Community News
Gillespie Council sets meeting with satellite water customers
Roger Mensing of Curry and Associates Engineers updated the council on the water project.
On the cusp of embarking on a $10 million water infrastructure improvement project, the Gillespie City Council on Monday night scheduled an April 6 meeting with representatives from satellite municipal water customers, at least some of which are exploring alternative sources of water for their residents. The meeting is set for 10 a.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center and will be open to the public.
The meeting was set during the Council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night on a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker. In other action, the council adopted increases in camping and boating fees at Gillespie Lake, and adopted an ordinance to increase sewer rates for users of the city’s sewer system.
City Attorney Kevin Polo suggested it would be in the best interest of the City of Gillespie to meet with government officials from surrounding communities now so they can “get water at the cheapest possible rate.” While Polo did not specifically indicate that Gillespie would negotiate new pricing structures for satellite customers, he suggested satellite customers might be able to secure the best rates by acting collectively as opposed to negotiating with water providers individually. “There is power in numbers,” he said.
Roger Mensing of Curry and Associates Engineers is the water project manager and is expected to attend the meeting to field questions.
“There’s been a lot of discussion going on in the area,” Polo noted. “Carlinville is going with the Illinois Alluvial project and Dorchester apparently is going with Illinois Alluvial. Benld is talking about running a line to Litchfield and Lake KaHo is already running a line to Litchfield. So there’s a lot going on at the moment.”
He said he and other city officials recently met with Litchfield city officials to talk about Litchfield’s rates for satellite water customers. “Suffice it to say that maybe it’s time to meet with some of the satellites and talk about how they can get water at the lowest rate possible—maybe even cheaper that Illinois Alluvial.”
Suffice it to say that maybe it’s time to meet with some of the satellites and talk about how they can get water at the lowest rate possible—maybe even cheaper that Illinois Alluvial.
Polo said the meeting would have to comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act which requires two weeks public notice. He said he also had checked on the availability of the Civic Center space and that April 6 seemed to be the earliest Saturday meeting the public notice requirement.
In related matters, the council adopted a revised resolution awarding the contract for the infrastructure project to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Oquawka, and heard a brief update on the project from Mensing and City Treasurer Dan Fisher.
While the council already had taken action to award the contract to Haier in December, Fisher said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program required the city to adopt specific language to meet requirements for Rural Development to be involved in funding the project. Among other things, that language reportedly includes provisions authorizing the Mayor to sign agreements related to the project on behalf of the city. Rural Development also required the city to take a separate action to accept a change order reducing the cost of the project by about $940,000. Rural Development is underwriting the project with a 40-year loan of about $7.3 million at two percent interest, plus a grant of $3.65 million to cover about 36 percent of the project’s cost.
The action taken by the council Monday night should free up Rural Development to complete paperwork to release money for the grant and loan, according to Fisher.
Mensing told the council that Haier is eager to get started on the project as soon as possible this spring. “We’re just waiting for Rural Development,” he said. “Haier actually would like to start boring in a couple of weeks.”
Mensing said Fisher had advised him that the city has enough surplus funds to start work on the project pending finalization from Rural Development, then reimburse the city’s coffers when the project financing is released.
Responding to a question from Ald. Jane Weidner, Fisher said Rural Development will ask the city to establish a line of credit at a local bank for the initial stages of the project, which is expected to take two years to complete.
“For at least the first year, they’re going to require us to use interim financing,” Fisher said. “We’ll have a line of credit at the bank that we can draw down on just like building a house. We’d make monthly payments for interest only and at some point, Rural Development” will release grant and loan money to pay off the interim credit line.
He said he favored using existing funds until such time Rural Development releases funding. “The bank would probably let us do that before (funding is released) but that would start the clock ticking on the interest we’d have to pay,” Fisher said.
Mensing also reported that he and city officials have had two meetings with vendors proposing remote meter reading systems. Such a system would allow the city to read water meters from City Hall as well as provide daily data monitoring water pressure and the location of possible household water leaks.
“It will take about 10 minutes to read all of the meters in town,” Fisher said.
“That’s the system we need to go with,” Mayor John Hicks commented. “It will get us into the 21st century.”
CAMPING, BOAT STICKER FEES INCREASED
On motions by Ald. Frank Barrett, chair the council’s Lake Committee, the council voted separately to increase fees for boat stickers and camping permits at Gillespie Lake. The fee increases will be effective for the 2019 recreational season.
The council’s action raises camping fees from $15 per night for RV sites with electrical hook-ups to $17 per night and $20 per night on holidays. Fees for primitive/tent camping sites will go from $10 per night to $12 per night and $15 per night on holidays. The fee charged for non-camping RV dumping will go from $6 to $10.
The lake has 24 RV sites and four tent/primitive campsites.
Barrett said the fee increases will help “offset some of the cost for improvements” within the lake campgrounds.
For the first time the boat sticker pricing schedule will include slightly higher fees for non-resident boaters using the lake.
For the first time the boat sticker pricing schedule will include slightly higher fees for non-resident boaters using the lake. Persons with a 62033 zip code for their mailing address are considered “residents.”
For boats with outboard motors of up to 10 horsepower, the new fee will be $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Motors ranging from 11 to 20 horsepower will require a fee of $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents. The fee will be $40 for residents and $45 for non-residents for boats with motors ranging from 21 to 40 horsepower; $50 for residents and $55 for non residents for boats with motors ranging from 41-75 horsepower; $60 for residents and $65 for non-residents for boats with motors ranging from 76 to 100 horsepower; and $70 for residents and $75 for non-residents for boats with motors ranging from 101 to 150 horsepower. Boats with motors in excess of 150 horsepower will require a permit sticker costing $80 for residents and $85 for non-residents.
Sailboat stickers are $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents.
The permit sticker fee for canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and other non-motorized craft is $15 for residents and $20 for non-residents.
A daily permit for any boat regardless of size will be $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
A $100 permit sticker is available only to persons who hold a lease for a lake lot at a cost of $100 per year for personal watercraft such as jet skis.
Previous boat sticker fees ranged from $20 to $53 depending upon motor size and there was no distinction between resident and non-resident boaters.
Barret said the new fees are lower than the fees charged for boaters using other lakes in the area. Glen Shoals, for example, charges fees ranging from $40 to $185 depending upon motor size for non-resident boaters. At Lake Lou Yager, non-resident boaters are charged from $55 to $120 for permit stickers depending upon motor size.
SEWER RATES INCREASED
With little discussion, the council voted unanimously to increase the minimum sewer rate from $6.50 for the first 1,000 gallons to $8.50. Sewer users will pay an additional $1.50 per 1,000 gallons for usage in excess of 1,000 gallons.
The council deferred action on a resolution to facilitate procedures allowing city employees to borrow from their retirement accounts pending additional information about what it will cost the city to administer the program. The council voted unanimously in December to offer employees the option of borrowing up to 50 percent of the amount vested in their 457 Retirement Plan fund in the event of an emergency. The amount borrowed would then be repaid to the fund via payroll deductions at an interest rate of 5.25 percent. Since the employee essentially would be borrowing from himself or herself, the accrued interest will be paid into their retirement fund.
Council members questioned how much additional time would be required on the part of staff in the City Clerk’s office to administer the program. Fisher said it would be more likely that the city’s accountant would do the work since she is the person who administers payroll. There was no information available, however, about how much the accountant would need to be paid for the additional workload.
“Can we defer this for another month until we can find out how much it’s going to cost?” Ald. Tucker said.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council members met in executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss the status of collective bargaining negotiations between the city and Laborers Union. Polo previously announced that no tentative agreement has been reached.
Since no agreement has been reached with the union, Fisher also recommended deferring action on setting salaries for employees not covered by the collective bargaining agreement. Only three city employees are not part of the union.
POLICE CAR DISCUSSION
The council discussed but took no action on a request from Police Chief Jared DePoppe to purchase a new police car. DePoppe said that several years ago he proposed a plan to retire aging squad cars and buy one new one every one to two years.
“We’re a little behind on that now,” he said. “We’d like to get a new squad car. Our squads are getting older.”
He said the city could buy a car from Morrow Brothers Ford, Greenfield, on a state bid for $27,000 for a 2019 Ford Intercept or $32,000 for a 2019 Sport Utility. An additional $5,000 would be required for equipping either vehicle with police equipment.
He said he had contacted Rural Development about the possibility of securing a grant but was told that grant funding for that program will not be released until October.
“I’d like to get one now,” he said, “and get another one in October when that funding becomes available.”
Mayor Hicks asked about the possibility of buying a used police car, but DePoppe said the city has purchased used vehicles in the past and that he would like to go with a new vehicle this time.
In the meantime, he said a 2010 Crown Victoria owned by the police department needs to have its transmission replaced, and he is looking into the possibility of taking the transmission from the car currently used by the School Resource Officer if it is interchangeable. Otherwise, he said the city is looking at $2,500 for a new transmission or $2,000 for a used one.
No action was taken Monday night but it is possible the proposed purchase will be included as an agenda item for a later meeting.
BOY SCOUT PROPERTY
The council referred to committee a request from local Cub Scout Leader Ed Bergen to resume use of a parcel of property formerly used as a shooting range on Farley Lane at Gillespie Lake.
“We had it when I had the Boy Scout troop, and about a year and a half ago that fell apart,” Bergen said. Bergen said he has since established a Cub Scout troop and would like to resume using the property. He said about 20 youths are enrolled in the program and he is looking for “more things for them to do.” Activities could include a public service project to clean-up the property.
Ald. Barrett said he’d like to walk the property with Bergen before making a recommendation to the council.
The council also referred to committee with power to act a request from Charles Knoche to install a sewage holding tank on a lot he leases at Gillespie Lake. Knoche relied on a “porta-potty” until that unit recently was stolen.
“I’d rather see a holding tank out there than a porta-potty,” Barrett said.
But Mayor Hicks objected, saying Knoche’s lot is a picnic lot, not a permanent residence.
“I’m worried about setting a precedent,” Hicks said. “You’d be opening it up to everyone.”
Moreover, Hicks said he had concerns about the frequency of inspections for holding tanks at the lake. Current provisions call for them to be inspected only when a lot is transferred to a new resident. “There ought to be some kind of guideline to make sure they’re maintained,” he said.
Ultimately the issue was referred to committee with power to act in two weeks.
SEASONAL WORKER
The Mayor directed Ald. Jerry Dolliger to locate a candidate to be hired as a seasonal worker this summer in part to help with mowing and maintenance at Welfare Park.
Barrett said Gillespie Middle School ball teams currently play games at the park and that he had informed them that they are responsible for taking care of the ball diamonds. But other maintenance needs, such as regular mowing, are the responsibility of the city.
“We can use money from the concession stand to pay expenses,” Hicks suggested, “until we can get a park district.”
“There are people who are interested in a park district,” Ald. Dona Rauzi commented. Barrett added that if a park district proposal was included on a future ballot, it could include East Gillespie.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a lake lot lease transfer for 45 Bishop Drive to Patrick Sheppard.
- Approved a business license application for Ageless Apparel to open a storefront location for their printing business in the former Dombeck Dentistry building on South Macoupin. The business will employ three people. Fisher commented that Austin Peterson told him that he was interested in opening a downtown location in part because of the plans Grow Gillespie has unveiled to improve the downtown business district and stimulate commerce.
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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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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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Community News4 weeks agoDenby wins judicial nomination in three-way race; Trump, Biden top choices for Macoupin voters