Says Board should be proud of many accomplishments over last decade
Carlinville – While the November meeting of the Macoupin County Board signaled an end to the 27-member board, preparing for a new beginning was the message that Board Chairman Andy Manar left with the board members and general public. Manar gaveled out the county meeting for the last time, concluding an eight-year tenure as the Board’s Chairman.
Manar commended the Board for working with him through some very difficult times over the last eight years to solve problems. “I am proud to say that all 27 of us in this room today worked together to tackle the problems of Macoupin County and we were able to do it by putting aside our petty differences,” said Manar. “We as a Board were able to hold property taxes low, consistently balance our county budget, grow the reserve funds by more than a million dollars, and do so all without laying off a single employee.”
It was the tough economic climate, Manar said, that made reaching those accomplishments so unique. “In 2008, we lost just under a million dollars in annual revenue overnight when two local coal mines closed down,” said Manar. “But we as a Board didn’t shut down and take the easy way out when this happened or when the economy took a downturn. We all worked together to figure out how to best attack the problems at hand.”
Over the last eight years, Manar said he was most proud of the fact that the Board was able to spend conservatively and do so alongside keeping taxes low on county residents. Property tax rate increases were all under 1% under Manar’s leadership on the Board.
Manar concluded his final message to the Board by requesting that the new 18-member Board embrace bi-partisanship and working together. “What this Board has been great at is working together and forgetting about party labels,” said Manar. “Don’t let that stop.”
Manar also praised outgoing Board members for their many years of service: Morrie Fraser (1996-2012), Paul Quirk (1988-2012), John Gay (2011-2012), Joe Novak (2002-2012), Judy Bacon (1994-2012), Bill Nichelson (2010-2012), Kevin Nichelson (2012), Fran Goodman (2002-2012), Tom Denby (2012), Lyndal Herschelman (2006-2012), and Veryl Reiher (2004-2012).
Manar was elected in the November General Election to serve in the State Senate. He did not seek another term on the County Board.
A devastating house fire in Virden on Saturday, February 15 has left the community mourning the loss of a father and his two sons. The fire occurred in the 200 block of West Neal Street and was reported by a passerby around 9:20 in the morning.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that Kyle James, 34, and his 13-year-old son, Hunter James, were pronounced dead at Springfield Memorial Hospital following the tragic incident on Saturday morning. The fire also claimed the life of 10-year-old Jacob James, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday. All victims succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Jacob was a sixth grader at the Springfield Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED), while Hunter was an eighth grader who attended school in Auburn. Both boys were part of the North Mac school district. Kyle was known in the community as a cook at Jo’s Place, a local restaurant in Virden.
Multiple fire departments from surrounding areas including Chatham, Auburn, and Girard, responded to the scene in an attempt to control the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the State Fire Marshal now leading the inquiry.
FRONT ROW: Bill Hayes; Lindsay Irwin; Marena Hayes; Diana Hayes; Scott Haenel. BACK ROW: Nolan Hayes, Blake Hayes; Matt Irwin; Ashlen Hayes; Heather Hayes.
The Partnership for Educational Excellence raised nearly $4,500 at its “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night on Saturday, February 15 at the Gillespie Civic Center. The evening’s highlights included a record turnout of 25 tables, great participation in the latest Grand Raffle kickoff, and generous donations from winning teams and absentee “Out to Recess” businesses.
The evening is the Partnership’s one and only fund raiser to support programs for CUSD7 students: district-wide classroom grants and academic tuition scholarships for GHS grads. The current school year marks a three year $90,000 gift to CUSD7 for student computers. And an all-time record was set last year when 38% of the GHS Class of 2024 won college scholarships.
The winning Hayes family team scored a 94% “grade” and donated back their $150 prize. The third-place team of Semplowski family and friends, dedicated their $50 prize to the ongoing Travis Semplowski scholarship. Almost all team scores were in the 90% and 80% range.
“Early Bird” drawing of raffle tickets sold that night gave $100 each to Steve Joyce and to Tracy Wilhoit. Their Grand Raffle tickets also make them eligible for the final $5,000 prize to be drawn on Saturday, April 12, 2025. If not all tickets are sold, the prize will be a 50/50 split. Tickets are available from any Partnership director. Volunteer Cindy Brummett assisted with ticket sales. Ten attendees won gift cards purchased by The Partnership from local merchants.
In addition to 25 tables of players, several long-time business and professional sponsors bought “absentee” tables through The Partnership’s “Out to Recess” program: Gene Hebenstreit of Victory Lane Ford in Litchfield; Nick Kravanya DDS of Kravanya and Boente dental offices in Carlinville and Litchfield; Wally Ottersburg of Daley Bruckert Chevrolet in Staunton; Boente Shell Station in Gillespie; Kasten-Goodman Insurance Agency in Carlinville; and Rick Verticchio Law Offices in Carlinville and Gillespie.
The Partnership wishes to thank its all-volunteer board of directors. On hand that night were Vice President Donna Prevedell, Treasurer Rose Tebbe, Secretary Rosie Emmenderfer, Founder Nancy Grandone, Susan Stromsland, and Mary Kay Griffel. Other directors who contributed to the evening’s success but were unable to attend Ken Tebbe, Carole Scheller, Ann Marie Bauer Ross, Julie Zirkelbach, Katie Ronald, and President John Fassero.
Special kudos go to the third and fourth generation Partnership volunteers who did stellar work as runners, carrying answer sheets from players to graders Norah Seraphin (9th grade), Augie Seraphin (7th grade), Eve Seraphin (4th grade) – all grandchildren of Donna and Bob Prevedell; and Mackenzie Jo McFarland (4th grade), great granddaughter of Rose and Ralph Tebbe.
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.