If you're tempted to pass a stopped school bus from either direction on the roadway, you'd be well advised to consider the consequences you might endure for the few seconds of time you save.

You could lose your license. Conviction for passing a stopped school bus brings an automatic three-month suspension of drivers license in Illinois. There is also a $150 mandatory fine. For a second offense, it's a year of suspended license.

People are watching you. Police in Trenton, New Baden, and with the Clinton County sheriff's office have been notified by Wesclin school district officials that the violations have been numerous, and sometimes egregious, at the start of this school year, and all three law enforcement agencies are urging motorists to slow down and be aware of school buses, designated crosswalks, and pedestrian traffic, particularly during times when children are traveling to and from school.

Additionally, Wesclin bus drivers have been instructed to copy down license numbers of offenders and complete the necessary paperwork for prosecution in all cases where the law is violated.

A child could be seriously injured or killed. In one instance last week, a Wesclin bus driver was stopped on a rural road with the bus's stop arm extended and lights flashing, and an oncoming truck passed so close that the truck's mirror actually clipped the stop arm on the way by. Three children had already exited the bus, and were waiting to cross the road, according to Wesclin business manager Paul Tockstein. "Fortunately, the bus driver's protocol is for the children not to cross the road until the driver waves them across," said Tockstein.

According to state code, no motorist traveling the same direction may pass a stopped school bus, and the only instance when oncoming drivers are not required to stop is in the case of a divided, four-lane street or road. Bus drivers are required to activate their amber warning lights as they approach a stop, and their red stop lights and stop arm when they have come to a complete stop for the purpose of loading or discharging pupils.

Trenton police chief Mike Jones urged motorists to observe the law with regard to school buses as well as designated pedestrian crosswalks. Motorists are required to stop at such marked crossings regardless of whether a crossing guard is present or not.

"Between ourselves and the sheriff's department, we've had at least ten complaints," said Jones. "People just need to slow down and pay attention... all the time, but especially when kids are involved, going to and from school."

Jones encouraged parents and students to utilize the designated crosswalks in Trenton where crossing guards are present mornings and afternoons. Guards are present at the intersections of Broadway and Washington Streets, and at North Madison and Third Streets.

Jones noted that there is a $75 fine for failing to yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks.

Jones also said that speeding on country roads by high school students is prevalent, but is outside his department's jurisdiction. "We had five vehicles totaled in the first four days of school," Jones told Trenton's city council Monday night.

As for speeding within Trenton's jurisdiction, Jones said he plans to step up enforcement by assigning officers to work specific detail. "It's got to stop," Jones said.

New Baden police sergeant Scott Meinhardt said officers there routinely monitor school bus stops around town mornings and afternoons. "We have our designated places to check, depending how severe the problem is," Meinhardt said. Meinhardt said the bulk of violations come on school grounds, at low speeds. "It's just as illegal then as any time," Meinhardt said. "I give people the benefit of the doubt as far as their intent, but the fact is we all need to be more aware."

Meinhardt said the law goes so far as to punish vehicle owners, even if they weren't driving the car when the violation occurred. "If you refuse to identify the person who committed the violation, you accept responsibility as if you had done it yourself," Meinhardt. Such vehicle owners can have their registration suspended, in addition to the consequences for the violation.

- 1907 -

By a vote of 136 to 50 the proposition for issuing bonds not to exceed $8,000 for the purpose of raising money to construct a waterworks system was passed.

The Aviston town board appointed a committee to go to St. Louis to purchase a cage that will hold the boys for awhile.

Tomorrow is Trenton Day at the Clinton County Fair at Breese and a large delegation from this city will attend.

The Labor Day parade was a huge success. Some 300 men marched and were followed by a large number of surreys and buggies to the Trenton Park.

- 1917 -

Fred Ambros, 48, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Tony Witt on Wednesday.

H.B. Lanter will give a $25 reward for information leading to the party who ran into his rig with a Ford touring car Saturday on the State Road east of Trenton.

Wm. Ranz won first prize for the best cart in the mule colt show given by Martin Faitz. Joe Ziegler was second and Oscar Haury third.

F.M. Vogt is taking lessons in driving a Metz racer and it may be that he will enter the auto racing field in the future.

- 1927 -

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Watson of New Baden on Aug. 18.

Mrs. Barbara Singler, nee Morloch, died at her home in New Baden on August 29.

Sidney Sullins has his new residence on Sixth Street under roof and the same will be ready for occupancy within a few weeks.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Bann of New Baden last Friday.

The Sugar Creek Reunion was attended by over 100 from Greenville alone. There was a delicious basket dinner in addition to the impressive church service.

- 1937 -

Jacob Kuhn, 81, for many years a prominent business man being connected with the Riemann, Kuhn & Co. lumber dealers and builders, died suddenly at his home in St. Louis Saturday.

Jacob Miener of New Baden, contractor and builder, died Saturday at the age of 81.

Miss Addie Louden and Elmer Erlinger were married last Thursday evening at the Mayfair Hotel in St. Louis.

Oliver Lee and Mrs. Amelia Lee were married in St. Louis August 24.

- 1947 -

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Charles Gilmartin will observe his golden sacredotal jubilee on Sunday at Sacred Heart Church in East St. Louis.

Robert Eisenmayer has completed a summer of theatre at the nationís largest playhouse in Plymouth, Mass.

Maurice Toennies, 22, Albers student at Washington University, was injured Saturday night when an airplane he was piloting crashed in St. Louis County.

Mayor Henry Gramann, well known auctioneer of St. Jacob, died suddenly August 26 at the age of 62.

Miss Emma Bergdolt and Julius Graesser were quietly married at the Bergdolt home Saturday evening.

- 1957 -

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Henson August 21 and a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. John L. Buehler on Aug. 22.

The marriage of Miss Mary Jo Meissner and Laurell Wuest was an event of Aug. 29 at St. Dominic Church in Breese.

Mrs. Anna Cannon, sister of Rud. Oelschlager, died Saturday in Granite City,

Henry H. Feldt, a retired farmer of New Baden, died Aug. 31 at the age of 79.

St. Mary Church was the scene of the Sept. 2 wedding of Miss Lou Ann Duing and Donald J. Venhaus.

Mrs. H.H. Schlarmann of Carlyle died Aug. 29 at the age of 83.

- 1967 -

Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Weil Sr. of Lebanon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at a family picnic Sunday at Horner Park.

A son, Steven Orville, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Schmeder (Gladys Kaufman) in Memorial Hospital, Belleville, on August 25.

Miss Kathleen Ann Halluin of Beckemeyer and Mark Becker of Trenton were married in St. Anthony Church, Beckemeyer on August 26.

Miss Nora Korte became the bride of Phil Abernathy of Sorento on Aug. 19 in St. Mary Church.

- 1977 -

Pat Callahan and Kathleen Moran announce the opening of their law office in Trenton.

Tammy Fleming exhibited her abilities in macrame at the Illinois State Fair.

Miss Charlene Michelle Brown of Washington Park was married to Jon Michael Granda on August 20 at St. Martin of Tours Church, Washington Park.

- 1987 -

The 46th annual Kuhn Family reunion was held August 23 in Lindendale Park in Highland.

Cal Schwend, owner of Trenton Processing Center, has purchased the Trenton House Restaurant from Leonard Fiedler.

Trenton swept the Clinton County League playoffs in two straight by downing Breese 6-2 and won their third consecutive playoff title. They also won the regular season pennant

Harold C. Jung, 70, of Trenton, died September 2 at St. Josephís Hospital in Highland.

-1997-

Trenton Sun owners Mike and Sybil Conley hosted the Southern Illinois Editorial Association for its annual summer meeting, including a visit to McKendree College in Lebanon and a tour of the control tower at the new Mid-America Airport.

Melanie Schoenberg and Michael Brink were united in holy matrimony on June 28 at East Park Baptist Church in Decatur, Illinois.

Carolyn Ann Johnson and Patrick Francis Rakers were married July 19, 1997.

Christopher Dall, age 5, is happy to announce the birth of his baby brother Nicholas Edmund.

Sylvia A. Haas, 77, of Trenton, died Saturday, August 25, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. She was born Oct 6, 1929 in Aviston, daughter of Raymond and Veronica, nee Middeke, Ketterer, and they both preceded her in death. Other precedents included brothers-in-law Robert Thole and Charles Haas; and sisters-in-law Irene Bray and Marie Hobbs. She married Nelson Haas April 18, 1950 at St. Francis Church, Aviston, and he survives in Trenton. Also surviving are a son, Dennis (Sherri) Haas of South Amana, Iowa; a granddaughter, Stacy Haas; and a sister Florence Thole of Aviston. Mrs. Haas was the former owner of Kettererís Tavern in Trenton. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Clinton County Tavern Association, and the Trenton Senior Citizens. The funeral was this morning (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. from St. Mary Church, Fr. James Daugherty officiating. Interment St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Church or Trenton Senior Center and will be received through Moss Funeral Home.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

Mary Alice "Mimi" Kuhn, 61, died August 21, 2007 at her home in Salem, South Carolina. She was a former resident of Lebanon. Surviving are her husband Harold Kuhn; sons Martin Kuhn and Christopher (Jennifer) Kuhn; and grandson Max.

Memorials may be made to any Hospice Group.

Edward H. Thoele, 82, of Germantown, died Sunday, August 26, 2007 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. He was born April 14, 1925 in Germantown, son of Joseph and Elizabeth, nee Nordhaus, Thoele, and they both preceded him in death. Other precedents included his stepfather, Bernard Spihlmann; a brother, Alvin Thoele; and a sister, Olivia Thoele; stepbrothers Ray, Leo, Bernard, Rich, and Clarence Spihlmann; a step-sister, Millie Heimann; brothers- and sisters-in-law. He married Mary Jane Kohrmann April 29, 1953 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown, and she survives at home. Also surviving are his children, Ken (Gina) Thoele of Johnson City, Tennessee; Sue (Dave) Wuebbels of Germantown; Jim (Myra) Thoele of Breese; and Eileen Thoele of Germantown; a brother, Walter Thoele of New Baden; sisters Mary (Arnold) Heimann and Bernice (Corny) Kniepmann, all of Germantown; stepsisters Marie Albers of Breese, Henrietta (Abby) Albers of Germantown, and Dorothy Wiemann of Maryville; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, in-laws, other relatives, and friends. Mr. Thoele was a retired laborer from Carpenters Locals 397 in Granite City and 581 in Carlyle. He was a meber of St. Boniface Catholic Church, and Germantown American Legion Post 325. He was an Army veteran of World War II. The funeral was this morning from St. Boniface Church. Interment St. Boniface Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Germantown First Responders or the donorís choice, and will be accepted through Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Condolences to mossfuneralhome.com

John J. "Johnny" Winkler, 82, of Germantown, died Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese. He was born March 23, 1925 in Germantown, son of John C. and Clara T., nee Brueggemann, Winkler, and they both preceded him in death. Siblings, nieces, nephews, other friends and relatives survive. Interment St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.

For complete obituary and Condolences, hempenfuneralhome.com

Leona T. Huelsmann, 89, of St. Rose, died Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. She was born December 31, 1917 in St. Rose, daughter of Anton and Rose, nee Schrage, Huelsmann, and they both preceded her in death. Sisters, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends survive. Interment St. Rose Cemetery.

For complete obituary and Condolences: hempenfuneralhome.com

Joyce M. Zurliene, 49, of Albers, died Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born June 22, 1958 in Clarksville, Tennessee, daughter of Wilson Taylor and Rose, nee Usselmann, Kraft. Her father survives in Albers, and her mother survives in Breese. She married Duane Zurliene December 22, 1990 in Camden, Missouri, and he survives in Albers. Siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. Interment St. Bernard Cemetery, Albers.

For complete obituary and Condolences, mossfuneralhome.com