Community News
Gillespie Council approves levy, sets May 1 labor celebration
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night approved a property tax levy for 2020 taxes to be collected in 2021 amounting to more than $357,000, and agreed to close a portion of Chestnut Street on May 1 for a labor celebration in connection with the dedication of a historic site market to be installed at the Canna Theater, formerly the Colonial Theater.
Approval of the levy was preceded by a brief public hearing. State law requires a public hearing when a taxing body’s levy request exceeds the previous year’s tax extension by five percent or more. The new levy exceeds last year’s extension by less than five percent, but the city opted to voluntarily convene a public hearing.
The levy, unanimously approved on a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, seconded by Ald. Rick Fulton, calls for raising $357,532 from property taxes next year. Though not insignificant, local property taxes account for only a fraction of the city’s annual expenditures. The appropriation for the current fiscal year’s expenditures, for example, totals about $17 million.
Broken down by fund, the levy request for Corporate purposes totals $53,639, compared with $55,847 levied last year; $25,247 for Police, compared with $24,045 last year; $34,206 for Streets and Bridges, compared with $32,577 last year; $9,772 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $9,307 last year; $57,009 for Liability Insurance, compared with $54,294 last year; $14,659 for Parks, compared with $13,667 last year; $3,258 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,103 last year; $102,619 for Social Security, compared with $97,732 last year; and $52,123 for the Public Library, compared with $49,641 last year.
Gillespie and other taxing bodies in Macoupin County are subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) which limits increases in the annual levy to no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. Because the CPI typically is less than five percent, the final levy normally is less than the levy request. The current CPI is estimated at 2.3 percent.
The County Clerk is responsible for setting the actual tax rate for local taxpayers by calculating the rate necessary to generate as much of the levy request as allowed by law when applied to the current equalized assessed valuation.
MAY DAY CELEBRATION
On a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker, who also serves as voluntary director of the Illinois Coal Mining Museum in Gillespie, the council voted unanimously to close a portion of Chestnut Street for a May 1 labor celebration. Also on Tucker’s motion, the council voted to expend $138 for an ornamental post on which to mount a historic site plaque at the Canna Theater.
Tucker said the $3,800 cost of the bronze plaque is being underwritten through the University of Illinois. The plaque will commemorate the formation of the Progressive Mine Workers of America in the late 1930s during a meeting of mine workers at what was then known as the Colonial Theater. The PMWA was formed as a break-away from the United Mine Workers of America, then controlled by John L. Lewis, when local miners clashed with the UMWA over contractual concessions Lewis made to mine owners.
“May 1 is a significant date in labor history,” Tucker noted, explaining the choice of dates for the event.
Among organized laborers, May 1 is designated as International Laborers Day, commemorating organized labor’s declaration for an eight-hour workday on May 1, 1886.
Tucker said the celebration will feature a formal dedication of the plaque, a grand re-opening for the remodeled Coal Museum, along with vendors and other activities. Grow Gillespie will be involved in the event, which is being promoted by the River Bend Tourism and Visitor Bureau, and other organizations.
PEACE CORPS ADVISORY BOARD
With the council’s consent, Mayor John Hicks appointed Ald. Tucker and Ald. Barrett as the council’s representative on a five-member advisory council to direct work undertaken by a Peace Corps Fellow being assigned to the City of Gillespie early next year for an 11-month contract.
A Peace Corps Fellow from Western Illinois University is expected to arrive next month and will live in Gillespie for the next 11 months to work with non-profit organizations such as Grow Gillespie and the Caring Center on community development projects. The city’s $5,000 commitment will be shared by the city and Grow Gillespie.
In a related matter, City Treasurer Dan Fisher announced that the state has approved a $1 million grant application submitted by the city to implement a streetscape improvement project developed by Grow Gillespie.
“In the past week, the City of Gillespie has been approved for $1,400,000 in state funds,” Fisher said. “That’s pretty good.”
RESTAURANT/BAR CLOSING ISSUE
Dave Link, owner of Lumpy’s bar and restaurant, appeared before the council to advocate enforcement of the Governor’s ban on indoor service at local bars and restaurants. The Governor imposed the ban last month in response to dramatic increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the region.
“I’ve been closed since Nov. 1,” Link said, noting that other hospitality businesses in the community have continued business as usual in spite of the ban. The Governor’s order allows outdoor dining and bar service only, or take-out food orders. “We’ve had 61 people die in Macoupin County. We have one business here having bands all the time.”
Link said the police chief told him there was nothing local authorities could do to enforce the ban
“It seems funny to me that Carlinville was able to go around and tell their restaurants and bars that they had to close down,” Link said. “I don’t understand why we can’t get out here and tell our places they can’t be open.”
He said he was told earlier that the council expected to hold a special meeting to address the issue, but that meeting never took place.
Link also criticized the County Board’s recent vote to eschew enforcement of the order in the County, saying the board lacked the courage “to back it’s own Public Health Department.”
“I don’t think it’s fair that we have one business owner who is responsible and closed down, and we have two others that are still open,” Ald. Fulton commented.
Ald. Bill Hayes noted that Springfield authorities forced offending businesses to close down and pay fines soon after the Governor’s order was issued.
Responding to a question from Ald. Dona Rauzi, Link said a rumor that it was easier for him to close down because he had received a mitigation grant to cover his expenses. “I have not applied for a grant and I have not received a grant,” he said.
Mayor Hicks suggested that he could send a letter to offending businesses advising them that he would “jerk their liquor license” if they continued to violate the Governor’s order. But he stopped short of confirming that he would actually send letters anytime soon.
“You can’t pound common sense into peoples’ heads,” Hicks said. “They don’t believe this is real. They don’t believe it until they actually get sick themselves.” In the meantime, Hicks said, restaurants in nearby Staunton are advertising that they are open for indoor dining.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the police department’s hands are tied. Police cannot enforce the Governor’s order without a city ordinance to back it up, he said. Link reported that Carlinville police did not threaten to arrest or cite restaurant and bar owners, but simply advised them of the order and asked them to comply.
WATER CONSTRUCTION COMPLAINTS
Link also was among several local residents questioning actions taken by Haier Plumbing and Heating as the city’s extensive water infrastructure replacement project nears completion.
“My understanding is that they’re finishing up a year ahead of schedule,” Link noted. “How much money is the city going to get back from Haier Plumbing for all the work our city workers have done?”
Fisher explained the council will consider the company’s final bill next month. Before that time, he said city officials and Haier representatives will meet to negotiate the final bill. He said the original contract did not include cleaning up properties after water lines were installed, leaving that responsibility for city workers. However, there are other issues that could reduce the size of Haier’s final payment—namely damages caused by Haier employees or contractors.
Chris Releford said he was among local property owners who sustained property damage in connection with the water infrastructure project. He said Haier replaced water lines at his residence on April 14 and, without his knowledge, severed his home’s sewer line. He told council members he was unaware of the damage until last month at which time he rented an eel to open the line.
In attempting to open the line, he said he discovered that backfill material had entered the damaged sewer line. He said he wanted to be reimbursed for seven months of sewer service and the cost of renting the eel.
“I was told I needed to make a claim against the company,” Releford said, adding that he did not want to wait for the city to negotiate a settlement with Haier. “My claim isn’t against the company, my claim is against the city.”
Ald. Jerry Dolliger said Releford’s experience was not unusual. Haier contractors damaged several residential sewers during the project. Each time, instead of repairing the damage, contractors “threw a bag of cement over the top and covered it up.”
At the Releford residence, Dolliger said city workers spent 48 hours finding and repairing the break. “That could all have been alleviated if they had said, ‘We hit your sewer,’ and fixed it right then,” Dolliger said.
“All we can do is submit your claim,” Hicks told Releford. “They (Haier) have insurance.”
Ald. Hayes, however, noted the city had preemptively paid other claims in recent months. “They damaged other sewers and we paid for them,” he said.
Ultimately, Releford was told that he needed to file a formal claim to be considered for reimbursement.
“Whether we pay for it or they do, you have to submit a claim form,” Fisher told Releford. “That’s the policy. As far as the time frame, we’re going to resolve all of these issues by early January.”
In addition to additional time put in by city workers, Dolliger said the Fire Department is “out about 250 hours.”
“We never sent them a bill,” Dolliger said. “Maybe we should look into that.”
City officials were more dismissive of a complaint lodged by Mike Polo, who farms a parcel on the west side of the city. He said shut-off valves previously were located below grade which allowed him to farm the land. When a new line was installed, he said, Haier located the shut-offs above ground.
Fisher said the above-ground shut-offs comply with current construction standards. A 59-year-old easement agreement, he said, “gives the city the right to install shut-offs in a manner” that complies with current construction standards.
Both Hicks and Fisher alleged Polo cleared and farmed a platted but undeveloped portion of Handy Street without the consent of the city.
“We’d like to be good neighbors and work with you but the bottom line is we have more of a claim against you for what you did to Handy Street than you have against us for what you’re alleging,” Fisher said.
Ald. Tucker asked if the shut-offs could be relocated below ground. Fisher said they could but doing so could make them vulnerable to damage from farming operations if someone were to plow too deep.
“Our obligation is to make the water system work right,” Fisher said. “Lots of farmers farm around above ground utilities.”
COUNCIL VOTES TO WAIVE PROPERTY LIEN
On a motion by Ald. Tucker, the council voted unanimously to draft an ordinance to conditionally release a lien against the property that formerly housed True-Value Hardware, and to give the Public Works Committee power to act on approving the ordinance later this month. The action ostensibly gave prospective buyer Bill Toprani assurance that he would not be responsible for the lien if he successfully negotiates a contract to purchase the building for his business.
The lien resulted from an unpaid portion of an Economic Development loan the city made to the former owners of the building.
“I think the feeling on the part of most council members is that if you were in there paying property taxes and sale taxes, that $3,500 would disappear in a heartbeat,” Mayor Hicks told Toprani. He added, however, that releasing the lien would require formal action on an ordinance.
Fisher told Toprani the ordinance would release the lien contingent upon Toprani developing the property as a going business concern.
No action followed an executive session called to discuss personnel and collective bargaining issues.
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Community News
School board approves elementary school principal’s retirement, accepts resignation of high school teacher/coach
Long-serving BenGil Elementary School principal will retire in two years following the Community Unit School District 7’s Board of Education’s approval during Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting of the board. On a motion by Kellie Vesper, seconded by Amanda Ross, the board voted unanimously to accept “with regret” the retirement of Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto, effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
At the time of her retirement, Sandretto will have been a district employee for 31 years, including 21 years as an administrator. Sandretto’s tenure predates the construction and collapse due to mine subsidence of the former Benld Elementary School. She started her career when the old Benld High School served as the district’s elementary school. She was principal when the new Benld school was built and when the seven-year-old building was destroyed by mine subsidence in 2009. She continued to serve as principal during the transition from the damaged school to the new BenGil Elementary School in Gillespie.
In other action, the board accepted without comment the resignation of Dalton Barnes as a physical education/social studies teacher, and as Gillespie High School head football coach. The resignation, accepted unanimously, appears to be related to recent controversy over alleged abusive behavior toward students.
Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe and School Resource Officer Wayne Hendricks both attended the meeting, and left soon after the board completed actions related to personnel. Supt. Shane Owsley told the BenGil Post the police presence was a precaution due to concerns that “accusations and rumors on social media could spill over” into Tuesday’s meeting. An attorney from the law firm representing the school district accompanied the board into a one-hour executive session early in the evening to discuss personnel issues and other items.
Accusations on social media in recent weeks alleged Barnes and an assistant coach engaged in verbal and physical abuse of students. With a goal of 1,000 signers, an online petition urging the termination of employment for Barnes and the assistant coach has garnered 639 electronic signatures. The petition accuses the two men of “child abuse,” citing alleged “verbal abuse, physical abuse, influencing and coercing student athletes to act against other student athletes that have spoken out against the abuse, and attempting to limit the First Amendment rights of student athletes with threats and manipulation.” The petition alleges there have been numerous instances of abuse and that the abuse has been allowed to continue despite “multiple red flags and complaints.”
No members of the public appeared before the board to address the complaints. Several teachers and teachers union officials attended the meeting but, likewise, made no public comments.
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL ISSUES
In other personnel action, the board:
- Voted unanimously to accept “with regret” the resignation for purposes of retirement of GHS/GMS guidance counselor Jill Strole at the conclusion of the current school year, and to post the position as vacant.
- Hired Aubrey Morgan as a first-year, non-tenured teacher tentatively assigned as the BenGil Elementary School music teacher for the 2024-25 school year, pending verification of certification requirements and a background check. Morgan is expected to receive her bachelor’s degree in music education this spring from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
- Voted to appoint Nikki Brawner as the GHS head women’s basketball coach for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, the board accepted Brawner’s resignation as an assistant GHS women’s basketball coach and posted that position as vacant.
- Voted, in separate actions, to hire Alex Jasper and James Bryant as GMS paraprofessionals, pending verification of certification requirements and a background check. Additionally, the board voted to appoint Bryant as the GMS eighth-grade boys basketball coach for the 2024-25 school year.
- Voted to employ Alexis Lupkey as GHS head cheerleading coach for the 2024-25 school year.
- Voted, in separate actions, to hire Nikki Hunter and Rebecca Leitschuh-Birdsell as full-route bus drivers for the 2024-25 school year, pending verification of certification and background checks.
On a motion by Ross, seconded by Peyton Bernot, the board voted to employ Jennifer Parker, Nancy Schmidt, Amy Price, Marci Johnson, Karissa Smith and Vanessa Barrett as teachers for the 2024 elementary school summer school program.
In separate actions, the board hired Shanna Connor as a math teacher, Casey Edgerton as a science teacher, and Jessica Kelly as an English/language arts teacher for the Gillespie Middle School summer school program.
The board hired Ashlee Gibbs as a high school summer school math teacher, contingent upon student enrollment, and hired Jennifer Brown as the high school summer school driver’s education teacher. Penny Feeley and Janice Hammann were hired unanimously as summer school food service workers.
SAFETY GRANT PROJECTS
The board authorized Supt. Owsley to seek bids for several capital improvement projects related to student safety for which plans are still being developed. In January, Owsley reported to the board the district was successful in its application for a $466,365 state-funded Safety Grant. Matching the grant money with $155,000 in local funds, gave the district more than $600,000 in funding for capital improvements related to safety.
Owsley said architects are continuing to develop plans and bidding specifications for several projects, including installation of a new fire alarm system, installation of a new intercom system, installation of bullet-proof glass in the office area, and application of a bullet-resistant film on exterior windows. The Superintendent said he would advertise for bids as specifications become available.
FISCAL 2025 BUDGET
On a motion by Weye Schmidt, seconded by Bill Carter, the board voted to direct Supt. Owsley to prepare a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025, which will run from July 1 this year through June 30, 2025. The new budget typically is presented to the board in August with final approval coming in September.
In a related action, the board approved expenditures from fiscal 2025 funds to cover operating costs from July 1, when the new fiscal year begins, until the new budget is adopted.
Though not a given, the board could amend the fiscal 2024 budget in June in the event actual revenue and expenditures for the current fiscal year differ significantly from projections made in the budget approved last summer.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Board members approved an intergovernmental agreement between CUSD 7 and Lewis and Clark Community College to offer dual credit courses at Gillespie High School. Under the agreement, Gillespie students can take college-level courses that will count as credit toward an LCCC associate’s degree. Teachers offering dual credit courses at GHS must hold a master’s degree and offer a curriculum approved by the college.
DISTRICT FOCUS
In a District Focus segment, the board was introduced to several High School FFA members who have excelled this year in competitions.
“These kids are doing some amazing things,” said High School Principal Jill Rosentreter. “They are going to competitions and bringing home trophies right and left.”
FFA sponsor Kayla Wills said she has led the program for six years. “This is the most outstanding group we’ve had since I’ve been here,” she said.
Wills introduced two teams––the Parliamentary Procedure team and the Ag Mechanics team––that have ascended to state competition set for May 2. Team member Emily Hauser explained the areas of expertise on which the Parliamentary Procedure team will be judged. Caleb Oberfall spoke about the Ag Mechanics team.
The Ag Mechanics team includes a carpenter, a welder, a surveyor, an electrician and a mechanic, according to Wills.
“These kids have worked really hard and put in a lot of time,” Wills said. “I am very proud of them.”
FOOD SERVICES ISSUE
A former district cook and current substitute cook, who identified herself as Mandy, addressed the board on behalf of district cooks regarding the possibility of contracting with Opaa! Food Management, Inc. to provide meals in the local district. Opaa! representatives offered a detailed sales presentation to the board last month.
“I worked for Opaa! at Staunton,” she said. “You need to look into them. They’re not what they say they are.”
She alleged the “homemade meals” are not homemade, and are, in fact, the same quality as any other food provider.
“I’ve been in food services for a long time and I know what food should look like,” she said. “It shouldn’t look like dogfood.”
The fact the company offers choices, she said, is a good thing but is a double-edged sword. If a child doesn’t care for the main selection on a particular day, they can have a peanut butter sandwich or salad instead.
“But if little Johnny doesn’t like peanut butter or salad, he doesn’t eat that day,” she said.
Having worked in the local district, she said she could attest that the food services staff cares about students.
In a related matter, Union Secretary Jennifer Parker read a statement from the food services staff thanking the board and Supt. Owsley “for the opportunity to continue to pursue options to bring more choices to the food program.”
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Voted to renew membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association (IESA).
- Approved a finalized calendar for the 2024-25 school year. Owsley said the calendar is unchanged from a tentative calendar presented to the board earlier, except “snow days” have been designated as “emergency days.”
- Approved a fee schedule for the 2024-25 school day. Owsley said the new fee schedule is nearly identical to the fee schedule used this year except that the cost for adult breakfasts and lunches is increased by 10 cents. In addition, the district will now offer free breakfast and lunch to students in all grade levels thanks to a federal reimbursement grant for districts with high numbers of students from low income households. In the past, free breakfast and lunch was available only to kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students. This year, Owsley said, the high school also qualified for reimbursement. According to Owsley, the reimbursement program is locked in for four years, after which the district may again apply. “Hopefully, this will help our parents and students,” Owsley said.
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The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
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 spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 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 North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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