Community News
Build Benld Art Contest is a Plain Success
Ellie Halpin & Larissa Borror display their winning artworks along with Build Benld helpers that display other winners that were not present.
Despite the cold weather, the World Series game, and the girls volleyball game in North Mac, over 70 people attended the Second Annual Build Benld Art Contest and Auction.
Area youth have been working for numerous weeks on original pieces that were featured in this year’s “FALL FLAIR” theme for the contest that was held on Thursday, October 20th at the Benld Civic Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
“This is many more people than we had last year,” Lynn Shehorn, public relations director of Build Benld said, “It is even more than we were expecting tonight.”
Build Benld was created in the midyear of 2010 that strives to improve the welfare and quality of life for all residents in Benld and prides to make the community a better place to live. You can find Build Benld’s current project across the street from the Benld Public Library where a gazebo and garden is being built for the community. Numerous other projects around town are accompanied with a “This is a Benld Build Project” sign.
The art contest is not something Build Benld usually “profits” off of, according to Shehorn, it is strictly held for the high school art students. Although, Build Benld does make money off of the paintings that are auctioned off.
The most a painting brought in Thursday evening was $30, and that is exceptionally well compared to the rest of paintings that were sold in the $15 range. Many say perhaps the paintings would not have sold for as much as they did without auctioneer Jan Dona. Dona referred to herself as a “noetic auctioneer,” but none-the-less, volunteered her time to make the second annual art contest a successful one.
Jan Dona donated her time as auctioneer for the event.
Money that was made during the contest through the paintings does not have a purpose, according to Lynn Fraelle, but proceeds from this auction will be used for Build Benld to sponsor this event again next year. Fraelle, who is a chairperson of Benld Build, thought of the art contest idea in 2010 to inspire young local artists whose artwork is not usually seen outside of the high school.
Judges for the contest were Louann Brown and Gracie Fulton-Becker, and the standard for judging this year’s art contest was provided to the art class students by the Gillespie High School Art Teacher Mr. Rosentreter who used the criteria for one of his school assignments. All of the contest entries were ‘teacher approved’ for the FALL FLAIR theme.
Award prizes were presented to the first, second, and third place winners, and all contestants received a certificate of participation and a ribbon, according to Fraelle. The winners of tonight’s contest were: Larissa Borror (first place), Ellie Halpin & Justine Hill (second place), and Keni Loveless (third place) while Logan Cloud placed first for best sketch.
Altogether, about 16 paintings were auctioned off during the event as the event grossed over $200.
After discussion with Mr. Jerry Rosentreter and Lynn Fraelle, Build Benld plans to host the next Art Contest in the spring. The theme and information will be announced at a later date.
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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.
