-Wee High Point Buckle. The Youth division ended with a tie, spurring a high-stakes race to determine the winner, where Crabtree finished ahead of Rettig.           – photo by Carol Floarke

Harvey Ries shows off his second place winning flower, a gladiola. Ries was a longtime fair superintendent.        – photo by Ericha Sondag

 

Committee Recommends Reverting Columbia’s Breidecker Street To Dead End Again
by Joe Leicht
A large consensus of Columbia's aldermanic board thinks Breidecker Street should be closed as soon as possible and reverted to the dead-end residential roadway it was a year ago. At a July 26 Street Committee meeting, the majority of the committee voted in support of Alderman Dan Row's motion that Breidecker be returned to its previous status once the Cherry Street improvement project is completed to City Engineer Ron Williams' satisfaction. Chairman Eugene Ebersohl voted "no" and Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz abstained, but Ebersohl threw the question open to the entire committee of the whole, which agreed the street should be sunsetted. A handful of Breidecker Street residents attended the meeting, all of them supporting closure of the street due to safety concerns.

"It was my understanding, and I think every else’s, that the city opened Breidecker to help traffic flow to Centreville Road and the highway while the Cherry Street project was in progress," Row said. "I think Public Works even promised that once Cherry Street was done, (Breidecker) would become a dead-end street again."

Breidecker Street has been open to traffic for about a year and - according to some residents and aldermen - has seen heavy and sometimes unsafe use. Alderman Mark Roessler voted to close the street but said he hoped "other residents of the city knew this was going to be discussed tonight. I doubt people in Pioneer Ridge are going to want to see (Breidecker) closed."

Alderman Niemietz said a traffic-count should be done on Breidecker to determine the level of its use, but Alderman Brad Oberkfell said such a study would only prove that a number of motorists are using Breidecker, not that it is a good idea the street remain in current use. The temporary surfacing on Breidecker is not and cannot be maintained to city street standards unless additional right of way is purchased, Williams said.

In other Columbia government news, City Economic Development Director Paul Ellis reports that the Shoemaker Schoolhouse renovation project has been set back due to the state's failure to deliver promised grant funds. The project's budget is about $42,000, with $25,000 coming from the Charles Todd bequest.

"We can proceed with the funds we have, but some things will have to be scaled back," Ellis said.

The city is developing the centennial schoolhouse in a county welcome center, and is hoping other municipalities in Monroe County will contribute funds or in-kind resources.  Alderman Niemietz said once improvements begin at the schoolhouse, other cities are more likely to join in the project.

 

Truck Driver Dies After Being Trapped By Pipe

The 59-year-old female truck driver from Oklahoma who was pinned underneath a steel pipe last Friday, July 23, has passed away at St. Louis University Hospital. The incident occurred just after 11:30 a.m. at Barnes Pipe and Steel in an industrial park on the east end of Dupo. While the pipes were being unloaded, a 1,000-pound pipe fell on top of her, trapping her underneath. Dupo and Columbia emergency responders were called to the scene, just north of the Columbia Quarry. Emergency workers and employees at the business worked to remove the pipe from atop the lower half of her body. She was then transported by Arch helicopter to a St. Louis area hospital where she later died from the injuries.

Emergency personnel load an accident victim onto a stretcher before transporting her to a waiting Arch helicopter. The victim had been trapped under a 1,000-pound steel pipe.        – photo by Bob Haentzler

 

Ronda Ann LaMear of Dupo died July 23 from injuries sustained in a automobile accident Friday, July 23, on State Street in Dupo. LaMear, 47, lost control of her vehicle and it overturned – ejecting the driver from the vehicle. She was transported by ambulance to Kenneth Hall Hospital in East St. Louis where she later died.

 

Lakers And Millers Split Sunday Double-Header

When Waterloo and Valmeyer hook up for a Mon-Clair League baseball game, you can usually throw out the records, and settle in for a competitive baseball game. That was the case Sunday as the two teams met at Luhr Field in old town Valmeyer for a twin bill.

In game one, Waterloo jumped out to a 1-0 lead after one inning. Valmeyer tied the game in the third, and then scored five more in the third to take what seemed to be a commanding 6-1 lead. The Millers kept coming and tallied six runs in the fifth to go ahead 8-7. Not to be outdone in the fifth, the Lakers plated three runs to retake the lead, 10-8. Now trailing by two in the sixth, Waterloo scored two runs to tie the game at 10 apiece. Valmeyer scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 13-10 lead. The Millers went quietly in the seventh as Valmeyer took game one.

Game two was equally exciting, with Waterloo prevailing in extra innings by winning 3-2 in nine innings. Valmeyer is next scheduled to play a double-header at Millstadt on Saturday, July 31 at 1:30 p.m. to make up a rained out game from earlier in the season.

Scott Rohlfing, left, drills a single to center scoring his cousin Chris Rohlfing, right, from second with the go-ahead run as he just beats the throw.      - photos by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography - www.gatewayphoto.net

                 

The Mon-Clair League standings are:

Monroe Division

Waterloo                      15 – 5

Belleville                      11 – 7

Millstadt                        11 – 9

Valmeyer                      10 – 10

Columbia                       5 – 15

 

St. Clair Division

Fairview Heights         12 – 6

Edwardsville                 11 – 7

St. Louis Spikes             9 – 8

St. Louis Longhorns      4 – 11

Alton                                 3 – 13

 

Leading Players:

Top 10 hitters (minimum 30 ABs)

Chad Zoelzer             Edwardsville                        .577

Chris Scoggins           Alton                                    .548

John Caulk                  Edwardsville                      .540

Ryan Dailey                 St. Louis Spikes                .489

Jay Davis                      St. Louis Spikes                .476

Drew Smith                 Belleville                              .455

Kurt Kessler                Millstadt                               .451       

Rob Blumberg            Fairview Heights                .448

Ben Thoma                 Valmeyer                             .433

Jesse Schmidt            Fairview Heights                .426

 

Runs Scored

Kurt Kessler                 Millstadt                      23

Nathan Warner          Edwardsville              22

John Caulk                    Edwardsville            21

Michael Adamson     Fairview Heights      19

 

Hits

John Caulk                  Edwardsville              34

Kurt Kessler                Millstadt                       32

Chad Zoelzer              Edwardsville              30

Rob Blumberg           Fairview Heights        26

 

Runs Batted In

Chad Zoelzer              Edwardsville             26

John Caulk                  Edwardsville            26

Rob Beatty                  Millstadt                     20

Jeff Schwierjon         Waterloo                     20

Jesse Schmidt            Fairview Heights      18

 

Home Runs

Ben Thoma               Valmeyer                               7

John Caulk               Edwardsville                         5

Matt Howes               St. Louis Longhorns            5

 

Triples

Mitch Matecki            Millstadt                      4

Michael Hoosen       Millstadt                      3

Chad Zoelzer            Edwardsville             2

Drew Smith                Belleville                   2

 

Doubles

Chad Zoelzer             Edwardsville            10

Jeff Schwierjon          Waterloo                     9

Chris Scoggins           Alton                          8

Kurt Kessler                Millstadt                      8

 

Singles

John Caulk               Edwardsville             22

Kurt Kessler              Millstadt                     22

Rob Blumberg          Fairview Heights      22

Mark Tampow           Belleville                    20

 

Stolen Bases

Michael Adamson     Fairview Heights     15

Mike Tallis                    St. Louis                  11

Brandyn Snider          Edwardsville             7

Mitch Matecki            Millstadt                      7

 

Pitching (minimum 15 innings)

Earned Run Average

Adam Hill                       Fairview Heights             1.77

Josh Hoguet                 Millstadt                             2.00

Cory Blackwell            Waterloo                             2.24

Bill Hansel                   St. Louis Longhorns         2.25

Garret Rohlfing           Valmeyer                            2.28

Mark Mueller               Waterloo                              2.38

Alex Kollack                 Millstadt                              2.43

Rob Blumberg            Fairview Heights                2.66

David Briesacher       Valmeyer                              2.85

 

Wins

Cory Blackwell             Waterloo                            5 – 0

Rob Blumberg             Fairview Heights               5 – 1

Adam Hill                      Fairview Heights              4 – 2

Alex Kollack                 Millstadt                              4 – 3

Bill Hansel                   St. Louis Longhorns         3 – 1

David Briesacher        Valmeyer                            3 – 1

Justin Lilly                    Valmeyer                            3 – 1

Korey Duncan             Edwardsville                      3 – 1

 

Saves

Aaron Kremmel          Millstadt                          2

Alex Tate                       St. Louis Spikes          2

Ryan Warneke            Belleville                       2

 

Innings Pitched

Alex Kollack                Millstadt                       49

Rob Blumberg            Fairview Heights        47 1/3

David Briesacher       Valmeyer                     39 1/3

Adam Hill                     Fairview Heights       35 2/3

 

Strikeouts

Rob Blumberg          Fairview Heights       45

Alex Kollack              Millstadt                      42

Mark Mueller             Waterloo                     38

Adam Hill                   Fairview Heights      34

 

Piranhas Win Kaskaskia Conference Swim And Dive League

The Waterloo Piranhas swim team capped off an undefeated 8-0 regular season by taking first place Saturday in the Kaskaskia Conference Swim and Dive League Finals Meet in Trenton. Coach Bart Jones was very pleased with the team’s effort in light of having to travel away to all of their meets following the closing of their home pool. In the finals, the Piranhas rallied after falling behind by 55 points to win first place. The scores were Waterloo, 519; Columbia, 451; and Trenton, 449.

Coach Bart Jones said that several of the swimmers had season best, or career best times during the finals meet. “…and our relays really performed in all age groups,” he added. “I was very proud of the swimmers and the parents who did everything they could to make this season one of our best.”

The Piranhas individual high-point scorers included: 8 and under boys - Jonah Hooser; 8 and under girls - Hailey Runyon and Lauren Shields; 9 and 10 boys - Andrew Pluff; 13 and 14 boys - Andy Bennett and Kyle Wagner; 13 and 14 girls - Sarah Schulz; and 15 and up boys - Owen Fritz and Dominick Feeney.

In addition, the Piranhas were presented the Sportsmanship Award. Coach Jones said he is especially proud of this honor. ‘I feel that the swimmers this year really demonstrated good sportsmanship and it was something I had focused on beginning last season,” he said.

Waterloo Piranhas swimmers Lauren Shields and Kyle Wagner display their overall point trophies and the team’s first place banner.        – photo by John Hooser

 

Recent Obituaries

Priscilla E. Cole, nee Weaver, 84, of Waterloo, died July 26, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born March 1, 1926, in Beaver Falls, Penn., the daughter of the late Millard and Priscilla (nee Boughey) Weaver. Mrs. Cole is survived by her husband, Robert J Cole; sons Lynn (Kristina) Cole of Grantham, NH., Robert J. (Susan) Cole of Waterloo and Richard Mark (Linda) Cole of Baldwinsville, NY.; and a daughter, Carol H. (Christopher) Carlson of Stafford, Va.; along with numerous grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Victoria; and brothers Donald, James, Richard and Eric. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Beaver Falls, Penn. Memorials may be made to St. Paul UCC of Waterloo and the Oak Hill Senior Center Activity Fund.

Lillian Frieda Heberer, nee Wittlich, of Mascoutah, 101, died Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville following a brief illness. She was born July 17, 1909 in Belleville to the late Louis and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Wittlich. She married Henry C. Heberer in 1928 in Effingham. They lived on a farm near Freeburg until Henry’s retirement in 1959 at which point they moved to Mascoutah. Henry died in 1968. Mrs. Heberer is survived by a son, Robert D. “Bob” (Janet) Heberer; daughter, Mary K. (Norman) Richter; grandchildren Kathleen (Ed) Weilbacher, James (Mary) Heberer, Robert “Rob” Heberer II, Julie (Dennis) Heberer Graul, Michael (Jennifer) Richter, Sharon (Dr. James) Grimes and Charles Richter; great-grandchildren John Weilbacher, Rose Weilbacher, Katherine and Rachel Richter and Maxwell, Madeline and Miles Grimes; step-great-grandsons Andrew and Timothy Matecki; step-great-great-grandsons Chase and Jack Matecki; and sisters-in-law Dorothy Heberer, June Wittlich and Milla Wittlich Engel; along with nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Joan Elizabeth who in 1993; brothers Henry, Louis, Irvin, Lester and Roland Wittlich; and a sister, Rosella Wittlich Blanc. The family is appreciative for those who enabled Lillian to live in her home until her recent illness, particularly Muriel Brockmeier who provided assistance the past five years. Lil was an accomplished artist, gardener and quilter who was active in community life. She was a past master of the Turkey Hill Grange where she was a member for 85 years, a past-president of District V Garden Clubs of Illinois, a master flower show judge, past-president of the Mascoutah Garden Club and an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Mrs. Heberer attended St. Paul United Church of Christ in Freeburg and later St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah where she remained a quilter and Ladies Guild member for many years. The 2009 St. John Quilt show featured many of the quilts she made during her lifetime. Funeral is Thursday, July 29, at 10 a.m., at St. John UCC of Mascoutah with Rev. Hugh Fitz and Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner officiating. Moll Funeral Home of Mascoutah handled the arrangements. Mrs. Heberer will be buried at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. Memorials may be made to the National Foundation For Ectodermal Dysplasia or to St. John UCC in Mascoutah.

Harold L. Brady, 100 of Columbia, died July 12, 2010. He was the born Jan. 18, 1910, in Beloit, Kan., the son of the late John Patrick and Nina Ellen (Vanstrom) Brady. He married Ruby Faye (Jones) Brady in 1933 in Topeka, Kan. In addition to his wife, Mr. Brady is survived by his son, Gerald L. Brady of Columbia; a granddaughter, Michelle Brady of Columbia; grandson, Benjamin Brady of Bourbon, Mo.; sister, JoAnn Garrett of Tulsa, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Brady. Mr. Brady was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and was a self-employed antique dealer. A memorial mass will be Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Building Fund.

Ronda Ann LaMear, 47, of Dupo, died July 23, 2010 at Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital in East St. Louis following an automobile accident. She was born Dec. 22, 1962 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Don Gould and the late Patty Gould. In addition to her father, Mrs. LaMear is survived by her husband, David LaMear; sons T.J. Mills, Tony Mills and Gary Mills; a step-daughter, Tiffany LaMear; step-son, Brandon LaMear; brothers Ronnie, Donnie and Tommy Gould; and a sister, Donna DeJarnette. Besides her mother, she was preceded in death by a step-son, Zachary LaMear. Visitation is Tuesday, July 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. A reception will follow at Mac’s Levee Inn in East Carondelet. According to her wishes, Mrs. LaMear’s body was cremated.