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Gillespie council decides to not raise dispatching cost for Ambulance Service

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Larry Norville

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

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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Police News

Gillespie Police Report November 24 – November 30, 2024

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2024

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Jaylen M. Ronald, 22 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Shelby Street in reference to animal neglect.

Walter L. Vester, 30 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a well-being check.

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An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a home security check.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to telephone harassment.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a child custody issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to an unwanted solicitor.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway Street in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Easton Street in reference to an animal complaint.

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An officer was speaking with a female in the 200 block of North Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a civil issue.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment by telephone.

An officer was dispatched to the 15000 block of Western Drive at Gillespie Lake in reference to neighborhood trouble.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a child custody issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer spoke with a subject at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft in the 200 block of Park Avenue.

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An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to spam callers.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Walnut Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Henrietta Street in reference to a suspicious circumstance.

An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie bike trail in reference to a suspicious person on a motorized bike.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a juvenile issue.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2024

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 100 block of Maple Street in Benld.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a traffic crash.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to criminal trespass to property. Joseph F. Frew, 49 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for littering prohibited.

An officer was dispatched to the 111 South 6th Street in Benld in reference to a civil stand by.

An officer was dispatched to the 10000 Friese Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to a theft.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in Benld.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.

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An officer was out in the 100 block of South Hard Road in Mt. Clare with a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a 911 call.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Juan A. Cortez, 40 of Danville, was arrested on multiple warrants. Cortez had warrants out of Collinsville for possession of methamphetamine, Sangamon County for failure to appear for drugs, and Coles County for failure to appear for traffic.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street to speak with a male in reference to a civil issue

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th street in Benld in reference to a 911 call.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Park Street in Benld in reference o a medical assist.

An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Elm Street in reference to an alarm call.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.

An officer met with a female at Gillespie Police Department to collect an item that she found.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to an alarm sounding.

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An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Heritage Health in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to South 4th Street and East Spruce Street in Benld in reference to recovered stolen property.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North Jersey Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a hit and run traffic crash.

An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Oregon Street in reference to found property.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a suspicious female in a vehicle. Kourtney K. Claro, 33 of Benld, was issued citation for no valid driver’s license.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to an alarm sounding.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to an alarm sounding,

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a fire call.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to an alarm sounding.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Court News

Macoupin County Courthouse News

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Cases filed during November 24 through November 30. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.

FELONIES

Kyle W. Bennett, 37 of Carlinville, is charged with a felon failure to return from furlough in connection with a November 8 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

Dewey E. Morgan, 66 of Carlinville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with an August 29 incident.

Elizabeth A. Marfell, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with an October 8 incident.

Dorothy J. Anderson, 40 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to residence and resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a November 27 incident.

TRAFFIC

Matthew D. Knick, 20 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a November 7 incident.

Jennifer L. Arnotti, 34 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a November 11 incident.

Kelan J. Stevenson, 27 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a November 17 incident.

Ernest L. Stevenson, 21 of Benld, is charged with improper use registration/title, unlicensed, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 16 incident.

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Joshua T. Koniak, 43 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 16 incident.

Casey R. Ness, 48 of Greenville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 18 incident.

Gary R. Priddle, 46 of Benld, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 19 incident.

Travis J. Bramley, 42 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a November 19 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

  • Matthew Diamond versus Stephanie Diamond
  • Marilyn K. Loveless versus Jerel D. Loveless Sr.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

  • Timothy H. Johnson and Jennifer Kay Woolsey, both of Staunton
  • Daniel Allen Balai of Bunker Hill and Chloe Renee Yinger of Alton

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Court News

Macoupin County Courthouse News

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Cases filed during November 17 through November 23. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.

FELONIES

Rex J. White, 49 of Mount Olive, is charged with aggravated fleeing police (21 mph over), reckless driving, improper use of registration/title, unlicensed, operating a motor vehicle with registration/suspended , and driving 1-10 mph above the limit in connection with a November 15 incident.

Britteny D M Herr, 30 of Brighton, is charged with violation of an order with a prior violation in connection with a November 17 incident.

Christopher L. Black, 42 of Virden, is charged with aiding/abetting/selling a stolen vehicle and driving on a revoked license in connection with a November 17 incident.

Jesse D. Cimino, 42 of Troy, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a September 1 incident.

Jennifer R. Haneline, 39 of Godfrey, is charged with burglary and theft/authorized control (>500<10k) in connection with an August 6 incident.

Simone R. Para, 51 of Girard, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of drugs in connection with an October 13 incident.

Crystal D. Hoffman, 45 of Staunton, is charged with obstruction of justice/destroying evidence and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a November 11 incident.

Andrew P. Hansen, 47 of Carlinville, is charged with received/possession/selling stolen vehicle and possession of meth (<5 grams) in connection with a November 20 incident.

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Justin C. Grider, 42 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault/operating a motor vehicle in connection with a November 21 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

Jacqueline B. Jessen, 42 of Girard, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Perry L. Lair, 62 of Virden, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Kara E. Estes, 37 of Girard, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Melissa R. Robinson, 36 of Farmersville, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

Kenneth J. Barker, 38 of Litchfield, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a November 19 incident.

Julio Isaias Pedro Felipe, 36 of Springfield, is charged with giving/selling liquor to a minor in connection with a November 14 incident.

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TRAFFIC

Amanda J. Eberwein, 27 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a November 12 incident.

Katherine F. Fugitt, 33 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a November 15 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

  • Michael C. Cummings versus Tracy L. Cummings

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