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
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a 14-mile patching and resurfacing project on Interstate 55 from Litchfield to the Macoupin/Madison County line begins Monday, April 21. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Additionally, ramps for Litchfield (exit 52), Mount Olive (exit 44) and Staunton (exit 41) will be resurfaced. Most of the work is expected to take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings.
Lane closures are expected, and message boards will be used to direct traffic through the work zones. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Benefits of this project include a smoother driving surface.
To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
Comments
George Kuchar of Eagarville is the winner of The Partnership for Educational Excellence 2025 Grand Raffle. The prize is $5,000.
“Education is important. I want to help these students get on in life,” says George, who is the owner of Kuchar Combine, an international agribusiness based in Mt. Olive.
Grand Raffle ticket sales kicked off this year at The Partnership’s “For the Love of Education” annual trivia contest in February. When welcoming the trivia players that evening, Donna Prevedell, vice president and a charter member of education foundation, asked participants: “What would we do without you? Your steadfast trust and generosity are the only resources The Partnership has ever had. Our very first major donor, John Schmidt, said that he would support us only if we could prove that we had solid community backing – which you immediately gave and continue to give 33 years later! Thank you.”
The result is The Partnership’s investment of more than $1 million donor dollars into the students of CUSD7. “We treasure your trust and humbly pass on your generously-shared, hard-earned dollars to our children – our future,” she said addressing CUSD7 staff and teachers, past scholars and parents, and dozens of new and established donors in attendance.
“It’s such solid donor support that allowed The Partnership to increase its scholarships from $1,000 to $2,000 last year. All we could afford in 1992 was three $250 scholarships. Friends and neighbors like you have made it possible to increase that nearly tenfold,” she said.
Another milestone was reached in 2024: a record 38% of the GHS graduating class was awarded scholarships.
The Partnership for Educational Excellence is a 501(c)3 education foundation. All donations are tax deductible. For more information and to donate: www.thepartnership7.org
Several Partnership directors gathered Saturday 12 April at Lumpy’s Restaurant in Gillespie where cook Mary Gray drew George Kuchar’s name from 500 tickets.
Comments
FELONIES
Kaytlin Hudgins, 29 of Carlinville, is charged with burglary and causing a child to be endangered in connection with a March 23 incident.
Jacalyn Walker, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with theft ($500-10k), six counts of official misconduct/forbidden act, and five counts of wire fraud in connection with multiple incidents.
Michael J. Sullivan, 38 of Collinsville, is charged with aggravated battery of a child less than 13 and causing bodily harm in connection with an April 3 incident.
Emiliano R. McGill, 20 of Litchfield, is charged with criminal damage to property ($500-10k) in connection with an April 11 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Brett S. A. BilBruck, 19 of Hettick, is charged with possessing a firearm without a valid FOID in connection with an April 5 incident.
Mya R. Stewart, 20 of Wilsonville, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a March 22 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated assault using a deadly weapon in connection with an April 10 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jonathan A. Graves, 33 of Wilsonville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an April 2 incident.
Michael T. Mitchusson, 32 of Virden, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a March 28 incident.
Michelle A. Meyers, 49 of Staunton, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a March 28 incident.
William E. Rhodes, 56 of Litchfield, is charged with fleeing/attempting to elude an officer and expired registration in connection with a March 31 incident.
Lauren R. Washburn, 40 of Godfrey, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a March 30 incident.
Steven J. Henn, 33 of Highland, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 27 incident.
Jacob A. Roof, 41 of Springfield, is charged with driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, improper passing on the shoulder, changing lanes without signal, exceeding speed in a school zone, obstructed windshield, and expired registration in connection with an April 3 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Stephanie G. Emery versus Jacob L. Emery
- Stacy Schuette versus Clay Schuette
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Joseph Daniel Baum of Mount Olive and Cynthia Maria Aberle of Staunton
- Aaron Michael Bush and Candise Lynn Spurgeon, both of Bunker Hill
- Joseph Andrew Rosentreter of Rock Island and Madison Elizabeth Schneider of Brighton
- Alexander Nicholas Overby and Madison Delany Shanks, both of Springfield
- Bobby Jay Gilmer and Melindajoe Violet Heigert, both of Staunton
- Matthew William Hartsook and Brooke Ann Buffington, both of Carlinville
