Community

Bulldogs Excel At FFA District Proficiency

By Independent | March 23, 2020

The Waterloo FFA had a great showing at the District Proficiency Contest in Mt. Vernon. Students earning first place honors were Duncan VonYeast (Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance), Adam Doyle (Beef Entrepreneurship) and Madison Huebner (Diversified Horticulture). They advance to the state contest March 21 at the University of Illinois. Earning second place honors were …

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Columbia Music Students Shine At State Contest

By Independent | March 23, 2020

Columbia High School music students demonstrated their talents at the IHSA State Solo and Ensemble Contest held March 7 at Alton High School. The musicians sang or played prepared solo and ensemble events for adjudication by area music professionals. Topping the list was CHS piano man Patrick Birner. The judges named his performance the Best …

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Six young men from Boy Scout Troop 357 celebrated their Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on March 8. The boys, all Columbia High School seniors, are Adam Barnard, Curtis Crossley, Austin McCann, Ethan Sturm, Ben Valentine and Ryan Weatherford.
As part earning the rank of Eagle Scout, each boy’s service project to better the community was:
Barnard installed a landscaping border for the new playground at First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Crossley raised money for Nurses For Newborns and held a donation drive for diapers and wipes.
McCann’s project was painting the band stand at A.C. Metter Park.
Sturm built a gaga pit for Kids Landing at Christ Community Lutheran Church.
Valentine installed a gaga pit at Hope Christian Church.
Weatherford spruced up Bolm-Schuhkraft Memorial Park, which included repairing broken landscape borders, weeding, and mulching the fitness and playground areas.

Six From Troop 357 Earn Eagle Scout

By Independent | March 23, 2020

Six young men from Boy Scout Troop 357 celebrated their Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on March 8. The boys, all Columbia High School seniors, are Adam Barnard, Curtis Crossley, Austin McCann, Ethan Sturm, Ben Valentine and Ryan Weatherford. As part earning the rank of Eagle Scout, each boy’s service project to better the community …

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Family News

Births, engagements, reunions and more life events.

Olive Grace and Ella Rose Gregson

By Independent | March 20, 2020

Aaron and Megan Gregson of Waterloo announce the birth of twin girls born Monday, Jan. 27, 2020 at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Olivia Grace Gregson weighed...

Everett Miller

By Independent | February 19, 2020

Keagan (nee Kristoff) and Sean Miller of Columbia announce the birth of a son. Everett Miller was born Jan. 5, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in...

Vance Gabriel Darr

By Independent | February 19, 2020

Lauren and Eric Darr of Columbia announce the birth of a son. Vance Gabriel Darr was born Jan. 6, 2020 at 11:27 p.m., at Mercy...

First Monroe County Baby Of The ‘20s

By Monroe County Independent | January 7, 2020

Tyler Jacob Vogt with parents Kristen and Jake. It’s a big Happy New Year for Kristen and Jake Vogt of Waterloo....

Siegel – Riebeling Are Engaged – Plans Underway For May Wedding

By Monroe County Independent | December 22, 2019

Allen and Nancy Siegel of Columbia announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Siegel. She will marry Justin Riebeling, the son of Kent and Lisa...

George and Irma Naumann, left, are joined at their 70th wedding anniversary celebration by their maid of honor and best man, Ellen and Bill Lewis.

Naumanns Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary

By Monroe County Independent | December 9, 2019

George and Irma Naumann of Columbia celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Aug. 17, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The former Irma Long married George...

Greer Emelia Mattingly

By Monroe County Independent | December 9, 2019

Ashley Kyle Mattingly of Columbia announce the birth of a daughter. Greer Emelia Mattingly was born Oct. 22, 2019, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. She...

Newlyweds Jacob Gyore and Jennifer Lesko

Lesko – Gyore Are United In Marriage

By Monroe County Independent | December 9, 2019

Alan and Julie Lesko of Columbia announce the wedding of their daughter, Jennifer Lesko, to Jacob Gyore, son of Kevin and Lois Gyore of Waterloo. ...

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Community Service

Read more about community organizations, volunteerism and local folks doing good.

Sandra M. Foundation President James Bereitschaft, third from left, accepts the keys to a Dodge mini-van from, left to right, Debbie Mertz, Foundation board member and Mertz Motors owner; Mertz General Manager Mike Rich. Looking on are Jamie Bereitschaft, Patty Evansco, Jean Colbert, Marlou Eckert and Eileen Doerr.

Sandra M. Bereitschaft Foundation Purchases Van For Senior Center

By Independent | March 23, 2020

As a direct result of the generous grant from the Sandra M. Bereitschaft Foundation, Millstadt...

The Waterloo Fire Department’s table won the Ed-itor’s Choice for Best Overall Snacks at the Monroe County Backstoppers Trivia Night. Besides summer sausage, they served nacho boats filled with a tasty combination of meat and cheese. Getting ready for the next round of questions are, left to right, Brittany Rongey, Ben Kalbfleisch, Sarah Blind, Matt Blind, Matt Tochtrop, Spencer Kostecki, Mike Ramsey and Ben Rongey.

80 Tables Participate In Backstoppers Trivia Night

By Independent | March 23, 2020

Angela Ettling and Lauren Smith, right, sell raffle tickets at the...

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Senior Spotlight

Read more about the seniors of our community.

Full Of Life, Maurice Schneider Celebrates His 100th Birthday

By Independent | March 23, 2020

By John Layton When a person turns 100 years old, it’s not uncommon for the city they live in to recognize and honor that citizen, especially veterans. Columbia did just that for its most recent centenarian, but the proclamation in recognition of Maurice Schneider’s life and 100th birthday almost reached three pages after listing his……

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