Today's News - August 10, 2010

Waterloo Delegation Returns From Visit To Its Sister City

A contingent of Waterloo’s Porta-Loo organization recently enjoyed a two-week stay in the town’s sister city of Porta Westfalica, Germany. The group was welcomed with open arms for an enjoyable stay in the heart of Germany. “Our host families treated us like royalty,” said Bill Getchmann, president of Waterloo’s Porta-Loo. The trip included a tour of Berlin and a seven-day cruise through the heart of the country along the Rhine River.  “We saw countless castles and stopped at several of the wineries along the river,” Getchmann added.

Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith, left, presents a flag bearing Waterloo’s newly-revamped logo to Porta Westfalica, Germany’s Burgermeister (Mayor) Stephen Boehm during a gathering between the two cities.        – photo by Bill Getchmann

 

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the St. Louis Metropolitan area, including Monroe County, through Thursday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m. Daytime temperatures will be in the upper 90s and the heat index is expected to exceed 110. The National Weather Service reports the effects of exposure to continued excessive heat and humidity to the human body are cumulative. With the next few days having high heat index values, those working and spending excessive time outdoors with put additional stress on themselves.   

The Monroe County Office of the Emergency Management Agency and the Monroe County Health Department are advising area residents to avoid prolonged work in the sun or poorly ventilated areas. You should also drink plenty of liquids and stay in an air-conditioned environment. Those with pets are also advised to make sure they have plenty of water and have access to a cool, shaded place or are allowed to come inside an air conditioned home. Additional information about cooling centers or energy assistance  related to the excessive heat is available by calling the United Way of Greater St. Louis at 800-427-4626.

 

The Waterloo Police Department’s annual Senior Police Academy will take place from Sept. 8 through Oct. 27. The eight-week program is free and held on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor meeting room at Waterloo City Hall. The academy is open to those 50 years of age and older. Refreshments will be provided. This year’s itinerary includes the following topics and agencies: The Illinois Secretary of State’s office, crime classifications, arrest procedures, first aid, crime scene investigations, Illinois Department of Corrections, K-9 demonstration, frauds and scams, the Area Agency On Aging, Monroe County EMS and health and fitness. To register for the program, call the Waterloo Police Department at 939-3377 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Rabid Bats Found In Randolph And Jackson Counties

The Randolph County Animal Control has collected a bat which tested positive for rabies. The disease is believed to be spreading within the area’s bat population, as two rabid bats were recently found in neighboring Jackson County. The Randolph County Animal Control program and the Randolph County Health Department are warning Randolph County residents and those in neighboring counties to avoid contact with bats as we approach the time of year when bats are the most active. Bats are the primary carrier of rabies in Illinois and already this year, as 59 bats have tested positive for rabies in Illinois.

Randolph County’s Animal Control Officer Dr. Dan Schupp reported on Aug. 4 a youth found a bat during the daytime in rural Sparta. The bat was picked up by animal control and the Randolph County Health Department sent the bat out for testing and it was confirmed this bat had rabies. According to Schupp, the youth was lucky not to have been not bitten nor scratched by the bat.

 “In the last several years, there have been an above average number of rabies cases in bats in Illinois,” said Randolph County Health Department Administrator Tom Smith. “It’s important to remember you should never try to approach or catch a bat in your home. Instead, call your local animal control agency for their recommendations.”

In 2009, 83 bats tested positive for rabies in Illinois. Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Humans get rabies after being bitten by an infected animal. If infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into the eyes, nose, mouth or a wound, rabies can result. Without preventive treatment, rabies is a fatal disease. “You cannot tell by looking at a bat if it is rabid. The animal does not have to be foaming at the mouth or be exhibiting other symptoms to have rabies,” said Connie Austin, a state public health veterinarian. “Any wild mammal, such as a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to humans.”

Changes in any animal’s normal behavior, such as difficulty walking or an overall appearance of illness, can be early signs of rabies. For example, rabid skunks, which normally are nocturnal and avoid contact with people, may approach humans during daylight hours. A bat that is active during the day, found on the ground, or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid. Such bats are often easily approached but should never be handled.

The following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:

1.) Be a responsible pet owner. Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets.

2.) Seek veterinary assistance for your pet immediately if your pet is bitten by a wild animal or exposed to a bat.

3.) Call the local animal control agency to remove stray animals in your neighborhood.

4.) Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

5.) Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.

6.) Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn to reduce the risk of exposures to rabid animals.

Additional information about rabies can be found at the Illinois Department of Public Health links: www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/reportdis/rabies.htm and www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm. The website for the Center For Disease Control is www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies.

(Story provided by the North County News of Red Bud.)

 

Recent Obituary

Carl A. Wenkel, 77, of Columbia, died Aug. 9, 2010 at St. Anthony's de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Sept. 1, 1932 in Columbia, the son of the late Elmer and Dora (Reichert) Wenkel. He married Rosetta (Tebbenhof) Wenkel in 1954 in St. Louis, Mo. in addition to his wife, Mr. Wenkel is survived by a son, Gary (Susan) Wenkel of Branson, Mo.; daughter, Kimberly (Floyd) Sellers of Waterloo; grandchildren Shannon and Adam Wenkel; great-grandson, Bobby Dyson; a brother, Kenneth (Delores) Wenkel of Columbia; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Oldani of St. Louis, Mo.; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Frank and Ruth Tebbenhof; a brother-in-law, Mickey Oldani; and a nephew, James Wenkel. Mr. Wenkel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a retired supervisor from Turner Electric Company who had been a member of Columbia American Legion Post 581, Columbia Gymnastic Association - Turners and B.P.O.E. 2503 in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 13, from 9:30 a.m. too 10:30 a.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. A service will follow with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mr. Wenkel will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the family.