Today's News - March 6, 2010

Columbia Firefighters Use Ladder To Help Get To People Off Of Top Of Grain Elevator

Nicole Avise-Rouse and Rudy Landgraf are very thankful to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. When an elevator failed to work today, the two found themselves stuck atop the old FS Grain Elevator in downtown Columbia. The elevator, located next to St. Paul UCC, from purchased by the church from Gateway FS a few years ago. Earlier Saturday morning, Avise-Rouse and Landgraf decided to take the elevator to the top to take some photos of the church and the town of Columbia.

“We’ve done this before and the elevator always has worked in the past,” said Avise-Rouse.

After taking their photos from their high perch, they pushed the down button on the elevator, but it failed to engage the motor, trapping the two at the top. With no other options available to get back down, a call was made to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department for assistance. In a few minutes, the new CVFD 100-foot ladder truck was on the scene. Firefighters Donnie Sutter and Andrew Callis strapped themselves into the bucket atop the ladder, while fireman Wes Mathany and Chief Mike Roediger manned the controls from the truck. The ladder was stretched to nearly its maximum height as it edged to the top of the grain elevator, where a relieved pair were waiting. The ladder was slowly lowered back down to the ground where a group of family, friends and fellow church members welcomed them back to the ground.

Nicole Avise-Rouse and Rudy Landgraf wait patiently at the top of the grain elevator as Columbia firefighters make their way to the top.

Hallelujah! Nicole Avise-Rouse and Rudy Landgraf are relieved as they make their way back down to the ground. Guiding the bucket down are CVFD firefighters Donnie Sutter, second from right, and Andrew Callis, right.

One Injured In Hecker Rollover Accident

An individual was injured Saturday morning when his truck overturned on Route 156 just north of Hecker. The driver was headed northbound on Route 156 leaving Hecker at 7 a.m. when he apparently lost control, went off the roadway and overturned in a ditch. When Hecker firefighters and first responders arrived on the scene the found the driver laying outside of the vehicle, but a passenger appeared to be uninjured. The driver was transported by ambulance to a hospital. His name and condition have not been released. The license plate on the Chevy truck were from Arkansas.