E-Newsletter - April 9, 2010

 

Senator Dick Durbin Visits Rock City Caves

U.S. Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois stopped by the Rock City Business Development on Wednesday during a downstate tour. Developer Joe Koppeis asked the senator to visit the U.S. Archives portion of the 6 million square foot underground complex which is a former site of a limestone mine just north of old town Valmeyer. “We currently house 400,000 square feet of government archives and there is a contract for additional archives storage due later this year which would double the storage records held here in Valmeyer,” said Koppeis. He added that the government will likely decide between Rock City and a similar underground storage site in Kansas City. “I will do whatever I can to help bring those records and the accompanying additional jobs to Southern Illinois,” said Durbin. 

Rock City Developer Joe Koppeis, right, presents a t-shirt to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heaver, right, and Valmeyer Village Administrator / County Clerk Dennis Knobloch, center, welcome U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to Rock City.

 

Angarita Sentenced For 2007 Stabbing Incident At Bobeck’s

Matthew M. Angarita, 27, of Waterloo pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated battery. Angarita was sentenced to 30 months probation and credited with seven days served in the Monroe County Jail and ordered to pay $19,828 restitution to Ryan Novack. He was also ordered not to have further contact with Novack. A charge of attempted murder was dismissed. The offense occurred Nov. 11, 2007 at Bobeck’s Sports Bar in Waterloo. Angarita had approached Novack and stabbed him in the back. Waterloo police were assisted by Monroe County deputies and Columbia police officers in handling the incident.

A handcuffed Matthew Angarita sits on the Bobeck’s parking lot as County Deputy Butch Ford, right, stands guard following the 2007 stabbing incident.

Ryan Novack, second from left, is led to an ambulance after he was stabbed by Matthew Angarita while the two were inside Bobeck’s.

 

Names Released In March 27 Accident On Admiral Parkway In Columbia

The Columbia Police Department has released the names of the drivers of the vehicles involved in the accident March 27 at the intersection of Bottom Ave. and Admiral Parkway in Columbia. According to the police report, Shawn Sieve of Fenton, Mo., was driving a 2009 Volkswagen minivan southbound on Admiral Parkway. As he attempted to turn left onto Bottom Avenue, Sieve was struck by a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox traveling northbound on Admiral Parkway driven by Deana Lippert of Red Bud. A female passenger in Sieve's vehicle and two passengers in Lippert's vehicle were transported by a Columbia ambulance to area hospitals. A third passenger in Lippert's vehicle was not injured.  “The conditions of everyone involved has improved since the accident,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.

Columbia Assistant Fire Chief Don Sutter, center, and Columbia Police Officer Jason Donjon, right, assess the situation at today’s accident scene.

 

Sports Update:

Thursday’s high school sports results include the Waterloo girls’ soccer team rebounding after the loss to Triad, with an 8-1 victory over Mascoutah. The CHS sports program had a great Thursday. The baseball team defeated Red Bud, 2-1, the softball team beat Red Bud, 7-1, and the girls’ soccer team beat Mater Dei, 3-1. The Gibault Hawks also had a lot to cheer about on Thursday. The softball team defeated Triad, 7-2, and the baseball team beat Whitfield, 9-8. Both the Valmeyer baseball and softball teams were defeated by Lebanon. The baseball team lost 8-7, while the softball team lost 22-2.

On tap for Friday, the WHS Bulldogs baseball team plays at Edwardsville while Red Bud hosts Okawville. Regarding softball, Columbia is at Belleville East, Valmeyer is at Gibault and Red Bud hosts Okawville. Saturday, the Columbia softball team hosts Metro East Lutheran at 2:30 p.m., while the Gibault softball team plays at home versus Trico. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

The annual Monroe County Baseball Tournament is set for this Saturday. Beginning at 1 p.m., Waterloo hosts Valmeyer and Columbia plays at Gibault. The championship game will be played at the Gibault / SPPS Field.

Waterloo’s Erica Kaiping exhibits her aggressive soccer style as she charges the net and leaps over the Mascoutah goalie in Thursday’s home game. Kaiping scored two goals, helping the Bulldogs win the contest 8-1.       - photo by Gateway Photography / game photos at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Waterloo infielder Kelly Sandelin keeps her eyes on the ball as she lines a base hit in the third inning during the Bulldogs’ 4-0 defeat of Marissa 4-0. The victory improved Waterloo’s record to 2-5.       - photo by Gateway Photography / game photos at www.gatewayphoto.net

 

Mill Street Treasures  in downtown Waterloo is celebrating their 10^th anniversary this weekend with a Customer Appreciation Birthday Bash. Refreshments will be served and there is a 20 sale on all merchandise. The event will take place Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout April, there will be weekly specials and gift certificate drawings. The store is located at 125 West Mill in Waterloo.

 

The Corner George Sweet Shoppe in downtown Maeystown is now open and serving ice cream for the spring and summer season. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., other days by chance or appointment. Featured ice cream flavors are Tahitian vanilla, butter pecan, chocolate truffle and strawberry.

 

The Monroe County YMCA will sponsor a benefit Karaoke Night on Friday, April 23, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Ridge County Club in Waterloo. Proceeds will be donated to the Monroe County YMCA’s Active Older Adult Program. Josh Boyer will provide the entertainment. Attendance prizes will be awarded, including tickets to the Gateway Grizzlies, the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Botanical Gardens, along with baked goods from Dear Diva Desserts. Locals who may be coaxed into singing along with the karaoke machine include Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith, the YMCA’s Jeff Cernicek and Kayla Boylan, Ed-itor Wienhoff, George Obernagel, Columbia Alderman Mary Ellen Niemietz and County Commissioners Delbert Wittenauer, Mike Kovarik and Terry Liefer. For more information, contact Marge Francois or Pat Smith at 618-281-9622.

 

Gibault’s Spring Musical Is “The Wizard Of Oz”

Gibault Catholic High School continues its tradition of a Spring musical with this year’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Senior Lucie Coats will star as Dorothy. The ensemble cast will include 25 high school students, along with 26 area elementary school students who will play the Munchkins and Toto. Mary Beth Babcock will make her debut as a director of a Gibault musical. She is an experienced actress and director with shows in Los Angeles and St. Louis. Her credits include films, several soap operas and television acting, including an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”  Recently she co-wrote and directed last year’s summer production of “Hail Columbia,” which told the story of the history of the town. The Wizard of Oz will be presented Friday and Saturday, April 16-17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 18 at 2 pm. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for students. Children under five are free. For ticket information, email Bill Guthrie at guthrieb@gibaultonline.com or call the school at 618-939-3883.

 

The History Museum of Monroe County will reopen for the season on April 10 with a new display featuring vintage toys predating 1960. Hours are Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 12 noon to 3 p.m. The museum has just completed an expansion project doubling the size of the facility located on the south end of Waterloo.

“The museum will now be able to share more memorabilia with current and future generations,” said Museum President Phil Horn. “Whether a stagecoach, a 1909 Cadillac, Native American artifacts, antique cameras or horse drawn wagons, there is something for everyone to see.”

Items at the museum range from recent history to the Stone Age. It is located at 724 Elaine Drive near the Bellefontaine House. For more information, call 618-939-5008 or send an email to wms@htc.net.

The History Museum of Monroe County                              - photo by Phil Horn

 

Recent Obituaries

Evelyn Grant (nee Beck), 85, of Fairfield, formerly of Dupo, died April 7, 2010 in Fairfield. She was born Nov. 3, 1924, the daughter of the late Frank and Clara (nee Watts) Beck. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Johnnie) Hoffee of Fairfield; a son, David (Hetty) Grant of Columbia; and grandchildren Julie Nobles, Elizabeth (Jeff) Booker, James (Jami) Hayes, Amy Hayes and Angela Grant; along with seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin D. Grant; daughter, Nancee Keys; brothers Charles and Bob Beck; and a sister, Dolores Mosbacher. Mrs. Grant was a retired bus driver for Dupo School District 196, a member of First Congregational Church, former President of the Dupo Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Rebecca Lodge and drove the senior bus and meals on wheels. Visitation is Wednesday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. A funeral will immediately follow with Rev. Robert Lee officiating. Mrs. Grant will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Congregational Church in Dupo.

Laura M. Chaklos , nee Painter, 42, of Red Bud, formerly of Belleville, died April 8, 2010 in rural Waterloo as a result of an automobile accident. She was born May 24, 1967 in Richmond, Va., the daughter of Keith and Therese (nee Obernuefemann)  Painter. Mrs. Chaklos is survived by her son, Corey Chaklos of Red Bud; a granddaughter, Kydalyn Faith Demmin; special friend, Terry Morrissey of Columbia; her brother, Matthew (Wendy) Painter of Belleville; grandmother, Lillian (nee Hubert) Obernuefemann of Belleville; nephews Joshua and Jacob Painter of Belleville; and her dog, Opal; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Bradley M. Chaklos; grandfather, Jerome Obernueffemann; and grandparents S.E. and Mary Painter. Mrs. Chaklos was a nurse at St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Chester and Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta. Laura was a member of M.A.D.D. Visitation is Sunday, April 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights. The funeral procession to leave at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 12, from the funeral home for an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Belleville with Father Ken York officiating. Mrs. Chaklos will be buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to M.A.D.D. or Mid America Transplant.