Community News
Gillespie Council awards contract for water infrastructure improvement project
The council heard an extensive presentation from Eric Little, representing Illinois Municipal League, regarding 2019 insurance coverage.
Members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to award an $8.8 million contract to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, for a $10 million water infrastructure improvement project expected to get underway in early spring 2019. Haier submitted the lowest of four bids submitted by qualified contractors for the project. Bids were opened Oct. 18.
“The numbers came in a little higher than we had expected,” said Dan Fisher, City Treasurer. “Rural Development wants us to go ahead and award the contract because these bids are only good to Jan. 1.”
The project, which will replace water distribution lines throughout the city, is being financed with a $6,350,000 USDA Rural Development bond issue along with a USDA Water and Waste System grant of $3.65 million. The bonds are expected to be repaid over a period 40 years. Fisher said Haier’s original bid, combined with engineering costs, would have put the project over the $10 million budget ceiling. In conjunction with awarding the contract, the council also approved a change order to reduce the scope of the project by $941,081 to bring the total projected cost of the project within $10 million.
Fisher said the change order eliminates a number of interconnect valves included in the original design.
“What’s that going to do to our project?” Ald. Jan Weidner asked.
“It’s Roger’s (Curry of Curry and Associates) opinion that we had a few more than we needed,” Fisher said. If the city decides the valves are needed, they can be installed at a later date after the project is completed, he said. “It really won’t affect us at all.”
While actions taken by the council Monday night reduced the scope of the project, the council also authorized city officials to apply for additional funds which would allow the city to restore the nearly $1 million worth of work cut from the project.
While actions taken by the council Monday night reduced the scope of the project, the council also authorized city officials to apply for additional funds which would allow the city to restore the nearly $1 million worth of work cut from the project.
“Rural Development has given us an opportunity to get back that $1 million we just cut,” Fisher reported. “We don’t know how much of that will be grant money and how much would be a grant, but we can’t get it if we don’t apply.”
The council voted unanimously to apply for the funds on a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, seconded by Ald. Dave Tucker.
“Again,” Fisher emphasized, “it’s just an application. If they give it to us, we don’t have to accept it.”
While taking no formal action, the council briefly discussed the possibility of adding a surcharge of $1 to municipal water and sewer bills to generate additional revenue to help retire the debt the city incurred for the infrastructure improvement project.
“This is something we’re probably going to have to look at,” Mayor John Hicks said, adding that a 10 percent surcharge would increase the $22 minimum bill to $24.20.
“I’d do $1 on the head end,” said Fisher, with a possibility of adding another $1 when the project gets underway. The $1 surcharge would generate about $2,000 per month in additional revenue that could be used to start retiring the debt. “As you know, it’s hard to catch up if you get behind,” Fisher said. He said that even with the surcharge, Gillespie will have one of the lowest water and sewer rates in the area.
The council took several other actions in conjunction with the infrastructure improvement project, including:
- Approved a water project document protocol, basically a technicality to allow city officials to produce and sign documents required by USDA as needed.
- Authorized the assistant city clerk to open “any and all” bank accounts required for the project. “There are several bank accounts that will be needed, some of which need to be opened now.”
- Authorized payment of invoices submitted by Curry and Associates Engineers and City Attorney Kevin Polo for work completed to date in conjunction with the project.
In a related matter, the council approved a $300,000 motor fuel tax resolution to appropriate money for the city’s annual street maintenance program, along with work that will be needed to restore streets and sidewalks disrupted by excavation done during the water project.
PROPERTY TAX LEVY EXCEEDS $320,000
Prior to Monday night’s meeting, the council conducted a required public hearing on the city’s proposed property tax levy and approved a total levy of $324,294 for 2018 property taxes to be collected in 2019. The total levy exceeds last year’s levy by five percent, or $15,491. The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) that is in effect in Macoupin County restricts municipalities to increase the annual levy by no more than five percent of the previous year’s tax extension or by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. Typically, the annual CPI is far less than five percent. The final levy and tax rate is determined by the County Clerk on the basis of the city’s total equalized assessed valuation. Most taxing bodies approve levies asking for a full five percent, although the final levy usually is somewhat less.
Line by line, the newly approved levy seeks $53,188 for corporate purposes, compared with $50,655 levied last year. For Police Protection, $22,900 is levied, compared with $21,810 last year; $31,026 is levied for Streets and Bridges, compared with $29,549 last year; $51,709 is levied for Liability Insurance, compared with $49,247 last year; $8,864 is levied for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $8,442 last year; $13,296 is levied for Parks, compared with $12,663 last year; and $2,955 is levied for the Municipal Band, compared with $2,814.
Nearly a third of the levy—$93,078—is earmarked for Social Security, compared with $88,646 last year. A total of $47,278 is levied for the Public Library, compared with $45,883 last year.
Excluding the $10 million the city expects to spend on the water project in 2019, property taxes typically account for about 10 percent of what the city spends annually.
No members of the public asked questions or voiced concerns about the levy during the public hearing.
CITY SWITCHES INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR 2019
Meeting in a brief adjourned session on Wednesday morning, council members voted to award the contract for insurance coverage for 2019 to Illinois Municipal League’s Risk Management Association at a cost of $69,000 for one year of coverage.
The council heard extensive presentations from Eric Little regarding the IML’s proposal, and from Matt Gazda of Gazda Insurance, Carlinville, and Mitch Newell of Dimond Bros. Insurance, Carlinville, on a jointly prepared proposal for coverage offered through the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT), which also is a shared risk program. Cost of the Gazda/Dimond proposal amounted to $101,000 for 11 months of coverage. Gazda/Dimond has held the contract for insurance coverage for the past several years, though the policy was written through another carrier.
With the current policy set to expire Dec. 31, Mayor Hicks said the council would need time to review both proposals and make a decision at a later date.
“Will we need a special meeting?” asked Ald. Dona Rauzi.
“I think we’ll have to unless we’re willing to make a decision on one of these tonight, so we will have insurance on Jan. 1,” said Polo.
Hicks suggested meeting on Wednesday morning, but Polo noted that would not allow the legally required 48 hours needed to give public notice of a special meeting, Fisher offered the possibility, however, of continuing Monday night’s meeting to Wednesday without adjourning in order to avoid the need for calling a special meeting of the council.
Little noted that the city had purchased insurance through IML’s Risk Management Association for nearly 30 years before switching to Gazda/Dimond several years ago. “We’d like to get you back,” he said.
The policy he offered featured lowered deductibles in most categories than the city’s current policies. The policy provides damage and loss coverage for city property, including vehicles; liability insurance for up to $8 million per occurrence; cyber liability insurance up to $100,000; workers compensation coverage; bonding coverage for city officials and umbrella coverage of up to $5 million for issues not covered by other aspects of the policy.
“I think a big difference is our limits and our deductibles,” said Little. “That’s where we really shine.”
Newell presented the Gazda/Dimond proposal, noting that the ICRMT coverage was largely the same as that offered by IML and that deductibles were significantly lower than the city’s current policy.
“ICRMT has over 50 percent of the counties in Illinois,” Gazda added. “It’s not an ‘accessible’ policy. That’s very important. If another municipality has a big loss, it wouldn’t affect Gillespie. The deductibles with ICRMT are a lot higher, a lot better (than the current policy).”
TOURISM GRANT APPLICATION
With a 4-1 vote, the council agreed to move forward with an application for a $50,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Tourism Office to continue improvements to the former United Community Bank building which currently houses the Illinois Coal Museum. The matching grant, if awarded, would have to be leveraged with $50,000 in city funds.
Ald. Tucker said the grant would allow the city to complete work on both the first and second floors of the building, make improvements for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and make improvements to the building’s facade.
Fisher said much of the work is eligible for Tax Increment Financing expenditures, so TIF funds could be used for the city’s match. He said the TIF Fund currently has about $221,644 available.
“It’s a good opportunity for us,” Fisher said. “It’s a way to get some money in and make some improvements to that building.”
“It’s a good opportunity for us,” Fisher said. “It’s a way to get some money in and make some improvements to that building.”
Brought to a vote on a motion by Tucker, the measure passed with Ald. Barrett, Tucker, Rauzi and Jerry Dolliger voting “yes.” Ald. Weidner cast the sole dissenting vote.
POLICE CONTRACT
Council members voted unanimously to accept a newly negotiated contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing local police officers. The three-year contract calls for salary increases of five percent in the first year and one percent in each of the remaining two years, and it sets starting wages for new officers at $17.03 per hour.
On a motion by Tucker, seconded by Rauzi, the council also approved a two-year contract to provide police protection services to the Village of Mount Clare, which recently terminated its contract with the City of Benld. Under terms of the contract, Gillespie police will provide 26 hours of patrol at a cost of $1,500.
Acting on the recommendation of Police Chief Jared DePoppe, the council voted to hire Ellen Kuhlman as a full-time police dispatcher. DePoppe said Kuhlman has been a part-time dispatcher for the department for about one year. “She’s done a good job for us,” DePoppe said.
The council also gave the mayor authority to hire a full-time police officer when DePoppe is able to recommend a candidate to replace an officer recently assigned to serve as a School Resource Officer under an agreement with Community Unit School District 7. Council members met briefly with a presumed candidate during an hour-long executive session convened to discuss collective bargaining and personnel.
457 PLAN ADJUSTMENT
Council members voted unanimously to adjust the 457 Retirement Plan offered to city employees which will allow employees to borrow from their accumulated funds in lieu of cashing out their plans for emergency expenses. Polo said the revision should cut down on redemptions, which ultimately negatively impacts employee retirement plans.
Polo said the current plan currently has no provision for employees to borrow from their funds. Under the new provisions, an employee can borrow up to 50 percent of the vested amount and pay it back via payroll deduction at 5.25 percent interest. Since the employees basically will be borrowing funds from themselves, the interest payments will accrue to their 457 Retirement Fund.
“It provides an opportunity for them to borrow from their fund without hurting their retirement plan,” Polo said.
CHLORINE COMPLAINT
The council heard brief from Gayla Crites, who complained about chlorine levels in water entering her home. She said she complained about excessive chlorine when Steve Kluthe was serving as alderman for her ward. She said Kluthe arranged to have the water tested and later told her that the chlorine level was acceptable under state standards.
“I’m telling you, I take a shower and I can’t breathe and my eyes burn,” she said. “What really worries me is babies—putting them in that water for a bath and them breathing it into their little lungs.”
Mayor Hicks said he would have someone come to her home to take water samples as well as samples from neighboring residences.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved the transfer of a lease for lake lot 439B Lakeview Lane to Kenneth and Deborah Hanner of Bunker Hill, and the transfer of a lease for lake lot 370 to Melissa Loftis.
- Approved Christmas bonuses of $100 for full-time city employees and $50 for part-time employees.
- Approved the release of a $6,200 TIF grant to Adam Tallman for exterior work done to the exterior of the former Drew Ford building contingent upon him certifying completion of the project.
- Amended the city’s liquor license ordinance to limit the number of gambling establishments. The city has 13 available licenses, two of which are available. The amendment limits the number of Class A licenses to seven and the number of Class B or C licenses to six.
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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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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
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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