Community News
Business Spotlight: Fireside Eye Care
Contributed by Build Benld
Dr. Shawna Heddinghaus, Optometrist, has been serving the area for twelve years and looks forward to providing quality eye care to the Benld and Gillespie residents for years to come. Born and raised on a Missouri farm, she feels right at home in this community of hard working and down to earth good citizens.
Today, her practice Fireside Eye Care is located in her former residence, originally the Fireside Restaurant and Inn at 600 South 8th Street, Rt 138 in Benld, IL. During business hours they can be reached at 1-217-835-7724, and for more information visit their website at www.firesideyeycare.com.
In April of 2008, Dr. Heddinghaus and her husband decided to move their family to Edwardsville to be closer to her husband’s firm in St.louis. The idea of moving her Gillespie business to her former home came at the perfect time. The Heddinghaus team completed construction modifications to accommodate the Eye Care exam rooms, reception, waiting room and display and fitting area all while maintaining the beauty, original design and rich character of the 1947 structure.
As a patient of Dr. Heddinghaus myself, I love the atmosphere and beauty of the office at Fireside Eye Care. It is definitely the high quality care and thorough examinations that have kept me as a very satisfied patient. Dr. Heddinghaus truly puts her patients needs ahead of everything else and her caring and professional manner separate her from most others in her field.
Dr.Heddinghaus is also very proud to offer her patients the very latest in technology and eye care. Most recently she completed a continuing education course in Advanced Testing for Macular Degeneration, now the leading cause of blindness in people age 60 and older. She is thrilled that that they can offer this testing on a local level and that older patients don’t have to drive to Springfield or St. Louis for services that they can have done close to home here in Benld.
The great staff at Fireside is also caring and professional and take pride in providing patients the absolute best care possible.
Being very committed and involved in the community, Dr. Heddinghaus is a member of the Benld-Gillespie Rotary Club, Partnership for Educational Excellence Board Member, Coal Country Chamber of Commerce, member and a past recipient of the CCCC Business of the Year Award. To ensure that local students get regular eye exams, she also works very closely with with the local school district.
As a proud supporter of the Build Benld Committee, Dr. Heddinghaus makes an effort to attract more people and businesses to a nice small town with a great history and potential. She was a runner in the First Annual Paws on the Run event early this spring and is one of the business sponsors for the Kids (Family Fun) Day in the Benld City Park (July 23, 2011).
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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.
