E-Newsletter - August 6, 2010

 

Eric Luckett of Millstadt was critically injured early Thursday morning, Aug. 5 in a two-car accident along Route 158 at the intersection of Centerville Road. Luckett, 51, was driving a 2007 Dodge Charger eastbound on Route 158 toward Millstadt when he was struck just after 12:30 a.m. by a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle driven by Adam Gremp, 22, of rural Columbia. According to the police report, Gremp pulled out of Centerville Road and into the path of Luckett.

Gremp apparently was heading to his home on Prairie View Estate and failed to stop when he came upon the intersection. Following the collision, both cars came to rest in a ditch alongside Route 158. Columbia firefighters assisted ambulance personnel in extricating Luckett from his vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital with serious injuries. His current condition is not known at this time.

Gremp was not injured, but was cited by Illinois State Police for DUI and disobeying a stop sign. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 16 at 9 a.m.

Eric Luckett’s Dodge Charger, left, and Adam Gremp’s Beetle sit on the side of Route 158 between Columbia and Millstadt following Thursday morning’s accident.

 

Southern Monroe County and most of Randolph County were hit hard Thursday morning when a thunderstorm rolled through the area. Several inches of rain fell in that area and strong winds knocked down numerous trees. County road crews were called out in the pre-dawn hours to begin removing trees along several roadways. Leroy Brandt of Fults was spotted using a back hoe to help clear Kaskaskia and G Roads in rural Fults and Renault.

Power was out for several hours in parts of Fults, Red Bud, Renault, Prairie du Rocher and Evansville. The Rocher Post Office used battery-powered lamps to help them see as they sorted mail, while the Renault Post Master just opened a window to let the sun in to help her see the way. Downtown Renault resident David Mooney said he was relieved when the power came back on because he had several projects to complete around his residence.

“We had a lot of wind and rain come through, but only two people lost their power,” said Sheryl Prange of downtown Fults. “Junior and Sandy Hamilton along with Puddin’ and Mush Head had wires down, so they were in the dark for a while.” Sheryl’s husband Merrill Prange and Ronnie Rodenberg blocked the street with their trucks for a while so no one would drive over or step on the downed electric line.  

Overall in July, Harvey Ries of rural Columbia reports that 5.63 inches of rain fell, according to his rain gauge.

Lightning strikes the ground along the Valmeyer Bottoms early Thursday morning.         – photo  by Carol Floarke

 

A tree fell onto the dog pen at Ronnie and Debbie Rodenberg’s home in downtown Fults.

 

The Rodenberg Beagle puppies of Fults, left to right, Oshie (partially hidden), Harley and Daisy, and their mother, Schnickers, were eager to tell their stories about the strong wind and rain from Thursday’s storm. They were happy the fence prevented a limb from smashing on top of their dog house. Beagle dad Bo was taking a nap atop the dog house when the photo was taken and unavailable for comment.

 

Summer Is A Busy Time For Reading At Waterloo Library

Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo is reporting they just wrapped up another successful summer ready program. Prizes were awarded to the top readers during a July 28 gathering. Adult winners were Stephanie Purcell, Christine Parker and Kate Bauers. The top children were Alex Nobbe, Rianna Roush, Trent Koehler, Lydia Rethwisch, Tyler Stevens, Madelyn Brown, Brook Sellers, Payton Smith, Alexander Starz, John Hooser, Cooper Davis, Jacob Davis and Anastasia Jany.

“Even with the heat, this was a fun summer with the theme Scaring Up A Good Book,” said Librarian Elaine Steingrubey. “The enthusiasm of young readers was enjoyable and refreshing.”

The last summer fine-free day is Aug. 11. Those who have taken out a book but forgot to return it over the summer can stop by the library next Wednesday, hand the books to the librarian and have the fines waived. “Dropping the books into the book returns will not waive your fines,” Steingrubey added. Other upcoming free-dine days are listed at the website: www.waterloolibrary.org.

Children gearing up to attend kindergarten this year are invited to stop by the library Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. for a special program titled, I’m Ready For Kindergarten. “It will be an evening of stories music and rhymes to help you get ready for a great first year at school,” said Steingrubey.

The Morrison-Talbott Library’s next book club meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. They will discuss Karen Robard’s book, Shattered. 

Students enjoy an afternoon of learning to hula hoop during one of the many summer activities at Morrison-Talbot Library in Waterloo.

 

Waterloo Warriors Complete Successful Summer Baseball Season

The Waterloo Warriors 12-U baseball team recently completed their 2010 season with a record of 32 wins and 12 losses. Their highlights for the season include first place finishes at the Gateway America Sports – April Blast tournament in O’Fallon, the Rawlings Memorial Day Invitational in Chesterfield, Mo., the 12-U USSSA Illinois State Championships in Champaign and the 12-U Greater Midwest Baseball World Series at the Ozzie Smith’s Sportsplex in O’Fallon, Mo., and second place at the 12-U USSSA World Series in Kansas City, Mo. The team is composed of players from Waterloo, Columbia, Red Bud, Valmeyer, Smithton and Chester.

“The Warriors have continued to demonstrate their ability to compete against the top teams in the Midwest,” said Coach Mark Nappier. Now in their fifth season, the Warriors have accumulated 186 wins, 17 tournament championships, two Illinois State titles, four Top 4 World Series finishes and have maintained a perfect record in league play over their past 48 games. 

The Waterloo Warriors 2010 baseball team is, left to right, first row, Chase Whelan, Ryan Gudeman, Colin Whelan, Kane Osterhage, Keegan Baxmeyer and Cameron Touchette; second row, Mark Nappier, Kyle Hentis, Tyler McAlister, Austin Welge and Chase Rubemeyer; and third row, coaches Kyle Osterhage, Mike Nappier, Brandon McAlister and John Baxmeyer.

 

The Waterloo Millers swept the Belleville Rockies in a double-header Thursday at the SPPS Fields in Waterloo. The Millers won the first game 3-2 thanks to a strong pitching performance by Mark Mueller. The home team’s bats came alive in game two for a 6-2 victory in the night-cap.

Waterloo Millers pitcher Mark Mueller pitches a strike during the team’s 3-2 victory over Belleville in a Thursday evening double-header.                - photo by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography / www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Upcoming Mon-Clair League Games:

Sunday, Aug. 8 double-headers beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Waterloo at Fairview Heights
Edwardsville at Valmeyer
Alton at Columbia
St. Louis Longhorns at Millstadt  

Mon-Clair League Standings As Of Aug. 13

Monroe Division

Waterloo                      16 – 6
Belleville                      14 – 8
Valmeyer                      14 – 10
Millstadt                        11 – 13
Columbia                      5 – 17  

St. Clair Division

Fairview Heights         15 – 7
Edwardsville                13 – 9
St. Louis Spikes          11 – 8
St. Louis Longhorns   5 – 12
Alton                              3 – 17

 

After 55 years of employment, Clarence Fahey has retired from Harrisonville Telephone Company. A gathering in his honor was July 30 at the headquarters in downtown Waterloo. Clarence began working for Harrisonville Telephone Company on July 14, 1955 at the age of 17. He was hired soon after he assisted in the construction of a telephone line to his parent’s home. Upon completion of this job, he reported for work at HTC the next morning and had done so ever since. Fahey has been involved in every phase of the company, retiring as construction and splicing supervisor. Through his years at the company, Clarence has seen the company evolve from using magneto lines to high speed broadband and IPTV. 

“Everyone who knows Clarence or has worked with him will attest to his dedication and work ethic,” said H. R. Gentsch, president and CEO. “Needless to say, the knowledge he has accumulated over 55 plus years will never be replaced. His enthusiasm and dedication has set an example for everyone.” Gentsch extended best wishes to Fahey for a well-deserved retirement, a hearty congratulations and a huge thank you for a job well done. 

Clarence Fahey, right, is congratulated by H.R. Gentsch on his retirement after 55 years of service to HTC.

 

Ashlee Schoenhoff of Columbia is celebrating her 23rd birthday today. After getting off her job at Flooring Interiors this afternoon, she plans to have a quiet evening at home watching a movie with her friend Ryan Schlemmer.

 

Burgers Added To Menu At VFW Fish Fries: Beginning next Friday, Aug. 13, the Waterloo VFW will begin serving hamburgers during their Friday fish fries. The one-third pound burgers with all the fixings will sell for $3.00. The full fish menu will still be available. The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The VFW will be closed the upcoming Friday: Aug. 27 for the Waterloo Homecoming and Sept. 3 for the Labor Day weekend.

 

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of Aug. 1 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding:
Brandy M. Clements, 33, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol - first offense. Clements was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,370 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one-year court supervision. The violation occurred July 4 on Illinois 158 at Centreville Road; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident. A charge of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident was dismissed.

Ryan S. Brinkmann, 30, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to battery. Brinkmann was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $277 and to have no contact with Jason Chism. The violation occurred June 5 at Bobeck's; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Ernest E. Setzer, 30, of Columbia pleaded guilty to battery. Setzer was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $277 and to have no contact with Bruce Whipple. The violation occurred June 5 at Bobeck's; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Joseph A. Macdonald, 31, of Columbia pleaded guilty to improper display of license plate. Macdonald was ordered to pay a $75 fine. The violation occurred June 30 on East Locust at North Metter; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle was dismissed.

Michael W. Glenn Jr., 19, of Fults pleaded guilty to loud exhaust. Glenn was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $160 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred June 30 on Main Street at 2nd Street in Renault; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Ruben C. Duran, 31, of St. Louis pleaded guilty to no valid license. Duran was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $208 and placed on three month court supervision. The violation occurred April 26 on Interstate 255; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of no tail light was dismissed.

Crystal G. Torres, 32, of Cahokia pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license. Torres was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $301 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred Sept. 7 on Admiral Parkway north of Veterans Parkway; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of obstructed rear license plate was dismissed.

Michael S. Cobb, 19, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Cobb was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $170 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred July 4 at 221 N. Church St.; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Sterling V. Sheldon, 32, of Millstadt pleaded guilty to failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Sheldon was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $170 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred June 17 on Illinois 158 north of Centreville Road; Illinois State Police handled the incident. A charge of improper lane usage was dismissed.

 

Waterloo Sister Cities Porta-loo welcomed exchanged students Inga Alsdorf and Karolin Bornemeier from Porta Westfalica, Germany July 29. The two girls, from Waterloo’s sister city, will be in town visiting this month. Recent Waterloo High School graduates Erin Chapman and Jessica Reifschneider recently returned home from a month-long stay in Porta Westfalica and were on hand at Waterloo City Hall last week to welcome Inga and Karolin to town.

Waterloo’s Erin Chapman, left, and Jessica Reifschneider, right, welcome Porta Westfalica, Germany exchange students Inga Alsdorf and Karolin Bornemeier, second from right.       – photo by Debbie Cummins

 

Helton Elected To State’s School Administrator’s Board: Waterloo School District Superintendent James Helton has been elected to the board of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, a professional organization of state superintendents.

James Helton                    - photo by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography / www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Additional Monroe County Fair Pictures Are Available For Viewing And Purchase Online:

Photos by Judy Brinkmann are located at the website: http://monroecountyonly.shutterfly.com/

Ed-itor and Gage Wienhoff’s pictures of the fair queen pageant are at: http://www.gatewayphoto.net/-/gatewayphoto/    Click on Galleries - Monroe County Fair- Ed and Gage Wienhoff ...  – and then Monroe County Fair.

 

Farm Bureau Members Gather For Ice Cream Social

In the middle of summer, the fairgrounds proved to be a cool evening Thursday night for the Farm Bureau’s annual Ice Cream Social. Members gathered to catch up on news, visit with local politicians and enjoy ice cream and homemade cookies.

Baby Noah and Brayden Bise, center, and their cousin Owen Ulrich enjoy their ice cream and cookies served at the Monroe County Farm Bureau’s Ice Cream Social.

 

Farm Bureau Board Member Karen Schrader, left, presents scholarships to recent high school graduates, left to right, Tara Seboldt, Kaitlyn Vogt and Andrea Crook.

 

Maeystown Gearing Up For Saturday’s Village-Wide Yard Sale

Monroe County’s historically preserved village of Maeystown will have their annual Trash And Treasures Village Yard Sale on Saturday, Aug. 7, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. For details call 458-6660 or 458-7463. Listing of participating sale locations will be available at the Maeystown General Store. In addition, the Village Kaffee Haus will celebrate their grand opening with food, music and cake.

Todd Bradshaw enjoys a hearty breakfast and coffee served by Karen Poole, the new owner of the Village Kaffee Haus, which will have a grand opening Saturday to coincide with the Village Trash And Treasures Yard Sale.

 

Recent Obituaries

Anita Sue Siefert, nee Vollmer, 48, of Gahanna, Ohio, died July 31, 2010. She was born Dec. 2, 1961, the youngest sister of Dr. Liz (Vollmer) Boehm of the Waterloo Animal Hospital. Mrs. Siefert is survived by her husband Steve Siefert; sons John (Meredith), Stephen, Patrick and William; a grandson, James; her mother, Gloria Vollmer; sisters Liz (Dwight) Boehm of Waterloo and Amy (Greg) Fitzgerald; nephews Mitch Boehm, Alex and Grant Fitzgerald; and nieces Emma Boehm and Eliza Fitzgerald. Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit School Endowment Fund, 305 Spruce Hill Drive, Gahanna, Ohio, 43230.                                

Frances Irene Dowland, nee Wardle, 96, of Waterloo, died Aug. 3, 2010 in Belleville. She was born Sept. 7, 1913, in Pierre, SD., the daughter of the late Oswald Arthur and Ruth Adelia (nee Megenson) Wardle. Mrs. Dowland is survived by her daughter, Karen Tolan; grandson, Scott (Cheryl) Tolan; and great-grandchildren Megan and Lauren Tolan; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Michael J. Tolan; a brother, Cyril Donald Wardle; and a sister, Velma McClintock. Mrs. Dowland graduated from Jacksonville High School and retired from Thrifty Drug. She was a member of First Christian Church in Alton, the VFW Auxiliary and Eastern Star Rebekah Lodge. Mrs. Dowland resided five years at the Garden Place in Millstadt. According to her wishes, there were no services and a private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Ruth A. Dailey, nee Walker, 67, of Red Bud, died August 4, 2010 in Red Bud. She was born February 3, 1943, in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Herbert Waldo and Dorothy Margaret (nee Davis) Walker. Mrs. Dailey is survived by her children, Rita Kennedy, Robyn (Jim) Hurley, Daniel Dailey (Debra Schell) and Melissa Dailey; grandchildren Johnny (Jennifer) Kennedy Jr., Steven Kennedy, Becky Kennedy, Craig and Corey Hurley and Danielle and Racquel Dailey; three great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings Jimmy (Cheryl ) Walker, Tom (Karen) Walker, Johnny (Tammy) Walker, Rita (Dan) Walker, Diane Siebert and Barb Hoock; and special friend, William Schaller; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband; Bobby Leroy Dailey. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements were handled by Quernheim Funeral Home.

Joseph Barry Courtney, 75, of Red Bud, died Aug. 5, 2010 at the Red Bud Nursing Home. Mr. Courtney was born Oct. 16, 1934, the son of the late Foster and Mary (Schutzenhofer) Courtney. He is survived by his wife, Kay (Kocher) Courtney; children Jill Cason (George Hick), Mary Kay (Steven) Harrison and Kristen (Joel) Schutt; grandchildren Craig and Alex Hick, Jeff and Spencer Harrison and Ty and Courtney Schutt; a sister, Mary Ann (William) Ross; and a brother, James G. (Julie) Courtney; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by an infant son, John Courtney. Joseph was an ironworker in Local 392 for 40 years and a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. He was very close to his fellow ironworkers and was his happiest while horseback riding, including participating in rodeos and horse shows. Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Monday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Red Bud with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating. Mr. Courtney will be buried at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund or Gibault Catholic High School.

Jeannine Bierman, nee Carmon, 81, of Columbia, died Aug. 6, 2010 at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home in Edwardsville. She was born April 24, 1929, in Nuckols, Kent., the daughter of the late Walter and Virginia Lee (Nuckols) Carmon. She married Lee Bierman in 1960 in St. Louis, Mo. He died in 2001. Mrs. Bierman is survived by a daughter, Gena (Mike) McDonald of Effingham; sons Eric Bierman of Springfield, Carl (Cristi) Bierman of Columbia and Mark Bierman of Millstadt; grandchildren Andrew, Jennifer, Megan and Nathan McDonald, Nicholas and Taylor Bierman, and Paige Bierman; and a step-brother, Mike Bolton of Owensboro, Kent. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Walter J. Carmon; and a step-mother, Sara Carmon. Mrs. Bierman was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia where she had been active with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She had retired from Aetna Finance Co. in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. A service will immediately follow with Pastor Edward Melchior officiating. Mrs. Bierman will be buried next to her husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church - Building Fund, Hospice of Southern Illinois.