Community News
Gillespie Police Report: July 9-15, 2023
SUNDAY, JULY 9, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Charles Street in reference to a child custody issue and criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Olive Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Penny Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a missing person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Charles in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to an alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Charles in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a suspicious person.
MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to theft of services.
An officer was dispatched to Broadway Street and Elm Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Francis Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Charles Street in reference to well being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2023
An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue and Maple Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Illinois Avenue in Benld in reference to found property.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of South Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Wilson Street and Second Street in reference to two juveniles fighting. Both juveniles were issued citations for fighting.
An officer was dispatched to the Lake Road in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to 700 block of Donaldson Street in reference to a property check.
An officer was dispatched to Burton Street and Fillmore Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a vehicle blocking the alleyway.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of South Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Park Avenue to assist an alderman with an ordinance issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South First Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to Lincoln Avenue in Eagarville in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of Clinton Street in East Gillespie in reference to an unwanted solicitor.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a noise complaint in the 400 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Park Avenue in reference to a well-being check.
An officer assisted Department and Children Family Services with a call in the 300 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to Southern View Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a child custody issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.
An officer on normal patrol through the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie noticed that the latch on a couple of the storage units had been broken. The officer made contact with Central Illinois Storage unit owners so they were able to notify the owners.
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Macoupin Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to Route 138 by Benld City Cemetery in reference to traffic control.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Spruce Street in reference to an alarm sounding.
FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft on Meadowlark Drive in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Main in Benld to assist Department and Children Family Services. Michael M. Lambert Hoyt, 48, of Benld was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for possession of methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to littering. A juvenile male was issued a citation for littering.
An officer was dispatched to Big Brick Park in reference to people in the park after dark.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Matthew D. Allen, 42, of Gillespie was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to East Elm Street and Adams Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Second Street in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to South Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie. Daisy E. Caudell, 66, of Carmi was issued a citation for speeding.
SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2023
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 700 block of Broadway Street in reference to an alarm sounding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Pine Street and Macoupin Street. Anita L. Wolf, 36, of Gillespie was issued citations for the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare to retrieve found property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Francis Street. Luis F. Us Benito, 24, of St. Louis was arrested for no driver’s license, speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and improper use of evidence of registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a noise complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to fraud.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Central in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the 2400 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare.
An officer was out in the 400 block of Locust Street in Benld with unwanted solicitors.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Gillespie voters will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not the City of Gillespie can impose a one percent retail sales tax for Public Safety purposes as a result of action taken by the city council Monday night. Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution prepared by City Attorney Rick Verticchio to put the question on the April 1 consolidated election ballot. The question will be presented in conjunction with the election to choose the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer and three aldermen.
The council discussed the issue of seeking a Public Safety sales tax during the council’s regular meeting on Dec. 9 and during a continued meeting on Dec. 23, at which time there was speculation the city could implement the tax via resolution only without seeking voter approval. The resolution presented Monday night confirms that voters can weigh in at the ballot box on whether or not to impose the tax.
“This is just a resolution so we can have that question on the ballot,” Verticchio told the council.
During the December meetings, Treasurer Dan Fisher said the city agreed to seek the tax during collective bargaining negotiations with the police officers union. The expected $200,000 will help cover additional costs associated with local police joining the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund system for retirement benefits, as well as the cost of adding additional police officers to cover police protection services in satellite communities. Benld Ald. Jerry Saracco told the Benld Council last month that satellite communities also were being asked to consider seeking a Public Safety sales tax to help defray police protection costs, but there appeared to be no interest on the part of the Benld Council to follow Gillespie’s lead.
In addition to the tax question and city officials, the consolidated ballot also will include elections for three Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education members, as well as township officials.
POLICE STATION PROGRESS
On a motion by Ald. Dave Link, seconded by Ald. Dona Rauzi, the council unanimously voted to release $59,199.26 to contractor John Watson, Gillespie, to pay subcontractors for remodeling work at the new Gillespie Police Station at 124 N. Macoupin St., the former location of Gillespie Chiropractic directly across the street from City Hall.
Rauzi reported the city had paid Watson $9,000 to start the remodeling project. The additional money will be used to pay various vendors such as Glass Cutters, Carlinville, and Carpani Computers for installing computer networking and internet systems.
The council also approved a $1,998.85 change order request for the project to cover the cost of reopening exterior stairs that the previous owner had enclosed. The additional money will cover the cost of siding, framing, lighting and replacing stairs that were removed when the entry was enclosed.
In a related matter, the council formally declared as surplus property a desk that the previous owner left behind and to transfer the desk to Watson. Rauzi said the desk had little value and that no other city office had a use for it. She said the options for disposing of it were to either give it to Watson or store it at the Civic Center.
With the same action, the council declared as surplus unused roof trusses which will be offered for sale via sealed bids.
GRANT MANAGER BILL
On Fisher’s recommendation, the council agreed to pay Fuel Growth Group’s bill of $137,550 for billing and consulting services associated with grant management services related to $3 million in federal grants and $1 million in state grants awarded to the city for its downtown streetscape project. Fisher said the agency’s bill is based on an hourly rate totaling 7.5 percent of the $4 million in grant awards.
Verticchio said he plans to contact the vendor regarding its new contract due to concerns he has about some of the contract’s wording. He said the contract calls for an hourly rate up to $257,000 after the first installment of 50 percent is paid.
“I don’t have any great problem with the contract,” Verticchio said, adding that he wants to revise the contract so the city does not owe the balance if the billable hours do not reach $257,000. “In all probability, we will get to that amount, but I want to make sure that if we don’t reach $257,000, we won’t owe them the full amount.”
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action followed a brief executive session requested by Ald. Frank Barrett, Lake Chairman, to discuss personnel. While the nature of the discussion was not specified, it is likely the closed-door session focussed on replacing Gary Thornhill, long-time Lake Manager who recently resigned to take another job.
In a related matter, Barrett told the council he is getting pricing from Carpani Computers for a new point-of-sale computer and printer for the Lake Store.
“When Gary left, we were using his computer and printer at the store,” Barrett said, explaining the need for new equipment.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Council members briefly discussed the status of a new communications tower, construction of which is likely to start this year. The council previously entered into a franchise agreement to lease property for the tower, which will provide services for AT&T cell phone transmissions and other providers. Ald. Wendy Ottersburg said the company revised its plan to add 20 feet to the tower’s height to expand its range.
Water Plant Operator Dave Pickett said he is eager for the tower to be completed as it will allow the Water Department to implement a computer program enabling the Department to control water flow from the pumping station to the Water Plant without having to physically travel to the pumping station.
“It will be a huge savings for us,” Pickett said.
AUDIT ACCEPTANCE
Upon Fisher’s recommendation, the council voted unanimously to accept the city’s official audit. In a departure from past practice, no representative of the auditing firm appeared before the council to present the audit findings. Fisher said the audit showed the city to “be in the black” but did not mention whether or not the auditor made any other findings.
COUNCIL RADIOS
Mayor John Hicks reported that two-way radios previously issued to city council members are unaccounted for and asked aldermen who might still have a radio to return them to City Hall. He said the radios were issued to aid with communications in the event of an emergency.
“Somewhere along the line, some of them disappeared,” he said.
SNOW REMOVAL
Ald. Bob Fritz, answering criticisms voiced on social media, clarified that the city does not have responsibility for removing snow on sidewalks. He said people were upset because city workers did not remove snow on sidewalks in the area of CUSD 7 schools.
“Those are not our responsibility,” Ald. Rauzi noted.
Ald. Landon Pettit said that when he worked for the city, city workers were advised by the city’s insurance provider to leave sidewalks alone.
“The insurance company told us not to do that,” he said. “Once we clean them off, any liability for them is on us.”
CEJA MEETING
Fisher told the council he plans to meet with CEJA grant partners at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to discuss CEJA expenditures and closing out the grant. The federal Climate and Equitable Jobs Act grant of $1.1 million was awarded last summer. The City of Gillespie retained $70,248.57 with the remainder allotted to various local units of government, including: Village of East Gillespie, $51,654.72; City of Benld, $58,721.50; Village of Eagarville, $50,684.28; City of Staunton, $80,929.61; Gillespie Public Library, $70,248.57; Benld Public Library, $58,721.50; Gillespie Township, $73,458.48; Cahokia Township, $69,004.42; Community Unit School District 7, $98,167.33; North Mac CUSD 34, $98,584.12; Gillespie-Benld Ambulance Service, $133,202.60; Village of Royal Lakes, $51,038.87; City of Bunker Hill, $60,102.51; Village of Mount Clare, $51,878.67; and Brushy Mound Township, $53,919.08.
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a federal program to mitigate against economic conditions that result as the nation moves away from fossil fuels to embrace renewable, “green” energy sources. The local grant award is related to job losses resulting from the idling of Shay Mine No. 1, formerly Monterey Mine No., 1. Each entity was awarded $50,000 plus additional funds based on “job loss” and “revenue loss” factors.
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FELONIES
Ronald R. Arnold, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a December 28 incident.
Kenneth E. Ray, 39 of Bethalto, is charged with aggravated fleeing while involving the disobedience of two or more official traffic control devices, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 25-34 mph over the limit, and driver’s license expired more than a year in connection with a December 19 incident.
Jacklyn M. Wichman, 30 of Decatur, is charged with possession of methamphetamines (< 5 grams) in connection with a December 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Levi R. Ladendorf, 31 of Staunton, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a July 17, 2023 incident.
Demian E. Ellis, 46 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a December 30 incident.
Steven D. Lewis, 33 of Virden, is charged with two counts of violation of a protection order in connection with a December 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jason A. Keffer , 28 of Standard City, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 23 incident.
Daniel R. Gooding, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 28 incident.
Douglas D. Davis, 27 of Benld, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
Brandon E. Swarringin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 21 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Terry L. Lumma versus Robert L. Lumma
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Pietro Lentini of Carlinville and Anna Jean Triplett of Greenfield
- Morgan Barber and Emilee Bridgwater, both of Benld
Comments
Summer Repertory at Carlinville is pleased to announce the return of a comedy play to the stage. Performances of Ripcord will be held January 17 and 18th at 7:30 PM and January 19 at 2 PM at Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium.
Ripcord, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is based in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. The rivalry of odd couple roommates Abby and Marilyn, results in high stakes comedy of conflict for control of territory.
Cindy Rice and Joe Hardy bring their combined experience directing the small cast of seasoned actors.
Rice, who has directed place and musicals In Illinois and Texas, spent 15 years co-directing musicals at North Green high school.
Hardy, who began acting at age 7 with notable roles in Summer Repertory Theatre’s Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid , and Suessical, has also performed at several Springfield, Illinois, theaters. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from SIUE.
Tickets for Ripcord may be purchased at the door only. Ripcord is rated PG-13. For more information, see Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College Facebook page.
