A Macoupin County man died early Wednesday morning on Interstate 55 after Illinois State Police said his vehicle was struck by a semi-trailer truck near the Raymond milepost 65. John Barnes, 56 of Girard, succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident, according to the Montgomery County Coroner. He was driving a box […]
Macoupin voters overwhelmingly support Trump, Republicans take control of Macoupin County Board
With the outcome of the Presidential election still in doubt, Macoupin County voters overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump in yesterday’s general election balloting. Additionally, Macoupin County voters ousted three incumbent Democrats and one Independent on the Macoupin County Board, replacing them with Republicans and giving the GOP a majority on the 18-member board. County voters cast […]
Area restaurants, bars take hit under resurgence mitigation
The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that COVID-19 resurgence mitigations were implemented in Region 3 West Central Illinois which includes Macoupin County on Sunday, November 1, 2020. The region has seen a seven-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days, which exceeds the thresholds set for […]
State Fire Marshal issues reminder to change clock, test smoke alarms
Daylight saving time a reminder to test, check expiration and change batteries in smoke alarms or replace broken alarms Springfield, Ill- The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminds Illinoisans to test, check expirations dates and replace the batteries in their smoke alarms as daylight saving time ends this weekend and they turn their […]
Gillespie High School, Middle School moving to full remote learning temporarily
Gillespie High School and Gillespie Middle School are moving to full remote learning temporarily, according to an Alert Now message broadcasted by Superintendent Shane Owsley on Wednesday evening. All middle and high school extra-curricular activities are also temporarily suspended. The district plans to resume the blended learning plan and extra-curricular activities on Thursday, November 5. […]
Gillespie resident named as inductee to Senior Hall of Fame
Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is proud to announce Gillespie resident Patricia Long as its 2020 Senior Hall of Fame inductee for her outstanding achievements in education. IDoA Director Paula Basta took time to recognize her at a recent one-day virtual symposium focused on COVID-19, its impact on older adults, and the […]
Macoupin County Courthouse News
Cases filed during October 18-24, 2020. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions. FELONIES Richard Wilson, 37 of Mt. Olive, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with an October 17 incident. The charge was elevated to a felony due to having a previous conviction […]
Benld Council renews liability insurance, accepts bid to replace men’s room floor
In a brief, fast-paced meeting Monday night, members of the Benld City Council voted to renew the city’s liability insurance policy with the Illinois Municipal League and agreed to spend $3,775 for repairs to a restroom floor at the city park. With few items on the agenda, the meeting concluded within 25 minutes, including a […]
Manar, Pritzker announce broadband expansion program at Madison Communications
Contributed content by the Illinois Senate Democrats. STAUNTON – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) was joined by Governor JB Pritzker at Madison Communications in Staunton to announce $50 million in funding through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program’s second round today. “Lack of reliable access to quality internet service affects every facet of life in Downstate […]
Gillespie Council to resume water shut-offs in November
Members of the Gillespie City Council voted Wednesday night to resume water shut-offs for delinquent customers as of Nov. 14. The council also approved a deal with Adam Tallman, owner of Dingers batting cages, to expand the parking lot at the Gillespie Police Department station, agreed to investigate a complaint about alleged stormwater diversion from […]
CUSD 7 School Board approves $15.9 million budget, approves resolution to use e-learning in lieu of snow days
A budget approved by the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night calls for more than $755,000 in deficit spending largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both expenditures and revenue for the current fiscal year. The board approved the budget on a motion by Jenni Alepra following […]
School Board votes to return students to classrooms
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education voted 6-1 during a special meeting of the board Wednesday night to reopen district schools for a hybrid attendance plan starting on Monday, Oct. 5. Upward of 20 community members, several of whom had been vocal advocates for returning students to the classroom, attended […]
Counties at COVID-19 warning level drops to 17
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 24 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase. Seventeen counties are currently reported at a warning level […]
Benld Council sets dates, times for trick-or-treating
Despite concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Benld City Council members voted 3-1 Monday night to set trick-or-treating hours from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31. The issue was not on the council’s previously published agenda. Ald. John Balzraine, objecting to the idea of allowing trick-or-treating during the pandemic, voted […]
Thursday morning accident in Medora claims one life
An early morning accident on Thursday, September 24, claimed the life of a 28-year-old man from Fidelity. The accident happened at 4:37 a.m. at the intersection of Illinois 267 and Illinois 111 in Medora. Illinois State Police said Benjamin Ruyle, 39, of Medora had crashed in the roadway causing his 2005 GMC pickup truck to […]
Bourne receives Friend of Agriculture award
Contributed content by the Illinois House Republicans. LITCHFIELD—In recognition of her advocacy on behalf of Illinois’ farmers, State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) has been named a “Friend of Agriculture” by the Activator Program of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Bourne received a 100% score for votes taken in 2019-2020 that affect the agriculture industry in Illinois. […]
Macoupin County track meet history covered in new booklets
The remarkable history of the Macoupin County Boys and Girls Track Meets is told in two new booklets that will benefit the high school track teams of the county. The 80-page booklets complete an ongoing project on the history of the meet, which is one of the oldest high school sporting events in the state […]
Gillespie CUSD 7 to receive $96,000 to help expand access to remote learning technology
Provided content by the Illinois Senate Democrats. BUNKER HILL – Local schools are set to receive nearly $2 million in grants to improve students’ access to remote learning technology, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced Wednesday. “Many school districts have employed a remote or hybrid learning model to protect staff and students during the pandemic,” […]
Dr. Biermann begins tenure as 18th Blackburn president
CARLINVILLE – On August 15, Dr. Mark L. Biermann officially became the 18th President of Blackburn College. Dr. Biermann arrived on the Carlinville campus after serving as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Valparaiso University, where he was responsible for all academic programs, student affairs, retention and student success, diversity and inclusion, […]
Sheriff’s Office requesting help in cemetery vandalism
The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office needs your help in solving a criminal damage incident at a rural Gillespie cemetery that occurred sometime between September 12 and 13. Five five limestone headstones were damaged at Wheeler Cemetery located in the 15000 blk of Quarry Road. The headstones were dated as far back as the 1800’s. If […]