If you live anywhere near Monroe County, you already know the drill. You wake up, grab a coffee, and check the latest waterloo republic times breaking news to see why there were sirens on Route 158 or why the water tastes a little "off" in Dupo. It's the local lifeline.
This week has been particularly hectic. We’ve seen everything from high-speed police chases to a massive fire that basically gutted a local utility plant. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of if you aren't refreshing the feed every ten minutes.
Let's get into the weeds of what’s actually going on right now.
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The Route 158 Crash and Millstadt Fire
Just a few days ago, on January 15, emergency crews were scrambled to a nasty three-vehicle wreck on Route 158. It happened right between Columbia and Millstadt around 4 p.m. You've probably driven that stretch a thousand times. It’s usually fine, but when things go wrong there, they go wrong fast. Luckily, the Republic-Times reported that despite the mess of metal, nobody actually needed a trip to the hospital.
Then there’s the Millstadt situation.
A huge fire broke out at the Village of Millstadt Wastewater Treatment Facility. This wasn't just some small brush fire. Multiple departments had to rush to the 400 block of East Laurel Street to keep the flames from spreading. It’s the kind of news that makes you wonder about your utility bills next month, but for now, the focus is just on the fact that they got it under control before it took out the whole block.
Waterloo Shooting Case: Why the Trial is Stalled
The big legal story dominating the waterloo republic times breaking news is the Brenndan M. Pietlukiewicz case. If you haven't been following, this stems from a shooting outside the Waterloo movie theater back in November.
Pietlukiewicz, who is only 21, is facing some heavy charges:
- Aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm.
- Aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle.
- A new charge of obstruction of justice (allegedly for deleting texts).
The trial was supposed to be moving along, but things hit a wall in court. His defense attorney, Robert Bas, basically told the judge he hadn't received electronic copies of some of the evidence.
State’s Attorney Ryan Webb wasn't having it. He basically suggested some "games" were being played to delay things. Judge Chris Hitzemann ended up pushing the whole thing back to make sure everything is by the book. It’s a mess. A status hearing happened on January 15, and we’re looking at a tentative jury trial for late January or early February.
The Mystery of the Stolen Baby Jesus
You can't make this stuff up. For the second year in a row, someone has swiped the Baby Jesus figurine from the nativity scene at Immanuel Lutheran Church on South Church Street.
Seriously?
It happened right around Christmas and remains a talking point in the local police blotter. It seems like a small thing compared to a shooting or a major fire, but in a tight-knit place like Waterloo, it’s the kind of thing that gets people fired up. It’s just disrespectful.
Water Quality Alerts and Infrastructure
If you're in Dupo, you’ve probably seen the notices about the water. The Illinois EPA found traces of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in the latest samples.
It sounds scary. Basically, these are "forever chemicals" that shouldn't be there. The village is working on it, but it's another reminder that our infrastructure is aging. Speaking of aging, Waterloo is also dealing with its new water plant’s "growing pains." After a year of operation, they’re still ironed out issues with water hardness and copper-related leaks.
What’s Coming Next in Monroe County
There is a lot on the horizon for 2026.
- The Penny is Dying: Local spots like Rural King and Walmart are already starting to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel because the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies.
- School Upgrades: The Waterloo School Board is still debating what to do with the Junior High. Do they fix the old wing or build something new? Expect a lot of public meetings on this soon.
- Road Work: The Rogers Street extension and the Country Club Lane realignment are finally supposed to move forward this year.
Actionable Insights for Local Residents
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Monroe County Circuit Court schedule for the Jan. 21 motions in the theater shooting case—that will determine if the trial actually starts on Jan. 26. Also, if you’re a Dupo resident, check the village’s official page for the specific PFOS filtration plan updates. For those who still use cash, start carrying nickels or be prepared for the "rounding" at the register. It’s officially the end of the penny era in Waterloo.
Check your mail for the upcoming town hall notices regarding the new EMS district property tax. This will affect residents in Millstadt, Smithton, and parts of Waterloo and Hecker, so you’ll want to have your say before it hits the ballot.