Community News
Benld City government to bid on downtown building, Council discusses status of sports park development
Benld City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to authorize Mayor Jim Kelly to submit a bid to purchase a commercial building on Central Avenue. A limit on the maximum bid was set in executive session and was not publicly disclosed.
The building in which the city is interested also was not disclosed. However, it appears the former First National Bank building at 218 East Central Avenue is the only property being offered for sale via online bidding at this time. The 4,000-square-foot facility is offered for sale by Aumann Auction Services. With eight days before bidding closes, the high bid for the property is $5,000.
While the bank building appears to be the council’s immediate interest, the action authorized the Mayor to submit bids for any Central Avenue buildings offered for auction in the future. The city previously acquired several downtown buildings for back taxes.
Purchasing downtown business buildings is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown by ensuring downtown structures are in good repair and have tenants willing to operate businesses in Benld.
PARK DEVELOPMENT
While no action was taken, the council held an extensive discussion on the status of work on developing the Benld Family Sports Complex, a public athletic park being developed on 11 acres where the former Benld Elementary School once stood. The city received a $600,000 Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development grant last year to develop the property.
Mayor Kelly reported he recently met with Doug Ratterman of HMG Engineers regarding preliminary grading work on the site. Ratterman said elevations for the football field and areas to the north of the football field are acceptable. The area near the softball field, however, needs 4,000 tons of fill dirt in order for the walking path around the park to make a complete loop. Without the fill, the path will have to end at the softball field.
Kelly reported that the property will not need to be tiled for drainage, which will save a significant amount of money. Likewise, it’s been determined a retention pond will not be needed. City Clerk Terri Koyne reported that bids for playground equipment and scoreboards came in below the original estimate.
Some aldermen expressed concerns about what it will cost to finish the project. Kelly said city workers will do all the work covered by the grant. Any additional work beyond the parameters of the grant will be covered by fundraising activities on the part of the Benld Sports Association, which will assume maintenance and administration upon completion.
Kelly stressed that the city will complete work outlined in the grant, but additional work will be in the hands of the Sports Association.
With excavating and leveling nearing completion, the city is close to seeking bids to build park facilities. When completed, the park will have two baseball/softball fields, a football/soccer field, a walking path, a playground, and amenities such as public bathrooms.
Ald. Jerry Saracco said the city may be eligible for a grant to help with sewer repairs on South First Street as a result of mine subsidence once the subsidence event is done.
BUILDING DEMOLITION
On a motion by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council agreed to advertise for bids to demolish the city-owned Keely Building in the 100 block of North Main. The successful contractor will be required to demolish the two-story brick building, remove all debris and properly reclaim the lost with fill.
In other action, the council voted to declare 301 North Eighth Street and 400 South Main Street as public nuisances. The action authorizes city officials to give the owners 30 days to abate the nuisance, and pursue remedies in court if the property owners fail to comply.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH COVERAGE
Council members voted unanimously to renew its policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield to provide health care insurance for city employees. The premium will increase about 3.9 percent from $2,271.18 per month to $2,827.28.
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES
The council voted. Unanimously to give the Benld Public Library permission to use the city park for a Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, Oct. 27. Persons or organizations who wish to participate may contact the library.
Additionally, the council agreed to set trick-or-treating dates and hours as 6-8 p.m., Oct. 30 and 31.
In other action, the council approved a mandated prevailing wage ordinance. The ordinance is approved annually to affirm the city uses contractors who pay their employees the prevailing wage for this area as determined by the Department of Labor.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
