News Update - May 21, 2012

Shots Fired At Suspect Who Attempted To Injure, Elude Police

An Affton man who tried to use a stole truck to run over a St. Louis County police officer and later pulled a knife on officers in Columbia was taken into custody Monday evening. The female passenger was also arrested. Charges are pending.

The incident began about 6:30 p.m. this evening, Monday, May 21 when a St. Louis County police officer pulled over a truck on Telegraph Road near the intersection of I-255, reports Fox 2 News of St. Louis. The truck, a Dodge Ram with Missouri plates, was reported to have been stolen. When the police officer got out of his patrol car and approached the truck, the driver drove the vehicle at the officer in an apparent attempt to hit the officer. The policeman was able to jump out of the way.

That officer then got back into his car and began a pursuit. An all-points-bulletin was issued regarding the chase. The Dodge Ram, occupied by a male driver and a female passenger, drove along I-255 over the J.B. Bridge and took the Columbia / Route 3 exit. Columbia police officers were quick to respond and were able to place stop sticks on Quarry Road just before the truck took the Quarry Road / Palmer Road exit.

The truck was soon riding on four flat tires, but continued driving. The Dodge continued east on Quarry Road and turned left onto northbound Rueck Road. The truck then turned right onto Lovell Landing in the Brellinger subdivision. Since this road is a cul-de-sac, the driver drove soon ran out of roadway and went through a back yard before stopping at a line of woods. As officers approached the truck, the driver pulled out a knife. A St. Louis County policeman fired two shots at the suspect, but the bullets did not hit their target. The driver was then tackled by police officers and received minor facial injuries in the scuffle. The suspect along with the female passenger were soon handcuffed and sitting in the back of a Columbia patrol car en route to the Monroe County Jail.

The driver is listed as an Affton man in his mid-20s. No information was yet released of the female. No police officers were injured.

Police cars and a Columbia ambulance surround a Brellinger home after two Missouri individuals were arrested Monday evening following a high-speed pursuit.    – photo by Kris Brower 

A malfunctioning air conditioner is believed to have sparked a minor fire Monday afternoon at the apartment (the old site of Waterloo Pharmacy) next door to the Waterloo Fire House on North Main Street. Waterloo firefighters were soon on the scene and had it extinguished.

Weekend Wrap-Up - May 21, 2012

The Monroe County Relay For Life took place this weekend on the grounds of Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo. The event is a culmination of fundraisers held by the numerous local Relay For Life teams. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Those who have fought and beat cancer take the Relay For Life Survivor Lap.

A procession carrying the body of Airman 1st Class John Bradshaw, who died May 12, at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State, made its way through Monroe County this weekend. The military is investigating the cause of his death. The body was escorted via a motorcade from Lambert Airport to Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. A delegation of Monroe County deputies and Columbia Waterloo police officers joined the procession on the north end of Columbia and led the parade on its way south to Red Bud. At that point, Red Bud and Randolph County officers took over for this sad occasion. 

An Illinois State Police SUV leads an escort southbound on Route 3 of the hearse and vehicles of family and friends of the late John Bradshaw of Red Bud.

Among those showing their respect for Airman John Bradshaw as the hearse makes its way through Waterloo are, left to right, Bill and Shirley Sanders and Michelle Haddick. “I have known John since I was one of his Sunday school teachers,” said Bill. “And he has always been one of the best kids I have ever known. He will always be remembered fondly by all who knew him.”

The annual Run For The Wall motorcycle ride is scheduled to make its way through Columbia on Tuesday, May 22. The event consists of hundreds of military veterans riding their motorcycles from California to Washington, D.C., to the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They are expected to cross the Mississippi River at the J.B. Bridge about 11 a.m., on their way into Illinois as they head to eastbound I-64. Those wishing to view the procession of motorcycles can do so atop the Fish Lake Overpass over I-255. The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department will have their big ladder truck adorned with a United States flag greeting the bikers as they drive through the area.

Columbia High School Conducts Commencement Ceremony

The 2012 Columbia High School graduating class celebrates receiving their diplomas during a May 20 commencement ceremony at the school gym.

CHS Principal Mark Stuart, right, congratulates CHS valedictorians, all whom have received straight A’s since their freshman year, left to right, Drew Spargo, Kelly Hacker, Jaclyn Pringle and Kassi Farmer. It was recently announced that Mr. Stuart has accepted a position at Beck Area Vocational Center.

The Gibault Hawks baseball team won the New Athens Regional on Saturday, May 19 by short-gaming Okawville by a score of 10-0 in six inning. Leading the way for the Hawks was pitcher Zach Neff, allowing only one hit and striking out four. On the offensive side, Matt Schreder went 3-4 at the plate with five RBI. Next up for the Hawks (23-13) is the Carlinville Sectional to begin this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. GHS takes on Carrolton at the Blackburn College baseball field.

The 2012 Gibault High School baseball team gathers at home plate after winning the New Athens Regional.

Gibault ball players celebrate after being presented the regional championship plaque.

Gibault’s Matt Schreder slams a ball to the centerfield fence for a two-RBI double.

The Waterloo High School baseball team (19-15) begins regional play today at 4:30 p.m. with a match against Carbondale.

Columbia Loses Regional Title To Alton-Marquette

Alton-Marquette softball pitcher Alexis Silkwood continued her yearlong domination of opposing batters as she and her teammates defeated Columbia 3-1 on Saturday to win the Columbia Regional. Columbia’s Kaitlin Grohman took the loss for the Lady Eagles.

Columbia pitcher Kaitlin Grohman, right, watches as Alton-Marquette hitter Mia Stack places an RBI single past a drawn-in infield.

Columbia’s Kassi Farmer scores Columbia’s only run by using some “Whitey Ball.” After taking a walk, Farmer stole second. When she stole third, the ball got past the third baseman and she sprinted home.

Lady Musketeers Lose In Regional Championship Game

The Red Bud High School softball team fell to Nashville 4-0 on Saturday, May 19 in the Class 2A Red Bud Regional. The Musketeers finished the season with a record of 25-8.

Red Bud senior Amy Koester connects with the ball during the Musketeers’ Regional loss to Nashville.       – photo by Gina Phegley

Lady Bulldogs Fall To Triad For Regional Title

The girls’ soccer teams from Waterloo and Triad fought Saturday, May 19 for the title of the Mascoutah Regional, but Triad held the lead in the end. The match was physical from the opening whistle, with every head ball contested and clean midfield takedowns were common.

Triad jumped on top 1-0 and led at halftime but Waterloo's Hope Elliott chipped a shot over the Triad goalie to tie the score at the 36-minute mark of the second half. Triad then stepped up the attack and four minutes later took the lead 2-1. With 18 minutes remaining Waterloo’s Jodi Kaiping scored a typing goal and was mobbed by her teammates. However, with just over 11 minutes left in the game, after a scramble in the Waterloo box, Triad's Alyssa Wilde headed in the eventual game-winning goal to claimed the Mascoutah Regional Championship with a 3-2 win.

Waterloo's Cat Hawn got the best of a Triad mid-field during a collision.  - photo by Gateway Photography-game photos on line at www.gatewayphoto.net

Gibault Nets Fourth Place In Sectional – Lesko Advances To State

The Gibault Catholic High School boys’ tennis team finished in fourth place Saturday, May 19, in the Belleville Tennis Sectional. Belleville East took first place. Gibault’s Michael Lesko place in fourth place overall in singles, qualifying the sophomore to compete in the IHSA Boys’ State Tournament beginning this Thursday in Chicago.

The local Mon-Clair Baseball League opened the season this past Saturday, May 19. Millstadt got off to a good start, defending their Monroe division crown as they defeated Waterloo 2-0 in the first game of a double-header. The Millers took the second game 7-1, as veteran pitcher Cory Blackwell notched the win. The Valmeyer Lakers swept two games from Columbia, 10-0 and 5-0.

Millstadt infielder Ron Calvird turns a double play ending the team’s first game as he is pressured by Millers outfielder John Rheinecker.

Lakers pitcher Brody Thoma throws another strike as he went five innings to pick up a victory over Columbia.

Waterloo Millers’ second baseman Jeremiah Bergheger doesn't appear to have lost much of his game as he rockets the ball over to first for a double play in the opening weekend of the Mon-Clair Baseball League.   - photo by Gateway Photography www.gatewayphoto.net

The Monroe County Hoofbeats 4-H Club practiced their equestrian skills this weekend at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The riders are sharpening their skills in preparation for the upcoming show season. , "We wanted to try to get them a little experience and exposure,” said Club Parent Teresa Braunseis.

Sophia Mitchell practices navigating her horse during the Hoofbeats 4-H Club practice session.       – photo by Carol Floarke