(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
June 6
A 17-year-old was arrested for DUI, possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of alcohol and improper lane usage following a 6 a.m. traffic stop at 11563 Bluff Road.
June 7
Jamie K. Hurst, 34, of Columbia, and Donald J. Gorman Jr., 43, of Rushville, Mo., were each charged with possession of methamphetamine on I-255 westbound. Hurst was also arrested for driving while license suspended and Gorman was arrested on a fugitive from justice out-of-state warrant.
Jennifer R. Smith, 36, of Festus, Mo., was arrested on an in-state warrant at 859 Sunnyhill Lane.
June 10
Stephen A. Jones, 33, of Hazelwood, Mo., was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant and for no insurance on I-255 westbound.
June 11
Deann J. Touchette, 40, of Columbia, was arrested for theft at 548 S. Main Street, Lot 19.
June 13
Police assisted the Columbia Fire Department in responding about 7:45 p.m. to 1434 Frontage Road off Route 3 for a report of a tree down on power lines with smoke showing. A rain storm with lightning was occurring at the time of the report.

Monroe County Sheriff
June 3
Brandyn Fadler, 19, of Red Bud, was cited for misrepresentation of age by a minor after allegedly presenting a fake ID to purchase alcohol at Select Fuel near Red Bud.
June 4
Zachary L. Dobbs, 18, of Red Bud, was cited for misrepresentation of age by a minor after allegedly presenting a fake ID to purchase alcohol at Select Fuel near Red Bud.
June 6
Sergio A. Raisch, 21, of Columbia, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on Bluff Road just north of Hanover Road.
June 12
The report of a 2001 Bryant 10-person ski boat and 2008 Haul Rite trailer stolen from a driveway in the area of 8300 Bluff Road is under investigation. The theft is believed to have occurred between 6 p.m. June 11 and 6 p.m. June 12.
Christopher Etherton, 33, of Willisville, and Melanie Murray, 35, of Red Bud, were each cited for illegal transportation of alcohol on Obst Road at Brickey Road.

Waterloo Police
June 7
Police assisted Monroe County EMS in responding to a crash involving a car and motorcycle at the intersection of Park Street and Route 3 about 5 p.m. A motorcycle driven by Daniel Everett, 53, of Edwardsville, struck the rear of a Chrysler Sebring driven by a 16-year-old Ruma girl. Everett was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
Sean M. Gibson, 21, of Red Bud, was arrested for retail theft at Walmart. He is alleged to have taken light bulbs from the store.
June 8
Richard Ramsey, 60, of Collinsville, was arrested for retail theft and criminal trespassing at Walmart. He is alleged to have taken laundry items from the store.
Police received a report of a possible large cougar sighting near the dumpster behind Wayne’s One Stop gas station, 620 S. Market Street, about 10 p.m. Officers searched the immediate area of the possible sighting but were unable to locate a cougar.
Duane Stemmley, 47, was arrested for violating an order of protection in the 200 block of Norma Avenue.
June 9
Gordon Gramm, 56, of Waterloo, was arrested on two counts of misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon after police found a firearm in his vehicle on East Front Street.
June 10
An evening crash on Route 3 at North Moore Street in Waterloo resulted in injuries. A Dodge cargo van driven by Melanie Angel, 17, of Waterloo, was attempting to cross Route 3 from Moore Street when her vehicle was struck by a Honda Accord driven by Andrew Cooperman, 51, of Waterloo, which was traveling on Route 3. A Toyota Corolla driven by Marty Kovarik, 25, of Waterloo, was struck as a result of the collision. Angel, who was cited for failure to yield, was transported by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County. Cooperman was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital.
June 11
Brandon Scharf, 24, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
June 12
Dustin Behnken, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Jefferson County, Mo.

Flames are seen shooting through the roof of an apartment complex on Lindeman Avenue in Dupo on Wednesday. (Sean McGowan photo)

Multiple area fire departments responded about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to a two-story apartment complex fire at 406 Lindemann Avenue in Dupo.

While Dupo, Prairie du Pont, Columbia, Cahokia, Millstadt and Signal Hill fire departments battled the fire and excessively hot outdoor temperatures, flames shot through the roof of the complex. The Swansea Fire Department was on standby at the scene. At one point, the fire truck horns were honked, urging firefighters inside the building to evacuate.

Dupo Fire Chief Kurt Johnson said the apartment complex was declared a total loss. The complex was made up of four units, all of which were occupied. These families have been displaced and the American Red Cross is assisting.

Kim Skaggs, a resident of the apartment complex, watched as the virulent flames swallowed up her possessions, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I was at work, and I got a call from (police) that the house was engulfed in flames, and I got home and sure enough it was,” Skaggs said. “I have a 12-year-old daughter,” she uttered in devastation.

Meanwhile, Skaggs brought her Chihuahua-mix dog, which she calls her 3-year-old baby, safely across the street to her neighbor’s apartment. John Hoverson housed Skaggs’ dog and several other pets to keep them a safe distance from the fire.

“I’m just a good neighbor, and they needed a place to stay,” Hoverson said. “I pretty much know what’s going on around the neighborhood most of the time.”

According to Johnson, the fire originated in the first floor laundry room with a cause yet to be determined. Firefighters remained on scene until about 4:30 p.m.

The Columbia Police Department is asking the community for assistance in solving a new rash of vehicle “smash-and-grabs” in town over recent days.

As of Friday, there have been three reported incidents of parked vehicles having their windows smashed out. Items left in plain view inside the vehicles were stolen, police said.

The first two break-ins occurred outside the Columbia Bath & Tennis Club, located at 234 W. Temple Drive, in broad daylight while people were swimming there on Father’s Day. A 2013 Ford SUV had one of its windows broken out with various items stolen. A window was also broken out of a 2007 Ford, but nothing was reported missing from inside that vehicle.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. Thursday, another such smash-and-grab was reported in the 900 block of Meadowview Lane. Police said a vehicle owner observed a window shattered on their Chevrolet four-door with various items missing.

The doors were locked on all three vehicles involved in these incidents, Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul said, but valuables were kept in plain view inside each. Illinois State Police crime scene investigators assisted the CPD in processing all three vehicles.

Police are encouraging residents to remove valuable items from inside vehicles, or at least hide them from plain view or store them in the trunk.

Those who may have observed recent suspicious activity near parked vehicles in Columbia are asked to call the CPD at 281-5151.

Devin S. Rammacher

Stephen E. Norman

Ashley N. Schmidt

Area law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend three suspects who stole more than $300 worth of items from the Waterloo Walmart early Wednesday morning and led police on a pursuit in Columbia before their eventual capture.

Arrested and charged with felony retail theft in connection with the incident are Stephen E. Norman, 28, Devin S. Rammacher, 27, and Ashley N. Schmidt, 23, all of Dupo. They are in custody at the Monroe County Jail in Waterloo with bond set at $50,000 each.

Police said the three took video games and other items from Walmart about 3 a.m. and drove off in a green 2009 Chevy Malibu. Waterloo police alerted the Columbia Police Department and the car was located by a responding CPD officer in the area of Bluff Road at Valmeyer Road. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the car sped away, leading to a pursuit.

Norman apparently jumped out of the car in the area of Quarry Road at Rueck Road, police said, and fled on foot. The vehicle eventually stopped at a dead end in the area of Rueck Road and Golden Briar Lane, after which Schmidt also left the car and fled on foot. Rammacher, who was driving the car, voluntarily surrendered to police without further incident.

Columbia police requested assistance in locating Schmidt and Norman, with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police and Cahokia and St. Louis County police joining in the search. Cahokia supplied its K-9 unit to assist Columbia’s K-9 unit, with St. Louis County supplying a police helicopter to search from the air. The Columbia Fire Department also assisted in the search by using its infrared thermal imaging camera.

Schmidt was eventually located in the Briar Lake subdivision and was taken into custody, police said. She was charged with resisting arrest in addition to the theft charge.

Norman remained on the run until a fire was reported late Wednesday morning at the apartment complex in which he resides on Lindemann Avenue in Dupo. Dupo police took him into custody shortly after occupants of the burning apartment complex were being accounted for. He was also charged with resisting arrest.

Rammacher was charged with aggravated fleeing along with speeding, disobeying stop signs and other offenses in addition to the theft charge.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

(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
June 14
Summit I. Ruhmann, 19, of Waterloo, was arrested for criminal damage to property, battery and two counts of resisting a police officer following an incident in the Turner Hall parking lot, 211 E. Cherry Street.
Paul M. West, 19, of Millstadt, was arrested for assault and on a Monroe County warrant at Turner Hall.
June 15
Jason L. Booker, 43, of St. Louis, was arrested on three in-state failure to appear warrants at 315 Longview.
June 17
Nicholas A. Shrum, 33, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol and no left side mirror at 307 N. Metter Avenue.
Alexis N. Caber, 23, of Mascoutah, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant.

Conservation Police
June 16
Christopher McClain, 42, of St. Louis, and Brittany Dell, 27, of Fenton, Mo., were each arrested for possession of cannabis near a pond in the area of 705 BB Road. Dell was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Monroe County Sheriff
June 19
Shane A. Buettner, 27, of Burksville, was arrested for domestic battery at 5245 Kaskaskia Road.

Waterloo Police
June 14
Cleo Fulton Jr., 43, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, speeding and expired registration on Route 3 at Rose Lane.
June 20
Susan K. Haney, 50, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery at 206 S. Market Street.

Raymond C. Sampson Jr.

A registered sex offender from Madison County was charged with a felony after he apparently stopped inside a Valmeyer daycare center last week to ask for directions.

Valmeyer police said Raymond C. Sampson Jr., 70, of Pontoon Beach, entered Daytime Discoveries Learning Center, 627 S. Meyer Avenue, on June 23 and asked the center’s owner for directions to Chester. Police stressed that Sampson — who was convicted in 2008 of sexual exploitation of a minor for exposing his genitals to a child, according to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry — had no contact with any of the children inside the daycare facility.

“He may not have even seen any of the kids,” Valmeyer Police Chief Tom Andres said.

The owner told police she thought there was something suspicious about the situation, so she took down the license plate on Sampson’s vehicle as he was driving off and alerted authorities.

“She did the right thing,” Andres said, adding that it was out of the ordinary to ask for directions at a daycare center when a gas station — Mike’s Service Convenience Store at 522 S. Meyer Avenue — is located nearby.

Valmeyer police worked with authorities in Pontoon Beach to track down Sampson after determining him to be a convicted child sex offender that should have known not to enter a daycare center.

“We think he intentionally went in there,” Andres said. “He knew he wasn’t supposed to go there.”

Sampson was charged with unlawful presence at a daycare center by a child sex offender, which is a Class 4 felony. He was transported to the Monroe County Jail with bond set at $25,000. Sampson posted bond Thursday and was released from jail with a preliminary hearing date of July 28 set.

(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
June 19 – Police are asking the community for assistance in solving a rash of vehicle “smash-and-grabs” in town over recent days. As of June 24, there have been three incidents of parked vehicles having their windows smashed out. Items left in plain view inside the vehicles were stolen. The first two break-ins occurred outside Columbia Bath & Tennis Club, 234 W. Temple Drive, in broad daylight while people were swimming there on Father’s Day. A 2013 Ford SUV had one of its windows broken out with various items stolen. A window was also broken out of a 2007 Ford, but nothing was reported missing from that vehicle. Shortly after 5:30 a.m. Thursday, another such smash-and-grab was reported in the 900 block of Meadowview Lane. The vehicle owner observed a window shattered on their Chevrolet four-door with various items missing. The doors were locked on all three vehicles. Illinois State Police crime scene investigators assisted in processing all three vehicles. Those who may have observed suspicious activity near parked vehicles in Columbia are asked to call 281-5151.
June 21 – Amy R. Aubuchon, 45, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, no insurance and driving while license suspended.
June 22 – Pamela A. Conrad, 35, of Belleville, was arrested on a fugitive from justice out-of-state warrant at 548 S. Main Street near Centerville Road.
June 24 – Cody L. Jordan, 24, of Belleville, was arrested for DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol on Crestview at North Main Street.
June 25 – Emergency personnel responded shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to a vehicle rollover crash on I-255 northbound near the George Weber Chevrolet dealership in Columbia. A responding police officer said the male driver was walking around outside of his car upon arrival and appeared to have only sustained minor scrapes and bruises.
June 25 – Jessica L. Casey, 29, of Millstadt, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant at 700 Columbia Centre.
June 25 – William L. Clark, 29, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper driving on shoulder and possession of drug paraphernalia on Admiral Parkway northbound at Eagle Drive.
June 26 – Cody C. Larve, 22, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage and illegal transportation of alcohol on I-255 westbound.
June 26 – Jeffrey S. Wells, 52, of St. Louis, was arrested for DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol at 1034 Valmeyer Road.

Monroe County Sheriff
June 22 – Jeffrey Carson, 39, of St. Louis, was arrested on a failure to pay Monroe County warrant.
June 24 – David Baum, 44, of Fults, was arrested for domestic battery on MM Road.
June 26 – Steven Lawrence, 41, of Hecker, was arrested on two counts of domestic battery on East Lincoln Street in Hecker.
June 27 – Deputies assisted the Monroe County EMS in responding to Route 3 at Sportsman’s Road for a two-vehicle crash with minor injuries about 6:20 p.m.

Waterloo Police
June 2 – Jeremy Deterding, 31, of Prairie du Rocher, was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident on Route 3 at Illinois Avenue.
June 22 – Destiny Silkwood, 20, of St. Louis, was arrested on a contempt of court warrant for failure to pay required fees.

(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
June 27
Gerald A. Kiefer, 47, of Columbia, was arrested for no insurance, driving while license suspended, illegal transportation of alcohol, speeding and driving in the wrong lane on Carl Street at Admiral Parkway.
June 29
Donald K. Malin, 55, of Caseyville, was arrested for driving while license revoked and on an in-state warrant for theft on Admiral Parkway northbound at Eagle Drive.
July 4
Lisa J. Carver, 52, of Godfrey, was arrested for DUI and improper lane usage on Route 3 at Granny Lane.

Illinois State Police
June 30
Donald F. Aten, 49, of Belleville, was charged with felony aggravated DUI (fourth offense) following a May 12 arrest for driving drunk on I-255 in Columbia. He has previous DUI arrests in St. Clair County in 1987, 2004 and 2012.

Monroe County Sheriff
June 30
The reported theft of two window air conditioner units from a home being rehabbed in the area of 7700 D Road is under investigation.
Keith A. Radford, 51, of Waterloo, was charged with felony driving while license revoked (second offense) following a May 27 traffic stop.
July 1
Clifford J. Baerman, 35, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
July 3
Laura Parker was cited for improper lane usage and driving too fast for conditions after the car she was driving crashed into a guardrail on Route 159 near Red Bud about 2:30 a.m. She was transported to Red Bud Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Waterloo Police
June 30
Keith A. Hoock, 38, of East Carondelet, was arrested for retail theft at Circle K, 209 S. Market Street. He is alleged to have stolen a can of beer from the store.
July 1
A retail theft at Walmart is under investigation.
July 3
Thomas Henson, 19, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on Country Club at Rogers Street.

Pictured is one of four new solar-powered speed limit signs recently installed on Fourth and Hamacher Streets in Waterloo. (Corey Saathoff photo)

New flashing speed limit signs on Fourth and Hamacher streets were recently installed in the name of safety near some key Waterloo school zones, it was learned during last week’s meeting of the Waterloo City Council.

Four solar-powered signs were recently put into operation as part of a “Safe Routes to School” grant to the city that also included sidewalk and crosswalk improvements near Zahnow Elementary and Waterloo Junior High schools.

The yellow speed limit signs are located on each end of Fourth Street between Rogers Street and Parkwood Drive near Gardner Elementary, and also on Hamacher Street between Rogers Street and Bellefontaine Drive near Zahnow.

Waterloo public works director Tim Birk said the signs have a built-in radar to detect vehicle speed and displays it in bright-colored numbers as a reminder to exercise caution in school zones. If a particular motorist is exceeding the posted speed limit, a strobe light will flash to alert the driver to slow down…>>>

Read the rest of this story in the July 13 issue of the Republic-Times. 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.

Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul

Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham

Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing

Law enforcement agencies across the region and entire country are on high alert following what can only be described as a terrifying past week for all Americans.

But through these trying times, local police departments have learned just how valuable they are to the communities they serve.

Late Thursday evening in downtown Dallas, five police officers were killed and seven others were wounded following a sniper-style shooting while hundreds were gathered to protest the recent killings of black men by police in Baton Rouge, La., and St. Paul, Minn.

The Dallas shooter then exchanged gunfire with police in a parking garage before being killed early Friday morning by a robot-delivered bomb.

Much closer to home, a Ballwin, Mo. police officer remains in critical condition after he was shot in the neck during a traffic stop late Friday morning. The officer had stopped the car for speeding on northbound New Ballwin Road about 11 a.m., media reports indicate. As the officer went back to his car, the driver got out and fired three shots at the officer. The gunman was eventually captured in Manchester, Mo.

Other incidents of attacks on police are being reported around the country with seemingly more frequency as a rift grows over race and policing in America.

Police leaders in Monroe County expressed their condolences for the recent law enforcement deaths in Dallas…>>>

Read the rest of this story in the July 13 issue of the Republic-Times. 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.

Crystal Steinheimer (photo courtesy Monroe County Sheriff’s Department)

The Red Bud woman who killed Abby Liefer and Hannah Porter in a January 2015 drunk driving crash received six years in prison Thursday in exchange for her guilty plea to the charge of aggravated DUI. A charge of reckless homicide was dismissed as part of the plea.

“In addition, she received credit of 364 days for pretrial jail and home confinement,” added Monroe County Circuit Judge Dennis Doyle.

Crystal Steinheimer, who was represented by public defender Arlie Traughber, was taken into the custody of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department immediately following the hearing. She will be on probation for two years following her release from prison.

Doyle heard victim impact statements read by Liefer’s father and step-mother, Dan and Terri Liefer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving representative Kristi Hosea, who spoke for Liefer’s mom, Shari Marmon; and Dawn Porter, Hannah Porter’s mom.

The crash that took Liefer and Porter’s lives occurred Jan. 10, 2015, on Route 159, between Hecker and Red Bud. A 2008 Chevrolet Aveo driven by Steinheimer, who was 20 at the time, crossed the center line shortly after 10:30 p.m., police said, colliding with a southbound 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by Liefer, 19.

Porter, 20, a backseat passenger in Liefer’s car, and Liefer died of injuries sustained in the crash. Grace Richards, Liefer’s front seat passenger, sustained minor injuries. Steinheimer was severely injured and was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital, where her blood alcohol level was determined to be more than twice the legal limit, according to an Illinois State Police trooper who testified during a preliminary hearing at the time of Steinheimer’s arrest.

Upon her arrest, Steinheimer was released on a recognizance bond; she was rearrested weeks later for driving, which violated a condition of her bond, and served about four months in jail. She was released in November and has been on house arrest ever since.

During his victim impact statement, Dan Liefer recounted the moment he found out Abby had died.

“I’m the dad. I’m supposed to be strong. I’m supposed to fix this,” he said.

“I kept all of her text messages,” he said. “That’s something for me. She talks to me.”

He concluded with a message for Abby: “Please come to me in my dreams. Walk beside me every day. I love you with my whole heart.”

Terri Liefer, Abby’s step-mom, spoke Thursday of the void left in the family, especially at their frequent family meals, which she and her husband hosted for just about any occasion they could think of.

“Abby’s spot was next to me,” she said. “The family meals stopped until recently. It just didn’t seem fair to get together without Abby.”

She also had a message for a stoic Steinheimer, who listened to the Liefer and Porter families speak, arms crossed in front of her and expressing virtually no emotion.

“I don’t think six years is enough. None of us do. (You’ve) never showed any remorse, never said ‘Sorry.”

Hosea, a representative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, read Abby’s mom, Shari Morman’s statement.

“That night (of the crash) we were all given a life sentence of unimaginable grief,” Hosea said. “It scares me that (Steinheimer) will one day share the roadways with everyone I love,” she added.

The Liefer and Porter families are joined by friends in remembering Abby Liefer and Hannah Porter during a candlelight vigil held Wednesday night in Red Bud. (Alan Dooley photo)

Dawn Porter was the last to offer statement. In a tragic sequel, she also lost her husband and Hannah’s dad nine months after Hannah’s crash, when he was involved in a fatal motorcycle crash.

“Hannah’s two siblings must sit at a dinner table now set for three,” she said.

Porter also expressed frustration at Steinheimer’s apparent lack of remorse at sentencing. She offered no apology for her actions when the judge asked if she wished to make a statement.

“Her last posts on social media, dated June 23, were ‘#imadeitthrough, #2020 and #almost done with this chapter’,” Porter said.

According to Doyle, Steinheimer will have to serve at least 85 percent of her sentence, which is 5.1 years. But good behavior could earn her 4.5 days per month off her sentence. All told, she could be free in four years and three months.

On Wednesday night, families and friends of the Liefer and Porter families gathered for a candlelight vigil at Lincoln Park in Red Bud to remember Abby and Hannah.

For the full story, read the July 20 issue of the Republic-Times.

Zacharie C. Antry

A 21-year-old Red Bud man died in a rollover crash Monday evening near Marissa.

The crash occurred on Randolph County Line Road near the Marissa Woods Nature Preserve.

Police said a 2008 Jeep Wrangler driven by Zacharie C. Antry, 21, of Red Bud was westbound on Randolph County Line Road and failed to stop at Doza Creek Road. The Wrangler was struck in the intersection on the rear passenger side by a southbound 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Tanya L. Welten, 39, of Baldwin.

The Wrangler rolled several times after impact, ejecting Antry. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 7 p.m.

A 17-year-old passenger in the Wrangler, Cassidy Dickerson of New Athens, was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville for treatment of injuries.

Welten was not injured in the crash.

Antry was a member of First Baptist Church of Waterloo and was employed as a welder at Progressive Recovery Inc. in Dupo.

To read his full obituary and view his upcoming services, 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
July 5 – Cheyenne L. Hughes, 38, of Mascoutah, was arrested on a St. Clair County traffic warrant on Route 158 at Todd Center Drive.
July 6 – Angel M. Tarr, 21, of Dupo, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and no valid drivers license on Admiral Parkway at Veterans Parkway.
July 9 – Paul L. Sherman, 56, of O’Fallon, Mo., was arrested for DUI, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding and improper lane usage on Admiral Parkway at Eagle Drive.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 5 – The report of a possible battery in the 6600 block of K Road is under investigation. A man was injured after allegedly being struck with a pair of brass knuckles during a party.
July 6 – A report of criminal damage to property in the area of 6770 LL Road is under investigation. A truck was struck in the driveway.
July 8 – The theft of medication and $420 in cash from a residence on Lookout Drive in Columbia is under investigation.
July 8 – Benjamin R. Hart, 18, of Waterloo, was transported to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis County for treatment of shoulder pains sustained in a crash on Levee Road about a half mile north of KK Road about 8 p.m. Hart’s 2008 Dodge Ram was southbound on Levee when its passenger side tires went off the west side and Hart overcorrected, losing control and overturning.
July 9 – Laithan Mallet, 22, of Falcon, Mo., was arrested for aggravated assault following an incident at 4375 JJ Road in which he allegedly pointed a knife at another man. Also cited in the incident was Joshua Pirkle, 20, of Waterloo, for unlawful consumption of alcohol.
July 10 – Scott E. Stuard, 34, of Waterloo, was arrested for obstructing identification in the 300 block of Carr Creek Drive near Columbia.

Valmeyer Police
July 2 – Gage P. Chandler, 19, of Valmeyer, was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol on South Meyer Avenue and Empson Drive.

Waterloo Police
July 5 – Nicole Mosbacher, 29, of Waterloo, was arrested for DUI on South Market Street at Sycamore Drive.
July 5 – Susan Levery, 56, of Red Bud, was arrested for retail theft at Walmart for allegedly taking chemicals and food valued at $79.32 from the store.
July 6 – Mandy Herring, 37, of Valmeyer, was arrested for retail theft at Walmart for allegedly taking a fishing pole and galoshes from the store.
July 6 – Lucas Hoffman, 29, of Waterloo, was issued a city ordinance violation for open burning at 306 E. Fourth Street, Lot 8.
July 7 – Cherish Howard, 21, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant on Mill Street at Church Street.
July 10 – Charges are pending against a juvenile following a reported theft at about 3 a.m. on Grand Avenue.

Pictured is the crash scene outside of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Paderborn on Sunday morning. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Emergency agencies responded about 10:15 a.m. Sunday to a multi-vehicle crash with injuries on Floraville Road outside of St. Michael Catholic Church at 4576 Buss Branch Road in Paderborn.

According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department crash report, a 2006 Ford Escape driven by Stacy Brueggeman of Millstadt, with her two children, ages 4 and 8, as passengers, was traveling south on Floraville Road. Witnesses reported seeing it traveling at a high rate of speed when Brueggeman lost control and her vehicle began to roll, striking a 2010 Hyundai Elantra driven by Taylor Fehrenz as he was stopped waiting to pull onto Floraville Road from the church parking lot.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Millstadt EMS, Monroe County EMS and Hecker Fire Department all responded to the crash scene.

Brueggeman and her passengers, as well as Fehrenz, were transported to local hospitals with injuries that did not appear life threatening. A female passenger in Fehrenz’s vehicle declined transport.

Brueggeman was cited for 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
July 13
Columbia police, fire and EMS responded at about 1:15 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash on Old State Route 3 near George Weber Chevrolet. A 1996 Toyota Corolla driven by a 16-year-old female from Columbia collided into the back of a 2001 Saturn driven by Courtney Schlemmer, 28, of Waterloo. The Saturn had stopped on Old State Route 3 as the vehicle in front of it was stopped waiting to turn left when the Toyota struck the Saturn. The 16-year-old was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The front seat passenger in the Saturn, Tonya Cowan, 54, of East Carondelet, was taken to Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Bonnie L. Austin, 48, of East Carondelet, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant on I-255 northbound at milepost 7.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 11
Cory A. Raglin, 18, of Columbia, was cited for reckless driving and driving too fast for conditions following a crash on Bottom Road just east of DD Road about 3:20 p.m. Raglin said he slammed on the brakes during an argument with his girlfriend, causing his Ford Ranger to skid and leave the roadway into a ditch. No injuries were reported.
A possible report of stalking stemming from an ongoing family dispute between a mother and daughter in Columbia is under investigation.
July 13
A 1999 Chevy driven by Ronald H. Fischer of Valmeyer was struck by a large tree as it was blown over during a storm while he was driving on Route 156 near Brian Lane about 3:40 p.m. No injuries were reported.
July 14
Thomas P. Stevens, 25, of Kenosha, Wisc., was picked up in Missouri on an arrest warrant for residential burglary, two counts of burglary and two counts of identity theft stemming from July 2012 incidents in Monroe County.

Valmeyer Police
July 19
Ameren restored power by about 5:30 p.m. to more than 800 residents in and near Valmeyer following a power outage apparently caused by pigeons. An Ameren spokesman said two pigeons believed to be making a nest at the Valmeyer substation apparently got too close to an insulator and were zapped, causing a power outage before noon.

Waterloo Police
July 15
Dylan Duncan, 24, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant at 726 N. Market Street.
July 16
Jessica Marek, 32, and Scott Hoffman, 34, both of Millstadt, were each cited for illegal transportation of alcohol on HH Road at Route 3.
July 17
Oscar Perez, 19, of Baldwin, was arrested for retail theft at Walmart after he allegedly stole a mobile phone from the store.
Cristina Webster, 34, of Smithton, was arrested for retail theft at Walmart after she allegedly removed price tags from multiple shirts inside the store and attempted to purchase them at a lower price.

Columbia Police Sgt. Josh Bayer

While it may merely serve as a band-aid for a larger problem plaguing more and more each day, the opioid antidote known as Narcan can save lives.

Narcan, or naloxone, has been widely used by both Monroe County EMS and Columbia EMS for several years, but last week marked the first such incident in which a local police officer administered Narcan in a life-or-death situation.

Last Wednesday night, Columbia Police Sgt. Josh Bayer responded to a home in the 10000 block of Levee Road for a woman overdosing on heroin.  While the address is just outside of city limits, Bayer recognized he was the closest first responder to this particular call and didn’t hesitate. He knew quick intervention was needed based on the information provided by the dispatcher.

Bayer arrived on scene and administered Narcan in its nasal form to the woman. Narcan reverses an opioid overdose and can revive someone suffering an overdose.

A Monroe County EMS ambulance arrived a short time after Bayer’s life-saving effort and transported the woman to an area hospital, where she survived.

“It was a ‘seconds count’ situation,” Bayer said. “Without (Narcan), the outcome could’ve been much different. We’re administering this to basically keep them breathing.”

All Columbia patrol cars now carry Narcan, which has been the case for just over the past year. All Columbia police officers have been trained on how to administer Narcan through a coordinated effort by Dr. Jeff Schaefer of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Columbia EMS Director Shannon Bound…>>>

Read the rest of this story in the July 27 issue of the Republic-Times. 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.

Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards

The ex-wife of former Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards filed a civil lawsuit in federal court Friday against the city of Columbia.

In the suit, Carla Edwards alleges Joe Edwards, while acting as Columbia’s chief of police, unlawfully accessed her cellphone to obtain private communications such as texts and emails. He did this by utilizing police resources and technology, the filing claims, including the use of various external items of software and hardware generally known as “spyware.”

This is believed to have occurred last September. In October, Carla Edwards claims, then-chief Edwards and unnamed city employees compiled this information on a thumb drive and provided it to various other public employees in various positions of authority, who then utilized the information to contact local and state public agencies, including the Department of Children and Family Services, in order to “embarrass and institute investigations” into her private matters and family “in an attempt to adversely affect her employment status,” according to the suit.

She seeks monetary compensation for these alleged violations of the state’s eavesdropping statute, the federal stored communications act and illegal search and seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The city declined to comment on the case.

“Due to the ongoing investigation and complaint filed by Ms. Edwards, the city is unable to comment on anything related to these matters,” Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson said.

Joe Edwards resigned his post as chief in May. The 24-year CPD veteran was placed on administrative leave in February following the opening of an investigation regarding a domestic matter by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. He and Carla Edwards are recently divorced and are the parents of two teenage daughters. The case was ultimately turned over to a special prosecutor, who has to date declined to file any charges against Edwards. The Special Prosecution Unit has three years to file felony charges and 18 months to file misdemeanor charges.

Jerry Paul, who had served as deputy chief under Edwards and is a 22-year CPD member, was appointed chief of police.

For a May article on Joe Edwards’ resignation as police chief, 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
July 19
Police are investigating two burglaries reported in town. The first incident occurred to a locked construction trailer located near a house under construction in the 1500 block of Anton Drive. It was reported at 7:30 a.m. Tools and other items were reported missing from the trailer. The second burglary was reported at about 11 a.m. in the 11000 block of Bluff Road. Forced entry was gained to a brick home under renovation to become a business and tools were taken from inside. An Illinois State Police crime scene unit was requested to assist in processing both crime scenes. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to call Columbia police at 281-5151.
July 20
Tanya M. Blum-Schreiber, 37, of Columbia, was arrested at 725 Autumn Rise Lane for violating an order of protection.
July 21
Edward M. Darnell, 40, of Columbia, was arrested shortly after 3 a.m. for DUI and failure to provide information after striking property on Old State Route 3 at Palmer Road.
July 24
Carrie A. Settlemoir, 45, of Waterloo, was arrested on Admiral Parkway at Eagle Lane shortly after 2 a.m. for DUI, improper lane usage and leaving the scene of an accident with vehicle damage.
July 25
Jerry L. Hogan, 56, of Waterloo, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant and also for driving while license suspended, no insurance, improper use of registration and no valid registration on Route 3 at Gilmore Lake Road.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 18
Jeremiah Gregory, 21, of Columbia, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
Isabella Mueller, 21, of East Carondelet, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
A possible report from a resident on D Road of fraud involving a person fraudulently opening accounts and making purchases without permission is under investigation.
July 19
Jessica Hurst, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
Janice Williams, 35, of Cahokia, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
July 20
Makenzie Bates, 19, of Columbia, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.

Waterloo Police
July 17
Thomas S. Whitehouse, 23, of Waterloo, was arrested for battery in the rear parking lot of Gallagher’s restaurant, 114 W. Mill Street.
July 19
Jesse Pherson, 38, of Waterloo, was arrested for assault and criminal damage to property in the 200 block of North Moore Street.

Pictured with heart attack survivor Dave Altvater (center), from left, are Anthony Perez of Columbia EMS, Columbia police officer Ryan Doetsch, and Brandon Layton and Tim May of Columbia EMS. (Corey Saathoff photo)

Thanks to the quick response of one police officer and a seamless transition from ambulance personnel to the hospital, Dave Altvater can now say he beat the “widowmaker.”

The 57-year-old Columbia man was watching television at home the evening of June 30 when he had a sudden feeling of indigestion in his chest area.

“I didn’t think much of it,” Altvater told the Republic-Times.

Then everything went black.

Altvater had suffered a sudden, vicious form of cardiac arrest known as the “widowmaker,” so named because it involves the main artery that runs down the front of the heart and in most cases results in death.

“It just hit me that fast,” Altvater said.

Altvater, who works in the information technology field, said he had felt some discomfort in his chest before, but received no prior indications of heart trouble and maintained fairly normal blood pressure and cholesterol numbers…>>>

Read the rest of this story in the August 3 issue of the Republic-Times. 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.

(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
July 28 – Brian Estrada, 19, of Millstadt, was arrested for possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and no insurance on Admiral Parkway at Admiral Weinel.
July 28 – Joyce A. Breihof, 65, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident on North Main Street at Admiral Parkway.
July 31 – Jean M. Bauman, 51, of Pacific, Mo., was arrested for DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, speeding, improper lane usage and failure to signal on I-255.
Aug. 1 – Thomas P. Webb, 40, of High Ridge, Mo., was arrested on a Monroe County warrant on Admiral Parkway at Veterans Parkway.

Monroe County Sheriff
July 25 – Timothy Hardin, 37, of Cahokia, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
July 28 – Jamie N. Rogers, 22, of Imperial, Mo., was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
July 28 – Stacy Brueggemann, 37, of Millstadt, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant.
July 28 – The theft of tools from an unlocked shed in the area of 6100 State Route 3 is under investigation. Two chainsaws and an impact wrench were among the items stolen.
July 30 – Laura Cobb-Grossmann, 48, of Waterloo, was arrested for domestic battery at 5261 Kaskaskia Road in Burksville.
July 30 – The theft of a weed eater from an unlocked shed in the area of 6500 Woodpecker Lane is under investigation.

Waterloo Police
July 6 – Cynthia Simpson, 21, of Dupo, was arrested on two counts of retail theft at the Waterloo Walmart. She is alleged to have taken $130 worth of merchandise from the store.
July 20 – Lauren Lafollette, 24, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Randolph County warrant on Main Street at Fourth Street.
July 20 – Garrick Recker, 26, of Lenzburg, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and on a fugitive from justice out-of-state warrant at Sunset Motel, 206 S. Market Street.
July 23 – Laura Acton, 26, of Waterloo, was arrested for failure to pay fines from a conviction for retail theft and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
July 23 – Brendan Weber, 22, of Columbia, was arrested for DUI, improper lane usage and driving without lights on North Market Street at Bradford Lane.
July 24 – Barbara Piper, 34, of Red Bud, was arrested on three St. Clair County warrants in the 500 block of Park Street.
July 24 – Nicole Norman, 30, of Waterloo, turned herself in on a Monroe County failure to appear warrant.
July 25 – Tyler Reinneck, 20, Ryan Schaefer, 20, and Adam Gauch, 20, all of Smithton, and Travis Bittle, 20, of New Athens, were all cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
July 25 – Ethan Green, 20, of Waterloo, was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
July 26 – Joshua Paxton, 22, of Dupo, was issued a city ordinance violation for public fighting at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
July 26 – Jacob D. Steele, 25, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Monroe County warrant for retail theft and three St. Clair County warrants.
July 26 – Angela Mehrtens, 51, of Cadet, Mo., was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Washington County, Mo., at 500 S. Market Street.
July 29 – Dylan Michael, 22, and Madelyn McGinnis, 19, both of Waterloo, were each issued city ordinance violations for public fighting at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. McGinnis was also cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol in the 800 block of Coneflower Drive following this incident.
July 30 – Jacob Heine, 20, of Columbia, was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
July 30 – Christian Morgan, 18, of Fisk, Mo., was cited for unlawful consumption of alcohol at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
July 30 – Bethany Brinkmann, 22, of Waterloo, was arrested for possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia on Chester Street at Evansville Avenue.
July 30 – Tanisha Ladue, 18, of Red Bud, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia in the 100 block of Gardner Street.
July 31 – Michael Midgley, 33, of Kirkwood, Mo., was arrested for DUI and improper lane usage on Route 3 at Old State Route 3.