Community News
Gillespie Council eyes park improvements
The City of Gillespie will seek an Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant of up to $600,000 following a unanimous vote by the council Monday night authorizing Mayor John Hicks to sign the application. OSLAD, which is administered by the state Department of Natural Resources, provides matching grants to local governmental units to acquire and/or develop land for outdoor recreation. If the grant application is successful, it would be matched with $600,000 in local funds, resulting in a total project cost of at least $1.2 million.
The action followed a PowerPoint presentation by Austin Burklund of Byrne & Jones Construction, St. Louis, outlining a tentative proposal for improvements to city parks. Byrne & Jones’ proposal includes a $135,000 project to remove and replace playground equipment at Big Brick Park, up to $374,000 to revamp athletic fields at Welfare Park, and $636,400 to install artificial turf on the infields. Possible “add-on” projects include new lighting at Welfare Park at a cost of $640,000, bleachers at a cost of $234,000 and development of a parking area for up to 25 cars at a cost of $99,200. Burklund said his company is still crunching numbers to estimate costs for a three-acre dog park at Welfare and a walking trail around the athletic fields.
Byrne & Jones started in 1976 as an asphalt paving company. In 1997, the company started building all-weather tracks for high schools and universities, which later evolved into developing athletic fields and park facilities. Clients currently include Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, St. Louis University and Washington University. The company was retained to build a new baseball field at Northwestern High School, Palmyra.
Later in the meeting, the council authorized Hicks to apply for the grant on a motion by Ald. Wendy Rolando, seconded by Ald. Dave Link.
In other action, the council discussed rerouted bus traffic for Community Unit School District 7, briefly discussed the status of a proposal to move the Police Department, purchased radio equipment for Gillespie Lake and declared surplus property for sale.
REROUTED BUS TRAFFIC
Mayor Hicks reported to the council that CUSD 7 will reroute bus traffic in order to start classes and dismiss students at the same times every day in all schools. Until this year, the starting and ending times for the elementary school and middle school/high school were staggered to relieve traffic congestion. Hicks said the school asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to install a stop light on Broadway at LJ Avenue but abandoned the idea when the state told the school the project would cost $3 million. CUSD 7 Transportation Director Tim Besserman told the council the school also dismissed the idea of building a road between LJ Avenue and Kelly Street when the cost estimate came back at $6 million.
Hicks told the council the school district now plans to route buses west on Broadway to Kelly Street, south on Kelly to deliver or pick up students at BenGil Elementary School. East on Plum Street for one block, then north on LJ Avenue to deliver and pick up students at the middle school/ high school.
Ald. Landon Pettit said the increased traffic will require the city to tear out and rebuild LJ Avenue. He said the bus traffic will push the current asphalt paving to the shoulder and break up. Making the street a one-way street during the times buses will be using it would encourage buses to straddle the crown and cause even more damage. Pettit also expressed concerns about buses making short turns at the intersection with Broadway, causing the edges of paving material to break off. He suggested a possibility of widening and paving the intersection with concrete to stand up to the increased wear and tear.
Earlier this year, the council approved an ordinance to restrict parking on LJ Avenue.
Besserman told the council some bus drivers tend to clip the intersection when making right turns. To mitigate against that possibility, he said he designed the route to include only left turns, which should be less likely to cause damage. To accommodate simultaneous start and finish times, Besserman said the number of buses has been increased from eight to 10.
Ald. Bill Hayes said the city or school should notify homeowners on Plum Street about increased bus traffic. Some homeowners in the area have already complained about surface damage from heavy traffic, he said.
The council took no action on the issue.
“It’s going to happen Wednesday,” Hicks commented
The council may consider making LJ Avenue, Kelly Street and one block of Plum Street one-way streets from 7-8 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. if it appears such action is necessary.
“I don’t think we have a choice,” Ald. Rolando concluded.
In a related matter, the council directed City Attorney Rick Verticchio to write an ordinance to enable the city to erect School Zone signs on Kelly Street from Broadway to Plum. Ald. Dona Rauzi said School Resource Officer Wade Hendricks asked for the signs and Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe concurred.
CAMERAS AND CARS
The council voted unanimously to authorize Chief DePoppe to buy body cameras for Gillespie police officers, contingent upon the Police Department receiving a grant to help offset the cost. DePoppe told the council he can buy 12 cameras for $50,000. He said final approval for the Department’s grant application is pending, though the Department has received Phase I approval. If the grant application is successful, the city will be awarded $34,000 to put toward purchasing the body cams.
A new Illinois law requires all police officers to be equipped with body-cams as of January 1, 2025.
Council members also authorized DePoppe to apply for a USDA grant to cover up to 55 percent of the cost of a new squad car. DePoppe said he secured a price of $52,940 from Morrow Brothers Ford, Greenfield, for a 2025 Interceptor fully equipped for police patrol. Morrow Brothers holds the state contract for vehicles, meaning municipalities can buy from them without bidding.
City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the grant award will be based on the average household income for Gillespie, meaning the city is unlikely to get the maximum 55 percent of the purchase price. “The most we’ll be likely to get will be $15,000 to $17,000,” he said.
Ald. Pettit asked DePoppe if he would consider buying a truck for patrol work, with an eye toward transferring it to Public Works when the vehicle is retired.
“We have three departments that use vehicles,” Pettit noted. “I notice a lot of places that buy a truck for their police and transfer to another department when the police are done with it.”
While no action was taken, Pettit presented information on pricing for a new Street Department dump truck later in the meeting. He said the pricing he secured from Morrow Brothers exceeded $100,000. However, he obtained pricing of $86,000 to $105,000 from other vendors depending upon the size of the truck. All pricing included attachments such as a snow plow and spreader. Purchasing from a vendor other than Morrow Brothers would require advertising for bids.
The issue was referred back to committee and no formal action was taken.
LAKE RADIOS
Alderman voted unanimously to spend more than $2,500 for communication radios at Gillespie Lake. The new radios will ensure radios used by lake personnel are compatible with radios used by the police and emergency services. Council members approved spending $1,019.50 for an office radio, $788 for a truck radio and $743 for a radio to be installed on the lake department’s boat.
POLICE STATION OPTIONS
Upon returning to open session after a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel, Mayor Hicks announced that the city will postpone or abandon a proposal to convert the Civic Center space formerly used by the Fire Department to offices and facilities for the Gillespie Police Department. Hicks said initial estimates for the project totaled $600,000.
“So we pared things down and rebid, and the rebid was higher than the original,” he said. “I think, as a council, we should delay this until, hopefully, we have another revenue source.”
Ald. Pettit said an option for the city could be purchasing the building that formerly housed Gillespie Chiropractic located directly across the street from the Civic Center. The building which currently houses the Police Department, Pettit said, comprises 1,500 square feet of space. It’s located on a 9,000 square foot lot, leaving only 6,000 square feet for expansion and/or parking.
The building across the street has nearly double the square footage at 2,270 square feet, and is located on a lot comprising nearly 15,000 square feet.
Brick and Welfare parks.
“We’d have room to build on if the need to, we’d have room for parking, or we could build a sally port,” Pettit said. “I think we’d be crazy not to look into that facility.”
SURPLUS PROPERTY
On a motion by Ald. Frank Barrett, the council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s recommendation to declare as surplus a vacuum truck, a street sweeper and a dump truck as surplus property and offer them for sale to the highest qualified bidder. Hicks said two of the vehicles are unusable. The street sweeper malfunctioned earlier this summer, causing extensive damage to the city garage.
PUBLIC ART PROPOSAL
The council heard briefly from Ben Marcacci, Benld, about his vision for installing public art along the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail. Marcacci presented a similar proposal to the Benld City Council last month. He told council members Monday night that he was asking permission to install public art pieces along the Gillespie end of the trail at this time.
“This is something that is in the works,” he said. ‘It’s very early in the process. If we had something up in 2026, I’d be happy.”
Marcacci said he has been in contact with art teachers and welding instructors at Gillespie High School in an effort to involve students in the project. The sculptures would be constructed of quarter-inch steel and concrete to be vandal resistant. Some of the pieces, he said, will commemorate local flora and fauna, coal mining heritage and Route 66. But some pieces would be “art for the sake of art.”
With his own background in construction, Marcacci said he would be responsible for installing the pieces. “I’m always interested in doing something for the community,” he said.
The project would not involve city funds, according to Marcacci. He plans to subsidize the project solely with donations.
Public art is not a unique concept, Marcacci noted. Several communities and organizations have undertaken public art projects in other areas. If the bike trail concept is successful, Marcacci said the city might want to consider expanding it to other public spaces such as Gillespie Lake.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Approved a facade grant of up to $8,000 from Tax Increment Finance Funds to DeeDee’s Designs. The grant will cover one-half of the cost of improving the business’ facade. The grant is a reimbursement grant, meaning the owner must complete the work and then submit documentation of the cost.
- Agreed to place two “Deaf Children Playing” signs on LJ Avenue between Plum Street and Oregon Street.
- Agreed to donate $100 to sponsor a hole during the upcoming Gillespie Fire Department fund-raising golf tournament.
- Ratified the Zoning Board’s decision to approve a variance at 203 East Oak Street, which will allow the resident to produce cookies for sale in her home.
- Accepted a bid of $40 from Jeff Feeley to take down two dead trees on Pine Street.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night voted to adopt an amended budget for the fiscal year that ended June 30, committed $189,000 in CEJA grant funds to partnering with the City of Gillespie to improve Plum Street, and reviewed ongoing and upcoming facilities improvement projects.
During a public hearing prior to the regular board meeting, Supt. Shane Owsley told the board an amended budget is required anytime “you spend even a penny” over what was initially budgeted for a specific fund. For the just concluded fiscal year, the district overspent the budget in the Bond & Interest Fund, Transportation Fund, and IMRF/Social Security Fund.
With funding uncertainties and uncertainty about when state payments will be received, Owsley said it is nearly impossible to draft a budget a year out that will be completely accurate at the end of the year. For example, at the time he was preparing the amended budget presentation, nearly $40,000 in state money had not been processed by the comptroller. That money did arrive on Monday but if it had come a day later, it would have been considered revenue for fiscal 2026.
Expenses from the Bond & Interest Fund exceeded the budget because a $500 service fee previously paid by the bond broker fell on the school district because of a change in state law. That unanticipated expense pushed expenditures to $1,120,974—$500 more than the $1,120,475 the board initially budgeted. The amended budget increases expenditures to $1,120,975. With $1,117,397.85 already received, the amended budget boosts revenues to $1,123,614.
Salary and benefits for additional support personnel, bus inspections, and additional expenses for contractural services boosted Transportation Fund expenditures to $892,631.25, nearly $60,000 more than the $836,090 initially budgeted. The amended budget approved Monday night increases the amount allotted for expenditures to $921,800.15, with revenue increased from $860,242 to $926,788, with $817,752 already received.
Owsley pointed out the amended budget allots $210,726 for bus driver salaries, compared with $190,000 initially budgeted. Salaries for special education drivers is increased from $81,357 to $115,374, while expenditures for bus aides salaries is increased from $79,833 to $102,759. Expenditures for special education transportation is increased from $7,150 to $7,650, and expenditures for inspections are increased from $1,500 to $2,000.
According to Owsley, expenditures from the IMRF/Social Security Fund exceeded the initial budget in part because of an increase in the IMRF employer rate that become effective Jan. 1. IMRF operates on a calendar year that does not coincide with the school district’s fiscal year. Additionally IMRF/Social Security expenses were influenced by higher than expected expenses for overtime and substitute teacher wages, new hires and position changes.
In total, the district spent $440,078 from the IMRF/Social Security Fund—about $60,000 over the $410,887 initially budgeted. The amended budget increases the expenditure line item to $472,402, with the revenue side increased from $219,308 to $219,846.
Owsley said he added a small contingency to the affected fund budgets “just in case something unexpected happens before July 1.”
The board is expected to get a first look at the new budget proposal for the current fiscal year in August with final approval usually coming in September.
CEJA GRANT
The board agreed with Owsley’s plan to commit about $89,000 in anticipated grant funds from the federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) to partner with the City of Gillespie to make improvements to Plum Street. The street has been a focus of discussion for the City Council for several months after the school district rerouted bus traffic to Plum to facilitate synchronizing starting times and dismissals at each of the district’s three attendance centers. City officials say the bus traffic over the past year has severely deteriorated the condition of the street, which was not designed to carryheavy traffic.
“There was talk that we would not be able to continue using Plum Street,” Owsley noted.
While no engineering has been done for the project, the expected price tag is expected to be in the range of $250,000. City officials have said the city cannot afford the improvements on its own and would require the school district’s participation to make the improvements. The project would likely include re-establishing a thicker base along with resurfacing.
The school board originally earmarked the CEJA funds to install more solar panels but agreed with Owsley to divert the money to the Plum Street project.
Owsley said he would ask the school attorney to draft an agreement clarifying that the district would be able to continue using the street for bus traffic in exchange for its financial participation.
PERSONNEL
Following an 80-minute executive session the board took extensive action in the area of personnel.
The board accepted the resignations of Jennifer Brown as high school prom sponsor, and Chase Peterson as a middle school cross-country coach. Vacancies were posted for both positions.
The board accepted the resignation of Mike Smith as a part-time bus driver, and appointed him as a substitute driver. Additionally, the board posted vacant positions for two full-route bus drivers, and exercised a Reduction In Force (RIF) to lay off half-time bus driver Jeff Nehls.
The board voted unanimously to hire Tom Turiglatto as a district custodian, pending a background check.
By a unanimous vote, the board agreed to post vacancies for three paraprofessional positions. Owsley said those hires could be or not be new positions depending upon final enrollment figures for the 2025-26 school year.
After some discussion, the board agreed to rehire coaches for middle school and high school sports programs. Board member Weye Schmidt briefly questioned rehiring Athletic Director Jeremy Smith as head coach for the high school baseball program. Schmidt said the board discussed whether or not Smith should continue his coaching duties while also serving as Athletic Director.
“I remember we said we would try it for a year and see how it worked out,” Schmidt said. As baseball coach, Smith is responsible for supervising upward of 30 games, board member Dennis Tiburzi commented.
Supt. Owsley said the roster of coaches proposed for rehires was approved by the high school principal.
Board President Mark Hayes said Monday night was the deadline for rehiring coaches. “You either have to hire him or fire him tonight,” Hayes said.
In addition to Smith, Tim Wargo, Dan Smith, Adam Tallman and Tate Wargo were rehired as assistant high school high school baseball coaches. Michelle Smith was rehired to coach high school softball, along with Jim Matesa, Joe Kelly and Melissa Heigert as assistant coaches. Jay Weber was rehired as head high school boys track coach, with Alex Ottersburg rehired as assistant coaches. The board rehired Korbin Clark to coach high school girls track with Ottersburg rehired to assist. Casey Fellin was rehired to coach high school girls soccer with Michael Otten rehired to assist. For high school bass fishing, the board rehired head coach Jake Kellebrew, JQ Hartman and Ryan Bossman rehired to assist. Chase Peterson was rehired to coach middle school boys track, while Jacob West was rehired to coach middles school girls track. Jarrod Herron was rehired to coach both middle school and high school scholar bowl.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE
On the advice of Supt. Owsley, the board agreed to contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield to provide employee health care coverage for a period of 14 months with a premium increase of about nine percent. Owsley said the board was locked into choosing an insurance provider Monday night because the Teacher Retirement System requires teacher salaries and benefits to be documented before the end of July.
During the 14-month term of the newly approved policy, the Owsley and the board are likely to look further into the potential for entering into a self-insurance consortium. Under the plan, the school district would cover employees for up to $75,000 of medical expenses, after which the consortium would kick in to cover up to $300,000 in medical expenses. Anything above $300,000 would be covered by an umbrella policy.
Owsley said it could take five to eight years of expense experience to tailor the program specifically to meet CUSD 7 needs.
“This is a big thing in some states,” Owsley said. “With increased costs in pharmaceuticals and health care, this is seen by some as a way to combat rising costs. There’s more risk at the beginning, but it potentially could result in greater reward.”
FACILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Owsley briefly reported on the status of a number of improvement projects at district facilities using grant funds and funds generated from the sale of alternate revenue bonds. Major projects already completed include a new intercom system at the middle school, new fire alarm system for the middle school and high school, new HVAC and lighting at the middle school, a key card system to control entry to the middle school and high school, and other projects.
For the current 2025-26 year, Owsley said plans are underway to install new playground equipment at the elementary school, paint the press boxes at the softball and baseball fields, install new window coverings for the elementary school gym, install lighting for the track and a sidewalk from the elementary school to the high school, and remove carpeting from high school classrooms.
Starting with the summer of 2026, the district plans to resurface the track, add new doors for the weight room, install new breezeway windows, and update the lights and ceiling in the GHS/GMS cafeteria. With the recommendation of Building Manager Brian Page, Owsley said the school will begin a program of annually inspecting building roofs and making minor repairs as needed with an objective to avoid major expenditures for roof replacement.
DISTRICT HANDBOOK
The board approved a Student Handbook for district students. Owsley said a major change include increasing the number of credits required for graduation from 23 to 24, requiring an additional science credit. To mitigate against impacting vocational programs, the district is designating Animal Science as a qualifying science course. Owsley said the graduation credit hike corresponds to other schools in the area. Carlinville requires 26 and Litchfield reportedly requires 25 credits for graduation.
The handbook also requires students to store cellphones in their locked lockers during class time. Previous policy allowed teachers to set their own policies regarding cellphones.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Awarded the 2025-26 food contract to Kohl Wholesale, Quincy.
- Approved a course description book that updates course offerings and includes classes offered through the South Central Illinois Regional Workforce Training and Innovation Center in Litchfield.
- Approved an intergovernmental transportation agreement with the Jersey Community School District to provide bus transportation for the CUSD 7 student who attends the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville.
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FELONIES
Kelsey E. McKinney, 36 of Virden, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a June 27 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 38 of Carlinville, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a June 29 incident.
Ashleigh K. Bethe, 41 of Benld, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a June 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Natosha L. Michaelis, 38 of Carlinville, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with a June 28 incident.
Trey W. Fenton, 34 of Mount Olive, is charged with violation of a no contact order in connection with a June 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Clinton H. Turner, 51 of Franklin, is charged with failure to notify of damage to an unattended vehicle in connection with a June 25 incident.
Drew M. Sickler, 31 of Litchfield, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a June 4 incident.
Dawn M. Malone, 58 of Collinsville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a June 19 incident.
Ian J. Martin, 29 of Springfield, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a June 20 incident.
Drequille S. Snow, 24 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a June 20 incident.
Brandon L. Pollard, 22 of Highland, is charged with driving on a revoked license, unlawful possession of cannabis, transporting/carrying alcohol/driver, and no seatbelt in connection with a June 19 incident.
Shane A. Smith, 50 of Girard, is charged with reckless driving, fleeing/attempting to elude an officer, failure to stop for a train or signal, improper turn signal, and driving/operating a non-highway vehicle in connection with a June 19 incident.
Lyndsey M. McCann, 29 of Bunker Hill, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a June 20 incident.
James S. Adams, 32 of Waterloo, IA, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a June 23 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Dylan Wright versus Charcsey Wright
- Adrienne L. Sullivan versus Michael J. Sullivan
- Lydia Michelle Brandon versus Sophia Rose Marie Brandon
- Steven Sadler versus Patricia Sadler
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Conner James Pollard and Elizabeth Marie Wasylenko, both of Gillespie
- David Keith Grider and Brandi Luann Defrates, both of Greenfield
- Issac Jacob Gotcher and Johannah Grace Martin, both of Carlinville
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SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Ave and Kentucky Street in Benld. Dawson J. Clark, 18 of Benld, was issued citations for improper lane usage and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to illegal dumping.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Frey Street in reference to a theft.
An officer made contact with a male at East Maple Street and Adams Street. Jonathan A. Graves, 33 of Wilsonville, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Dorsey Road and 2nd Street in Mt. Clare. Uzziel C. Stennis, 27 of East Alton, was issued citations for driving while license is suspended and speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South 1st Street in reference to suspicious circumstances.
An officer was dispatched to Big Brick Park in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to Central Ave and 8th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
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 300 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of South Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a suspicious vehicle
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Montgomery Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.
MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln Avenue in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a fight that took place in the 700 block of North Main Street in Benld.
Edward T. Parker, 31 of St. Louis, Missouri, was arrested at Laura Street and Chestnut Street on a warrant out of Pontoon Beach for driving while license was revoked.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Central Avenue in Benld in reference to found property.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Maple Street in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 2300 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Western Street in reference to illegal burning.
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Benld in reference to criminal trespass. Jacob D. Ruyle, 20 of Benld, was issued a citation for unlawful burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Street in Benld in reference to a battery.
An officer was dispatched to Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of First Street in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a car fire.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Montgomery and Walnut Street. Alex L. Dyer, 19 of Gillespie, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and improper lane usage.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in reference to neighborhood trouble.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to harassment through electronic communication.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Broadway Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of East Central in Benld in reference to a subject still outside the business drinking after hours.
An officer on normal patrol was out at Pomatto Park with a subject and advised him the park was closed after dark.
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Staunton Road in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Lake in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to suspicious circumstances.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Easton Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to theft.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to suspicious circumstances in the 800 block of North Macoupin Street.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Penny Street in reference to a medical assist.
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 1400 block of Staunton Road in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Dennis N. Rhodes, 74 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for driving on a cancelled driver’s license.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to fireworks.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to Jersey Street in reference to fireworks being shot off in the street.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Abba Street in reference to illegal parking.
An officer was out on Harmony Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to disorderly conduct.
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2025
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of N 7th Street in Benld in reference to a missing child; she was later found.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Baker in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Rain Street and Carney Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to a vehicle versus fireworks issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Kelly Street. A 17-year-old male from Staunton was issued a citation for possession of alcoholic liquor, and a 16-year-old male from Staunton was issued a citation for consumption of alcoholic liquor under 21.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Oak Street. Joshua D. Ware, 20 of Trenton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to fireworks.
An officer was dispatched to Route 16 and Route 4 in East Gillespie in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Gillespie Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 400 block of West Chestnut Street.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
