Days Gone By In Staunton

Thursday, January 4, 1990 -- PLANS PROGRESSING FOR NEW AMBULANCE HOME -- The building committee of Staunton Area Ambulance Service is working on plans for a proposed building while the city attorney is doing paperwork on the proposed site. Members of the building committee are Paul Poehling, Rollie Lorenz, Todd Traylor, Cheryl Horner, Rob Pollett, and Joe Schelling.

The Staunton City Council has agreed to lease a parcel of city land on Ash Street between Pennsylvania and Olive streets to the Service.

Todd Traylor, Director of the Ambulance Service, said he would like to see a new building up by next summer, although there is no construction schedule at this time. The Service currently occupies a one-room office at the hospital and operates its two ambulances from a garage on hospital property. The 30' x 32' two-bay garage is owned by the Service.

Staunton Area Ambulance serves people in Olive Fire District which is Livingston and Williamson, New Douglas Fire District, Staunton City and Township and Worden Fire District.

In November of 1990 the Ambulance Service will take in all of Staunton Fire District, which includes Staunton City and Township as well as outlying areas. This is a result of a referendum that was successfully passed in the 1988 election.

At that time the number of people the Ambulance Service serves will go from 9,271 to about 11,097 people.

Traylor said initial floor plans for the frame building on a concrete slab include room for classes and meetings, a sleeping area for emergency medical technicians, office and storage space, and a garage. He said the one-story building including the garage would probably be about 70' x 90'.

by Sherry Anschutz Rondi

LOCAL WOMAN IS VICTIM OF SHOOTING -- Tena McDonough, 25, of Staunton, is a patient at St. John's Hospital in Springfield after being shot with a shotgun early Saturday, December 30. Staunton police first became aware of the shooting when they pulled over a speeding car at approximately 3 a.m. The woman was being rushed to the Community Memorial Hospital. She told them what had happened and identified her attacker. The officer escorted her the rest of the way to the hospital.

She was later transferred to St. John's. Staunton police searched for the man she had identified but were unable to find him. About 10:40 a.m. Saturday, Edwardsville police spotted a car matching the description of the suspect's parked just west of the Madison County jail in Edwardsville and staked out the car.

They arrested Roy L. Adams, 32, as he walked to the car. Adams' last known address was in Berna, Kentucky.

According to police reports, McDonough has lived in Staunton for about eight months and has known Adams for several years.

Adams is being held at Macoupin County jail where he is expected to be charged with attempted homicide, home invasion along with other possible charges.

REUNION WITH SWISS EXCHANGE STUDENT -- Dave and Estelle Schmoeller of Country Companies in Staunton, briefly hosted Natalie Kohler of Lausanne, Switzerland, during the holidays. Kohler, who first visited the Schmoellers ten years ago, spent a week away from her studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, to renew her friendship.

Mrs. Schmoeller said Kohler's visits "opened my eyes." In 1979 Kohler was just beginning her studies in law at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. The Lion's Club arranged her six-week visit during May and June of that year.

Schmoeller said Kohler was continually amazed by the abundance of goods that were available. Schmoeller recalled her saying, "You have so much!" as she went from one well-stocked store to another.

Kohler, now a lawyer interested in criminal and bank law, is involved in a grant fellowship program at Georgetown University doing research on money laundering.

According to Schmoeller she wasted no time while she was here. She arrived on Christmas Day and spent a lot of time just exploring Mt. Olive and Staunton. She and the Schmoellers also spent time in St. Louis at the Arch, museum, and other landmarks. She was interested in the Schmoeller's insurance office, especially the computers. She had little experience with them before arriving at Georgetown.

During this visit Kohler gave the Schmoellers a view of themselves. Kohler told Mrs. Schmoeller the people here were very different than in D.C. She said in D.C. they were very competitive. Kohler described very aggressive people who were very driven.

Schmoeller said she felt many Americans were like those In Illinois. "It's what we call 'laid back'." Schmoeller said.

By Sherry Anschutz Rondi

COLD SNAP KEPT WATER DEPARTMENT BUSY -- The old joke goes, "How cold was it?" It was so cold during Christmas week that water spewing from a broken pipe was frozen by the time it hit the ground. Wind chill estimates were 45 degrees below zero. Words cannot describe the difficulty and discomfort those conditions create.

But to imagine digging in the dark and searching for a leak in a pipe in sub-zero temperatures is painful. And one city worker did suffer the beginning effects of frostbite. Not to attack the problem would endanger the entire city's water supply.

Even with the many repairs the city crews accomplished, the water department had to work around the clock to maintain the water supply. And words seem insufficient to thank city water crews who battled leaks day and night.

According to a report given at the city council meeting, city crews worked on leaks, often most of the day and night, on December 18, 20-24, 26 and 27. They were scheduled after the 27th to fix two leaks on Quarry St., and leaks on Henry, Dawson, and Edwardsville, plus any others that occurred.

The large number was attributed to very dry frozen ground which shifted, breaking the pipes.

One city worker commented that several city residents came out with much appreciated hot drinks and food for them while they were fighting the leaks. The City Council also thanked the crew for their determination in the very adverse conditions.

Water service in Staunton was not interrupted once in all that time. No boil orders were needed. Hats off to the Water Department.

by Sherry Anschutz Rondi