(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

March 21 – Gary A. Braden, 43, of Herrin, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant and for expired registration on I-255 at milepost 7.4.

Millstadt Police

March 15 – Kristopher C. Howell, 56, of Millstadt, was charged with three counts of criminal sexual abuse following an investigation initiated in October. His bond was set at $75,000.

March 21 – Cynthia L. Dori, 59, of Millstadt, was cited for public intoxication in the 200 block of West Madison Street.

Monroe County Sheriff

March 20 – Alexis N. Caber, 25, of Belleville, was picked up on an arrest warrant for possession of methamphetamine.

March 20 – A resident of Brand Lake Drive reported a possible case of identity theft. An insurance policy was opened fraudulently using their personal information in an attempt to purchase a vehicle in North Carolina.

March 20 – A two-car crash occurred shortly before 7:15 p.m. on Route 3 west of Polacek Drive. A southbound Mercury Mariner driven by Susan M. Cowell, 44, of Red Bud, rear-ended a 1999 Lincoln Town Car driven by Donald M. Bertram, 74, of Waterloo. Bertram was transported by ambulance to Red Bud Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

March 21 – Denton L. Eickelschulte, 23, of Fowler, was arrested for felony possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (more than 30 grams but less than 500 grams) following a traffic stop on I-255 conducted in partnership with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois.

March 23 – Donald Tutor, 47, of Dupo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

March 24 – Kari Trankle, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine following a traffic stop on Route 3 at GG Road conducted in partnership with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois.

March 25 – Krystal Howerton, 30, of St. Ann, Mo., was arrested on a federal warrant.

March 26 – Miranda Phillips, 41, of Mt. Vernon, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and three counts of possession of a controlled substance (tramadol, oxycontin, morphine sulfate) during a traffic stop conducted in partnership with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois.

Waterloo Police

March 18 – Scott Semko, 20, of Belleville, was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor.

March 25 – Amanda Price, 33, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant in the 700 block of Columbia Avenue.

March 26 – Kevin Volner, 57, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage and failure to yield following a two-vehicle crash that occurred about 4 p.m. on Country Club Lane at Route 3.

Gerard Bieber

A Waterloo man was found guilty on all three counts related to the delivery of methamphetamine during a jury trial held this week at the Monroe County Courthouse.

Following just 40 minutes of deliberation, a jury on Wednesday found Gerard B. Bieber, 60, guilty on two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of meth with the intent to deliver and one count of possession of meth with intent to deliver.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted in 2016 by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois in cooperation with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. Court information states that Bieber’s residence in the 100 block of North Moore Street in Waterloo was protected by one or more firearms and a surveillance system to aid in his meth dealings.

Monroe County State’s Attorney Chris Hitzemann, who prosecuted the case, explained that the non-aggravated meth delivery charge will be merged into the more serious aggravated charges for the purposes of sentencing on June 6.

Bieber faces a prison sentence of six to 30 years.

Judge Heinz Rudolf presided over the case; Bieber was represented at trial by defense attorney Darren Daley.

Pictured, from left, Jennifer Ceradsky, Tara Masidonski and Jill Bauer address the Columbia City Council about traffic safety on Columbia’s Route 3. (Andrea Saathoff photo)

Representatives of the Facebook group “Citizens Demanding Change on Illinois Route 3, Columbia, Illinois” addressed the Columbia City Council, Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul and Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing at Monday’s meeting of the Columbia City Council.

The group was founded in 2015 following a crash at Route 3 and Admiral Parkway that seriously injured young Nikki Warnecke of New Athens, who was a passenger in a car that was hit by Katherine Brinkley, 27, of Waterloo. Brinkley, who was traveling northbound on Route 3 and ran the red light at a high rate of speed, hit the passenger side of the Pontiac G6 Warnecke was in. 

Brinkley, who was out on bond at the time of the crash for drug possession, was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison.

But the crash that has people talking and demanding change occurred much more recently, when mother Emily Webb’s SUV was hit by a dump truck at the intersection, killing her instantly and injuring her six children.

“This website came out to bring awareness to the issues that were going on on Route 3, with just a variety of different concerns that citizens had,” said Mayor Kevin Hutchinson.

The page has become a sounding board for people venting about drivers, offering suggestions for improving traffic safety and questioning existing procedures. Areas of concern, while primarily centered on the Route 3 corridor through Columbia, extend south to Hanover Road and along Columbia’s Main Street. 

“We’ve obviously been watching and monitoring the website and we thought it was a great time for you to come in and address the council,” Hutchinson said.

Group administrators Tara Masidonski, Jennifer Ceradsky and Jill Bauer all addressed the council…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the April 4, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.

Pictured are the trailer and mower that were stolen along with a Ford F250 truck in Columbia.

Columbia police are investigating the Saturday morning theft of a pickup truck with a trailer hauling a riding lawnmower.

Police were notified shortly after 5:40 a.m. that a pewter 2002 Ford F250 standard cab pickup truck with an attached 16-foot trailer hauling a 2017 John Deere Z915E zero-turn commercial mower was reported stolen from the 200 block of West Temple Street.

The owner of the stolen truck said the suspects are two men wearing hoodies in a red truck.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Columbia Police Department at 281-5151.

Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul said Ford F250 trucks are being targeted for theft in the St. Louis area of late.

On March 24, Columbia police and fire department personnel responded to a 2000 Ford F250 on fire at the 18th hole of River Lakes Golf Course off Ramsey Road about 6:20 a.m. After the fire was extinguished, police were able to determine that the truck was reported stolen out of Collinsville.

In October 2016, a Ford F250 was reported stolen from outside of a Waterloo home. For more on that incident, click here.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

March 24

Columbia police and fire department personnel responded to a vehicle on fire at the 18th hole of River Lakes Golf Course off Ramsey Road about 6:20 a.m. After the fire was extinguished, police were able to determine that the vehicle, a 2000 Ford F250, was reported stolen out of Collinsville and the case was forwarded to the proper police agency for investigation.

March 27

Daniel Garcia, 42, of Columbia, was arrested for domestic battery at 548 S. Main Street, Lot 15.

March 30

David E. Blanton, 50, of Dupo, was arrested for DUI and improper lane usage on Route 3 northbound at the I-255 split.

Illinois State Police

April 3

The Hecker Fire Department assisted ISP and Millstadt EMS personnel in responding to a single vehicle crash on Route 159 at Route 156 near Nu-Deal Oil about 6 a.m. The male driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the crash.

Monroe County Sheriff

March 28

A burglary reported in the area of 3400 HH Road is under investigation. A workshop was broken into on the property overnight. An ISP crime scene unit assisted in collecting evidence.

Britny N. Mynch, 28, of New Athens, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant.

Corrine Lockett, 21, of Waterloo, was arrested on an in-state warrant.

April 1

Brent A. Bergmann, 18, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, fleeing and eluding police, and multiple traffic violations after leading Waterloo officers and sheriff’s department deputies in a pursuit on North Market Street and HH Road before crashing his motorcycle in a field near Gall Road about 2:30 a.m.

Travis Bequette, 37, of Summerfield, was arrested for obstructing identification and on a Clinton County warrant following a 3:40 a.m. traffic stop.

Waterloo Police

March 22

A possible report of disorderly conduct involving students at Waterloo High School is under investigation.

Christopher Whittington, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage, and driving on a suspended license in the 100 block of East Third Street.

March 23

Tina Corey, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for driving while license suspended.

March 28

Timothy L. Lytle, 37, of St. Louis, was arrested on an in-state warrant for violation of an order of protection.

March 29

Ricky Muertz, 55, of Waterloo, was arrested on Route 156 for a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.

March 30

Laura Acton, 27, of Waterloo, was arrested for unlawful possession of a hypodermic syringe.

March 31

Mitchell Kohnz, 24, of Springfield, Mo., was arrested on a Monroe County warrant and also for no insurance and expired registration following a traffic stop on South Church Street at West Third Street.

Richard I. Jones, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant in the 200 block of North Main Street.

April 2

Chance U. Armstrong, 20, of Lenzburg, was arrested for possession of cannabis on Route 156 at Park Street.

April 3

Chad Ruehle, 43, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant stemming from an ordinance violation.

Police are investigating the theft of many prescription medications from the Columbia Walgreens pharmacy following an early Wednesday morning break-in.

“They were in and out of there quick, probably less than three minutes,” Columbia Deputy Police Chief Jason Donjon said.

The incident occurred about 4:30 a.m. Columbia police responded to a burglar alarm sounding at Walgreens and arrived to see the front door of the business pried open. There were no suspects in sight upon police arrival, Donjon said.

Upon gaining entry through the main door of the business, located at 100 Admiral Weinel Boulevard, the suspect then broke through the locked pharmacy area and stole a large amount of opioids and controlled substances before exiting.

“He put them all in a bag and ran out,” Donjon said.

The Columbia Police Department has received assistance from a Monroe County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit and Illinois State Police crime scene unit in its investigation of the incident.

As part of Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul’s quest to increase traffic safety along the Route 3 corridor, he announced several steps he intends to take toward that end during a Columbia City Council committee meeting Monday night.

Paul is asking the city council to add funds to the fiscal year 2018-19 budget to allow the department to hire a 17th police officer for the city, which will be a dedicated traffic officer for Route 3 enforcement. The Committee of the Whole heard Paul’s request Monday night and the full city council will vote on the budget during its April 15 meeting.

“I think we can change the behavior and that’s what I’d like to do with the 17th officer,” Paul told council members.

“I envision at some point in the future we would be able to pull that officer off and maybe onto Gall Road, Columbia Lakes Drive, out in the different wards where we have problems,” Paul added.

Taking into consideration comments on the “Citizens Demanding Change on Illinois Route 3, Columbia, Illinois” group Facebook page and concerns identified by city and police officials, Paul also has a list of seven action items he will submit to the Illinois Department of Transportation for improved Route 3 safety…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the April 11, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.

Stephen Jaycox

A local man known for playing guitar in rock bands such as Dazed n Confused STL died in an accident inside his home over the weekend.

Stephen A. Jaycox, 32, of Fults, was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. Friday, April 13, according to a press release from Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill.

The coroner was requested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department to respond to a residence in the 3400 block of Altes Road in Fults for a deceased male.

“The investigation conducted at the scene shows Mr. Jaycox had fallen down a set of stairs leading to the basement,” Hill stated in the press release.

An official cause of death is pending toxicology results, Hill said.

Funeral arrangements for Jaycox are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

“Spirits high. Head up. I believe that’s what Stephen would want us to say to you all,” the band Dazed n Confused STL posted Saturday morning on its Facebook page.

The band will perform during a special “Jaycox Celebration of Life Party” set for Friday, May 11 at Tiny’s Pub & Grill in Columbia. There will be a suggested donation cover charge of $10 to assist with funeral costs for their former bandmate.

Cynthia Dori

A Millstadt woman is facing a felony charge after police said she was driving drunk through several yards early Sunday morning in rural St. Clair County.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department responded about 2:30 a.m. to the area of 5600 Saxtown Road for a vehicle driving through yards and causing damage to property.

Upon arrival, deputies found a 2002 Jeep stuck in a field about 150 feet off the roadway. The vehicle was still occupied by a female.

The female, later identified as 59-year-old Cynthia Dori of Millstadt, was detained as deputies assessed the damage and spoke with residents in the area.

“It was discovered that the Jeep had driven through properties all along the 5500 and 5600 block of Saxtown Road,” St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Bruce Fleshren stated in a press release. “While doing so, the Jeep had struck at least four mailboxes. It also drove through a couple of sections of fence and a gate while also doing damage to landscaping at one particular residence that is estimated to be close to $10,000 in damage.”

On Monday, Dori was charged with DUI and felony criminal damage to property.

Dori remains in the St. Clair County Jail with bond set at $50,000.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

April 4

Mitchell P. Runzo, 21, of Waterloo, was arrested for violating an order of protection and for speeding on Ferkel Street at Centerville Road.

April 6

Devon K. Sheprow, 32, of Columbia, was arrested for domestic battery at 11 Meadow Ridge East.

April 7

Christain L. Stephenson, 37, of East Carondelet, was arrested on multiple St. Clair County warrants at Red Roof Liquor and Lottery, 301 Southport Drive.

Ryan J. Burle, 23, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, failure to signal and improper lighting on Route 3 at Palmer Road.

April 8

Ashley E. O’Donnell, 35, of Millstadt, was arrested for DUI, no insurance, and improper lane usage at 100 Admiral Weinel Boulevard.

Mark E. Maxwell, 34, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, and no insurance on Bluff Road at DD Road.

Andrew J. Donelson, 27, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI and speeding on Route 3 southbound at Gilmore Lake Road.

April 9

John M. Rodriguez, 51, of Hecker, was arrested for possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, expired registration and driving while license revoked on Route 3 northbound at the I-255 split.

Illinois State Police

March 27

Tristan A. Ketterling, 31, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage following a crash shortly after 8:30 p.m. on I-255 eastbound in Columbia.

Millstadt Police

April 4

Christopher S. Cothran Jr., 27, of St. Louis, was arrested on a St. Clair County traffic warrant in the 400 block of North Jefferson Street.

Monroe County Sheriff

April 4

Michelle E. Presti, 27, of St. Louis, was arrested for felony false personation of a peace officer after court information states she “knowingly and falsely represented herself to be a Missouri probation and parole officer” in an attempt to contact her boyfriend, who was an inmate at the county jail.

April 6

Michael Sylvestri, 25, of Granite City, was arrested on two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon (dagger, billy club) on Route 159 just north of Route 156 in Hecker.

April 7

The theft of a flatbed trailer in the area of 5800 Grandview Trail, which was later recovered, is under investigation.

Michael E. Wilson, 61, of Prairie du Rocher, was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital for injuries sustained when his GMC Sierra veered off the roadway, struck an embankment and went airborne before coming to rest in a ditch off Route 159 north of LL Road near Hecker at about 12:50 a.m.

Waterloo Police

March 30

Laura Acton, 27, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of a hypodermic syringe at Ruby’s, 949 N. Illinois Route 3.

April 6

Deanne Junge, 36, of Red Bud, was arrested on a Randolph County warrant and also for no insurance and driving while license suspended on Route 3 at Vandebrook Drive.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police

April 12 – Lukas M. Skalisius, 24, of St. Louis, was arrested on St. Clair County and Jersey County warrants at 250 Columbia Centre.

April 13 – Eddie D. Lormis, 52, of Hillsboro, Mo., was arrested on an out-of-state warrant and for driving while license suspended and no seat belt at 140 Columbia Centre.

April 16 – Columbia police, fire and EMS responded about 5:20 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash with road blockage on Ghent Road at Quarry Road. Injuries were believed to be minor.

Monroe County Sheriff

April 10 – A possible disturbance stemming from a road rage incident in Hecker has been forwarded to the state’s attorney to review for possible charges.

Waterloo Police

April 5 – Matthew Rich, 42, of Waterloo, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant.

April 8 – Jakob Keller, 24, of Renault, was cited for speeding (107 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone) and reckless driving after the Chevrolet Camaro he was driving was pulled over on Route 3 at South Library Street.

April 10 – Tammara L. Freestone, 39, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and improper lane usage on Route 3 at Columbia Avenue. A short time later, Freestone was arrested for domestic battery in the 800 block of Illinois Avenue. Following this arrest, she was additionally charged with felony criminal damage to government supported property, that being a holding cell at the Waterloo Police Department.

 April 11 – Candace M. Werner, 30, of Waterloo, was arrested in the 700 block of Marney Lane for felony aggravated battery. Court information states that Werner struck a woman who is more than 60 years of age in the face several times with her fist and struck her in the back. 

 April 11 – The theft of a 1993 Ford F-150 owned by Ss. Peter & Paul Parish at 204 W. Mill Street is under investigation. The truck was stolen between 8 p.m. April 10 and 6 a.m. April 11. On April 14, Marissa police stopped the vehicle and questioned the male driver inside. Police are still trying to determine if he was involved in the theft or if he simply purchased the truck from someone else.

April 12 – Curtis McBride, 28, of East St. Louis, was arrested for obstructing identification and unlawful display of a temporary vehicle registration sticker.

April 14 – No injuries were reported following a vehicle rollover crash about 6:50 a.m. at 800 N. Illinois Route 3. The vehicle involved was a Pontiac Grand Am driven by Joseph R. Barbeau, 30, of Red Bud.

April 16 – Justin Kent, 33, of Red Bud, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant on Rogers Street at Covington Drive.

April 16 – Waterloo police and fire and Monroe County EMS responded about 8:35 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Route 3 at Warren Drive. The vehicles involved were a Ford Edge and a Ford F-150. Injuries were believed to be minor.

Columbia High School principal Brian Reeves emailed parents Thursday after he discovered a student recently expelled for two years for earlier threats made another concerning social media post last week.

“This morning, I was made aware of a social media post from a former Columbia High School student,” the email from Reeves states. “The post has raised concern about the student’s potential return to campus. 

“For your information, the student in question is prohibited from being on school grounds per the Board of Education’s action taken on April 9. We have assured concerned students that the student will not be returning to CHS. Additionally, I have contacted the proper authorities regarding this matter.” 

The Columbia Police Department was notified of this latest social media post. During the Columbia School Board meeting Thursday, parent Rhonda Reese addressed the board regarding the post and about adding a resource officer to the school…>>>

Read the rest of this article in the April 25, 2018, issue of the Republic-Times newspaper.

If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.

Matthew Sauer

Matthew Nichols

Multiple police agencies were involved in the Tuesday arrest of two men on felony drug charges south of Waterloo.

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said members of the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Waterloo Police Department executed a search warrant at 5601 Kaskaskia Road. A Waterloo detective investigating an unrelated case in smelled a strong odor of cannabis as he approached the residence, prompting a request for assistance from MEGSI and the MCSD.

The resident, Matthew Sauer, 31, of Waterloo, was taken into custody and charged with unlawful production of cannabis and criminal fortification of a residence.

Matthew Nichols, 25, of Columbia, was also taken into custody for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.

On Wednesday, Sauer and Nichols were arraigned on charges with bond set at $10,000. Sauer posted bond and was released, but Nichols remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail.

Emergency personnel responded to a fatal one-vehicle crash that occurred early Sunday morning near Red Bud.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Red Bud Fire Department and Monroe County EMS responded shortly before 5:30 a.m. to a vehicle on fire off the roadway at LL Road near Powell Road. The vehicle was later determined to have crashed.

The Monroe County coroner’s office is working to identify the vehicle occupant as police continue to investigate the crash.

Check back for more details as they become available.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police
April 17 – Shortly before 7:45 p.m., Columbia police received multiple reports of a man lying on the ground along I-255 westbound near mile marker 5. A Monroe County EMS ambulance was returning from a St. Louis hospital and stopped to assist. When Columbia officers arrived on scene, they observed a 2016 Volkswagen car nearby. The man, identified as Christopher Shadowens, 55, of Waterloo, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of a seizure and released a short time later. Shadowens was arrested for DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol and transported to the Monroe County Jail. 

Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern IL
April 16 – Nicholas A. Ahrens, 48, of Waterloo, was arrested on Route 3 at Park Street in Waterloo for possession of methamphetamine. Also arrested was Samantha M. Rachels, 22, of Waterloo, on two counts of possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam, clonazepam).

April 17 – Eugene P. Huebner, 48, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) on North Moore Street at Columbia Avenue in Waterloo.

Millstadt Police
April 11 – Klayton M. Skaer, 20, of Millstadt, was charged with theft and two counts of felony disorderly conduct. On Feb. 14, the police department investigated two malicious false alarm calls made to the Millstadt Fire Department. It was also learned the same subject had stolen the Alpine Trails subdivision sign on the same evening of the false alarms. 

April 17 – Matthew C. Rautman, 32, of Millstadt, was arrested on a St. Clair County traffic warrant and a Millstadt ordinance violation warrant (tampering with waterworks).

April 18 – Police responded at 1 p.m. to Lee’s Home Center on South Illinois Street for a retail theft that had just occurred. A male subject had fled with a power tool set valued at more than $300. Employees attempted to stop the suspect, with a female employee getting on the hood of the suspect’s vehicle. The driver began to accelerate and the employee fell off the vehicle. She was uninjured. On April 19, the Dupo Police Department stopped the suspect vehicle and apprehended the suspect, who was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Brandon L. Krueger, 25, of Dupo, was charged with felony retail theft and possession of meth.

Monroe County Sheriff
April 16 – The theft of a socket set and other tools from a toolbox on a Chevrolet Silverado on Melinda Street in Hecker is under investigation. 

April 18 – The theft of a locating system for an underground construction drill in the area of 6200 Illinois Route 3 is under investigation.

April 19 – Stephanie Lord, 26, of Dupo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

April 20 – Michael E. Conrad, 62, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery in the 5500 block of Konarcik Road.

April 22 – Dustin Schlemmer, 29, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (heroin) and for a Monroe County warrant on Allen Street at Richard Street in Waterloo.

April 22 – Carol Raby, 48, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery on KK Road.

April 23 – John W. Kirkley, 31, of Waterloo, was arrested for criminal damage to property at 5244 Kaskaskia Road.

Valmeyer Police
April 18 – Mandy Herring, 40, of Valmeyer, was arrested for retail theft at Mike’s Convenience Store.

Waterloo Police
April 16 – The theft of a flatbed trailer from Fuller Construction, 1305 N. Illinois Route 3, is under investigation.

April 17 – Dylan Kent, 24, of Red Bud, was arrested for DUI on Route 3 at Plaza Drive.

 April 19 – Two students were issued city ordinance violations for public fighting at Waterloo High School.

April 20 – A juvenile was arrested on a failure to appear warrant at Walmart, 961 N. Market Street.

Firefighters assess the damage following a structure fire at The Corner Reef in Columbia. (Sean McGowan photo)

The Columbia Fire Department responded at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday to a working structure fire at The Corner Reef, 115 E. Whiteside Street, in downtown Columbia.

CFD initially requested mutual aid from Waterloo and Millstadt fire departments but Waterloo stayed at its engine house when firefighters managed to extinguish the flames within 10 minutes, Columbia Assistant Fire Chief Jim Broshears said. Millstadt supplied a pumper and manpower.

Broshears told the Republic-Times that the entire space The Corner Reef occupies sustained smoke, fire and water damage. The east end of the garage where the fire originated sustained most of the damage. He referred to the cause of the fire as electrical in nature.

The Corner Reef owners were able to get “just about all of” the fish out of the facility, Broshears added.

“They were taking their fish out of there to a safe location,” he said.

Broshears said the building is covered by insurance. The Corner Reef sells wild and aqua cultured/tank raised corals and fish, the business’ Facebook page states.

“Everyone is OK but The Corner Reef is going to be closed today. I don’t see us opening back up in Columbia,” the ownership shared on Facebook.

Sora Kuykendall

Sora Kuykendall, formerly Jordan Kuykendall, was in a Monroe County courtroom this morning to appear in front of Judge Heinz Rudolph regarding a petition for post-conviction relief filed in March.

“I argued the State’s Motion to Dismiss Jordan (Sora) Kuykendall’s Petition for Post-Conviction Relief this morning before Judge Heinz Rudolf, and the Motion was granted, putting at least a temporary end to the matter,” said Monroe County State’s Attorney Chris Hitzemann.

Kuykendall is serving a 40-year sentence at Menard Correctional Center in Chester for the June 27, 2013, stabbing death of former girlfriend and Columbia High School student Erin Schneider.

Her attorneys argue there was a “substantial denial” of rights under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against “cruel and unusual punishment.”

At the crux of the argument is that Kuykendall, who is transgender and now identifies as a female named Sora, was not in a mental state to fully understand the consequences of her plea due to the emotional stress of being transgender as well as suffering from major depression and personality disorder.

“I would expect opposing counsel to appeal the decision to dismiss the petition to the 5^th District Court of Appeals,” Hitzemann added. “Opposing counsel and I will be working through a final order to be submitted to Judge Rudolf and signed within the next couple days.”

Kuykendall is also part of a class action lawsuit lodged by the American Civil Liberties Union. She is one of six Illinois Department of Corrections transgender inmates who are part of the suit against the Illinois Department of Corrections, Gov. Bruce Rauner and others, for “gross inadequacies in the medical treatment provided to prisoners with gender dysphoria,” according to a statement by ACLU Illinois.

Among the allegations in the suit are that Kuykendall has been denied evaluation for gender reassignment surgery and social transitioning and was not given gender affirming clothing and grooming supplies.

A Randolph County man who was arrested following a police chase between Hecker and Waterloo in August 2015 was sentenced Thursday to federal prison on methamphetamine charges.

Joseph S. Hatley, 39, of Tilden, was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to Donald S. Boyce, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

Hatley’s federal sentence was ordered to run consecutively to any previously imposed state sentence.

Evidence presented in court established that Hatley was involved with other persons in the manufacture and distribution of meth in Southern Illinois. Co-defendants Dyllan Wayland and Colty Peak were previously sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment and 140 months’ imprisonment, respectively, for their roles in the conspiracy.

The conspiracy occurred between November 2013 and August 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Monroe, Jackson and St. Clair counties.

At sentencing, the judge found Hatley responsible for the distribution of 1.76 kilograms of meth and 283.5 grams of ice. Ice is methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80 percent.

Hatley was also found responsible for the unlawful possession of 28.8 grams of pseudoephedrine.

His sentence was enhanced based on his reckless endangerment of others during the Aug. 18, 2015 police pursuit in Monroe County.

Hatley led authorities on a chase beginning at about 8 p.m. along Route 156 between Hecker and Waterloo before being pulled over at Wayne’s One Stop on South Market Street in Waterloo after Monroe County sheriff’s deputies deployed spike sticks to puncture the tires of the Dodge Caliber he was driving.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Hatley in Hecker, but he refused to stop and began to throw a white powdery substance from his vehicle while traveling west on Route 156 toward Waterloo. While fleeing, Hatley also drove in the eastbound lane of Route 156 on numerous occasions.

Deputies collected crystal meth, a digital scale, a large amount of U.S. currency, and other items of paraphernalia as evidence in the case.

For more on Hatley’s 2015 arrest click here.

Pictured is the crash scene Sunday in Columbia. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Columbia police, fire department and EMS personnel responded shortly before noon Sunday to a three-vehicle crash with injuries on Admiral Parkway (Route 3) at Veterans Parkway. One of the vehicles was on its side with extrication required.

Traffic on southbound Route 3 was diverted as emergency personnel tended to the crash. The crash scene was cleared and traffic at the intersection returned to normal by about 12:45 p.m.

Police said a 2012 Buick Lacrosse driven by Kathleen Kinkel, 73, of Troy, was traveling south on Route 3 when it ran the red light at Veterans Parkway and collided with a 2014 Buick Encore driven by Robert Layton, 83, of Columbia, which was traveling west through the intersection on Veterans Parkway. Layton’s vehicle then collided with a 2015 Ford Explorer driven by Melissa Wilson, 43, of Columbia, which was stopped at the light on eastbound Veterans Parkway.

Kinkel and Layton were both transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash.

Police said Kinkel was issued citations for disobeying a traffic control device and driving too fast for conditions.

(Editor’s note: Information in this report is gathered directly from area police agencies, county courts and emergency radio dispatch. The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and charges may sometimes be dropped or reduced as part of the legal process.)

Columbia Police
April 26
Antoine C. Porter, 46, of St. Louis, was arrested on an in-state warrant and for driving while license suspended.

Police terminated pursuit following a brief attempt to stop a speeding motorcycle about 2 p.m. The red motorcycle had a driver wearing a black helmet and black jacket, and failed to stop when an officer attempted to pull it over on Main Street. The motorcycle continued north onto Route 3 and then I-255, traveling west into St. Louis County at a high rate of speed.

April 27
Jennifer C. Strubberg, 41, of Belleville, was arrested on a felony warrant for retail theft out of Madison County, and also for possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license suspended on I-255.

April 29
Carter B. Simmonds, 19, of St. Louis, was arrested on an in-state warrant and for improper use of registration, no insurance and driving while license suspended on I-255.

April 30
Robert Ash, 18, of Belleville, was arrested for domestic battery and unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence in the 400 block of East Cherry Street.

Millstadt Police
April 22
Charles D. Worden, 59, of Millstadt, was issued a village ordinance citation for trespassing at Millstadt Community Center during a private event.

April 29
James J. Betts, 43, of Caseyville, was arrested in the 300 block of South Illinois Street on two outstanding felony arrest warrants (possession of methamphetamine and a probation violation) out of St. Clair County.

Monroe County Sheriff
April 23
The theft of seven concrete stamps from a property in the area of 1300 Stumpf Lane between April 2 and April 18 is under investigation.

April 26
James Setzer, 42, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant at 310 Hickory Street in Waterloo.

Roger D. Strong, 57, of Waterloo, crashed his 2017 Audi A7 about 11:20 p.m. on Country Club Lane just west of Sherwood Lane. A passenger, Eric A. Brueggemann, 23, of Waterloo, went to Red Bud Regional Hospital by personal vehicle for treatment of a minor injury.

April 27
Willie L. Harper Jr., 21, of St. Louis, was arrested on Route 3 at Hanover Road for unlawful use of a weapon, that being an uncased and loaded firearm.

April 28
Madeline Smith-Snodgrass, 44, of Waterloo, was cited for disorderly conduct after allegedly firing a 9 millimeter pistol in the air with another person nearby in the 900 block of Country Club Lane at about 2 a.m.

Pete Goodman, 44, of Waterloo, was arrested on two felony counts of domestic battery and also for unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence in the 6000 block of Old Red Bud Road.

April 29
Charges are pending against multiple individuals following an altercation in the area of 5500 State Route 159. One person was sent to the hospital in the incident.

Lyn Falk Ahne, 46, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI on Route 156 at Goeddeltown Road.

Burglaries reported at 5919 L Road and at Hecker Sportsman’s Club are under investigation. Tools were missing from the outbuilding on L Road, and a lawnmower was stolen from the Sportsman’s Club.

Waterloo Police
April 23
Taylor A. Lloyd, 20, of Waterloo, was charged with criminal trespass to a residence and burglary to motor vehicle in connection with a March 30, 2017, incident in the 1200 block of North Moore Street.

April 26
Waterloo Fire Chief Aaron Shive said scam callers are soliciting money locally using the department’s name. Shive warned residents to not accept or provide information if you receive such a call.

April 27
Possible charges are pending following a fight on Main Street in front of Randy’s RR Bar shortly after 12:30 a.m. One person was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of injuries sustained in the incident.

April 28
Cynthia L. Dori, 59, of Millstadt, was arrested for aggravated battery in a public place following an incident at Outsiders Tavern, 110 S. Market Street shortly before 11 a.m. Court information alleges that Dori “struck and pushed Patrick Meegan with her fist.”