Volume 42 Number 30 Thursday, July 29, 2021 20 Pages | 75¢ Marissa softball coach fired, denies allegations ments she’d made at school not gotten better since School board votes 5-1 to terminate to students about a parent sixth grade. By Travis Lott Kohrs’ position as para- and another student. The letter goes on to state Marissa softball coach professional and coach is Strieker said that eight that, during the adminis- Laura Kohrs was fired an at-will position, mean- witnesses confirmed that tration’s investigation of Monday after allegations ing that she can be termi- Kohrs instructed players to Kohrs, she inappropriately of misconduct, including nated at any time, without lie and say they were una- discussed the allegations that she made negative a reason given. vailable for a game over with others and was insub- comments about student During the July 26 school Memorial Day weekend, a ordinate when she denied athletes, parents and staff board meeting, the board game when three starters the claims against her. members, according to a approved a resolution ter- were already going to be Also, Strieker said Kohrs four-page letter from Su- minating Kohrs’ employ- unavailable. The team was made negative comments perintendent Jeff Strieker ment with the district by undefeated up to that point. about a student and parent that details the charges. a vote of 5-1, with board Laura Kohrs Kohrs noted that the game in the cafeteria to other Kohrs, who has coached member Chelsea DeMange in question was rained out. students. the Marissa High School abstaining. That list had been modified Strieker alleges that Kohrs explained what softball team for five years A number of softball play- from the original letter that Kohrs forbade players from happened in that incident. and previously coached the ers attended the July 26 Strieker sent to Kohrs. wearing merchandise sup- She said she was speaking junior high softball team meeting to support Kohrs. Among statements that porting teams other than with players during lunch, for 12 years, is a three-time Players also attended the Kohrs allegedly made was her preferred team, the some of whom asked about coach of the year. last regular board meeting that she called student-ath- Menace. playing time. During the 2021 season, July 19. letes snitches and backstab- The letter also states that “I said that if they wanted the team went 11-0 in con- “Between the two meet- bers during a May 26 game, Kohrs called one athlete a to know about playing time, ference play and 16-1 over- ings, I would say all but which Strieker states that baby; told one athlete dur- they can check the stats,” all. The Marissa softball about five (players or par- five witnesses confirmed. ing a game that she ran Kohrs said. program is ranked 34 in ents) showed up,” Kohrs Strieker alleges that was like a monkey; told players As far as other allega- the state. said. in retaliation for her be- that all outfielders were re- tions, Kohrs said she didn’t Kohrs has categorically The resolution to termi- ing called to meet with placable; called out players know where they came denied the allegations con- nate Kohrs spelled out a list the principal and athletic who missed practice; and tained in Strieker’s letter. of accusations against her. director to discuss com- told one athlete that she’d Continued on Page 5_____ Tim Lowry Lowry indicted Former Red Bud mayor accused of making false statements to investigators By Travis Lott Since his resignation as Red Bud mayor earlier this month, there has been a Cow candy great deal of buzz around The Campbell Hill Picnic parade always seems to feature some unique entries, and this year’s was no exception. town about the potential Here, Dr. Allen Hodapp of Solid Rock Veterinary Clinic in Murphysboro is shown dipping into the rear of a criminal charges he may be cow and pulling out candy, which he threw to the crowd. The float took Best of Show honors and was judged facing. Those rumors were first place in the commercial category. A complete list of winners and more photos from last weekend’s picnic confirmed last week when can be found inside this issue. Solid Rock photo Tim Lowry was indicted in federal court. Lowry has been charged with making a false state- ment to the Federal South- Local COVID cases show sharp increase ern Illinois Public Corrup- By Travis Lott unvaccinated. young as 2. She said it is people to take it before it’s tion Task Force. A month ago, many felt While some people who spreading rapidly among too late. This is a felony charge. If like the awful saga of the have been vaccinated have entire households. “I see stories in the news convicted, Lowry faces up coronavirus pandemic was contracted the virus, Clark “Before, it might be in a about people who are on to five years in prison and in our rearview mirror. said that number is low. household, but it wasn’t a their death bed begging for a $250,000 fine. Over the past few weeks, Furthermore, Clark said done deal (that everyone a vaccine, and it’s too late,” According to the one- though, we have learned the vaccinated people who would get it),” Clark said. Clark said. count indictment filed July otherwise. The newer, do test positive have not Perry and Randolph coun- She added that, for some, 22, Lowry provided false more contagious Delta var- been getting as sick as ties do not have as many they don’t think they need statements to an FBI spe- iant has overtaken new their unvaccinated counter- cases as Jackson, but the the vaccine until COVID-19 cial agent and federal task cases nationwide, spread- parts. One vaccinated per- numbers are still signifi- personally affects their force officer in denying ing rapidly and creating a son in Jackson County has cant. lives. that he paid Columbia May- new emergency situation been hospitalized during After having zero cases a “I don’t want it to take a or Kevin Hutchinson a com- in states with low vaccina- this recent spike, and Clark few weeks ago, Randolph tragedy for someone to (get said that was an individual mission for referring the tion rates like Arkansas County has 47 active cases a vaccine),” Clark said. with a number of underly- city of Columbia’s Illinois and Missouri. and three people hospital- Jackson County Health ing health conditions. Counties Risk Management The Delta variant now ized. Department offers walk-in “(The vaccine) has done Trust insurance contract to accounts for more than 80 Likewise, Perry County vaccination clinics week- percent of all new cases in its job in preventing seri- Lowry’s business. had 43 active cases as of days from 8:30 to 3:30, ex- the United States, the Cent- ous illness and hospitaliza- Hutchinson was recently last week. More than half cept for Tuesday, when it is ers for Disease Control re- tions,” Clark said. sentenced to two years of of the new cases reported open until 5:30. ported this week. The CDC Hospitalizations have probation, issued a $500 last Thursday were among Regular Randolph County also reported that more increased overall, Clark fine and is compelled to minors. Health Department clinics than 90 percent of states said, and local hospitals complete 40 hours of com- Clark, as well as other are Tuesday, Thursday and and territories are experi- have reopened the COVID local health officials, en- Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 munity service after he encing increases in cases. wards that were closed for courage people to continue a.m., and Wednesday, Au- admitted to lying to federal Jackson County has seen a short time. However, she wearing masks, even if they gust 25 from 1 to 3. investigators about receiv- a particularly nasty spike. said hospitalization rates are vaccinated, for that ex- For more information on ing the commission for the In June, the county to- remain low. contract. taled 42 cases all month. As Clark said the virus has tra layer of protection. vaccines, call the Randolph Hutchinson owned BMC of July 26, the county had become more prevalent in “This isn’t over,” Clark County Health Department Associates. Unbeknownst already reported nearly young people due to the said. at 618-826-5007, Jackson to the Columbia city council 300 for the month. more contagious nature Still, the best way to com- County at 618-684-3143 or or city manager, Hutchin- Paula Clark, operation of the Delta variant. She bat the spread of the virus Perry County at 618-357- son received referral com- section chief for COVID-19 said there have been a lot is to get the shots. 5371. missions from insurance at the Jackson County of cases in the 10-19 age Clark said vaccine dis- Vaccines are also widely contracts he placed with Health Department, said range. Over the weekend, tribution has increased available at local pharma- the vast majority of cases Jackson County reported slightly during the spike, cies, including Walmart Continued on Page 5 ______ are spreading amongst the cases among children as but she urges even more and Walgreens. Willis Publishing Inc. © Copyright 2021 MONEY $AVING COUPONS INSIDE! PAGE 2 COUNTY JOURNAL | JULY 29, 2021 All those arrested or ticketed are presumed innocent until POLICE proven guilty in court. Local police blotters Erin N. Thompson, Troy E. Downs, 57, of Aaron M. Kratz, 39, Magnesium machine 33, of Red Bud was Steeleville was arrest- of Sparta was arrest- arrested July 20 by ed July 22 by the Ran- ed July 20 by the Ran- Sparta police for pos- dolph County Sheriff’s dolph County Sheriff’s session of meth and a Offi ce for unlawful re- Offi ce on a Randolph catches fi re at Spartan controlled substance, straint and criminal County warrant for meth delivery, driv- damage to property.