Community News
Soap box derby, audit and mine subsidence top agenda for Benld Council
Members of the Benld City Council discuss the city’s audit.
Members of the Benld City Council discussed the possibility of hosting a soap box derby in the city and learned of possible mine subsidence damage at the Benld City Hall complex during the council’s regular monthly meeting Monday night. It was the annual city audit, however, that dominated the discussion, consuming more than 90 minutes (including an hour in executive session) of the meeting.
Margot Holt, an auditor with Scheffel Boyle, Certified Public Accountants, presented the annual audit, which is required by law. In a 30-minute presentation, Holt offered a page-by-page review of the document, which is now available for public inspection at Benld City Hall. The audit portrays the city’s financial condition as of April 30–the end of the last fiscal year. Holt told council members the auditors gave the city a “clear opinion,” offering no findings and no recommendations regarding the city’s accounting procedures.
Holt indicated the document indicates the some of the city’s financial reports, which in the past have been on an accrual basis, have been converted to a cash basis or modified cash basis
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Holt said. “We just have to let the reader know.” Persons who might want to compare the current audit with past audits, for example, would find that beginning balances for some funds for fiscal 2014 do not match ending balances from fiscal 2013 because of the change in accounting procedures. Holt said auditors had to convert closing balances reported on an accrual basis to cash basis balances as a starting point for the 2014 audit.
While the council ultimately voted unanimously to accept the audit, the vote did not take place until after the council entered into an hour-long executive session on a motion by Ald. Peyton Bernot, seconded by Ald. Teressa Tucker. Mayor Gloria Sidar told The BenGil Post that while the audit technically might not qualify for executive session discussions under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the close-door session was warranted because some to the discussion veered into areas of personnel. She also said past practice of the council has been to discuss the audit in executive session. Both Holt and Gina Verticchio, representing Vericchio & Verticchio Law Office, remained in the room for the executive discussion.
SOAP BOX DERBY
The council authorized Mayor Sidar to contact the State of Illinois to learn whether or not the city can temporarily close a section for Illinois Route 138 for a tentatively proposed soap box derby. Illinois Route 138 carries Central Avenue through the downtown section of the city.
Ron Presnell, speaking as a private citizen, presented the idea of a soap box derby to the council, saying it would provide a wholesome activity for area youths in the summer. He suggested local businesses might “sponsor” individual entries. No date has been suggested for the proposed event, which would involve youngsters racing gravity-powered, home-constructed vehicles.
“That’s the most positive thing I’ve heard in a long time,” Sidar said.
I’d like to see it made an annual event
“I looked at this hill (on Central Avenue) and thought that would make a nice place for a soap box derby,” he said. “I’d like to see it made an annual event, not just a one-time thing. It’s something where girls and boys can compete on an equal basis.” Presnell said there is a significant amount of interest in the sport nationwide with websites devoted to soap box derby discussions. Kits are available for building soap box derby vehicles, he said. There are no other soap box derbies in the immediate area.
If the city gets authorization to close the highway for the event, Presnell said, there will be plenty of room for vendors, such as arts and crafts.
MINE SUBSIDENCE
Council members learned that mine subsidence damage, which started in the southeast section of the city, may have migrated as far as City Hall on Central Avenue. Mayor Sidar reported that damage recently reported at City Hall and the adjacent Civic Center has not been confirmed to be from mine subsidence, but she and other city officials suspect mine subsidence that has plagued the city in recent months will be determined to be the cause.
“It almost makes me sick to my stomach to have to talk about this,” she said. She said she and city office workers have noticed the damage in recent weeks. In addition to new cracks appearing in exterior walls, Sidar said the floor in the council chambers and office area is buckled and both doors to the facility have become skewed and difficult to lock.
The city’s insurance adjustor examined the property last Thursday, according to Sidar.
He said in his opinion, it looks like mine subsidence
In a related matter, Mayor Sidar reported that she has acquired a map on CD that shows underground mining activity as well has underground utilities owned by Ameren-Illinois for Benld. She said she plans to copy the disk and make it available at City Hall and at the Benld Public Library for citizens to view and assess whether or not their properties are susceptible to mine subsidence damage.
“This town is here because of the mine,” Kelly said, adding there is little the city can do, short of backfilling abandoned mine shafts, to stop the damage.
Given the uncertainty about possible ongoing damage at the city complex, Mayor Sidar recommended tabling action on two bids for replacing the roof at the roof at the Benld Nutrition Center.
“If anyone contacts any of you,” Sidar told the aldermen, “and says, ‘I think I have mine subsidence,’ tell them to contact their insurance company. Don’t wait. Call your insurance company and they will contact the Mine Subsidence Department to find out if it is mine subsidence.”
NUISANCE ABATEMENT
Ald. Jim Tilashalski reported that he attended a court hearing to secure a nuisance abatement order against property located in the 600 block of East Central Avenue which ended with a favorable ruling for the city. “We have the go-ahead to move immediately,” he said.
“The first thing we have to do is seal it,” said Mayor Sidar. She said several members of the council had not seen photos of the interior taken by city police which showed “trash in there that was anywhere from two to three feet deep.”
“As bad as we thought the exterior was, the outside was the Taj Mahal compared to the inside,” she said.
Along with sealing the building to preclude vermin, city workers will clear debris from the exterior and file a lien against the property for the cost of the abatement.
“When it’s all said and done, we are probably going to end up with that property,” Tilashalski said.
BUILD BENLD UNHAPPY ABOUT CIVIC CENTER CONDITION
The council referred to the Properties Committee the issue of whether or not to refund a $100 rental fee paid by Build Benld for use of the Civic Center for a Senior Citizens holiday dinner. A letter from the group complained that the Civic Center was not satisfactorily cleaned prior to the dinner, but Sidar and Kelly both said the current janitorial worker typically does a good job of cleaning the facility and that any complaints should have been directed to city officials immediately.
“This letter was written in the heat of the moment,” Kelly said. “You spend five paragraphs criticizing and ask us to do something in the last paragraph.”
Sidar said a committee meeting involving representatives from Build Benld would be the appropriate venue to discuss the issue and make a recommendation to the council.
Tilashalski commented that he has long held the opinion that civic organizations should not have to pay rent for the facility, but pay for clean-up only. Sidar pointed out, however, that only $25 for the $100 fee is earmarked for rent, with the remaining $75 allocated for clean-up.
Bernot voiced his opinion that use of the facility should be free for government entities and non-profit organizations.
“I think we have to be very careful that we don’t open up a can a worms,” Kelly countered.
CITY AUTHORIZES INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENT
On a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council authorized a premium payment to Bliss/McKnight Insurance for workers compensation, property and liability coverage for the coming year. Bernot said he had received an unsolicited bid from the Illinois Municipal League pool insurance program with a premium that would have been $6,900 less for the year.
“My recommendation is that since this was an unsolicited bid, I’m afraid of it,” Bernot said. He said the city had IML insurance in the past and opted for another carrier which IML’s premiums became excessive, reaching upward of $54,000 for the year. Bliss/McKnight’s current annual premium is $42,800. Bernot also said he had concerns about the nature of pool coverage. In the event of a widespread disaster, such as an earthquake, the pool could run out of money before being able to honor its coverage obligations to all stakeholders.
With concerns about possible mine subsidence damage issues, Bernot said, “it’s a bad time to switch” companies.
Both Bernot and Sidar said they plan to bid insurance coverage next year for 2017 coverage.
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
In other action, the council authorized the purchase of 10 new water meters with antenna for remote billing at a cost of $195 each. Ald. Kelly said three meters currently are defective and the Water Department has been required to estimate water bills for those residences for the past few months. The cost of a complete new meter, he noted, actually is less than the cost of replacing the computer module and antenna alone.
Council members also supported Kelly’s proposal to raise the water and sewer deposit fee from $200 to $300 for rental tenants in the city of Benld. Kelly said other communities in the area have either raised their deposit fee or are considering an increase to cover their cost in the event a tenant moves out without paying their final bill. A formal ordinance is likely to be voted upon in January to take effect in February.
The council approved payment of a $5,333 bill to Jen Mechanical, Alton, for a new 5,000 BTU furnace for the Benld Nutrition Center. Last month, the council gave Mayor Sidar power to act on replacing the furnace on an emergency basis. Sidar said the Jen Mechanical was actually the higher of two bids submitted but the lower bid was for a smaller furnace. Based on the BTU capacity, she said, the bids were identical and she opted for the higher capacity furnace.
On Mayor Sidar’s recommendation, the council approved the appointment of former Police Chief Kurt Kozak as Police Sergeant. Sidar said that in the past, the Police Department has had one person designated as sergeant to act in the capacity of police chief in the event the police chief is absent or incapacitated. The sergeant position does not otherwise have supervisory duties, nor does it involve work assignments or other administrative duties.
The council approved a total bid of $1,500 for the removal of three trees from city property, contingent upon verification that two trees in the 200 block of West Walnut Street are actually on city property and not residential property.
An initial negotiating session with Local 338 of Laborers International was set for 4 p.m., Jan. 6. The city will be represented by the Mayor, Bernot and Kelly. Workers will be represented by designated individuals from the maintenance and police departments. Both units recently voted to be represented by the union.
Mayor Sidar reported that the city has received a signed lease from the U.S. Postal Service to rent one-half of the Police Department facility to provide postal services to Benld residents. The Postal Service will pay an annual lease of $3,300 per year.
Meeting dates for the upcoming year were approved for 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Also approved were committee meeting dates and times.
Council members also approved closing city offices at noon on Christmas Eve and approved end-of-the year bonuses of $100 for eight full-time employees and $50 for three part-time employees.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
-
Community News3 weeks agoSchool district apparently eyeing food management service
-
Police News4 weeks ago
Gillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024
-
High School Sports4 weeks ago
Gillespie Varsity Softball Racks up 3 Wins this Week
-
High School Sports3 weeks ago
Gillespie Varsity Miners Steamroll Nokomis and fall to New Berlin