Community News
Gillespie council decides to not raise dispatching cost for Ambulance Service
Larry Norville explained the Ambulance Service has lost $65,000 in the last 6 months.
Despite the recent idea to raise the dispatching fee to $5,000, the Gillespie council decided to keep the service at $3,000 for the time being due to the recent fiscal problems at the Gillespie/Benld Area Ambulance Service. Larry Norville said the money is more of an appreciation rather than expense used to reimburse the police department for expenses.
Norville explained the Ambulance Service recently went to a full time paid primary crew versus the volunteers they considered before. Volunteers are paid $3 per hour for stand-by time, and then paid per run if they made a run. “For a long period of time, they were paid whichever was greater – per run or the stand-by time,” Norville explained. He explained the service tried to keep more employees, so they paid both portions.
That worked for some time. Recently, Norville explained the Ambulance service was paying employees to go to school to become EMTs only to find out they turned around and left the service for full time opportunities. To get full time medics, the Ambulance service had shift to a full time crew. “We just wanted to see where we are at, and we have lost over $65,000 over the last 6 months,” Norville added.
“I will cut anything I can cut whether it is $50 or $2,000,” Norville explained. He went on to clarify he does not suggest the police department does not deserve more money for their service, he is just saying the Ambulance service cannot afford to pay it.
Steve Kluethe explained he just wanted a balanced and fair increase.
Steve Kluethe, chairman of the police department, said he is just trying to reach a balanced payment. “There has obviously been an increase in the Ambulance service, but there hasn’t in the dispatching service for us,” Kluethe said. “They work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even though they aren’t paid through the Ambulance service, there should be a negotiation between the Ambulance service and the dispatchers so they see some type of positive movement for them.”
Larry explained the Ambulance service has always used the Gillespie police department for their dispatching services. It makes them nice for them because they can always help with directions for in town calls or any sort of directions. “They know a lot of people and it helps out, they give us a better dispatch than an out-of-town dispatcher would.”
Dan Fisher closed the discussion, saying the $2,000 is not going to make a difference in their budget in the long run. “You guys are running $65,000 in the red,” Fisher said, “You have financial problems that we cannot solve. If you are running $62,000 in the red, the $2,000 would only get you down to $60,000 per say.”
“We have to find a better way to finance public safety organizations,” Fisher closed. “We never knew you were losing $65,000 until you told us. It’s not about how many calls you get; it’s about how many hours you pay someone for being on stand-by. It is a lot of money to pay someone 24/7.”
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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.
