Community News
Benld Council approves sports complex payout, votes to expand committee membership
Benld city aldermen voted unanimously Monday night to approve a final payment of $53,142.87 to JP Solutions for initial grading and dirt moving work completed at the site of the developing Benld Family Sports Complex. Additionally, the council approved expenditures of $54,362.69 for basketball hoops, bleachers, players’ benches, ADA-compliant picnic tables, scoreboards and football/soccer goals.
City Clerk Terri Koyne said she is still awaiting a bid on dugouts for the park being developed on the former site of Benld Elementary School.
Community Unit School District 7 transferred the site to the city after a mine subsidence event destroyed the sever-year-old Benld Elementary School. The city secured a $600,000 Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last year. The city will oversee development of the park, after which management and maintenance will be turned over the Benld Sports Association.
The city also has received a bid for final grading and seeding but the city is awaiting confirmation of some details before entering into a contract. Council members voted to tentatively approve the bid, provided the bid meets all requirements to comply with terms of the grant.
In a related matter, the council voted to install “no parking” signs on the east side of the park after resident Ann Lotter appeared before the council to express concerns about safety. She said she was worried about someone getting stuck in the ditch or a child running out into traffic. It was explained that when the park is finished there will be designated parking on Dorsey Street. In the meantime, the city will erect the “no parking” signs to address safety concerns.
ELECTRIC AGGREGATE CONTRACT
After minimal discussion, the council voted to authorize Mayor Jim Kelly to sign an aggregate electrical contract when it becomes available.
Stone River Group, a utility brokerage, negotiates electric rates for the city every three years. By negotiating on behalf of multiple municipalities, the broker is generally able to secure long term rates that are less than what Ameren charges its customers. Constellation Energy Corporation, based in Baltimore, Maryland, currently has the contract to supply electricity in Benld using Ameren infrastructure.
The Stone River Group plans to open bids and finalize a contract on March 26, several weeks before the council’s next regular meeting. In order to take advantage of the contract, the council authorized the Mayor to sign the contract as soon as it is proffered, assuming it meets the city’s expectations and needs.
Once the contract is signed, Benld residents will receive a letter advising them of the rate and the duration of the contract, and offering them an opportunity to opt out if they would rather continue with Ameren as their provider.
PROPERTIES SOLD
In separate actions, the council accepted a bid of $3,000 from Anthony Kravanya for property located at 407 North Fourth Street, provided Kravanya tears down and removes the structure currently on the property. A bid of $7,000 was accepted from Mike Bruhn for property located at 208 East Central Avenue. Both men were the sole bidders for the properties.
Council members also voted unanimously to offer property at 203 South Seventh Street, 215 East Central Avenue and 306 North Seventh Street for sale, subject to conditions. Properties at 215 East Central Avenue and 306 North Seventh Street will be sold with a provision requiring the buyers to either tear down residences on the property or repair them to pass a housing inspection within 120 days of purchase, with the city performing monthly inspections to confirm progress. The property at 203 South Seventh Street will be sold, provided the purchaser raze and remove a residence on the parcel within 120 days. A garage on the property can stay, and the length time for removing the derelict home may be extended at the council’s discretion.
All three properties will be advertised and offered for sale via sealed bids.
Following a brief executive session to discuss litigation, the council voted unanimously to declare a home at 400 South Main Street a public nuisance, enabling City Attorney Rick Verticchio to serve notice on the heirs of the property owner. Ald. John Balzraine advised that the person listed as the property owner is deceased.
The council directed Verticchio to write up ordinance violations against the owners of property at 300 South Second Street, where the yard is littered with debris and three vehicles with no plates have been allowed to accumulate, and 304 South Second Street, where a refrigerator, tires and other junk have been allowed to accumulate.
Ald. Dustin Fletcher agreed to write up an ordinance violation for a derelict vehicle on Locust Street.
Verticchio agreed to seek legal action against Catherine Young, owner of the former Gay Hardware Store on East Central Avenue, after it was reported that some work has been done but the building still has not been secured to prevent animals from entering.
Earlier in the meeting, Monte Oberman appeared before the council hoping to discuss a lawsuit he has filed against the city and a nuisance property citation the city has filed against his property. Verticchio told Oberman that he believes the lawsuit is without merit. A hearing is scheduled in Macoupin County Circuit Court on April 4. Verticchio indicated the city will drop the nuisance case after the lawsuit has been adjudicated.
EMERGENCY SIREN
On a motion by Ald. Jerry Saracco, the council voted to spend up to $40,000 for a new emergency siren. The purchase had been delayed as the city awaited an award of $51,000 in federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) money resulting from the closure of the Shay No. 1 mine. The CEJA program is supposed to mitigate against losses resulting from the mine’s closure. Saracco reported that it’s unknown when that money will arrive or when a second filing period will open. In the meantime, he said, the city can no longer put off purchasing the siren as the season for severe weather approaches.
COMMITTEE RESTRUCTURING
Council members voted unanimously to approve Mayor Kelly’s plan to restructure the council’s standing committees, ostensibly to preclude conflicts with the state’s Open Meetings Act. The new structure expands the size of standing committees from three aldermen to five. OMA prohibits a committee’s quorum from meeting without giving public notice. Several of the council members are friends, meaning that whenever two aldermen from the same committee meet socially, it could create the appearance of an improper committee meeting, even though no city business is discussed.
The new committee structure retains the original three members and adds two new appointments.
Committee assignments are as follows:
- City Property: Ald. Balzraine (chair), Ald. Fletcher, Ald. Lance Cooper, Ald. Mickey Robinson, and Ald. Saracco.
- Housing: Ald. Norman Emmons (chair), Ald. Saracco, Ald. Robinson, Ald. Cooper, and Ald. Balzraine.
- Ordinance/Judicial: Ald. Cooper (chair), Ald. Emmons, Ald. Saracco, Ald. Fletcher, and Ald. Balzraine.
- Finance: Ald. Saracco (chair), Ald. Emmons, Ald. Balzraine, Ald. Fletcher, and Ald. Robinson, with City Clerk Koyne serving as an advisory co-chair.
- Police: Ald. Robinson (chair), Ald. Fletcher, Ald. Cooper, Ald. Saracco, and Ald. Emmons.
- Proprietary: Ald. Fletcher (chair), Ald. Balzraine, Ald. Robinson, Ald. Saracco, and Ald. Cooper.
Before the meeting adjourned, City Clerk Koyne announced that a city-wide clean-up day has been set for Saturday, May 3.
Increased trash fees will go into effect April 1. Regular rates will go from $17.98 per month to $18.70, and senior rates will increase from $15.90 monthly to $16.54. Extra carts will remain at $5 per cart, bulk stickers will remain at $8, and recycling bins will continue to be free of charge.
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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.
