Community News
Gillespie Police Report: September 10-16, 2023
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Maple Street. Jesse J. Kahl, 36, of Wilsonville was arrested for driving with suspended registration and driving under the influence.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Burton Street in reference to a civil standby and criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Farley Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Richard Street in reference to to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to child custody exchange.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to to a domestic dispute.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Nicholas C. Flournoy, 23, if Gillespie was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Burton Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to suspicious circumstance.
An officer was dispatched to the Coal Country Sports Complex in the 1000 block of North Adams Street in reference to illegal parking in the handicap areas.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Spruce Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer during normal patrol noticed an open door at a residence in the 400 block of North 4th Street in Benld. The officer spoke with the property owner who was cleaning out the home.
An officer was dispatched to the area of 1st Street in Benld in reference to a vehicle with a loud exhaust.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Hickory Street in Benld in reference to a wellbeing check.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Maple Street. Myron W. Zollicoffer, 51, of Royal Lakes was issued a citation for driving while license was revoked. Haley M. Holmes, 30, of Illiopolis was issued citations for illegal transportation, speeding, obstructing justice, resist/obstruct/ a peace officer and obstructing identification.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Second Street in reference to a dog at large. Tiffany L. McCoy, 40, of Virden was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Harding Avenue in East Gillespie. Rickey D. Bell, 63 of Gillespie was arrested for driving on suspended driver’s license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Susanne K. Hartman, 43, of Gillespie was issued citations for overtaking and passing a school bus, expiration of registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Pine Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
The School Resource officer was dispatched to report a fight in High School Parking lot.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Avenue in reference to a medical assist.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie. Che N. Lang, 32, of Freeburg was issued a citation for expired registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Adam J. Wieties, 40, of Carlinville was issued a citation for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was out with a subject near Pomatto Park whom advised he was homeless.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln Street in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a security check.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of 8th Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street to speak with individual in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to fraud.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the alley way behind the Dairy Queen in reference to a medical assist.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue in Benld. Jordan R. Libbra, 24, of Mt. Olive was issued a citation for suspended registration.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Staunton Road and Division Street in Mt. Clare. Timothy G. Gruhlke, 46, of Staunton was arrested for driving under the influence and improper lane usage.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suicidal subject.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Maple Street in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer was dispatched to Spruce Street and Rice Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Henry Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine in reference to criminal damage.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 1st Street in Benld. Richard L. Dodson, 69, of Litchfield was issued a citation for operating uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the Big Brick Park in reference to suspicious items.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Fulton Street in reference to an animal death.
Daniel R. Sawyer, 46, of Gillespie was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to register as a sex offender.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Western in reference to criminal trespass and a suspicious person.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Elm Street in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to a wellbeing check.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to a physical altercation. Joshua L. Wilson, 26, of Benld was arrested for battery, and Jarrett I. McIntosh, 31, of Benld was arrested for battery.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a dumpster fire.
An officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of South Madison Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Spruce Street and Rice Street. Ronald M. Burns, 35, of Litchfield was arrested for driving while license are suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and unlawful us of weapon.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of South Madison Street in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Walnut in reference to a mental subject.
An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a missing juvenile.
An officer was dispatched to the 2200 block of Staunton Road in Mt. Clare in reference to a security check.
An officer was dispatched to Casey’s General Store in Benld in reference to a gas leak until the Fire Department could get on scene.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of South Street to check on a female that was on 4 day furlough with electronic monitoring.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a transportation issue that took place in Springfield. She was referred to Springfield Police Department.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a wellbeing check.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln in Eagarville in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to property in the 300 block of South 5th Street in Benld.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Second Street in reference to an ordinance issue illegal burning. Kelly E. Lyons, 58, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Abba Street in reference to a dog at Large. Tiffany L. McCoy, 40, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Main Street and Central Avenue in Benld. Kenneth J. Hughes, 50, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for suspended registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Madison Street in reference to a medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie High School parking lot to check wellbeing of a person.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Pine Street and Staunton Road. Norma J. Pollard, 69, of Alton was issued a citation for expired registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and Kelly Street. Gloria A. Darr, 72, of Medora was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Avenue in East Gillespie. Edith K. Schehl, 51, of Staunton was issued a citation for speeding.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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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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