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Today's News - June 25, 2009
Heat And Humidity Spark Summer Thunderstorms The excessive heat and periodic thunderstorms continue to be included in the weather forecast through this weekend. A quick-moving thunderstorm moved through the area yesterday, first starting in Columbia, then moving south through Valmeyer, Waterloo before making its way to Red Bud. While the storms provided some relief from the heat, the temperature and humidity levels soon spiked back up.
Public cooling stations have been set up during this current period of excessive heat. They are located at Oak Hill in Waterloo , the Columbia Convalescent Center in Columbia and the YMCA / Teen Center in Red Bud. Elderly people, those with respiratory problems and infants living in homes without air conditioning are encouraged to seek relief during the day at these locations, reports the local office of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The IEMA also reminds people to be mindful of their pets living outside. Citizens are advised to make sure their pets have plenty of water and shade.
Work Continues On Moore Street Improvements Progress is continuing this summer on the improvements to Moore Street in Waterloo. The current project includes repaving and curbing from Columbia Avenue to Illinois Avenue. The asphalt overlay of this section should be completed later this summer, reports Waterloo Utilities Director Tim Birk. He added the roadway should remain open for most of the days while the work continues.
The Wheat Harvest Is Underway Monroe County farmers are working sun up to sun down this week to bring in the wheat harvest. “We’re very pleased with the bushels we’ve been getting,” said local farmer Kenny Glaenzer. Employees at Gateway FS in Waterloo have been very busy as well. “Most of the farmers say things are going just fine. We’re seeing 60-70 bushel levels,” said Elevator Manager Randy Floarke. “The moisture levels are also testing low.”
Three Fender-Benders In Columbia The Columbia Police Department handled three vehicle accidents Wednesday along Admiral Parkway (Route 3). There were no major injuries which occurred.
The drivers and witnesses check on the conditions of their vehicles following an accident Wednesday morning at South Main and Route 3 in Columbia.
Chester Couple Recovering From Injuries Following I-255 Crash Donald and Marcella Kontz of Chester were taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital on Tuesday afternoon following a car accident along I-255 in East Carondelet. According to the Illinois State Police, Donald, 75, was driving his 2002 Ford Taurus southbound on I-255. Marcella, 72, was in the passenger seat. Just after 5:30 p.m., the vehicle began to veer off the roadway to the right. Marcella told her husband to stop, but he did not respond, according to the ISP. Donald later told police he must have blacked out. The car left the highway, hit and embankment and came to rest on its wheels next to a fence next to the footing of the Davis Street Ferry overpass.
Four-Alarm Fire At New Athens Grain Elevator A grain elevator caught fire Wednesday morning at St. Clair Service along the Kaskaskia River in New Athens. Numerous fire departments, including Hecker and Red Bud, responded to provide additional manpower and equipment. Smoke was seen billowing from one of the five-story silos. “It was a four-alarm fire and 10 departments sent manpower and equipment,” said New Athens Fire Chief Buck Owens. Firefighters positioned a 100-ft. and a 75-ft. ladder truck underneath the location of the silo to climb to the location of the fire. “The fire burned through a wood floor,” added Owens, who said the fire appeared to have been electrical in nature in a piece of equipment atop the silo. The exact cause of the fire is currently being investigated. The fire was quickly knocked out and most of the fire departments were soon allowed to leave. “We were on scene about one hour before being released to return home,” said Red Bud Fire Chief Curt Guebert. New Athens firefighters remained on the scene until 12:30 p.m. to monitor the situation. There were three or four firefighters were treated for minor heat-related issues. Owens expressed his thanks to all the firefighters at the scene for a job well done.
Farmer’s Markets Open In Waterloo And Columbia Fresh fruits and vegetables, locally grown flowers and homemade baked goods are just some of the items being sold at the Farmer’s Markets in Columbia and Waterloo. Columbia’s is held Thursdays, from 3 p.m. to dusk, at the parking lot of Ace Hardware along Main Street. In Waterloo, vendors are along Mill Street north of the courthouse Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Father’s Day
Fast Pitch Tourney Held At WSA’s Jaycees Field
Red Bud’s Gregson Two-Hits Waterloo
Red Bud pitcher Stefan Gregson fired
a two-hitter Wednesday evening, shutting out Waterloo 1-0 in Southwest Baseball
League action. Waterloo hard-luck pitcher Nick Fannon also allowed only two hits
but took the loss. The seven-inning pitcher’s duel was finished in one hour.
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