E-Newsletter - August 13, 2010

Valmeyer – Waterloo Set To Square Off In Semi-Finals Of Mon-Clair Baseball Tournament

Once again, Waterloo will square off against Valmeyer in the second round of the Monroe Divisional playoffs of the Mon-Clair Baseball League Playoff Tournament. They will face each other Saturday, Aug. 14, at 12:30 p.m. at Borsch Memorial Park in old town Valmeyer. The winner will face the winner of the St. Clair Division’s top teams, Fairview Heights and St. Louis Spikes. That second round game will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m., also in Valmeyer.

The first round games took place on a hot and humid Wednesday evening. The Monroe Division games, held at the SPPS Fields in Waterloo, were Waterloo against Millstadt and Valmeyer versus Belleville. For Waterloo, pitcher Andy Galle got off to a rough start on the mound, allowing five hits and two runs in the first inning, but settled down to pitch a complete game in brutally hot conditions, helping Waterloo defeat beat Millstadt 9-3. In the nightcap, even though the sun went down, playing conditions proved to be a typical, muggy Midwest evening. Powered by three, two-run home runs courtesy of Joel Greatting, Jeremiah Bergheger and Scott Sittel, the Lakers defeated Belleville 14-7.

In St. Clair Division action, the St. Louis Spikes defeated Alton 12-4 and defending League Champion Fairview Heights Redbirds beat Edwardsville 9-0.

Saturday’s semifinals in Valmeyer has the Spikes playing Fairview Heights at 10:30 a.m., followed by rivals Waterloo and Valmeyer squaring off at 12:30 p.m.. The best-of-three championship series will begin at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, and will continue on Sunday at 1 p.m. A third game, if necessary, will start at 3 p.m.

Waterloo catcher Chas Wigger, left, has the ball waiting and prepares to tag out Millstadt runner Rob Beatty during first inning action. The throw came from strong throw by Millers right fielder Jake Hurst.    - photo by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography / www.gatewayphoto.net

Lakers right-fielder David “Breezy” Briesacher makes a sliding catch in the team’s victory over Belleville.          - photo by Bob Haentzler of Gateway Photography / www.gatewayphoto.net

 

The Waterloo Sports Association’s girls’ fall softball league got underway Wednesday evening under the lights of the Jaycee’s Ball Diamonds.

Sarah Happel of The Ed-itor’s Angels, right, touches home after hitting an inside-the-park home run in the team’s 12-5 victory over the Lady Birds.                  – photo by Gage Wienhoff

 

Columbia School District Celebrates Grand Re-Opening Of Unit Building

Pre-School through first grade students will attend classes this upcoming fall semester in the newly renovated Eagleview Elementary School, located on South Rapp Ave. at the former site of the Columbia Middle School / CUSD Unit Building. A ribbon-cutting and open house was held Wednesday, Aug. 11 to provide the public with an up-close look at the extensive renovations that have taken place over the past year.

 The building had mostly been left vacant following a fire which damaged much of the building in November of 2003. With a growing need for classrooms within the district, the Columbia School Board decided to make use of the facility and remodel the building. The board had discussed breaking ground for a new facility at another location, but considered this a more practical use of space and funds.

“This new building is bright, cheerful and vibrant. A wonderful place for children to begin their education,” said Dr. Mike Beczkala, principal of Eagleview Elementary. Beczkala will also remain principal of Parkview Elementary (second through fourth grades) with Brad Landgraf as the assistant principal.

The new front entrance to Eagleview Elementary.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon-cutting to kick off the grand re-opening ceremony held inside the gym of the newly-remodeled Eagleview Elementary.

 

Snyder Injured In Four-Wheeler Accident: Bill Snyder of Lake Ronnie in rural Waterloo is recovering at St. Louis University Hospital from a serious injury last week following a four-wheeler accident last weekend. His comrades at the Waterloo VFW ask everyone to keep him in your prayers.

 

Ben Wuelling of Valmeyer avoided injury Aug. 9 when his 2004 Chevy Trailblazer went off of Route 156 and rolled. According to the police report, Wuelling, 18, was traveling eastbound on Route 158 heading toward Valmeyer at 7:45 p.m. when he reached for his cell phone and lost control of the vehicle. The Trailblazer went off the roadway near Ivy Lane and overturned. Wuelling was able to exit the vehicle and he declined medical assistance.

 

Bud Light Brigade To Celebrate 25^th Anniversary
During Upcoming Waterloo Homecoming Parade

The Bud Light Brigade lines up in front of the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale team and wagon prior to the start of the 2009 Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration Parade.

The Bud Light Brigade will celebrate their 25th year of providing musical entertainment during the upcoming Waterloo Homecoming Parade. Former members interested in dusting off their instruments and marching along with the band or riding behind in a float are asked to contact Russ Wolf at 939-8601, Glen Lutz at 939-3275, Kathy Linker at 939-7078 or Bill Reheis at 939-5753. In recognition of this milestone, a book titled Reflections Of The Bud Light Brigade is being compiled detailing the 25 years of activities of The Bud Light Brigade. The 400-page soft-cover edition will be available in early December and will include photos and stories from the 1985 through 2010 anniversary season. For purchase information, contact Dennis Knobloch at 935-2142

What began as simply a fun afternoon for 13 pick-up musicians in during the Valmeyer Mid-Summer Celebration Parade in July 1985, has become a local tradition. Following their first appearance, members of the group decided to keep the momentum going. They received the blessing of John Koerber of Koerber Distributing in Waterloo and next appeared at the September 1985 Millstadt Homecoming as The Bud Light Brigade. By April 1986, the group hit the streets of the Waterloo VFW District 14 Parade wearing their now trademark uniforms of white shirts, tan shorts and Anheuser-Busch military helmets. They have since played in several hundred parades throughout Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph and St. Louis Counties as well as the city of St. Louis. There are currently 50 members of the band, with about 30 playing at each event. Current members who were part of the original 13-member band who still are playing are Dennis Knobloch, Bill Reheis and Russ Wolf. Tom Wightman joined the band in August 1985 for a Columbia Woman's Club fundraiser at Eberhard's Restaurant. Art Baltz and Joe Quevreaux became members when they marched in the Millstadt Homecoming in September of 1985.

Several other musical groups were developed from the Brigade, including The Bud-Lighters, which plays Big Band dance classics, and the Band Room Brass, a combo group which plays a variety of music for various events. Illinois Distributing Co. of Belleville now provides sponsorship after that firm purchased Koerber Distributing.

Talented musicians who serve as members of these groups donate their time and talents, passing their earnings to local charities. In the past 25 years, the Bud Light Brigade has donated nearly $50,000 to these causes, including $15,000 to the music programs at the local schools. “We do this in an effort to keep the love of music alive in the hearts and minds of local students,” said Band Director Dennis Knobloch. “We have also donated our services to various local causes to provide entertainment at their events.”

 

Storm Roars Through Columbia Causing Minor Damage

Strong winds and rain roared through Monroe and Randolph Counties Thursday afternoon causing minor damage. The initial report is that the hardest hit areas were Columbia, Hecker and Ruma. Waterloo was spared from receiving any rain accumulation.

A Columbia fire truck blocks vehicles from turning onto Plum Street from Main Street after a cable television wire broke loose and fell to the ground during Thursday afternoon’s thunderstorm. The break from watching the television provided the regulars something else to talk about besides fighting over who has control of the remote control.

 

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of Aug. 9 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding:
Roger A. Hall, 31, of Memphis, Tenn., pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Hall was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $520, $700 was confiscated by the court and sentenced to 30 months probation. The offense occurred Dec. 18, 2006. Charges of speeding 78 mph in a 65 mph speed zone, no valid license and obstruction of justice were dismissed.

Joshua S. Jennings, 18, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to theft over $300. Jennings was ordered to pay $205 in fees plus $350 restitution to Brittany Halsey and given a one-year conditional release. The violation occurred Sept. 19.

Taylor F. Boatright, 20, of Troy, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. Boatright was sentenced to one year in a state correctional facility. The offense occurred April 5 in the 1200 block of North Briegel; Columbia Police handled the incident.

John N. Durost, 26, of Collinsville pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Durost was sentenced to one year in a state correctional facility and credited with seven days served in the Monroe County Jail. The offense occurred June 15.

Todd A. Evans, 34, of Red Bud pleaded guilty to burglary. Evans was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $170 plus $3,000 restitution to Northside Salvage and formally apologize to Leo Evans and placed on 30 months’ probation. The offense occurred Jan. 20; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Steven W. Goforth, 22, of Columbia pleaded guilty to violation of probation in connection with a driving under the influence of alcohol conviction. Goforth was sentenced to one year in a state correctional facility. The offense occurred July 3 at 506 N. Main St.; Columbia Police handled the incident. Charges of obstruction of justice, criminal damage to property  and unlawful possession of cannabis were dismissed.

Dontarius J. Marks, 20, of Belleville pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Marks was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $217 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred July 8 on Admiral Parkway at Bottom Avenue; Columbia Police handed the incident. A charge of speeding 63 mph in a 45 mph speed zone was dismissed.

Scott W. Porter, 48, of Prairie du Rocher pleaded guilty to improper lane usage. Porter was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $173 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred June 3 on Illinois 3 at Matzenbacher Lane; Illinois State Police handled the incident. Charges of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle were dismissed.

Jule N. Goleaner, 30, of Dupo pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance. Goleaner was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $420 plus a $500 assessment, sentenced to two years probation and credited with two days served in the Monroe County Jail. The offense occurred Feb. 18.

Bailey K. Stephens, 21, of Columbia pleaded guilty to operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Stephens was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $217 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred July 6 on Valmeyer Road at Illinois 3; Columbia Police handled the incident.

Thomas S. Beil, 35, of Chester pleaded guilty to no valid license. Beil was ordered to pay total fine and court cost o $185 and placed on three months court supervision. The violation occurred June 20  on Illinois 3 at Illinois Ave.; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Eva L. Metzger, 17, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to failure to wear a seat belt. Metzger was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $55. The violation occurred July 19 on South Market Street at Fourth Street; Waterloo Police handled the incident. A charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle was dismissed.

 

The Route 158 bridge over Route 3 between Columbia and Waterloo is undergoing major renovations this summer. Drivers should expect temporary lane closures and flagmen on both Route 158 and Route 3, but the roads will remain open during the process.

Bobby Ray “Red Dog” Koch of Waterloo controls the traffic Friday morning along the Route 158 overpass south of Columbia. Koch said he enjoys his job, but this summer has been a hot one. He plans on cooling off this weekend by visiting his friends at Fountain Inn to watch the Cards / Cubs baseball series.

 

The Gibault High School girls’ tennis team has begun practicing for their upcoming season. Their home court is at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park in Columbia. This year the Hawks will be coached by Laila Schu, the current assistance women’s tennis coach at Webster University. Schu broke several Webster tennis records during her playing days at Webster. “We are very pleased to bring Schu to the our program and help us advance it to a higher level,” said Alan Lesko, who spearheaded bringing the girls’ tennis program back to Gibault a few years ago and also served as head coach until Schu was brought on.