Community News
Gillespie Police Report: August 13-19, 2023
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to suspicious activity in the 600 block of Cottage Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Gillespie Street in reference to a civil standby.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Easton Street in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to Clinton Street and Elm Street in reference to a traffic crash. Summer J. Beckham, 21, of Staunton was issued a citation for following too close.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment by telephone.
An officer was dispatched to the area of Eiler Street and 8th Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Pine Street and Shelby Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to Main Street and Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Baker Street in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was out at Eagarville Road and Henderson Road in Eagarville in reference to an abandoned vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to Broadway Street and LJ Avenue in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Baker Street for a 911 accidental miss dial.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Fillmore Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln in Eagarville in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Second Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a child custody issue.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a theft.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Oak Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a missing person.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Lake in reference to a suicidal subject.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Madison Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie High School in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to Ben-Gil Elementary School in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Avenue in East Gillespie. Krista D. Riley, 32, of Gillespie was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Burton Street in reference to a female who accidentally locked her dogs in a vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to a 911 open line call in the 200 block of South Street.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
Joseph W. Homan, 28, of Gillespie was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for driving while license was suspended.
An officer was dispatched to Division Street and North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was out at a residence in the 400 block of Illinois Street in Benld doing a security check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Wilson Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to a missing juvenile.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was out in the 500 block of Park Avenue in reference to a security check on a residence.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint in the 200 block of Trolley Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Short Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Plum Street in reference to a suspicious female. Jada S. Salazar, 24, of Bethalto was arrested on a warrant out of Bethalto for residential burglary.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to mental issues.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft from his storage unit on 8th Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the area of 300 block of Clark Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Illinois Street in Benld in reference to theft of services.
An officer was dispatched to Eiler Street and 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a missing person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Benld to look for a missing person.
An officer was dispatched to the 1200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a home security check and juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Central in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a well-being check on an animal.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a missing person.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Osie Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Henrietta Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Illinois Street in reference to a domestic battery. Ashleigh K. Bethel, 39, of Benld was arrested for domestic battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Berry Street in Mt. Clare in reference to a neighbor dispute. Jimmy D. Byrd, 62, of Mt. Clare was arrested for aggravated battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Burton Street in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Oak Street. Charles W. Massie, 27, of Breese was arrested for driving while his license was suspended, driving while vehicle registration was suspended, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Oak Street and Adams Street. Theodore H. Hopper, 51, of Gillespie was issued citations for speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and operation of a vehicle when registration was suspended.
An officer was out with a suspicious male in the 900 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare while doing security checks.
An officer was out in the 200 block of East Walnut with an alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Biddle Street in reference to an erratic driver going up and down the street.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the end of the bike trail on Clark Street in reference to two female juveniles who were overheated. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and they were treated and released.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North Main Street in Benld in reference to harassment.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Comments
In a nail-biting showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Gillespie Miners girls basketball team captured the South Central Conference title with a hard-fought 55-52 victory over the Pana Panthers on Thursday night, February 13. This marks Gillespie’s first conference championship since their back-to-back titles in 2001-02, when they shared the honors with Southwestern both finishing with a 9-1 conference record.
The game held at Pana High School was anything but straightforward. After a tumultuous 13-minute delay due to injuries and a technical foul controversy, the Miners rallied their spirits to secure the win. Amari Vickery led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, while Mia Brawner added 11, Maggie Heyen contributed 10, Delaney Taylor posted 5, Sadie Sholtis scored 4, and Lainey Edwards and Corrine Fellin each had 2 points.
From the opening tip, it was clear that Pana was not going to roll over easily. The Panthers held leads at the end of the first two quarters, 15-14 and 28-26, showcasing their tenacity. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Pana had edged ahead 44-42, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
However, the game took a chaotic turn in the fourth quarter when a collision between Vickery and teammate Sloane Brawner resulted in both players going down with injuries. Sloane was not able to return the game but Vickery did. The Miners also lost both Delaney Taylor and Sadie Sholtis to fouls and Gillespie was assessed a technical foul under controversial circumstances which tied the game at 49. But Heyen carried the weight through the fourth quarter recording 6 of her 10 points in the final quarter of play.
Despite the setbacks, the Miners displayed remarkable teamwork resilience under the leadership of Nikki and Matt Brawner. With the SCC championship secured and the regular season concluded with a 22-8 overall record and 9-0 conference record, the Miners now shift their focus to the upcoming regional which is being hosted in Gillespie.
Gillespie hosts Alton Marquette on Monday, Feb. 17 for the regional semi-finals after Alton Marquette knocked East-Alton Wood River, 36-29, to face the Miners. The winner advances to the regional championship that will be played on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Gillespie versus the winner of Staunton/Roxana.
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Tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday morning in Macoupin County as a residential structure fire broke out in the 200 block of West Dean Street, Virden, resulting in the death of a male victim, the Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya announced.
The individual was pronounced deceased at 10:06 AM but the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, as authorities await the results of an autopsy scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2025. The coroner’s office indicated that a press release will be issued following the autopsy and the positive identification of the victim.
WAND reported a second victim died after being transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon who confirmed a 13-year-old boy and a 34-year-old male were the victims.
The fire reportedly started around 9:30 a.m. and the home was fully engulfed when first responders arrived. Two people were reportedly rescued and life flight was requested but were not available due to the foggy weather conditions.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, involving multiple agencies including the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office, the Virden Police Department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
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Come and join us for an exciting afternoon of trivia as we support our local 2:18 Missions! Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 30 from 2 to 5 PM for an event that promises fun, camaraderie, and a chance to make a difference in our community. The event will be held at DeStefane Community Center in Benld, 201 East Central Avenue.
Teams of up to 10 people can participate for just $100 per table. Whether you want to reserve your table in advance or simply show up on the day of the event to pay at the door, we welcome all trivia enthusiasts to join in the competition!
Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the game—just please remember, no alcohol is allowed. For your convenience, we will have bottles of water available for purchase.
The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce! The first-place team will take home a prize of $150. Plus, bring some dollar bills to participate in “Heads and Tails” games during breaks and to buy mulligans for your team.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support a great cause while enjoying a lively trivia challenge. To reserve your table or for more information, contact Kristin at 217-691-7469.
Let’s make this a memorable event for our community and the 2:18 Missions!
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