Community News
DePoppe hired as Gillespie Chief: Special Council Meeting August 15
The council scheduled a special city council meeting on August 15 to appoint a chief for the police department.
The council first heard from Jennifer Hopper from the Health Department. Hopper came to the city to finalize an exercise route around the city. The route is the same route Black Diamond Days uses for their walk/run. The Health Department wants to put up signs on the route to mark the route so citizens know exactly where they are going and how far they are going. The signs will identify the exercise route, turn signals, and mile markers. All the signs will be paid for by the Health Department and will not cost the city any money at all. Although, the Health Department does not install the signs, they ask the city to do that. Included with the sign is all the necessary hardware: posts, signs, bolts, and nuts. The signs will be pre-assembled so the city just has to stick them in the ground. If the city would approve the signs, the Health Department would have maps of the route available for citizens to take in multiple locations around town. There was no objections from the council and Mayor John Hicks gave Hopper a tentative “yes”. After the city checks on liability issues, the council will vote on the signs at the next board meeting.
Before the city moved to executive session, Jim Alderson, alderman, made a statement about the cemetery. “We have all seen in the paper that the cemetery association solicits donations to run the cemetery,” Alderson said, “Many people ask why the city does not take care of their property. I want to make it clear that the city has no association with the cemetery as the cemetery is privately owned. It is referred to as the city’s cemetery, but the city has no connection with the cemetery.” In reality, the city has just granted the cemetery to use their name.
The council discusses liability issues on the sign.
The city then went in to executive session to appoint a chief of police to the police department. After 30 minutes, the council returned to open session. With a motion made to hire Jared DePoppe to chief of police, the council voted 6-1 with the only decline coming from Gus Ottersburg.
While waiting for DePoppe to arrive at the council meeting to swear in, Mayor Hicks updated the council on the demolition of the buildings on Macoupin Street. Hicks said there were many counts of asbestos and it will have to be removed before demolition. Demolition is slated to begin August 26. The asbestos will have be removed prior to the demolition, there was not much asbestos. The titles of the buildings has not been signed over to the city, but it is expected to be handled soon.
DePoppe then arrived at the meeting and was sworn in by city attorney: Kevin Polo. DePoppe and his wife, Joanna, have been living in Gillespie since June of 2005. DePoppe and his wife have 2 children: Bree (5) and Lock (6 months). DePoppe has been with the Gillespie Police Department since October of 2006 when he was hired as a volunteer police chaplain. In August of 2007, Depoppe was then hired as a part time officer and he served this position for a year and one half until he was hired full time in March of 2009. In January of 2011, DePoppe was again promoted to Sergeant and then Depoppe was acting chief of police when Dean Plovich resigned almost 2 months ago. Depoppe has been the pastor at First Baptist Church in Gillespie since January of 2006.
DePoppe hired as Chief of Police.
DePoppe earned his bible college diploma from Faith Bible Institute in Monroe, LA. Along with his bible education, DePoppe has a significant amount of education in the police field. DePoppe earned his law enforcement officer certification from Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in Springfield, Illinois as well as his law enforcement transition certification from University of Illinois Police Training Institute in Champaign, IL. DePoppe then earned his certificate of training after 400+ hours of service at Law Enforcement Training Advisory Commission (MTU 10) in Springfield, IL; DePoppe received Academic Achievement Award for the highest overall academic class average on his certificate for training. DePoppe will act as chief immediately.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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Madison Communications technicians and SCTE Gateway Chapter win first place
Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
