Community News
Benld Council Tables Bill from Gillespie
Tilashalski expressed his concerns over the bank property.
In old business, the City of Benld received a bill from the City of Gillespie for the amount of $1,600 for repair of their street when Benld installed the water line. The bill indicated the $1,600 would fix the street. Mickey Robinson advised the council that when the project was started, a superintendent of Gillespie signed off on it before construction. “We aren’t liable,” Robinson went on to say. Other council members said the warranty on construction runs out after a year. Mayor Hendricks advised the council to see what the attorneys say and go from there. No action was taken.
Under other old business, the council wants to see repairs being made on the nutrition center. A guest advised the council that she has spoken with the owner, ‘Fritz’, and he has been very uncooperative. The owner would like exact information of what is wrong with the building and what needs fixed. “He can work with us or we will take him to court,” Mayor Hendricks said.
For present business, the council voted to approve minutes of previous meeting under an amendment made on page 2: Robinson did not approve all bills last month, none were approved. Robinson still went on to vote no to approve the minutes, but the decision was still carried out with a 5-1 vote.
The council then heard from several guests in attendance, but Mayor Hendricks noted that this will be the last meeting that they will recognize guests that are not on the agenda. All guests will have to sign up to be placed on the agenda and they have until the prior Thursday to do so as stated in the city ordinances. After no disagreements, the council heard from:
Ferdinand Girardi. “I am glad to see we are starting to enforce ordinances,” Ferdinand greeted the council with. Ferdinand wants to see action taken on the clothes drop off on main street. His suggestion was to take a city bulldozer and remove the “eye sore” from main street and cash it in for scrap, “maybe we can get some money out of it.” Girardi advised the council that some action has been taken on junk houses on his street and they are attempting to clean some of it up, but he advised the council to continue to stay on them so it looks “half way decent.” Girardi also expressed issues with some of the vehicles on his street. “The license plates are from the 1900s,” Girardi said, “Can we do something about that?”
Girardi advised the council that there were license plates from the 1900s on his street.
In other concerns, Girardi would like to see the maintenance men earn as much as a part-time police officer does. Girardi would also like the city to apply for more grants. Alderman Hedricks advised Girardi that the city does apply for grants, but has not been awarded any lately. Ferdinand then asked where he should sign up to speak at the meetings and Mayor Hendricks told him there would be a form in the city clerks area. Hendricks went on to advise Girardi that you have to give your name and your reason. Girardi responded with, “Miscellaneous goes a long way these days.
Casey Willham. Willham advised the council that she is ready to take action on the vacant property next to her house on Walnut Street. Willham wants to purchase the property and has already contacted numerous excavating companies and received bids for demolition. Willham has been mowing the grass on the property ever since she has lived there and is tired of the animals and bad smell. Mayor Hendricks advised Willham that the city is in the final stages of getting the property and will open a bidding process once it has received full ownership.
Lynn Fraelle. Fraelle presented the mayor a design for the lot Build Benld received from Community Area Hospital. The lot will host a park which will feature a gazebo. Fraelle said the project could be completed within one year, but the Build Benld committee has to open the bidding process again on construction of the gazebo after the loss of their prior carpenter.
Roy Makler. Makler, from First National Bank of Staunton, visited the council to donate the Terimarket property. The property would be donated to the city, if the city wants it. The bank acquired it through a foreclosure and would like to donate it to Build Benld or the city for beautification. The city would be responsible for fixing the building up or demolishing it and the bank would receive a tax deductive gift from it. Alderman Tilashalski advised Makler that the City was in no position to take on the cost of tearing down a building and putting money into a free lot. Mayor Hendricks tabled the decision as community members are going to look into grants that might cover the cost of the building.
Both the police and treasurer reports were carried 6-0 without any discussion, but there was minimal discussion under committee reports:
- Robinson advised the council that he has received 17 invoices on city property. 6 of the invoices are authorized to pay, but only 1 of them has no mistakes. The single one is set to paid.
- Finance: pay all bills.
- Police: pay all bills.
- Maintenance: pay all bills.
- Sewer: pay all bills.
- Water: pay all bills.
- All approved warrants were approved and carried out with a 5-1 vote, the no coming from Robinson.
Lynn Fraelle presents the mayor with the design for the Build Benld lot.
In new business, the council voted 6-0 to accept the resignation of part time police officer Brent Rogers. Rogers has been with the city for a few years, but has not served in numerous months. Rogers submitted his resignation on August 23 as he will be taking a job with the Air Marshall.
The council then voted 6-0 to appoint library trustees as follows: Toni Wargo, Donna Hubert, and Vickie Laughlin. “I suggest we stick with the ones involved with everything going on with the library at this time,” Mayor Hendricks said.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
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