Albers News

A man accused of the shotgun murder of his father appeared in court Wednesday morning to learn he faced first-degree murder charges.

A blaze destroyed one house and damaged two others early today in Germantown, a Louisville Fire & Rescue official said.

The Stukenberg-Eilermann Post 1026 in Albers celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 17.

Metro police and firefighters are investigating Saturday night's incident of acid being sprayed onto a group of people.

Three people were airlifted to St. Louis hospitals this morning after a head-on collision on Old U.S. 50 east of Schumacher Road near Aviston.

Judith A. Athmer, 55, of Albers, was listed in critical condition at St. Louis University Hospital after the vehicle her husband was driving collided with a vehicle driven by Eric B. Wright, 35, of Trenton, about 8:50 a.m., according to the Illinois State Police.

Thomas A. Athmer, 56, was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and Wright was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese before being airlifted to Barnes-Jewish later. Police said their injuries were 'not serious.' Read more

“We're assuming the worst, and that's why we are doing a very thorough investigation”

BRILLION - The death of a 22-year old Jaime Petrie of Brillion from a single gunshot wound to the head was felt in Wrightstown, where she worked. via WisInfo

“The rest of the church is still under construction.”

Agape Fellowship's God's Little Food Pantry will be open from 3-5 p.m. today. After extensive flooding of the church at 425 W. North St. via Iroquois Times-Republic

“We are certainly hopeful, but we don't know. Every case is different. We don't know if he could (get better) today, tomorrow or in six months.”

Friends and family of a Trenton man who was injured in a welding accident are hosting a benefit Saturday to assist with his medical and personal expenses.

Mike Toennies remains in an unconscious state.

Toennies was welding a fuel tank Dec. 8 at his place of business, B&M Portable Welding Inc. in Albers, when the tank exploded. He suffered multiple injuries, and his recovery has been slow.

Lynn Pfister, Toennies' mother-in-law, said he responds to some commands, and that the family is staying optimistic that he will regain consciousness. Read more

“I don't think the resources are there to monitor it up front”

A recent North Shore case indicates able-bodied people could park in handicapped spaces all over Illinois with little chance of getting caught. via WBBM-AM Chicago

Champagne is typically brought out only for celebrations. With New Year's Eve just six days away, here's a tidbit of advice, via the Associated Press, on uncorking the bubbly.

'You should always open it very gently, very slow,' says Maximilian Riedel, the 11th generation descendant of the Austrian wine glass company Riedel. 'All you should hear is a little ffft. It should not be a big bang, because with a big bang comes a lot of wine that you will lose.'

Herve Rousseau, owner of New York's Flute champagne bar, said another way to enjoy champagne is use it as a topper for a traditional cocktail, like a cosmopolitan or an apple martini. You just make your drink and leave an inch at the top, then pour in the bubbles to pick it up. It works especially well with sweet cocktails, says Rousseau. Read more

“Ideally, if they are in areas that are fairly far away from people it's fine, but it was close proximity to people”

Six young whooping cranes that called Clinton County home for the past week not only have left the area, they've exited the state.

Concerns about consistent human activity in the area -- including the presence of a nearby hunt club -- prompted trackers with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Crane Foundation to capture the endangered birds and transport them to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County, Tenn.

The rare whooping cranes, featured in Thursday's News-Democrat, were roosting and foraging for food in a shallow surface mine impoundment lake south of Albers, on private property that was once a working coal mine. Read more

Editor: The September Fest Committee would like to extend sincere thanks to all those who helped make September Fest 2007 a phenomenal success! We were overwhelmed by the generosity, support and enthusiasm ... via Daily Chronicle

“This is what Warren would have wanted”

The largest donation ever received by Anderson Hospital in its 30 years will be used for cancer research, patient care and community outreach. via STLtoday

“He was always happy with the care provided at Anderson. During his last visit, he said he wanted to do something for the hospital one day.”

Anderson Hospital 's new cancer center has been named The Warren Billhartz Cancer Center in honor of the late Warren Billhartz, the hospital announced Friday. via St. Louis Business Journal