January

After a break for the holidays, the Waterloo Queen of Hearts jackpot grew to nearly $2 million. On the last day of the month, in front of a massive crowd that covered the Outsider tavern lot, several blocks of South Market Street and much of the east side of the Monroe County Courthouse grounds, a 12-round draw-down finally revealed the elusive Queen. Sam Houston of Red Bud chose card 28, which won him the eventual $1,886,536 jackpot.

The pre-trial aspects of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, including no-cash bail provisions, were stayed just hours before they were set to go into effect. 

Following the passing of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, several law enforcement agencies throughout the state  expressed their refusal to uphold the new gun control law. Monroe County Sheriff Neil Rohlfing said HB 5471 is a “clear violation of the Second Amendment,” and he and his department would not be enforcing it.

The entire three-member board of police commissioners in Waterloo resigned when Norman Venable, Lonny Ludwig and Heather Garcia submitted letters of resignation near the end of the month in response to measures made by the city to have the commissioners take disciplinary action – including termination – against  Waterloo Police Officer Dan Pittman and Sgt. Eric Zaber.

Two years after closing their doors, and with extensive renovations finally finishing up, Gallaghers reopened its downtown Waterloo restaurant.

The City of Columbia approved a ballot referendum seeking “home rule” status for the municipality.

The City of Waterloo learned that loan funding for construction of its more than $30 million water treatment plant west of town has been reserved through an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan.

Columbia residents met with representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local officials at 11 South to discuss FEMA’s preliminary flood maps and the impact of the proposed changes. The most impactful changes for some Columbia residents were found near the Carr Creek and Palmer Creek watersheds along Valmeyer Road and Quarry Road, respectively.

The Waterloo Chamber of Commerce announced it has hired Christine “Chris” Herrmann as its new executive director effective Jan. 23.

Paden Schultz, a 2021 Gibault graduate attending school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, died suddenly on Jan. 30, 2023, just shy of his 20th birthday, which would have been Feb. 5.

Longtime Waterloo High School and Waterloo Junior High School baseball coach Mark Vogel was officially inducted into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 30 years at WHS, Vogel has 552 wins and two third-place state finishes.

The Columbia High School boys and Waterloo High school girls basketball teams each won their respective co-hosted holiday tournaments. The CHS boys team won three total tournaments in January.

The WHS and CHS cheerleading teams  both earned trips to the IHSA state meet by virtue of winning at the sectional level in their respective classes. The Waterloo squad finished eighth at state with Columbia taking home second place.

In its second straight state appearance, the WHS boys bowling team finished its season with a 15th place finish at the IHSA State Tournament.

February

Monroe County State’s Attorney Lucas Liefer and Monroe County Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Becker-Roscow were selected to fill two associate judge vacancies in the 24th Judicial Circuit which had been formed in late 2022.  Later in the month, Ryan Webb was named as Liefer’s replacement.

A heavy police presence descended upon a neighborhood in Dupo for an active shooter situation Feb. 26 afternoon after Dupo Police Sgt. Patrick Carrier was shot by a male suspect and 46-year-old Darryl T. Mantz was killed by gunfire. An ensuing standoff of several hours ended when the suspect, 40-year-old Reginald O. Allen of Dupo, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on his property.

Several emergency agencies responded to a two-vehicle, head-on crash Feb. 10 on Bluff Road near Sand Bank Road in Columbia that resulted in the death of Monroe County resident Dennis Fitzwilliam and left another person in critical condition.

Jennifer Sondag Eckenfels, 36, a lifelong resident of Valmeyer, passed away Feb. 23 following a recent cancer diagnosis. A special education teacher at Gardner Elementary School in Waterloo, Eckenfels touched the lives of many in the community, a fact made clear by the tremendous attendance at both her visitation and funeral

Jeanette Gregson, a prominent figure throughout Monroe County known for her work in local journalism and countless other reasons, passed away Feb. 19 at the age of 95.

The Monroe County Zoning Board of Appeals met to address  non-compliance with a previously granted special use exception for Frances Gruber, who operates Freedom Lake campground at 5329 Sportsman Road near Waterloo Sportsman’s Club. The campground had been serving as a permanent residence for several individuals in recent years. Concerns were expressed because of the lack of property tax collected from these residences as well as a high volume of police and emergency service calls made to the property.

Owner of The Truck Stop Columbia Bryan Scott addressed the Columbia City Council after a number of inspections revealed an estimated $80,000 in needed updates, leading Scott to abandon the business venture on Main Street. Before leasing the property, Scott said he approached the city and received a “great response” when he shared his ideas. “For the next eight months, I began a cycle of misinformation, debt, frustration, complaints and ultimately, disappointment,” Scott said.

Many local residents saw the infamous Chinese spy balloon making national headlines last week flying high above Monroe County and surrounding areas Feb. 3 as it continued east. The balloon was eventually shot down by the U.S. military over the Atlantic Ocean off the South Carolina coast Feb. 4.

The Waterloo Fire Department was joined by firefighters from Columbia and Valmeyer at the scene of a house fire at 8282 D Road Feb. 1. Waterloo Fire Chief Aaron Shive said the home was a total loss. All residents of the home were out of harm’s way and accounted for at the scene.

Dupo High School celebrated 100 years of boys basketball with special ceremonies prior to home matches with New Athens.

Dupo High School bowler Maddie Ehrhard, a junior, finished with a six-game score of 1,192 at the Belleville West Sectional  to qualify for the IHSA state meet.

March

Weeks before the April election, several current and former City of Waterloo employees spoke with the Republic-Times about what was described as a “toxic” work environment, with many attributing the situation to then-mayor Tom Smith. Similarly, Waterloo Police Department Sgt. Eric Zaber addressed the Waterloo City Council March 21 to express his displeasure about how the city had handled his employment  after he filed multiple grievances alleging retaliation and discrimination while serving on active duty with the force. Zaber filed for worker’s compensation last June, but he said that request was denied. Then on Jan. 1, he said his pay was cut without notice.

A student protest over the presence of transgender students using Waterloo High School restrooms prompted heated conversation as a letter from the district and heavy attendance at a monthly school board meeting. The situation began March 17 in the morning when a large number of WHS students began to form a line outside of the nurse’s single-occupancy bathroom. For several months after the incident, Waterloo School Board meetings were held in the WHS auditorium to handle the crowds who wished to speak on the matter during public comment.

 The Columbia Fire Department responded to the report of a fully engulfed residential structure fire shortly before 2 a.m. March 7 in the Stonegate Estates subdivision. Upon arrival, heavy flames were seen shooting in the air, prompting mutual aid requests from such neighboring departments as Waterloo, Millstadt, Dupo, Prairie du Pont and Mehlville (Mo.). In all, about 75 firefighters responded to the scene. The home, which sustained heavy damage, belonged to Skip and Lori Weber.

Organizers of the Waterloo Homecoming announced major changes to the celebration, including a change of venue from downtown Waterloo to the Monroe County Fairgrounds and the event being held on one day instead of two.

Jeff Vogt was announced as the recipient of the 2022 Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award.

The Gibault Catholic High School boys basketball team trailed much of the game against Illini Bluffs, but a buzzer-beater by Kameron Hanvey gave the Hawks a dramatic 45-44 victory in the IHSA Class 1A Jacksonville Supersectional. The winning shot was shown nationally on ESPN’s “Sportscenter” TV show. A few days later, the Hawks won the first state hoops title for Gibault, the first such championship in the sport for all of Monroe County. 

The Columbia Eagles high school club ice hockey squad ended its season with a win to hoist the Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association Varsity 1A championship trophy and elevate them to Varsity 2A for the 2023-24 season.

The Waterloo Junior High School eighth grade volleyball team defeated Mt. Carmel, Highland and Mascoutah on Saturday in Pinckneyville to win the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association Class L state championship for the second year in a row.

Avery Smith, who attends Valmeyer High School but wrestles for Red Bud, placed third at the IHSA Girls State Wrestling Tournament in Bloomington.

April

Large voter turnout continuing throughout the day on April 4 made for strong showing for a consolidated election in Monroe County. There were several contested races in Waterloo, including mayoral and aldermanic races as well as contests for a seat on the Waterloo Park District Board. Stan Darter won the Waterloo mayor’s race against Tom Smith, who had held the office for the past 15 years. All four Waterloo aldermanic wards saw contests. The only incumbent candidate, Jim Hopkins, won re-election. Joining the Waterloo City Council were Gary Most, Joel Vogt and Jason Goff. Shelby Mathes and Mary Gardner were elected to the Waterloo Park District Board.

Three of four incumbents won in races for Waterloo School Board, which had intensified in recent weeks with the WHS restroom debate related to transgender students. Newcomer Amanda Propst joined incumbents Lori Dillenberger, secretary Kim Ahne and Jo Ellen “Jodi” Burton in securing a spot on the board.

After a series of informational meetings and campaigns about the City of Columbia becoming a “home rule” municipality, voters rejected the referendum question definitively, with the referendum failing to gain approval by a three-to-one margin. In the city’s contested aldermanic races,  incumbent Jay Riddle retained his seat after a challenge from Paula Hutchinson. Incumbent Kevin Martens lost his seat to challenger Lauren Nobbe.

Residents of Monroe County and surrounding areas were on high alert as an ominous storm cell moved through the area during the early evening of April 15. While several communities in the county received their fair share of damage, Hecker was seemingly hit the hardest. National Weather Service officials confirmed an EF1 tornado moved from southwest of Maeystown northeast to Hecker from 6:34 to 6:59 p.m., measuring 19.5 miles in length and 100 yards in maximum width. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb joined other Illinois counties in supporting an effort to overturn a statewide weapons ban. The Protect Communities Act or “Assault Weapons Ban” prohibits the sale, distribution and possession of semi-automatic “assault” rifles, high-capacity ammunition magazines and .50 caliber ammunition in Illinois. In May, a federal appeals court on blocked a temporary injunction issued April 28. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

To address an increasing number of traffic accidents in Columbia at the intersection of North Main Street and Route 3, the Illinois Department of Transportation shifted the southbound turn lane to improve visibility and added a flashing yellow turn signal to the traffic signal there.

May

Exactly 38 months after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, the disaster proclamation in Illinois and federal public health emergency both expired on May 11.

Columbia once again welcomed a collection of students from Gedern, Germany, with 2023 marking the 30th anniversary of the sister cities exchange.

Three men from Texas were charged for a theft of funds from an ATM in Waterloo. The men were believed to be connected to a national network of similar crimes.

A project to extend the existing 1.7 miles of the GM&O Heritage Trail in Columbia from Cherry Street to Centerville Road and Centerville Road south to Route 3 was completed.

At the May 15 meeting of the Columbia City Council, the city’s engineering and inspections department along with Columbia Department of Public Works were recognized for being awarded the Illinois chapter of the American Public Works Association’s Project of the Year in the transportation category for its recent Quarry Road Roundabout project.

Gibault Catholic High School announced Sarah Lanham as its new principal. Lanham replaced Gibault Interim Principal Mike Kish, the retired longtime principal of Immaculate Conception School in Columbia who took over following the resignation of Gibault Principal Stephen Kidd after the first day of classes the 2022-23 school year.

What began as an observation of tree dedication markers at a Mascoutah park in 2015 sparked a genealogical investigation which eventually led a group of German visitors to Monroe County.  On May 9, a delegation from Hassloch, Germany, came to Maeystown as part of a short trip to explore the whereabouts of their ancestors who came to the United States more than 180 years ago.

Local farmer Dale Haudrich traveled to South Korea as a representative of the Illinois Corn Growers Association to speak about the benefits of U.S. corn to delegates from 15 nations.

The streets of downtown Waterloo were once again home to FirebirdFest, which featured an international group of Firebird enthusiasts and a large parade of Pontiac Firebirds. The event returns to Waterloo in 2024. 

A new Sav-On Liquor & Wine store in Waterloo held its grand opening, with the business’ local owner and his partner eager to see the store contribute to the community.

The Columbia Police Department recently welcomed a new member to the team, as police K-9 Cade began his first week on the job after several weeks of training. CPD Officer Adam Jackson joined Cade on his month of training in Indiana and will be serving as his handler.

Monroe County was represented by two teams at the IHSA state high school baseball tournament in Peoria, as both Columbia and Gibault won supersectional titles. Gibault brought home its second state championship in three months, winning the IHSA Class 1A baseball final over Henry Senachwine, 8-0. The Columbia team took home second place in the Class 2A state tournament, falling in the final to Joliet Catholic. Columbia was led by eventual Major League Baseball draftee Domoegele, who opted to attend the University of Kansas to play baseball rather than report to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Several local high school girls tracksters qualified for state by virtue of solid showings at the IHSA Class 2A Mascoutah Sectional. Columbia High School graduating senior Abby Venhaus saved her best for last, winning a state title with a distance of 11.56 meters in the triple jump finals. Waterloo High School Molly Grohmann took home fourth place in the state high jump competition.

CHS junior Ethan Hogan won the 3,200 meter run with a record time of 9:02.22 in the IHSA Class 2A Boys State Track Meet at Eastern Illinois University.

Waterloo High School sophomore tennis standout Patrick Nobbe placed third in singles at the Marquette Sectional to qualify for the IHSA Class 1A State Tournament.

June

As students in Monroe County began their summer vacation, many in the Waterloo school district were still left grappling with controversy surrounding the district’s new gender identity and bathroom policy introduced at the end of the academic year. Within the community, transgender students and their supporters were wary of what the new policy’s impact will be entering the 2023-24 school year, while others in the community – particularly a group called Parents Protecting Students – circulated a petition insisting this new policy wasn’t strict enough.

In what may be the shortest aldermanic term ever, Jason Goff abruptly resigned his recently elected Waterloo City Council post citing conflict of interest. Goff, as an employee of the city, was found to have what the Illinois Municipal League described as an “incompatibility” as both an elected official and employee. Tina Charron was subsequently chosen by Waterloo Mayor Stan Darter as Goff’s replacement on the council.

Area farmers finished up the summer wheat harvest amid a substantial drought. The entire state was dealing with the drought as all 102 counties in Illinois faced abnormally dry conditions. The average precipitation for the state between April and early June was the second lowest on record dating back to 1951, with the only drier year being 1988.

After 40 years with the school district, a familiar and beloved face at the Valmeyer school said goodbye. With four decades spent working in the grade school office, Charlotte Gartzke had the opportunity to see multiple generations of students pass through Valmeyer schools – including members of her family.

Waterloo School District Athletic Director/Waterloo High School Dean of Students Brian Unger announced he was resigning his position to accept the AD role at Freeburg High School.

While some in the county might have driven across the river to get their Independence Day necessities in years past, Short Fuze opened June 1 right outside of Waterloo as Illinois laws concerning fireworks had substantially relaxed.

Eric Eschmann, 45, of Waterloo, was charged with multiple felonies following what police described as a “disturbing” incident earlier this month in Monroe County during which he had allegedly battered a small child. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department a video recording of the incident showed an adult male using a belt to wrap around a child’s waist and then around the neck. The man struck the child with a closed fist after throwing the child in a pool, police said – all while having the belt around the child’s neck.

July

It was a Fourth of July holiday weekend to forget in Columbia. A massive storm barreled through the region shortly after 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, delivering high-speed straight-line winds that knocked down trees large and small, twisted and tangled power lines and left thousands in the dark on a sweltering summer night. Power was finally restored to many a couple days later.

Monroe County startUP program facilitator Jamie Matthews stepped away from her position after sevens years.

Career Center of Southern Illinois graduate Cody Strong of Red Bud put the school back in the winner’s circle during the SkillsUSA national competition by taking home a bronze medal in late June after a grueling three-day event in Atlanta against 35 of the best in the nation.

It was announced the Monroe County Jail expansion project would be moving forward, with a bid letting for the 8,500 square foot addition expected by the end of the month.

A Breese contractor cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for trench cave-in violations at the Silvercreek Crossing housing development in Waterloo agreed to a settlement in the matter.

Thanks to a new tarp recently led in funding by longtime Valmeyer Lakers supporter George Obernagel, a late Saturday afternoon downpour did little to stop this year’s Midsummer Classic baseball tournament. Fifty years since their first and 20 years to the day they won their last, the Valmeyer Lakers pulled out an exciting 6-5 victory on July 4 to once again capture the Valmeyer Midsummer Classic championship before a large crowd at Borsch Park.

Two local young women – Payton Weber of Waterloo and Annika Olson of Red Bud – competed June 7-11 at the Illinois High School Rodeo State Finals in Monticello.

Emergency personnel responded shortly before 6:15 p.m. July 6 to a fatal fiery vehicle crash in the 5700 block of Route 3 near T Road south of Waterloo. The deceased were identified as Jeremy V. Hicks, 44, and Bud G. Rhodes, 44, both of Red Bud.

Several business owners addressed the Millstadt Village Board in front of a standing-room-only crowd to discuss a proposed liquor store to be built on an empty lot at 500 E. Washington Street.

With nearly three decades worth of teaching behind him and numerous students left better off thanks to a commitment to education, Richard McDermott stepped away from Waterloo High School to enjoy retirement.

Nearly three dozen youngsters learned about the law enforcement profession June 26-29 during the inaugural Youth Police Academy hosted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

State Sen. Darren Bailey announced he would be running for the Illinois 12th Congressional District seat, leading to a contested 2024 Republic primary race against incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost.

The Monroe County dispatch center received a substantial new technology upgrade, the most recent in a series of ongoing improvements to the county’s 911 systems.

A group from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo returned from a two-week mission trip in Cambodia, having come back home with fond memories of a journey originally meant to happen several years earlier.

A former bookkeeper for the Columbia school district, Julie Nappier, 52, of Valmeyer, was charged with three felonies in connection with the theft of thousands in funds while in her position with the district.

The Monroe County Music Festival made its debut, offering the opportunity for folks to spend the day listening to an assortment of local bands including South Main Band, CLUless and Deer Hill Band.

Though discussion surrounding the district’s gender and bathroom policy continued through the year, two Waterloo School Board meetings were marked by  particularly strong, concerning language in the latter half of the year.

A man who was set on fire in Red Bud in late June died July 6, resulting in a first degree murder charge against a Red Bud man with an extensive criminal history. Donald “Ennie” F. Steibel was set on fire during the dispute by Shawn Porter, 48, of Red Bud.

The Prairie du Rocher and Maeystown fire departments responded about 9:45 p.m. July 12 to the report of a structure fire due to a lightning strike in the 1600 block of G Road south of Renault.

The SAFE-T Act, a landmark criminal justice reform that eliminates cash bail in Illinois, was deemed constitutional by the state’s Supreme Court, paving the way for the change to take effect Sept. 18.

Two weeks after the Columbia area suffered significant widespread storm damage, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners passed a disaster declaration for the impacted region.

Tim Gould, a Highland native, was hired as the new Waterloo School District athletic director and Waterloo High School dean of students, replacing Brian Unger.

Tensions rose between the City of Waterloo and local firm KB Contracting over the future of former local staple Ahne’s Bakery.

Featuring the work of Waterloo illustrator Tyler Ruff, “The Atonement Bell” was nominated for an Eisner Award, the most prestigious honor in the world of comics.

The first day of the Monroe County Fair closed with the annual pageant which took place in the Waterloo High School auditorium due to weather concerns, naming Jada Voelker Monroe County Fair Queen and Mila Acock Little Miss.

A lightning strike resulted in a large destructive house fire about 10:30 a.m. July 20 in the 3300 block of Trout Camp Road west of Waterloo.

A U.S. District judge sentenced a California man to spend 100 months in federal prison after he admitted to distributing methamphetamine to southern Illinois.

With another emphatic victory, the Valmeyer Lakers ensured themselves the top regular season record in the Mon-Clair League for 2023.

While the season didn’t end with a first place showing at the conference meet Saturday, there was plenty to be proud about this summer for the Waterloo Piranhas swim team.

With the end of summer vacation fast approaching, the Columbia School Board met to take care of a number of small items to prep for the new academic session as well as more long-term projects like an addition to the Columbia High School parking lot set to extend into nearby Bolm-schuhkraft Memorial City Park.

Dena Yearian passed away following a two-year period of teaching whilst facing terminal cancer, leaving Waterloo High School with heavy hearts going into the start of the school year.

August

The Monroe County Fair came and went, with this proving to be yet another successful year, tempered a tad by intense summer heat and some stormy weather.

Following the departure of longtime Monroe County startUP Facilitator Jamie Matthews just a few weeks prior, the board of directors found a new leader in local business owner Leslee Martin.

There were two fatalities in less than three days on I-255 in and near Monroe County. Adam C. Whittington, 28, of Dupo died from serious injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash about 5:15 a.m. July 29 on I-255 westbound at the Jefferson Barracks Bridge in St. Louis County. At about 2:20 a.m. July 31,  a car driven by Sally Jo Tate, 66, of House Springs, Mo., drove into the rear of a tractor-trailer that was parked on the right shoulder, resulting in her death.

With experience in showing livestock at the annual Monroe County Fair, Cassie Allscheid received a nomination after attending the Junior National Hereford Expo.

Dubbed the “Eagle Tree” due to its popularity as a resting spot for American bald eagles, a tree along Kaskaskia Road near Burksville was tragically knocked over due to high winds that buffeted the county.

In recognition of Purple Heart Day Aug. 7, Prairie du Rocher hosted an afternoon ceremony to honor and celebrate Purple Heart veterans in the community while also announcing the village had recently joined the ranks of Waterloo and other nearby communities in becoming a Purple Heart City.

Waterloo Mayor Stan Darter officially appointed Tina Charron to the Ward III seat on the Waterloo City Council vacated by Jason Goff, who resigned in June due to a conflict of interest involving his employment with the city after being elected in April.

A group of parishioners from St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia took a mission trip to Mississippi, offering their services to a long-lived mission which focuses on caring for the local homeless population.

Nine months following a tragic fire that destroyed their business and two others, the owners of Adorable Beast made a return, setting up shop in a new location on West Mill Street in Waterloo that has them howling with joy.

The Columbia City Council greenlit the first phase of a planned youth soccer complex near the intersection of Bluff and DD roads.

Ryan Traiteur participated in the American Cornhole League World Championships, and though he came just short of winning his bracket, the youngster left the event having officially received the title of a professional player.

The Columbia Hurricanes stormed past their longtime rivals to capture their first Kaskaskia Conference Swim Meet Championship since 2019.

Waterloo lost a much loved and familiar face with the passing of Roy J. May, a family man, longtime State Farm insurance agent, past American Legion commander and all-around pillar of the community.

Monroe County Fair Board President Don Schrader’s dedication to the annual event was recognized when he was named Outstanding County Fair Person of the Year during a ceremony at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on the sale or possession of the type of semiautomatic weapons used in many mass killings nationally.

The Columbia School Board met for an early monthly meeting, approving a contract agreement with the Columbia Education Association teachers union and welcoming a collection of new district staff and faculty before the start of the academic year.

Pretzel Pretzel, a St. Louis business that has seen substantial growth as franchises have popped up in several communities in the area, found a home in Waterloo thanks to Melissa Villeda and her husband Jose.

The Valmeyer Lakers completed a rare feat in the Mon-Clair League, defeating the Belleville Rockies in two games at Borsch Park to win their second playoff title in a row and capture the league’s ninth ever trifecta.

Rex Gallagher, a young Waterloo boy who has inherited a family passion for skateboarding, is garnering much attention thanks to a unique style which harkens back to the old school pros.

On the same night the jackpot reached six figures, it was announced the current iteration of the popular Queen of Hearts drawing on Tuesdays at Outsider tavern in Waterloo to benefit Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School will be capped at $500,000 by the Belleville Diocese.

The 45th annual Columbia July 4th Celebration was rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 26 at American Legion Memorial Park, as it was postponed due to storm damage to the park at the start of July.

A large field of sunflowers grew across the Mississippi River at Marian’s Place in Cliff Cave Park, offering beautiful views for visitors who have a Columbia man and his wife to thank.

Residents celebrated Waterloo Homecoming 2.0 as it stepped away from its usual home downtown and instead moved to the Monroe County Fairgrounds, headlined by a monster truck show.

William Nobbe, a prominent figure in Waterloo, Monroe County and seemingly among golfers across the country passed away, leaving behind a legacy and plenty of fond memories.

The Waterloo City Council heard from a city official from Columbia who expressed thanks for help provided in the wake of a devastating June 30 storm that crippled Waterloo’s neighbor to the north.

Week one of the 2023 local high school football season will be delayed by a night due to extreme heat.

With support from the Monroe County Retail Liquor Association, Columbia High School bowling coach Keith Jeffrey was able to have a new analytical tool installed at West Park Bowl that could help turn young local bowlers into stars.

New bar Night Fox found a home in downtown Waterloo, standing out from other Main Street establishments with its unique focus on canned cocktails.

Young Girl Scout Lainey Davis put together a colorful project outside Morrison-Talbott Library in Waterloo with the hope of bringing some kindness to Waterloo.

Local veteran John Sinclair flew in the helicopter he called home during his tour of Vietnam, providing him with memories of his military service as well as the welcome home he never truly received.

Monroe County Board Chairman Dennis Knobloch announced he is not seeking a new term as commissioner after his current term expires Nov. 30, 2024.

The Midwest endured a tremendous heat wave, with temperatures in the St. Louis area rising into the 100s toward the end of the week, the coolest temperatures sticking firmly in the 80s and exceptional humidity and other poor conditions making things feel much hotter.

Helping Strays celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, but it was able to mark a different milestone when the 10,000th animal was adopted from Monroe County’s no-kill shelter.

Students and faculty throughout the Waterloo School District welcomed a new face to walk the halls as Officer Brandon Hartin was appointed as the community’s school resource officer.

Columbia High School student Noah Boyer-Edwards managed one of the most remarkable academic honors: a perfect score on the ACT.

New restaurant Hiko came to Waterloo, offering local residents the opportunity to experience a range of Japanese foods.

September

Waterloo Listens and Human Support Services hosted a gathering at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Veteran Jim Hearan participated in an Honor Flight, joined by friend fellow veteran Anthony Lobosco on a day trip they both described as an unforgettable experience.

Waterloo youth Brooke Blind organized a lemonade stand for BackStoppers, donating a sizable check to the organization which supports the families of fallen first responders.

Heidi Ruwald, a longtime leader with Monroe County 4-H, was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, recognizing the many years and tremendous amount of energy she’s poured into the youth organization.

The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department acquired a new boat, providing local first responders a safer means of conducting rescue or firefighting operations along the Mississippi River.

The wave of new staff and faculty members in the Columbia School District this year were joined by new School Resource Officer Tyler McWhorter who was eager to continue building a relationship between the district and the Columbia Police Department.

Ahead of budget hearing for the upcoming fiscal year, the Monroe County Board heard pleas for continued support of local mental health services.

Songs4Soldiers returned for its 10th year having hit a number of milestones since it began in 2013, with last year’s concert finally getting the total donations past the million dollar mark with $1.13 million donated to over 800 combat veterans and their families.

A crowd of local artists gathered in downtown Waterloo, covering a block of Mill Street in chalk art for the second annual Chalk-A-Lot which proved even more successful than the first.

Work on a new $30 million water plant for the City of Waterloo began as city officials joined project managers and others for a groundbreaking ceremony for the project in Valmeyer.

An aging mobile home park and apartment complex seemingly abandoned by its owner on West Mill Street in Waterloo was vacated following a months-long process involving the city.

Emergency personnel were busy responding to a trio of crashes throughout Monroe County one morning, including a rollover crash on Trout Hollow Road, an off-road crash on Route 156 east of Waterloo and a crash on Route 3 south of KK Road near Crook Road which saw debris from the vehicle strewn through a rural yard. 

A passenger in the UTV crash on Trout Camp Road, David F. Browning Jr., 17, died as a result of his injuries.

A tax increment financing district in the Village of Valmeyer was set to be in place for another 12 years.

The Illinois Audubon Society announced the purchase of 44.5 acres in Monroe County to protect the groundwater recharge basin which drains into the Fogelpole Cave Nature Preserve off G Road north of Renault.

The still a far cry from spikes seen earlier in the year, the rate of COVID-19 hospital admissions appeared to be on the rise in Illinois according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

Cashless bail began in Illinois, leaving many in the law enforcement and judicial communities waiting for the full implications of the new system to be realized.

A difference in vision and change in personnel with the termination of former Columbia Community Development Director Scott Dunakey further delayed completion of the City of Columbia Comprehensive Plan project.

After several years of discussion and many questions as to whether or not the project would ultimately come together, the Waterloo Park District Board finally approved construction of a splash pad at its September meeting.

Waterloo hosted two mental health events on one Saturday morning, the Mind Over Miles Run & Walk to promote general health and wellness and the Out of the Darkness Walk to help recognize Suicide Prevention Month.

Local dog owner Daniel Davis released a book illustrated by local artist Elena Biske documenting some of the many adventures he and his beloved Golden Doodle had walking through their wooded neighborhood.

Farmers throughout Monroe and Randolph counties were busy with the fall harvest as they took advantage of the dry weather and got outside, though lack of rain over the summer appeared to have severely impacted the crop.

The Waterloo City Council unanimously approved a “release, settlement and resignation agreement” with Eric Zaber, the second of two former police officers who had filed labor grievances under the prior mayor – which had sparked some contentious dialogue in the weeks leading up to the April 4 election.

A 10-year endeavor to restore Millstadt’s historic former water tower finally came to a close as the final brush stroke on the beloved “Tin Man” was performed early in the month.

The final 2023 trip organized by Land of Lincoln Honor Flight took place, providing local veteran Ed Conley the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., and experience a hero’s flight home.

Columbia welcomed a new business to the community as El Paso MC Cocina opened its doors on Main Street.

October

The Waterloo Legacy Society announced the newest members of its Waterloo High School Legacy Wall with Darryl  Beard, DMD (Class of 1975), Allen Mueller, DMV (Class of 1986), Dennis Rippelmeyer (Class of 1967), former WHS teacher Jane Bailey and former WHS teacher/principal Bill Saul.

The driver involved in a head-on crash earlier in the year on Bluff Road in Columbia which claimed the life of Monroe County resident Dennis Fitzwilliam was charged with reckless homicide.

Local FFA adviser  and agriculture teacher Elaine Rudolphi received a substantial grant in recognition of her exceptional work in the classroom.

Kelly R. Mills, 49, of Valmeyer, was arrested on multiple counts of theft following a joint investigation over the course of several months by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Metro East Auto Theft Task Force.

Three local high school golfers –  Waterloo High School’s Reese Kite and Columbia High School’s Avery Arendell and Jacob Hall – qualified for state tournaments.

This year’s Monroe County startUP class got an early jump on its group project with a golf tournament at Acorns Golf Links near Wartburg.

Millstadt Library announced remodeling plans that affected its hours for a few weeks but ultimately made the space brighter and more welcoming for visitors.

Red Bud cowgirl Annika Olson was seriously injured in a horse riding incident at college, was hospitalized and is still recovering.

Kent Schuchman retired from Waterloo Schnucks, marking the end of a decades-long career that saw him move from teenage bagger to overseeing the grocery store.

Monroe County property tax rates for 2022 along with payment deadlines for those taxes payable in 2023 were processed by the treasurer’s and county clerk’s office.

Turning a negative into a positive, Monroe County officials and volunteers replaced damage to flower beds that were destroyed by vandals in late September.

Local pop-up coffee shop Living Millennially, having served specialty oat milk lattes around Monroe County since late 2021, found a permanent location in Maeystown with The Roastery.

City of Waterloo officials made the building site for a new city water tower official with a groundbreaking ceremony on the Waterloo VFW property.

The City of Waterloo announced the installation of TrimLight, a cutting-edge LED lighting product, around its downtown area near the courthouse.

The most recent season of NBC’s “The Voice” featured local talent in Waterloo’s Eli Ward.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia hosted a benefit walk to raise funds for Allison Ford, a young local nurse who has been dealing with severe complications following a brain surgery which took place the previous year.

After it was closed for two years due to structural issues, Old Baum Church was reopened after no small effort to get the much needed repairs done.

The City of Columbia paid tribute to former mayor and longtime alderman George W. Eckert upon his passing at the age of 93.

There were many happy reunions and the beginnings of new friendships as 45 adults from Columbia traveled to the sister city of Gedern, Germany.

Despite some cloudy, chilly and windy autumn weather, the annual Waterloo Pumpkinfest enjoyed another solid turnout on and around the Monroe County Courthouse grounds.

Waterloo country music artist Alexandra Kay, who has risen to national attention in recent years, released her debut album, a record she described as her most personal work to date.

Janice M. Augustine, 74, of Waterloo, was named in a federal civil lawsuit after she allegedly continued to move money for scammers following warnings to stop from federal law enforcement officers.

The Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities was awarded a substantial grant which is set to help the organization achieve a number of goals it has long hoped for.

Not many small counties can boast three high school boys soccer regional champions in one season, but that is what Monroe County did this fall with Columbia, Gibault and Waterloo all earning hardware.

November

The Illinois Report Card, an overview of school performance throughout the state, was released, showing continued improvement for schools in the community following the height of COVID-19 pandemic precautions.

The Monroe County Economic Development Corporation hosted its annual stakeholder dinner at The Falls Reception & Conference Center in Columbia, with Executive Director Edie Koch being recognized for her seven years of service to the corporation.

The historic Miller-Fiege Home at 140 S. Main Street in Columbia was put on sale, with city officials hopeful an interested party can help give it a new life.

Local residents and those interested in Monroe County’s heritage attended the dedication of a sign at the site of Fort Piggott along Bluff Road across from Sackman Field Airport in Columbia.

Millstadt resident Arleen Nolte passed away from injuries sustained in a three-vehicle crash on Route 158 between Columbia and Millstadt.

Motorists along Route 3 south of Waterloo took notice of a Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners tractor and sign sitting along the highway announcing upcoming construction for an expansion project that will see the business moving closer to the city.

Popular Waterloo storefront Philomena + Ruth closed its doors and moved fully online after nearly a decade as one of the many businesses that have blossomed downtown.

The Columbia High School boys soccer squad advanced to the IHSA Class 1A state tournament by virtue of a 1-0 victory over Williamsville at the Virden (North Mac) Supersectional. The Eagles ended up bringing home third place. 

Several local high school cross country runners qualified for the IHSA state meet in Peoria by virtue of strong showings at sectional meets. With a ninth place Class 2A showing at Detweiller Park in Peoria, the Waterloo girls became the highest placing state cross country squad in school history.

One local veteran received special recognition in Valmeyer as Lucy Engbring celebrated her 100th birthday and many accomplishments through the years among family and friends on Veterans Day.

It was announced that Waterloo High School Principal Lori Costello would be stepping away from the school as she takes over the role of regional superintendent of schools for St. Clair County.

Emergency personnel responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and car on Bluff Road at Hanover Road between Columbia and Valmeyer which led to the death of Sean T. Bowman, 54, of St. Louis.

The Waterloo Police Board of Commissioners met to appoint a new sergeant, replacing former Sgt. Eric Zaber with Sean Wiegand.

The Waterloo FFA chapter had much to celebrate through the fall, being represented beyond the state level at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis thanks to an FFA Creed Speaking competitor and two American FFA Degree recipients.

An M-44 self-propelled Howitzer was delivered to Ratz Memorial Park in Red Bud, installed through the efforts of VFW Post 6632 over the past 10-plus years.

Monroe County and the former director of nursing at the county-owned senior living and rehabilitation center in Waterloo reached a settlement agreement in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed last year. Monroe County agreed to pay a total of $125,000 to Susan Nordhaus and her attorney. This settlement comes with the stipulation that Nordhaus’ personnel employment file indicate “voluntary resignation” as the designation for her separation of employment from Oak Hill. The court settlement further states Nordhaus was awarded $25,000 in back pay and $50,000 for “damages associated with emotional stress,” with the remaining $50,000 payable to the law firm representing Nordhaus in the matter.

With affordable housing at a premium in the area, the Columbia City Council spent a majority of its Nov. 5 meeting discussing a proposed condominium development near Gedern Estates between Ghent and Palmer roads.

Columbia native and former Republic-Times sports editor Jeremy Housewright published a book dedicated to wrestling and the love he and others have come to feel for the sport.

An online petition circulated on Facebook sought support for the removal of current Monroe County Animal Control Officer Eric Allscheid from his post.

The Kaskaskia Regional Port District reported that it was experiencing substantial growth as nearly $37 million in grants were approved for a range of projects.

The westbound span of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge on I-255 from Monroe County into Missouri was finally reopened to traffic following a closure of several months due to repairs.

Harrison Tuttle of Waterloo passed away following a motorcycle crash on Route 158 over the Thanksgiving weekend, leaving his family, friends and the community to mourn a brief but brilliant life.

With a serious brain injury set to make her miss out on many holiday festivities, young Evy Auld of Columbia was treated to an early Christmas thanks to the efforts of the community.

Despite pushback from two aldermen and a resident of Gedern Village, the Columbia City Council approved a community unit plan for a proposed condominium development along the 1700 block of Ghent Road.

The 10th annual Rau-a-thon run took place Thanksgiving morning at the home of Nathan and Annette Rau in downtown Waterloo, with a large number of participants running in support of young Amari and raising more than $10,000 for the young son of Jessica Kelly and Ramone Connor who is dealing with a development disorder known as DiGeorge Syndrome.

December

East Carondelet tow truck driver and Prairie du Pont volunteer firefighter Wade Bivins passed away after he was struck by a truck while assisting a broken down vehicle on I-255 in Columbia, leaving family and friends to mourn and reminding motorists how important it is to slow down on the road.

A major position will need to be filled within the Waterloo Police Department as current chief Jeff Prosise announced he would be retiring in January.

A rural Columbia family was especially thankful following a late November cold water rescue on their property.

Waterloo High School student Mars Shufelt was selected to perform along with some of the best singers in the state as part of the 2024 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Chorus during the winter’s Illinois Music Education Conference.

Tuesday nights in downtown Waterloo continued to be dominated by the Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School’s Queen of Hearts drawing, even as the game was set to finish with a quarter of the payout from the last round.

After 30 hours, three planes and two layovers, a group consisting of mostly members of HOPE Christian Church in Columbia arrived in Nepal the month prior to begin an 11-day mission trip, delivering clothes and other supples, helping with exterior painting projects and meeting with local church leaders and other Nepali Christian organizations.

Young athletes in the community – especially those looking to improve their baseball or softball skills – found a new place to hone their craft at Xtra Innings Training Facility.

The second major component of the Protect Illinois Communities Act was set to go into effect at the start of the new year, requiring that every resident who owns any of a long list of firearms deemed dangerous by the state register their weapon.

Fifty years, almost to the day, after the retirement of the first administrator of Oak Hill – then known as Monroe County Nursing Home – former administrator Kim Keckritz was set to be off the books after 22 years with the county-owned senior living and rehabilitation center in Waterloo.

For the first time in several months, the regular Waterloo School Board meeting took place in the high school library rather than the auditorium, with discussion centering chiefly on the 2023 tax levy which saw its largest percent increase in several years.

A lawsuit was filed in the late 2022 death of local toddler Ozzy Embrich by his family against Red Bud Regional Hospital.

Auto repair shop Caliber Collision in Columbia celebrated its grand re-opening.

The Waterloo Park Board touched on a range of items at its December meeting, with splash pad discussion touching on a possible early opening for the facility in spring 2024.