Rural Columbia Home Explodes… Destroyed By Fire

By Monroe County Independent | October 18, 2019

Homeowner Able To Safely Escape The rural Columbia home of Eddy Hayes was destroyed by fire following an explosion in the residence located in the Hilltop area on Friday morning, Oct. 18. There were no serious injuries. The initial report is the fire was caused by gas leaking from a recently lit furnace. Just after …

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The Millstadt Consolidated Grade School baseball team won the Class M State Baseball Tournament. Celebrating their victory are, left to right, Garret Sommerfield, Nolan Blair, Casey Fultz, Luke Allen, Will Rockwell, Braden Gryzmala, Jon Jenkins, Cooper Isaak, Braden Fournie and Braden Skaer; and second road, Coach Rob Beatty, Jon Hilpert, Max Biehl, Will Fessel, Michael Robertson, Kaleb Johnston, Noah Emge, Jake Stedman, Brody O’Donnell, Coach Muendelien and Gabe Lueth.

Millstadt Consolidated Wins State Baseball Title

By Monroe County Independent | October 17, 2019

In dramatic fashion, the Millstadt Consolidated Grade School baseball team won the Class M State Baseball Tournament in Pinckneyville. In the bottom of the eighth of the title game, John Hilpert delivered a clutch two-out single driving in Jake Stedman to propel the Panthers to a 3-2 win over Nashville. Stedman had reached base after …

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Waterloo Officer Wiegand Recognized For His Work Handling Domestic Violence

By Monroe County Independent | October 17, 2019

A time to heal, reflect and recognize domestic violence was highlighted at a vigil held Oct. 8 at the Courthouse Bandstand. This year the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois held their annual Peace Walk in downtown Waterloo. Abuse victims gathered with those who work on their behalf joined in a solemn, but forward-looking gathering. …

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U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Zacharia Zeidat, right, accepts his surface warfare specialist certificate from Cmdr. Aaron Erickson.

Red Bud’s Zeidat Earns Navy Certificate

By Monroe County Independent | October 21, 2019

A Red Bud High School grad is doing quite well as he serves the country in the U.S. Navy. Fire Controlman 2nd Class Zacharia Zeidat...

During a Sept. 30 Columbia City Council meeting, City Administrator Doug Brimm discusses the alternatives the aldermen should weigh when and if they pass ordinances regulating the future sales of the soon-to-be-legal cannabis.

Brimm Informally Recommends Cannabis Tax

By Monroe County Independent | October 17, 2019

By Joe Leicht While nothing has been set in stone, one Columbia official has publicly requested the city council set in place the maximum allowable...

Valmeyer Mayor Howard Heavner makes a case for allowing golf carts, UTVs and four-wheelers on Bluff Road, Rt. 156 and Woodland Ridge (within village limits) at the county board's Oct. 7 meeting. Accompanying Heavner were Valmeyer Trustee Kyle Duffy, left, and Village Manager Dennis Valentine (hidden).

County Board Defers Action On Valmeyer Non-Highway Vehicle Ordinance

By Monroe County Independent | October 16, 2019

The Monroe County commissioners gave no definite "yes" or "no" to Valmeyer leaders regarding the village’s request to allow non-highway vehicles on certain county roadways. A...

Major I-255 Project In 2020

By Monroe County Independent | October 11, 2019

Seven-mile stretch to be completely closed The Illinois Department of Transportation will completely overhaul a crumbling section of I-255 in St Clair County in 2020....

Waterloo Girl Scouts Reagan Immethun and Beatrice Jones present the colors during the POW-MIA monument dedication at Waterloo’s Lakeview Park. - photo by Gage Wienhoff

Waterloo’s POW – MIA Monument Dedicated At Lakeview Park

By Monroe County Independent | October 7, 2019

Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith said the city is proud of all the citizens who have served in the military. Waterloo’s Lakeview...

During Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting, City Administrator Doug Brimm discusses the alternatives the aldermen should weigh when and if they pass ordinances regulating the future sales of the soon-to-be-legal cannabis.

Columbia Takes Broad, First Look At Legalized Cannabis Use

By Monroe County Independent | October 6, 2019

by Joe Leicht Beginning New Year’s Day, residents will have the right to use cannabis recreationally across the state. The Columbia City Council welcomed public...

New Waterloo Postmaster Adam Hamilton is joined at his swearing-in ceremony by his family, wife Jessica, and their daughter Kinsley. - photo by Gage Wienhoff

Adam Hamilton Named New Waterloo Postmaster

By Monroe County Independent | October 6, 2019

Adam Hamilton has been sworn in as the new postmaster for the Waterloo Post Office. He took over the position this spring, but the official...

Elmore Won’t Seek Re-Election To County Board; Newcomer George Green Is Waiting In The Wings

By Monroe County Independent | October 5, 2019

By Joe Leicht George Green A little more than a year ago, Monroe County Commissioner Robert Elmore "kicked around" the idea...

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Eagles Win Soccer Regional

By Monroe County Independent | October 19, 2019

The CHS soccer team is headed to sectional play after defeating Anna-Jonesboro 2-1 in in the Class 1A Anna-Jonesboro Regional. Columbia plays host to the...

The Columbia High School defense shut out Red Bud in Friday’s game. The Eagles have yielded only 38 points over this season’s eight games.

Eagles Improve To 8-0

By Monroe County Independent | October 19, 2019

Columbia High School’s football team continues to roll through the season. The Eagles improved to 8-0 with Friday’s 48-0 win at Red Bud (4-4). Running...

The Musketeers celebrating their first place finish in the RBHS Invitational are, left to right, first row, Claire Grohmann (All-Tourney), Lexi Price, Jenna Salger (All-Tourney), Madison Reinhold, Alyssa Cowell (All-Tourney), Kassidy Ellner, Emma Roscow and Katie Schneider; and second row, Asst. Coach Laura Mudd, Makayla Whelan, Sami Lucht, Megan Schrader, Megan Stellhorn, Megan Henry, Hannah Sievers, Olivia Carle, Manager Kailyn Moeller, Manager Bailey Henry and Head Coach Erin Legendre. - photos by Shannon Reinhold

Musketeers Win RBHS Invitational Volleyball Tournament

By Monroe County Independent | October 19, 2019

The Red Bud High School volleyball team won a tournament they hosted last weekend. The Musketeers took home first place in the RBHS Invitational. Earning all-tourney...

The state champion WJHS girls’ cross country team is, left to right, first row, Ava Rau, Ella Brown, Macy Jones and Calla Espenschied; and second row, Chloe Wagenknecht, Kamryn Rader, Cameron Crump, Angeylnn Kanyuck, Chloe Aubuschon, Ali Kloeppel and Coach Sebestik.

WJHS Runs Their Way (Again!) To State Title

By Monroe County Independent | October 19, 2019

The Junior Bulldogs’ girls’ cross country team are once again Class L state champion. Waterloo Junior High School repeated their feat Saturday at the state...

Millstadt Consolidated Wins State Baseball Title

By Monroe County Independent | October 17, 2019

The Millstadt baseball team accepts the Class M State Tournament trophy. In dramatic fashion, the Millstadt Consolidated Grade School baseball team...

The Gibault golf team advancing to the Franklin County Sectional are, left to right, Head Coach Steve Bergheger, Jack Range, Ian Bollinger, Nick Weilbacher, Alex Sweeney, Ryan Kruse and Ryan Bollinger.

Gibault Golfers Driving To Sectional

By Monroe County Independent | October 8, 2019

The Gibault boys golf team edged Marquette by two strokes to finish in third place Monday at the Class 1A Marquette Regional. Gibault golfers turned...