Man Brandishing Gun In Red Bud Bar Has Weapon Dislodged
When Patron Knocks Him Over The Head With A Beer Bottle

David Clancy’s booking photo from the Randolph County Jail.

 An otherwise peaceful evening out at a normally quiet Red Bud bar turned out to be the scene of a scuffle last night, April 27, resulting in two shots fired and a man arrested at Willie’s Corner Bar on North Market Street in downtown Red Bud. After the dust settled, David Clancy, who resides at 918 Country Club in Red Bud, was taken into custody and charged with reckless discharge of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful use of a weapon.

According to the Red Bud Police report, just after 11 p.m., bar patrons Jeff Gulley and John Macklin were sitting on a picnic table at the rear of the bar smoking cigarettes. Clancy walked out of the back door of the bar holding a Smith and Wesson .22 caliber pistol and said he was planning on shooting Macklin and Gulley. When he pointed the gun at Macklin, Gully quickly got up and smacked Clancy in the head with a beer bottle. Macklin then grabbed the barrel of the gun. Macklin, Clancy and Gulley then got into a struggle near a cellar door to gain control of the weapon. During this struggle, Clancy fired two shots. The bullets missed hitting anyone and struck a wall on the other side of the patio.

Red Bud Officer Williams and Detective John Brittingham arrived at the bar at 11:14 p.m. As they exited their vehicles they observed Macklin holding the barrel of the gun by his thumb and forefinger. The officers told him to drop the weapon and he immediately complied. Macklin then informed the officers what just occurred and that Clancy was still in the patio area behind the bar. The officers secured the gun and then headed to the patio where they observed Clancy standing next to a picnic table. The officers ordered him to put his hands on the picnic table. Blood was coming from a wound on Clancy’s head caused by the beer bottle. A Med-Star ambulance was dispatched to the scene and under police observation Clancy was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital to have his wound treated.

Written statements about the incident were given by Macklin, Gulley and Crystal Babbitt, who witnessed the altercation. During the investigation, it was discovered that Gulley had an outstanding warrant so he was transported to the Randolph County Jail in Chester. Red Bud Assistant Police Chief Dan Brotz waited for Clancy to be released from the hospital and transported him to the police department where he was read his Miranda rights. Clancy agreed to sign a consent form to have his residence searched. When no other weapons were found in his house, Clancy was transported to the Randolph County Jail. According to Brotz, additional charges are pending regarding the incident. Clancy and Gulley are now awaiting a time to appear before a Randolph County judge.  (Information provided by the North County News of Red Bud.)

Willie’s Corner Bar on North Market Street in downtown Red Bud.             – photo by North County News

 

Fire Destroys Historic Farm House

The old Sellers Farm House along Quarry Road in rural Columbia was destroyed by fire Tuesday night, April 27. A passerby noticed smoke rising from the structure just after 9 p.m. Firefighters from Columbia, Millstadt and Smithton responded to the house, located along a dirt road about one-eighth of a mile off Quarry Road near the Fairfield Golf Course. When firefighters arrived, the structure was completely engulfed in flames. They were able to put out the blaze in about an hour, but the building was completely destroyed. Columbia Fire Chief Mike Roediger said at this point they are unable to determine a cause.

The home and surrounding property were recently purchased by the State Of Illinois because the Department of Conservation had designated the home as historic. The home was previously occupied by the late Rose and Arlie Sellers, but the home had been vacant for many years. Their daughter Gina Muskopf resides in the City of Columbia.

Smithton firefighter Patrick Nichols, left, makes his way into the burning farm house last night. Helping him out is Columbia firefighter Danny Callis.

 

Columbia and Millstadt firefighters work to put out the burning farm house along Quarry Road.

 

A St. Clair County coroner’s jury officially ruled today that the Feb. 20 deaths of Kathy Baxmeyer, Kadin Baxmeyer, 7, and Steven “Austin” Baum as an accidental drowning. The three had fallen through a lake near the home of Kathy and her husband, John Baxmeyer, on Loehr Road in rural Paderborn.

 

Oak Hill Senior Center in Waterloo will honor May as being Older Americans Month. They will kick off the celebration with a balloon lift off Friday, April 30 at 2 p.m. County Commissioner Delbert Wittenauer is the guest speaker and will read a proclamation declaring May as Older Americans Month in Monroe County with the theme “Age Strong! Live Long!” Following the balloon launch, the Waterloo German Band will provide musical entertainment.

 

Open House For Retiring Columbia Teachers: The public is invited to an open house today, Wednesday, April 28 to honor retiring Columbia School District teachers Patti French, Barry Krizan, Gena Ronshausen and Sue Watters. The event will be held at the high school cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Sports Wrap-Up: In baseball, Gibault defeated St. Pius at home by a score of 7-5. Valmeyer was also at home and defeated Lebanon 9-1. In girls’ soccer, the Columbia Lady Eagles traveled to Freeburg and blanked the Midgets 4-0.

 Valmeyer pitcher Ben Wuelling pitched seven strong innings, striking out seven batters as Valmeyer defeated Lebanon 9-1.        – photo by Bob Haentzler