Community News
Gillespie Police Activity: June 21-27, 2015
This story is contributed by a member of the Gillespie Police Department and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TheBenGilPost.com. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2015
Officers responded to the 1200 block of South Macoupin for a probationary check at which time a suspected meth lab was located. Edwin L. Rhodes, 57, of Gillespie was arrested for possession of meth manufacturing materials and escape after Rhodes escaped from the officer’s squad car while officers were inventorying the items. Rhodes was located a short time later at a relative’s home and then transported to the Macoupin County Jail.
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015
Officer was requested and responded to the 200 block of 7th Street in Benld to handle a domestic call after the Benld officer was on another emergency call. The male at the address was screaming and yelling at the female and the children. The male and female advised that they would separate for a few hours and not argue. D.C.F.S. hotline was called because of the children involved.
Officer took a report and possession of a weed eater that was found when a resident in the 200 block of East Spruce reported it was in her backyard and didn’t belong to her. The owner was later located and the weed eater was returned.
George C. Melton, 41, of Gillespie was cited for having expired registration sticker.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015
Officer was called to the 400 block of Western Avenue for a domestic and criminal damage to property. The male subject had left the scene when officers arrived. The female advised when she woke her brother, he went outside and kicked her vehicle and put a large dent in it.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015
Officer took a report from a male who was receiving harassing phone calls and text messages from a former boss. That male was contacted and advised not to call or contact the former employee anymore.
Edward Zelenka, 59, of Gillespie was cited for failure to wear seat belt and having no insurance.
Christian N. Schlotmann, 23, of Gillespie was cited for improper lane usage.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015
Steve W. Parker, 59, of Gillespie was cited for failure to wear seat belt.
Anthony L. Alexander, 23, of Gillespie was cited for failure to wear seat belt.
Officer came across four subjects walking down Shelby Street off of Walnut Street after curfew. The subjects included two males aged 18, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old female. The female was cited for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and was given a verbal warning for being out after curfew. She was transported to her residence where the officer talked to her father.
Officers were called to the 1100 block of Abba for a domestic in progress. Officers discovered that both parties had been drinking and the male left the residence for the rest of the night.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015
Robert A. McGlasson, 63, of Shipman was cited for failure to wear seat belt.
Officers were called to the 400 block of Montgomery Street for a female who had threatened suicide. She was transported to a hospital by an ambulance.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2015
Officer took a report for probation when a father called stated his 15-year-old son from Benld was not supposed to be in Gillespie at any time. The son was stopped on his bicycle and brought to the police department where his father picked him up.
Officer took a report from a female who said that she was at her residence in the 100 block of Henry when her and her boyfriend had a fight and he was throwing her belongings and dog out. He had reportedly punched her and kicked her in the stomach. Anthony S. Zumwalt was arrested for domestic battery and transported to Macoupin County jail. Officers then obtained a search warrant on the home and located multiple drug related items. Additional charges are pending.
Mitchell B. Reinbold, 26, of Granite City was arrested for a defected windshield, no insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to Macoupin County jail.
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Community News
County marks 250th Anniversary of Declaration with reading and archive projects at Spring Festival on May 23
The Macoupin County Historical Society (MCHS) is hosting the first in a series of local celebrations & activities on May 23, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the Spring festival highlighting the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The public is encouraged to attend a reading of the Declaration aloud at the Red Barn Pavillion.
Following the reading, participants and the public will be encouraged to have a conversation about what’s important to them, their families and to America examining the past and looking at the future.
Attendees may also enter a Birthday Wish for America & sign the America @ 250 Macoupin County Time Capsule book. The book will become a permanent archive of the Macoupin County Historical Society.
Individuals, families, & friends can also be a part of “Community Conversations” recorded by Illinois Voices 250, a Story Telling group affiliated with Illinois Humanities. The recordings will take place in all 102 counties in Illinois. Illinois Voices 250 will be on site most of the day at the Historical Society Spring Festival. The stores recorded will be digitalized and become a permanent part of the Library of Congress.
Those interested in participating are welcome to bring family and friends into a casual conversation about their life story. Both projects were made possible through a grant from Illinois Humanities to Carlinville Winning Communities, a local non profit organization that supports activities in the community. It’s a very successful partnership between Carlinville Winning Communities, Illinois Humanities and the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Mary Tinder, who is coordinating the activities.
This year, 2026, is also a time to “Bring Back the Strawberries”, a specialty desert from the Red Barn Kitchen. For many years, strawberry shortcake was the signature desert at the festivals. The MCHS Board of Directors and Red Barn Kitchen Crew chose this historic occasion to put them back on the menu.
“Fifty Years of Festivals” has helped finance operations for MCHS and we are working towards another fifty years, said board member Patty Ambrose, Vendor and Outreach Coordinator for MCHS. These activities are free, open to the public and accessible. The two-day festival is May 23, 24, 2026 at the Macoupin County Historical Society, 900 West Breckenridge Street, Carlinville, Il.
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Community News
Benld prepares to celebrate 72nd annual Italian American Days over Memorial Day weekend
A beloved community tradition returns this Memorial Day weekend as the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days brings three days of food, music, and family fun to Benld City Park from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.
Hosted by the Italian Club of Benld, the long-running festival celebrates the area’s rich Italian heritage while welcoming visitors from across the region for a full slate of activities.
Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of homemade Italian favorites served throughout the weekend, including salami and meatball sandwiches, tortellini soup, bagna cauda, and cannoli. A daily fish fry featuring cod and whiting will also be available, along with classic festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, and carnival treats. Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.
In addition to the food, the event will feature carnival rides provided by Conner Family Amusement, Inc., with unlimited ride sessions offered throughout the weekend. Bingo will be held nightly at 7:00 p.m., and festival-themed shirts will be available for purchase.
Live music and dancing will take center stage each evening. Friday night entertainment includes a performance by Flip the Frog from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., with the park open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday highlights include the Italian Club Car Show, with registration from 8:00 a.m. to noon and judging beginning at noon. The park opens at 11:00 a.m., and live music will feature Pat Jones in the afternoon followed by Borderline in the evening.
Sunday kicks off with the “Meatballs on the Run” 5K at 9:00 a.m., sponsored by the Gillespie Cross Country Boosters. You can sign-up to participate online here. The day continues with free spaghetti served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bocce ball tournament beginning at noon, and a full lineup of live music throughout the day, including performances by Unbroken, Syner-Gee, and B&B Strings.
Connors Family Amusements will provide carnival armbands for $30. Armbands will be valid Friday (May 22) from 6:00 to 10 :00 p.m. and again on Saturday (May 23rd) and Sunday (May 24th) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m, Advanced armband sales will be available from May 4th through May 21st at the Frank Bertetti Public Library and Benld City Hall for $25. Debit and Credit Cards will NOT be accepted.
Organizers note that no outside beverages are permitted in the park or at club events.
With its mix of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days promises to once again be a highlight of the summer season in Macoupin County. For more information and updates, follow the festival on Facebook at Benld Italian American Days.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
