Community News
Coal Museum, employee contract take center stage at Gillespie Council meeting
Published
7 years agoon
By
Dave A
Gillespie city aldermen discussed issues ranging from stray cats to the creation of new lake lots during the council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. But it was a discussion focused on the fledgling Illinois Coal Museum that took center stage near the end of the meeting.
Mayor John Hicks defended the museum after a couple of aldermen questioned the amount of money the city is spending on the former United Community Bank building, which houses the museum’s exhibit space. At the request of Ald. Dave Tucker, who chairs the Museum board of directors, consideration of a request for funds was added to the published agenda at the start of the meeting. Two years ago, Tucker said, the city committed to providing $8,000 per year in funding for the museum over a period of three years, for a total of $24,000. The funds were to be provided as matching funds equal to monies raised by the museum through donations and other sources.
Tucker said the museum raised $5,264.91 last year and moved to approve payment of matching funds in that amount for the 2016 calendar year. City Attorney Kevin Polo, however, advised that since the issue was not part of the previously published agenda, any vote on the expenditure of funds should be deferred to March.
“You can discuss something when it is added to the agenda,” Polo said, “but you may not be able to spend money with an amendment to the agenda.” He recommended adding the issue to the agenda for the council’s March meeting. Based on that advice, Tucker withdrew his motion, and Ald. Jim Alderson, who also serves on the museum board, withdrew his second.
While making the request for funding, Tucker noted the board intended to use at least part of the money for ADA-compliant restrooms. He said the board intended to use volunteer labor for the work. That prompted Ald. Steve Kluthe to question whether or not the restroom work would have to be formally bid since the building technically is owned by the city. Ald. Collin Mussatto also noted the work, whether it is done by volunteers or a paid contractor, would have to be done by a licensed plumber to meet building code requirements. That issue also will be placed on the agenda for March.
Mayor Hicks defended the museum, describing it as an integral part of the city’s efforts to promote tourism in the community.
“I’m not against the museum,” Kluthe said, “but I have people come to me wanting to know who’s paying for this.”
“The building is too big and too expensive for just a museum,” Ald. Janice Weidner said, objecting to the amount of money being spent on the building itself.
Tucker said keeping heat and air conditioning in the building is necessary to preserve the building.
Responding to a follow-up question from Kluthe, Tucker said he didn’t know how many people visited the museum in the past week.
“This is not a high tourist season,” said Mayor Hicks, noting that attendance is likely to increase during the spring and summer months.
Mayor Hicks defended the museum, describing it as an integral part of the city’s efforts to promote tourism in the community.
“I’m all for it,” he said. “If someone came along and wanted to buy the building from us, I guess the museum could be moved to another location.” Whether in its current location or at an alternative location, however, Hicks said the museum is a viable project for the city’s involvement.
Hicks said the Museum board recently heard a presentation by Bill Thomas, who spearheaded efforts to promote Route 66 tourism in his community of Atlanta, located just off Interstate 55 north of Springfield.
“He said we are missing a great opportunity,” Hicks said. A first step, he said, would be to ask Sen. Andy Manar and Rep. Avery Bourne to introduce legislation to designate the museum and the official Illinois Coal Museum. With that designation, the museum would be the “only coal museum on Route 66.”
With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 fast approaching, Hicks said Route 66 tourism is likely to increase dramatically. “We need something here to make them stop and spend money with our restaurants, gas stations and businesses,” he said. A large percentage of Route 66 tourists are European travelers, he said, who are likely to have an affinity for the area because of the large number of European immigrants who settled in around Gillespie because of the presence of coal mines. A coal museum, he argued, is a logical attraction to draw in tourists from other countries.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “We need to expand on it.”
LABOR CONTRACT
The council took under advisement a request for Lake employee Gary Thornhill to join the laborers union—a move that would allow him to occasionally be “loaned” to the Street Department when an additional worker was needed. The discussion followed a 25-minute executive session during which council members discussed personnel issues.
Jim Lafferty, a Street Department employee representing Laborers Union 338, said the union has no objection to the move but the city would be required to merge the Lake Department and Street Department into one entity to allow Thornhill to work for both departments. He said the union is not proposing the measure but is willing to accommodate it if the departments are joined. “
“The union isn’t asking for this. They just said it would be okay if we agree to it and you agree to it,” Lafferty told the council. “You’d have to combine the departments, that’s the only way you can do it.”
“I would be the fourth guy if you have a water main break, storm damage to clean up or something like that,” Thornhill told the council.
“It’s going to save a lot of headaches,” said Dale Demkey of the Street Department. “It would let him help us when we need it and let us help him when he needs it.”
Mayor Hicks, however, suggested the move would not totally resolve the city’s shortage of personnel. The city, for example, needs a water meter reader but since those duties fall under the Water Department, Thornhill would be unable to assume those duties.
Ald. Kluthe also worried about possible pitfalls with union restrictions.
“We would have to have an idea of what his duties would be so we don’t have problems with grievances,” Kluthe said.
Hicks said he would want to meet with the union steward to hammer out details and come up with a formal proposal to present to the council for approval at a later date.
ENTERPRISE ZONE
Following a brief presentation by Macoupin County Enterprise Zone Administrator Mary Beth Bellm, the council voted unanimously to add a half-acre lot in the 700 block of West Main Street in Carlinville to the County’s Enterprise Zone. Gillespie is a partner in the Enterprise Zone, along with the City of Carlinville and the County of Macoupin. Bellm said Baron and Suzanne Stayton of Carlinville plan to build a 2,000-square-foot office building on the site to house a physical therapy clinic. Participation in the Enterprise Zone means the owners will receive a refund on sales tax paid on building materials, plus a tiered refund on property taxes, according to Bellm. She said the Staytons are aware that the original Enterprise Zone authorization will expire in four years and may not be renewed.
Bellm also noted that a new addition planned by Lumpy’s bar and restaurant business would qualify for Enterprise Zone benefits
Bellm also noted that a new addition planned by Dave Link for his Lumpy’s bar and restaurant business on Macoupin Street also would qualify for Enterprise Zone benefits if he chooses to complete paperwork to participate. Link told the council about his plans to build an addition onto the south side of his building earlier in the meeting. Specifically, he asked the council if a metal-fronted addition would be in compliance with the city’s zoning ordinance. Mayor Hicks told Link he believed the ordinance generally required a brick facade but a metal facade may be an option. He asked Link to consult with the Zoning Board.
STRAY CATS
Council members directed the Chief of Police to contact the County Animal Control Agency about dealing with a population of stray cats in the 200 block of South Macoupin Street. Link appeared before the council to complain about large numbers of stray cats congregating behind his business. He said he counted as many as 18 cats, ranging from kittens to adults congregating on top of dumpsters behind his bar and restaurant. Two women in the community, he said, are feeding the cats, and he said cats may be using the former Area News building on Chestnut Street for breeding a shelter.
“I’d appreciate it if I could get some help,” Link said.
In addition to having police contact Animal Control, City Attorney Polo was directed to draft a letter to the current owner of the Area News building to address weeds and other issues on the property.
WATER BILL
The council took no action on adjusting a water bill contested by Dan and Brenda Smith, claiming such an adjustment would go against city policy and past practice. Dan Smith told the council that the couple was billed for 14,900 gallons of usage in October even though the house was unoccupied for 19 days. The following month, November, the couple was billed for 13,900 gallons of usage.
“We use 3,500 gallons a month,” Smith said. He said he contacted the City Clerk’s office about the excessive bills and was told not to pay them because there was “a problem” with the billing. He said there were no leaking toilets or other leaks in the house in October and November, and no leaks in the water line between the water meter and the house. In November, the city replaced the water meter at Smith’s request and reported usage went down to 4,000 gallons for December. “That tells me it was a bad meter.”
There is no way to prove it one way or another
Hicks said there is no way for the city to prove the meter was overcharging the Smiths, and Brenda Smith said city officials told her that faulty meters “never read over, they always read under or not at all.”
“Well,” Hicks said, “that goes along with what I said.”
“Just forget it,” Brenda Smith snapped. “I’ll pay it tomorrow.”
“There is no way to prove it one way or another,” said Ald. Kluthe, recommending no action on the issue. “They say they’re going to pay it anyway. We have to to comply with our rules.”
EQUIPMENT
The council referred to committee three bids for the purchase of a truck and truck chassis for the Street Department. Demkey presented the bids to the council, saying the Street Department would prefer to buy Freightliner equipment. The amount of the bids were not discussed in detail, but apparently range in the neighborhood of $132,000 for a dump truck and up to $84,000 for a chassis on which to mount an existing truck body. Demkey said an existing truck needs to be equipped with a tandem-axle chassis in order to pull the city’s backhoe trailer. Committee members presumably will make a formal recommendation in March to the council in March.
“The Treasurer isn’t here tonight so we can’t even talk about whether we can afford this or not,” Mayor Hicks said.
The council unanimously approved an expenditure of up to $400 to buy a truck-mounted toolbox and a leaf blower for the Lake Department. Ald. Frank Barrett noted a brush hog owned by the Lake Department also would need to be replaced in the near future.
On a motion by Ald. Kluthe, the council voted 6-2 to reject bids from Mike Maedge and Tyler Link to buy a surplus step van. Maedge offered a bid of $215 while Link offered a bid of $218.98. Kluthe said the city would realize more cash from selling the vehicle for scrap, but Ald. Mussatto disagreed.
“This is cash in hand,” he said. “Scrap metal is low right now.”
Brought to a vote, Mussatto and Dianna Brickey cast the dissenting votes.
No bids were received for a surplus chassis and snowplow that also had been declared surplus property and offered for sale.
On a motion by Ald. Jerry Dolliger, the council agreed to buy an extended 60-month/3,000-hour warranty for the city’s backhoe at a cost of $2,644.
LAKE LOTS
The council referred to committee the issue of creating new lots on Gillespie Lake to lease to campers and part-time residents. Ald. Barrett said the city created several new lots in 2015 but that all of the lots that were accessible by road have been leased. He recommended creating several new lots, including seven that would be accessible from Spanish Needle Road. Mayor Hicks asked the Lake Committee to develop a proposal to present to the council for formal action at a later date.
On motions by Barrett, the council agreed to lease Lot No. 13 on Stump Lane at the New Lake to Jeffrey Carpunky, and lease Lot No. 428 to John Weitzel. Lot No. 428 is a camping lot adjacent to a lot with a cabin that already is under lease to Weitzel.
GOATS
Resident Clinton Sanders appeared briefly before the council apparently to once again argue for the city to drop ordinance citations against him for keeping pygmy goats on his property on the city’s southeast side. Sanders “congratulated” the city for dropping three of the multiple citations against him and noted that going to court is going to “take a lot of Mr. (City Attorney) Polo’s time.” A bench trial is scheduled Feb. 23 in Macoupin County Circuit Court.
“It’s on the calendar,” Polo said. “I’ll cover it.”
Sanders also complained that a neighbor also is keeping a single pygmy goat but yet has not been cited by the city.
“How come they’re not getting the same treatment?” Sanders asked. “I’m not trying to stir it up but I think that animal could be taken better care of.”
“We’ll have the police check it out,” Hicks told Sanders. “What’s good for you is good for everybody.” Regarding the treatment of the goat, Hicks said the city would have Macoupin County Animal Control check on the animal.
MONTGOMERY STREET PROPERTY
Ald. Kluthe said he had checked on a residence on Montgomery Street regarding complaints about discarded tires and other trash.
“I issued a warning and took photo documentation,” he said. “They have five days to clean it up.” He said the trash includes tires, mattresses and vehicles with expired registrations. He said he is considering contacting the Public Health Department to investigate the residence and may consult with Polo about having the occupants removed from the home. He also expressed concerns about the welfare of small children living at the residence and said he may contact DCFS to do a welfare check.
CULVERTS
The council discussed but took no action on a recommendation by Mayor Hicks to revise or draft an ordinance regarding culverts through city-maintained ditches. Hicks said past practice has been for the city to provide labor if the resident paid for the culvert to replace failing culverts. The problem, he said, is that occasionally a neighboring property owner may refuse the offer to replace his culvert, meaning storm water continues to back up in the area. He proposed an ordinance giving the city to remove failed culverts if the property owner declines to replace it.
A six- to eight-foot culvert costs about $170, according to Demkey. Kluthe suggested that cost could be added to a property owner’s water bill in $10 increments over a period of time.
OTHER ACTION
In other action:
- City Attorney Polo agreed to write a wage resolution giving non-union employees the same wage increase that was approved for union employees. The resolution will be made retroactive to the last union contract.
- The council discussed but did not act upon a proposal to buy an AED for the Police Department. Police cars are equipped with AEDs, but not the Police Department building. Ald. Kluthe said city library and lake employees have been certified to use AEDs and he recommended requiring police dispatchers to also be certified. Mayor Hicks said the city might be able to use proceeds from a Workers Compensation grant to buy the equipment.
- The council discussed but did not act on a proposal to reseal the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail, contingent upon the City of Benld covering half of the cost.
- Council members voted unanimously to enter into a $1,630.33 annual maintenance contract to maintain city generators. Hicks said the cost last year was $1,519.
- Council members approved an ordinance to place two-way stop signs on Rice Street at Spruce Street.
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Community News
School district apparently eyeing food management service
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 27, 2024By
Dave A
Representatives of a food management company pitched their vision for reshaping school lunch and breakfast offerings at Community Unit School District 7 schools during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education. Later, however, the head cook at BenGil Elementary School expressed doubts about what the company promised to deliver. “They make it sound like it’s all a gravy train,” said Jackie McKinney. “It’s not.”
No action followed a 20-minute presentation by Bill Fritcher, Business Development Associate, and Angie Eden, a food service worker, from Opaa! Food Management, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo. There was no clear indication whether the board or district administration is leaning toward contracting with the company.
Founded in 1978, Opaa! Provides food management services to more than 800 schools in 250 school districts spread out over seven states. The company serves 21 schools in Illinois, including the nearby Staunton, Litchfield, Jersey and Nokomis school districts. The company claims a 97 percent retention rate among its client schools.
Fritcher, a former administrator in the Neoga school district, said the company emphasizes home-cooked foods made from scratch. Opaa! provides both hot and cold entrees, and schools can tailor offerings to meet their needs and budgets. Hot entrees include items such as roast turkey, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pizzas and spaghetti. The company also serves a variety of cold sub sandwiches. Again, depending upon the details of its contract with a school district, the company can provide a salad bar, along with fresh fruit.
Breakfast offerings can include hot or cold cereal, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast burritos. Some client schools offer a “breakfast on the go” option where students can grab a breakfast item during the mid-morning hours of the school day. As part of its service, Opaa! would provide an all-day “Gulp Station” with dispensers of lemonade, iced tea and water.
“There’s a lot of local control over menu items,” Fritcher said. “If a school doesn’t want us serving coffee to students, we don’t serve coffee.”
Fritcher said the school district would continue to set pricing for school lunches and breakfasts, collect payments and control the revenue stream. The district also would continue to own food service equipment and facilities. At a minimum, Opaa! would place it’s own employee as a food service manager, but other food service workers can be either Opaa! employees or employees of the school district. In either case, the school district would have final say over who is allowed to work in the school district.
“You’d have control of who is working in the school and is around your kids,” Fritcher said.
According to Fritcher, the company emphasizes presentation.
“We want the food to look good so kids will eat it,” he said. “We strive to make it enjoyable for the kids.”
Client schools submit photos of daily offerings to the home office for approval, Eden said. As an example, she cited an instance when she submitted a photo from Neoga that included broccoli as a side item. The home office said the broccoli looked too brown and demanded it be replaced with fresher produce.
Fritcher said the company employees an executive chef to create recipes and standards for food served to students. The chef has created a number of streaming videos used to train on site staff.
Key to the operation is a computer program for food management. Eden said the program monitors what food the district has in the freezer and pantry, and adjust menus to best utilize resources on hand. The program also provides a portal parents and students can access to see weekly menus.
A food management contract would be subject to state bidding requirements, according to Fritcher. To start the process, the district would create a Request for Proposals to solicit bids. If Opaa! Is the successful bidder, the company would offer a five-year fixed price agreement, renewable on an annual basis. Either party would be able to end the contract upon a 90-day notice.
During a public comment period, McKinney alleged Opaa!’s promises have not matched reality in nearby school districts. The head cook at Litchfield, she pointed out, quit soon after Opaa! took over. Pizzas and some other food items, she said, do not match the company’s claims.
“We were told this is not about the money, it’s about the choices,” she said. “If you want more options, someone needs to tell us.”
McKinney said she has been employed by the district in food services since 2002. The proposal to hire an outside food management company, she said, comes as “a slap in the face.”
McKinney predicted problems if the district contracts with Opaa!, particularly in the elementary school.
“I don’t see how our kindergarteners are going to be able to carry their own tray and serve themselves,” she said. “They’re going to drop their trays. We get our kids through the serving line in five minutes so they have time to sit down and eat. When they have to make their own tray, how long do you think that’s going to take?”
McKinney also predicted issues with food sanitation when young children with runny noses and/or dirty hands are expected to serve themselves from the food line.
McKinney said an outside company cannot be expected to know local students like local food service workers know them.
“I watch for a little boy who comes through my line every day because I know he doesn’t get food at home like he does here,” she said. “We’re here for the kids and I don’t think these people are.”
In a somewhat related matter which could facilitate transitioning to an outside food service, the board accepted with “regret” the retirements of head high school/middle school cook Penny Feeley and GHS/GMS cook Janice Hammann, both effective on June 30.
PERSONNEL
The board took action on a number of personnel issues following an executive session of about one hour.
In separate actions, the board voted unanimously to rehire the following fourth-year teachers and grant them tenure for the 2024-25 school year: Nikki Jenner, Katie Lievers, Alex Newton, Pete Visintin and Jacob West.
The following non-tenured staff were hired for the 2024-25 school year: school nurse Rachel Bouillon, fifth grade teacher Radeana Gentzyel, speech pathologist Kaylee Collins, special education teacher Jaiden Braundmeier, kindergarten teacher Jessica Yeager, fist grade teacher Sydney Owsley, band teacher Brad Taulbee, chorus teacher Ben McCullough, Tim Biggs, special education teacher Cory Bonstead, and Dalton Barnes.
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Mark Hayes, the board rehired the following tenured teachers for 2024-25: Lorraine Strutner, Jody Dunn, Melissa Bussmann, Tracy Hostettler, Darrick Urban, Kara Saracco, Kelly Lyons, Holly Nejmanowski, Jennifer Parker, Anastasia Hobaugh, Cate Plovich, Amy Price, Nickie Barrett, Jessi Luketich, Mindy Savant, Karissa Smith, Beth Sees, Valerie Jubelt, Carrie Scott, Dana Tieman, Marcia Johns, Colleen Favre, Celia Jubelt, Jamie Schmidt, Nancy Schmidt, Lori Emmons, Vanessa Barrett, Amy Geddes, Lisa Ballinger, Amber Allan, Kim Henderson, Christina Blevins, Chase Peterson, Jessica Kelly, Tammy Garde, Nate Heinrich’s, Casey Edgerton, Kyle Lamar, Stephanie Wilson, Elizabeth Thackery, Shanna Conner, Matthew Browner, Jeremy Smith, Rachelle Prough, Jarrod Herron, Jill Stole, Korben Clark, Kayla Wills, Nikki Browner, Kevin McNichols, Katie Orange, Robert Macias, Casey Sholtis, Jennifer Brown, Jeff Nelhs, Mark Goldasich, Troy Barker, Michelle Smith, Holley McFarland, Michael Bertagnolli, Mary Schuette, Nichole Stoecker, Amy Goldasich, David Edgerton, Ashlee Gibbs, Stuart Ringer, Kelly Bully, Whitney Page and Stephanie Bray.
The board accepted “with regret” the retirement of BenGil Elementary teacher Dana Tieman, effective at the end of the 2027-28 school year. The board also accepted “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GMS paraprofessional Ella May Roemer, effective at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, and posted the position as vacant.
Board members accepted the resignation of high school paraprofessional Darian Gill, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted Gill’s resignation at the GHS/GMS cheerleading coach and posted that position as vacant.
Board members unanimously agreed to post vacancies for the following summer school positions: high school math, English and drivers’ education; middle school math, English and science; and six elementary positions. Additionally, the board posted two summer school food service positions.
The board accepted “with regret” the resignation of long-time GHS head women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, and posted the position as vacant. The board also accepted the resignation of Korbin Clark as GMS seventh-grade basketball coach and posted the position as vacant.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Elizabeth Eaker as a volunteer assistant dance coach, pending verification of certification and a background check. In separate actions, the board agreed to appoint Foley Seferi and James Bryant a volunteer assistant high school football coaches, pending verification of certification and a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board accepted the resignation of district custodian Owen Parker, and posted the position as vacant. The board also voted to post vacancies for two full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, and hired Billie Bowles as a substitute bus driver, pending verification of certification and a background check.
REPAVING
The board awarded a $62,524 contract to DeLaurent Construction Co., Inc., Wilsonville, to repave five district parking lots. DeLaurent was the low bidder for the project. The contract will be paid from proceeds of a $1.6 million alternate revenue bond sale for capital projects.
Supt. Shane Owsley reported that he is starting to gather estimates for other upcoming projects to be underwritten with bond revenue, including a project to refinish the high school gym floor, a project to reline the all-weather track and a major HVAC project.
SURPLUS WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
On Owsley’s recommendation, the board accepted a list of surplus weight room equipment and agreed to offer the equipment for sale via sealed bids. The equipment, which includes stationary bikes, running machines, free weights, benches, dumbbells and racks, was replaced with new equipment as part of a recently completed project to renovate and re-equip the weight room.
EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board unanimously approved early graduation requests for Maria Alger, Eliana Barrios-Madison, Owen Baugh, Gage Bonds, Abby Carter, John Q. Halterman, Eva Hidden, Felicia Lambert, Emma Luckshis, Ashley Markulakis, McKenna Montoro, Kaden Reiffer, Abigail Sharp, Jayden Stangle, Cooper Wentler, Ashton Whitlow and Avery Young. The students will be allowed to graduate at the end of their eleventh year of high school at the end of the current school year, provided all graduation requirements have been met.
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized high school women’s basketball coach Kevin Gray, who is retiring after a career of 16 seasons. High School Principal Jill Rosentreter noted that Gray led this year’s team to the Sectional Tournament in Beardstown after winning their first regional championship since 2012. The team also won its first County Tournament since 2002, and celebrated 26 wins—the most ever.
During the Carlinville Rotary’s All-Star Game, Gray was named Rotary’s Coach of the Year.
“On behalf of CUSD 7 and all you former players, we express much gratitude for your many years of service, dedication, leadership, wisdom and professional demeanor on and off the court,” Rosentreter told Gray.
Also during the District Focus, a group of fifth graders told the board about their recent field trip to Busch Stadium, where they learned about practical math applications and other subjects.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Gave final approval to the 2024-25 school calendar, calling for the first day of school attendance on Aug. 14 with the last day of school set for May 29, or earlier if no emergency days are used.
- Approved a schedule of board meeting dates for the coming year. The board will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month with the open session beginning at 7 p.m. The December meeting is set one week earlier on Dec. 16 to avoid conflict with the winter break.
- Awarded the annual bid to supply fuel to low bidder M & M Service Co., Carlinville.
- Voted to renew the district’s annual membership in the Illinois High School Association.
- Rescheduled the April board meeting from Monday, April 22, to Tuesday, April 23, to avoid a conflict.
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Police News
Gillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 25, 2024By
BenGil Staff
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.
Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.
The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.
An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject
An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.
The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Community News
Denby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters
Published
4 weeks agoon
March 20, 2024By
Dave A
Carlinville attorney Thomas Denby easily sailed to victory in a three-way race to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Resident Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Macoupin County in Tuesday’s Primary Election balloting.
Denby captured 63.26 percent of the Republican vote, easily besting Jonathan Verticchio’s 23.46 percent and Aaron Bellm’s 13.28 percent. In terms of raw vote numbers, Denby landed 2,534 votes to Verticchio’s 940 votes and Bellm’s 532 votes.
There were no judicial candidates for the race on the Democrat side of the ballot.
As a result of Tuesday’s election, Denby is likely to step into the office being vacated Resident Circuit Judge Kenneth Deihl, who was first elected as a Democrat in 2006, when he narrowly defeated Republican nominee Kevin Polo. It’s unclear whether or not the Democrat Central Committee can legally name a candidate to run against Denby in the General Election this fall, meaning Denby is the likely successor to Deihl.
There were no surprises locally in the Presidential races. Macoupin Democrats favored incumbent Joe Biden with 89.62 percent of the vote, while Republicans cast 83.39 percent of their votes for former President Donald Trump.
Although no longer a candidate, Nikki Haley gained 12.18 percent of the Republican vote. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Ryan Brinkley each took less than three percent of the Republican vote. On the Democrat side, Biden’s support was eroded by 10.28 percent of the vote shared by Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Frank Lozada.
A total of 5,741 voters cast votes in the Macoupin Primary, representing 18.67 percent of the county’s 30,757 registered voters. That could indicate a softening of interest in the Biden/Trump rematch. In 2016, when Trump and Hilary Clinton were nominated, a stunning 45.82 percent of Macoupin’s voters cast ballots in the primary election. Four years later, 23.54 percent of the county’s voters participated in the primary, despite restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Republican nomination for U.S. Congressional Representative for the 13th District, Joshua Loyd took 57.28 percent of the Macoupin vote, compared with 42.72 percent for Thomas Clatterback. The Congressional vote mirrored voting district-wide in which Loyd took the nomination with 55.9 percent of the total vote. Loyd will take on freshman Representative Nikki Budzinski on the Democrat side, who ran unopposed for the nomination.
A number of county races were unopposed. On the Democrat side, incumbent Jordan Garrison took 1,387 votes for State’s Attorney, while incumbent Coroner Anthony Kravanya took 1,471 Democrat votes. On the Republican side Amy J. Ashby took 3,448 votes to be nominated for Circuit Clerk. Ashby becomes the likely successor to Democrat Lee Ross who is stepping down.
Though not likely, both parties could name candidates to run for county offices in November. Otherwise Garrison, Kravanya and Ashby will run unopposed for the General Election. A win by Ashby would make her the second Republican constitutional officer in the Courthouse. Two years ago, County Treasurer Amber McGartland became the first Republican elected to a Courthouse office since A.C. “Julie” Bartulis served as Treasurer in the 1960s.
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