Community News
CMH Introduces New Doctor to Rotary
CEO, Sue Campbell
The Area Rotary met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 4th at Toni’s Restaurant in Benld. Two key note speakers addressed the Rotary after the luncheon. Sue Campbell, the CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, introduced Doctor Bart Pola to the Area Rotary. Campbell stated she hadn’t been to the Rotary in awhile, but wanted to update the Rotary on what has been happening at Community Memorial Hospital.
Campbell stated that she wanted to congratulate the town of Benld on the hard work that Build Benld has done with the two properties donated by CMH. 2 months ago, CMH donated the vacant lot across the street from Benld Public Library to the Build Benld Committee. Since then, Build Benld has leveled the land and already had the concrete poured on the site for the planned gazebo garden that will be open to the community. “The Hospital is really happy to be partnered with this organization,” Campbell went on to say.
Campbell reminded the Rotary that October is “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and proceeded to explain the new Digital Mammagraphy offered at CMH. The new mammagraphy machine offers a more focused picture, which is faster, easier, and more comfortable for the patient. Campbell also pointed out that the patient does not need to have a doctors order to have a screening mammogram at CMH. The patient can just walk into the hospital and request to get one.
Dr. Pola specializes in internal medicine and preventive care.
In other news concerning CMH, the hospital has sold their home health department to VNA Tip after thirty years. This decision was due to Medicare reimbursement. The hospital has moved physical therapy to the old home health building to make it easily accesible to the patient. CMH will also be doing some rennovating of the hospital, which hasn’t been done since 1974. With renovating the hospital, innovating has not been out of mind either. The hospital is in the process of going “electronic” with patients records and charts as well as advertising online. You can find CMH’s advertisement below this article. The hospital also hopes to tear down the old part of the hospital.
Campbell introduced the newest doctor to the CMH medical staff, Dr. Bart Pola. Dr. Pola joined CMH on September 6th, sharing an office with Dr. Poos. Dr. Pola specializes in internal medicine and preventive care. Dr. Pola will start seeing patients at the Benld Office starting on Wednesday, October 5.
CMH will host a ‘Meet and Greet’ this Sunday, October 9th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Staunton office with Dr. Pola and Dr. Poos. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
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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.
