Beginning January 10, customers making a purchase from the Shepherd’s Closet will receive a surprise food item. Shepherd’s Closet is the front part of the caring center next to Gotcha Latte and across from Mi Casita in downtown Gillespie. These surprises will change/vary from day to day. Also starting this January will be a half-price […]
Gillespie Council votes to approve computer upgrade, accepts high bid to replace heater at water plant
In a relatively brief and routine meeting, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved an expenditure of up to $3,000 to replace computers used by City Clerk workers, and engaged in sometimes heated debate over hiring procedures and the recent purchase of a vacuum truck for the Street Department. Mayor John Hicks told council […]
Benld Council approves $116,912 tax levy
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved a tax levy for 2022 property taxes payable in 2023, accepted a $185,100 bid to repaint the city’s water storage tower and agreed to spend $14,400 to purchase enzyme pellets to reduce sludge at the city’s sewage lagoon. Finance Chair Jerry Saracco presented the levy, […]
Gillespie Council votes to buy vacuum truck
Meeting in special session Monday night, members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously to purchase a used vacuum truck members of the Public Works Committee had located online. The action comes just a week after Ald. Landon Pettit suggested during the regular December meeting that he would like to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax money […]
L&C recognizes Zippmann’s dedication with Pantone 286 award
GODFREY – During Lewis and Clark Community College’s 37th annual Service Awards, one employee was honored for his Trailblazer spirit with the first-ever Pantone 286 award. Maintenance Logistics Supervisor Cody Zippmann was presented with the prize, named for the Pantone Color System identifier for Lewis and Clark’s “Trailblazer blue,” for his outstanding dedication, leadership skills and work […]
Gillespie Council approves $394,000 tax levy, authorize pay increase for police chief
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a $394,102 tax levy for 2022 property taxes collectible in 2023 and, with one dissenting vote, authorized a substantial pay increase for Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe. The council also approved a $250 resolution for the 2023 motor fuel tax street maintenance program, agreed to […]
Holiday Sparkle Christmas Event returns to downtown Gillespie this weekend, Dec. 17
GILLESPIE–Featuring shopping opportunities, children’s activities and festive holiday decorations, Gillespie’s Holiday Sparkle will return to the downtown business district on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to members of the Holiday Sparkle Committee. The reimagined Holiday Sparkle will be a day-long event starting with the arrival of Santa Clause at 9 a.m. at the gazebo located in […]
Macoupin County man pleads guilty, sentenced for child pornography
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Macoupin County man prosecuted by his office was sentenced to six years in prison for solicitation of child pornography followed by two years of probation for possession of child pornography. Allyn Matthew Burtle, 22, of Nilwood, Illinois, was sentenced on Thursday by Macoupin County Circuit Court Judge Joshua […]
Gillespie Caring Center giving away gift certificates for Christmas
The Gillespie Caring Center will be giving $25 gift certificates for Christmas to Randy’s Market to those coming to receive food beginning on Thursday, December 1. This offer is good only through the month of December and is limited to one certificate per family. Merry Christmas, everyone.
CUSD 7 District tax levy under consideration
A historically high inflation rate is allowing Community Unit School District 7 to levy the maximum amount allowed under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). PTELL, approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995, restricts taxing bodies from increasing their annual tax extensions by no more than five percent of the previous year’s extension or […]
Tree lighting draws hundreds to downtown Gillespie
The City of Gillespie and Holiday Sparkle group welcomed the holiday season by hosting a tree lighting ceremony on Sunday. The event attracted hundreds of spectators downtown to witness the lighting and take part in the ceremony. The tree, situated on the empty lot between United Community Bank and the former Randy’s Market location, stands […]
Three Macoupin County State’s Attorneys oppose release of 1985 murder
Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison announced on Monday that documents have been filed opposing the release of Robert Turner for the murder and sexual assault of Bridget Drobney. The documents filed have the support of Garrison, former State’s Attorney Ed Rees and former State’s Attorney Vince Moreth. Drobney was in Gillespie for a wedding […]
Holiday Sparkle gets off to early start Sunday with tree lighting
Featuring shopping opportunities, children’s activities and festive holiday decorations, Gillespie’s Holiday Sparkle will return to the downtown business district on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to members of the Holiday Sparkle Committee. Once an annual tradition under the sponsorship of the now disbanded Coal Country Chamber of Commerce, the last Holiday Sparkle was held in 2018. […]
Holiday Sparkle returning to downtown Gillespie; Council approves $410,000 ARPA spending plan
Holiday Sparkle, an annual Christmas season tradition until the Coal Country Chamber of Commerce dissolved about five years ago, is returning to downtown Gillespie this year through the efforts of several local business owners. During the regular monthly meeting of the Gillespie City Council Monday night, city aldermen agreed to waive the rental and cleaning […]
McGartland captures County Treasurer office, Incumbent re-elected as County Sheriff
For the first time in 50 years a Republican will hold an executive office in the Macoupin County courthouse. Lilian Amber McGartland, Republican candidate for County Treasurer, toppled Democrat Roger Anderson’s bid to be elected to the office to which he was appointed following the retirement of long-serving treasurer Ann Boehm, also a Democrat. McGartland […]
Change the clock tonight and inspect smoke alarms
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is reminding Illinoisans to test, inspect expiration dates, change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and replace any broken or expired alarms while turning their clock back as daylight saving time ends this weekend. “It’s more important than ever due to the limited […]
IDOI announces ACA health insurance marketplace open enrollment and releases rates for the 2023 plan year
Today is the start of Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace that runs from November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023. Once again, Illinoisans will benefit from having an additional month to enroll, just as they did last year. The Illinois Department of Insurance also released health insurance rates for […]
Benld city officials host open house, dedication for newly remodeled events center
With upward of 50 local residents attending, Benld city officials hosted an open house and dedication for the newly remodeled Benld Civic Center, now renamed the DeStefane Events Center, on Saturday afternoon at the renovated facility. Benld native Rick DeStefane, 64, Creve Couer, Mo., who financially subsidized the project, was a guest of honor. “I […]
School board approves GMS A/C project, signs off on annual financial report
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night approved a $1.8 million project to replace the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system at Gillespie Middle School, contingent upon the State Board of Education releasing funds to pay for the project, and voted to accept the district’s annual financial report. […]
Three faculty members honored during Blackburn’s first investiture ceremony
Three Blackburn College faculty members were honored at the 2022 Investiture for Endowed Faculty on Thursday, October 13, at Bothwell Auditorium. The first ceremony of its kind at the College, the event recognizes Blackburn’s commitment to academic excellence, highlights extraordinary faculty contributions to the institution, and celebrates the philanthropic support that makes these esteemed positions […]