E-Newsletter - August 20, 2010

Monroe County Democrats met Thursday at the Waterloo VFW to bolster Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, who is currently serving as the Illinois State Treasurer. The meeting was well attended by local and area democrats. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin was also in attendance to show his support. Earlier that morning, Durbin and Giannoulias were present at MidAmerica Airport to hear Boeing’s announcement that they are bringing 75 jobs to the facility located next to Scott Air Force Base.

Gathering Thursday at the Waterloo VFW are, left to right, County Commissioner  Delbert Wittenauer, State Rep. Dan Reitz,  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Monroe County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Alan Pirtle, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and County Commissioner Mike Kovarik.             – photo by Bob Haentzler

 

Area firefighters continued their training on handling dangerous situations. Firefighters from Prairie du Rocher, Maeystown and Evansville held a drill Monday in Evansville to teach them the proper procedure to extinguish a burning propane or LP gas tank. The Waterloo Fire Department plans to have a similar training drill in the near future.
- photo by North County News

 

Hecker Fire Department Receives First Place Award In Firemen’s Muster

The boys from the Hecker Fire Department received a first place plaque in the hose roll last weekend during the Mascoutah Fire Department Firemen’s Muster.

Hecker firefighters winning first place in the hose roll at the Mascoutah Firemen’s Muster are, left to right, Mike Karban, Rich Happel, Mike “Moose” Kaiser, Justin Eckart and Darren Mehrmann.       – photo by Sarah Happel

 

Five Charged In Connection With Fight On South Market Street

There were five young men charged earlier this week in connection with an altercation July 18 near the intersection of South Market and Sycamore Street on the south end of Waterloo. Charged with felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place are Waterloo residents Michael Augustine Jr., 21; David Beard, 19, Cole Caywood, 19 and Charles Clinebell, 19; along with Eli Miller of St. Charles, Mo.

According to the police report, those five individuals caused bodily harm to Christopher Schad, 46, and Zachery Rody, 19. The report states that Rody had previously attempted to contact Beard by phone 19 times regarding an issue. They decided to meet on July 18 between Liefer’s Garage and the former site of the Dairy Queen. A fight soon ensued and several of Beard’s friends, along with Schad, who was with Rody, were involved. As the police arrived they noticed several of the individuals punching and kicking Schad as he lie on the ground. Schad was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital for his injuries. Police officers soon gathered all those involved and made the arrests. Augustine, Beard, Caywood, Clinebell and Miller are scheduled to make their preliminary court appearance Sept. 23 at the Monroe County Courthouse.

 

Limestall Charged On Two Counts Following Incident With Neighbor

Gary Limestall of Columbia was arrested Sunday, Aug. 15 at his residence on Evergreen Lane. He has been charged by the Columbia Police Department with a felony count of arson and a misdemeanor for criminal damage to property.

According to the police report, on Sunday, Aug. 15, Limestall apparently punctured the tire on a vehicle owned by his neighbor, Brian Allscheid. Limestall then set his neighbor’s garage on fire. Allscheid was able to quickly put out the fire. Allscheid then confronted Limestall and Columbia police were dispatched to the scene. When the officers arrived, Allscheid was holding Limestall on the ground. Limestall was taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Jail. Limestall has not posted bond and is waiting in the jail pending his Sept. 9 preliminary court appearance at the County Courthouse. The day before the incident, Saturday, Aug. 14, the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to put out a fire in Limestall’s garage. A cause of that fire was never determined.

 

Orange And Black: The Waterloo High School football team’s annual Orange and Black football scrimmage game was Friday night. High school football’s regular season kicks off next Friday, Aug. 27.

The Waterloo High School cheerleaders are ready to root on the Bulldogs sports teams this fall.             – photo by Gage Wienhoff

 

SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School in Waterloo began classes on Aug. 17. Besides those students entering Kindergarten, SPPS welcomed 20 new students into their classrooms this year. New teachers this year at SPPS are Mrs. Dawn Kessler, first grade; Mrs. Laura (Toenjes) Metzger, second grade; and Mrs. Jenny Johnston, teaching resource.  The first week of school cumulated Friday morning with an all-school, outdoor mass at the SPPS Ball Fields.

The faculty and staff at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School are ready to begin a new school year.

 

County Gets Grants For Emergency Communication Upgrade

Monroe County got one step closer to paying for a new communication system to be used by its emergency personnel in the future when it got word they are in line to receive a grant. The federal government mandated that local municipalities upgrade their current radio dispatch system to the Starcom 21 Radio System, said Gene Henckler, director of the local office of the Emergency Management Agency. The new system will provide a clearer transmission, less cross-chatter of individuals talking over one another on the airwaves and the ability to communicate clearly with departments across the state.

The area officials were please to learn this week that they have been awarded $93,600 in a grant. “We are continuing to work at obtaining additional grants and radios from American Fire Grants, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and other government agencies,” Henckler added. “We are doing all we can to pay for this without raising taxes.”

“It is an unfunded mandate so it is up to us to find a way to pay for the new system, which is estimated to cost the county $1.75 million,” Henckler added. The deadline for having the new system installed and operational is Jan. 1, 2013. Henckler and several area officials, including fire chiefs, police chiefs and ambulance directors are hard at work finding ways to pay for the system without it being yet another burden to the taxpayers. “We are all getting soaked with taxes and we are going to do our best to limit yet another increase from a government mandate,” Henckler said.  

 

Council Referees Dust-Up Over Football On Park Fields
by Joe Leicht
Representatives of the Columbia Blue Jays didn't exactly come out and ask the city council on Aug. 16 to keep the high school squad off of the football field at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park. But Blue Jays president Mark Jackson stepped to the podium to make it clear he didn't want his little grid-birds pushed to the sidelines while the big guys put wear and tear on the grass his volunteers maintain.

For the second time this summer, a high school representative came to the council to request permission to use the field for some practice activities. Following former District Superintendent Ed Settles more general request, Columbia High School Principal Mark Stuart entered a more specific request - that the Eagles be allowed to use the field for about 90 minutes a week. Stuart said the team does not want to overuse its competition field for practice, and that a full-length field is needed sometimes for special-teams practices. The school has pledged field irrigation equipment to help remedy the wear its football squad will be putting on the public field. Stuart noted that the field is public, and there shouldn't evolve a situation of "squatters' rights"; Mayor Kevin Hutchinson affirmed, "There are no squatters' rights."

When the issue first came up in May, there were no Blue Jay representatives present.

"I know it's not 'our' field, it's a public park," said Jackson, though he noted his youth football organization - nearly 200 boys ages six to 14 - spends about $3,800 a year to maintain the park field.
More than 30 youth-football games per year are played on the Bolm-Schuhkraft field each year. "This is something we can work together on, and we can come back and look at how the situation stands (after the season)," Stuart said.

 

Judge Denies Coleman’s Defense Team’s Request To Deny Death Penalty In Upcoming Murder Case

Christopher Coleman appeared once again before Judge Milton Wharton on Friday afternoon. His attorney, John O’Gara, had requested the appearance to present several motions arguing that, according to certain inconsistencies in Illinois legal statutes, the death penalty brought against his client were unconstitutional. Coleman has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder stemming from the May 5, 2009 deaths of his wife and two sons.

During today’s court action, State’s Attorney Kris Reitz was accompanied by Appellate Prosecutor Ed Parkinson, who specializes in the legal issues involving Illinois’ death penalty. Wharton denied all of O’Gara’s motions attempting to disallow the death penalty be used in this case. O’Gara then brought forth other motions regarding other technicalities of the upcoming case, including the use of rebuttals, the jury selection and questions to be asked potential jurors – especially those pertaining to their feelings about the death penalty. Wharton considered the motions, but said he reserved his decisions for those issues at this time.

Coleman is next scheduled to appear in court at the end of September for another motion hearing. A date was note agreed upon at this time. At this point, it appears likely the trial would begin next January or February at the earliest. At the end of today’s proceedings, Wharton asked Coleman to approach the bench. Similar to his other previous court appearance, Coleman was asked if he was pleased about his treatment in jail and his approval of his defense team. To each question, Coleman answer a simple, “Yes, sir.” Coleman was then transported back to the Monroe County Jail where he is waiting without bond for his upcoming trial.

 

Monroe County Court Report

The following cases were adjudicated the week of Aug. 16 in Monroe County Circuit Court in Waterloo, Judge Dennis Doyle presiding:
John R. Morphis, 27, of Fenton, Mo. pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a controlled substance. Morphis was sentenced to one year in a state correctional facility and credited for 13 days served in the Monroe County Jail. The offense occurred Aug. 1 on Admiral Parkway at Gilmore Lake Road; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

Alfredo Flores, 36, of O'Fallon, Mo. pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol - first offense. Flores was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,405 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. Flores license was suspended for six months on Aug. 3. The violation occurred June 18 on Admiral Parkway at Southwoods; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of driving in the wrong lane was dismissed.

David E. Merrifield Jr., 21, of Maryland Heights, Mo. pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol - first offense. Merrifield was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $1,405 and to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and placed on one year court supervision. Merrifield's license was suspended for six months on Aug. 17. The violation occurred July 2 on Interstate 255; Columbia Police handled the incident. A charge of failure to signal properly was dismissed.

Eric R. Patterson, 17, of St. Louis pleaded guilty to speeding 101 mph in a 65 mph speed zone. Patterson was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $259 and placed on one year court supervision. The violation occurred July 17 on Interstate 255; Columbia Police handled the incident.

Cory D. Vogt, 20, Fults pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a license. Vogt was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $500. The violation occurred July 20 at 3745 Illinois Route 3; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

David R. Sherrell, 27, of Waterloo pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license. Sherrell was ordered to pay total fine and court cost of $250. The violation occurred June 19 on Illinois 3 at GG Road; Waterloo Police handled the incident.

Keith A. Radford, 45, of Cahokia pleaded guilty to driving under a suspended license. Radford was ordered to pay $85 court cost and to perform 240 hours community service and given a one-year conditional release. The violation occurred Feb. 13 on Illinois 3 at Park Street; the Monroe County Sheriff's Department handled the incident.

 

There was 69 donors who donated blood Aug. 17 at Turner Hall during an American Red Cross Blood Drive. Bethany United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church provided cookies for the event. Donors reaching gallon milestones were Roger Raglin, 2; Charles Dudley, 3; Louis Reitz, 3; Mary Ellen Niemetz, 5; Michael Hayden, 6; Louetta Wilson, 11; and Stephen Kettler, 14. The next Columbia Community Blood Drive at Turner Hall is Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Fill The Boot: The Waterloo Fire Department will be collecting funds this weekend as part of its annual Muscular Dystrophy Fill The Boot Drive. The donations will help in the fight against more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. Waterloo firefighters will be collecting Saturday morning and afternoon at several local business locations. “The wonderful citizens of Waterloo have always been very generous with their donations for this important fight. I expect this year’s drive to be just as successful as in years past,” said WFD President Joe Krump, who also serves as this fundraiser’s chairman.

Waterloo Firefighter Bruce Kohnz collects Fill The Boot donations Friday evening at U-Gas.          – photo by Gage Wienhoff

 

The Columbia Chapter of Kiwanis will host its fifth annual Classic Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Bolm-Schuhkraft Park. The show had previously been help on Main Street.  The show is open to 27 classes of cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and special interest vehicles. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with dash plaques given to the first 150 entrants. Trophies will be awarded at 3:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit programs for local children, families and schools. For information, contact Jeff at 314-616-2507 or by email - jsriley3@yahoo.com.

 

The second annual Columbia Art On The Bluffs is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Columbia. The art showcase will cover 15 blocks along Main Street and feature artists’ booths both outside and inside 32 participating businesses. More than 50 artists from the local area will display and sell their pieces. Works will range from watercolor, photography, jewelry, pottery, glass, drawings, mixed media, oil/acrylic, pine needle baskets, ceramics and printmaking. In addition, a variety of musical artists, dancers and drama performances will take place at four venues along Main Street.

Added attractions include refreshments, kids’ activities, a student art show, car show and an exhibit at city hall by Dave Norman featuring his photos he took documenting Columbia’s 150th anniversary in 2009. New this year will be alpacas, from which thread will be spun and woven. The historical Miller-Fiege House across from city hall will have showcase the work of Eric Young of Columbia. The Student Art Gallery will display artwork from children in grades kindergarten through high school seniors. The Kids Art Walk will feature many art activities, entertainment and the YMCA bounce and obstacle course. For more information about the event, visit the website: www.artonthebluffs.blogspot.com. For additional information, send an email to: artonthebluffs@hotmail.com.

 

Recent Obituary

Ray J. Leber, 73, of Waterloo, died Aug. 18, 2010 in Waterloo. Mr. Leber was born March 26, 1937, in East. St. Louis, the son of the late Joseph Albert and Olivia Rose (Feldmeier) Leber. Mr. Leber is survived by his wife, Betty (Waley) Leber; a son, Jay (Dawn) Leber; daughter, Lisa (Jim) Barker; grandchildren Michael and Crickett Leber and Jacob and Grant Barker; great-grandchild, Landen Johnson; step-children Terry, Daniel and Stephen Rausch, and Linda Mcgowan; and a brother, Gary (Karen) Leber. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Orlene (Rippelmeyer) Leber. Mr. Leber was a retired farmer and employee with the Illinois Department of Transportation. He attended St. John UCC in Maeystown. Ray also had served as a 4-H Leader and was a former member of the Waterloo Jaycee’s. He was active in the Future Farmers of American and the Monroe County Fair Association. In addition, he was a past secretary and honorary member of the Ancient Order of Good Fellows. Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 22, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ in Maeystown with Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. Mr. Leber will be buried at his church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. John’s UCC Cemetery Fund or St. Vincent DePaul.