Community News
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?
Well, the time has finally arrived. As some are just looking forward to the signs being taken down around the BenGil communities, others are still undecided on whom they are voting for, and others will have their name on the ballot tomorrow. The consolidated election is tomorrow, Tuesday, April 9.
Community members have to make their voice heard tomorrow. These elected officials are the voice for us. We need to elect people we can trust and people who stand up for what they believe in. In less than 48 hours, races for city councils and school board will be decided.
But, the place to determine which candidates are “the fairest of them all” is at the election polls and you are the only one to determine which candidate you support. Polls are open from 6:00am to 7:00pm tomorrow.
School Board
Residents in the BenGil community will vote on three positions up for grabs on the district 7 school board. Five community members are on the ballot to confiscate the three seats currently held by Donald Dobrino, David Griffel, and William Carter Jr. All three of the current members are running for reelection with the addition of Tracy Hellmann and Stephen Koniak running in opposition.
Hellmann, Koniak, and Dobrino are all running from the Cahokia Township while Peyton Bernot is currently representing Cahokia Township on the board. A maximum of three people can serve from each township leaving it impossible for Hellmann, Koniak, and Dobrino to all be elected since one seat is currently filled.
Gillespie
In Gillespie, voters will decide municipal council positions based on what ward they currently reside in. Mayor John Hicks, City Clerk Frances Smith, and Treasurer Dan Fisher are predetermined winners without any opposition. In addition, board members Frank Barrett (Ward 2), Dave Tucker (Ward 3), and Steve Kluthe (Ward 4 – 2 Year term) are running without opposition as well and will remain aldermen on the Gillespie municipal board.
However, two positions are open on the Gillespie city council. Residents living in Ward 1 will vote for 1 of 3 candidates vying for the seat held by Jerry Doliger. Running against Doliger are Brenda Mix and William Roberson. Residents in Ward 4 will vote between Robert “Gus” Ottersburg and Stephen King to replace John Ronald as alderman for the 4 year term. Ronald is not running for reelection.
In addition to a series of township positions, Gillespie residents will also be voting on three ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions.
- The first question pertaining to public safety questions if Macoupin County shall be authorized to impose and increase on its share of local sales taxes by .75%.
- The second question allows State Legislature to enact a law allowing citizens to carry a concealed firearm, after a background check and training.
- The final question would give the City of Gillespie the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program.
Benld
Voters in Benld will just have 1 position on the municipal board to fill, mayor. Other than the multiple township positions on the ballot, the mayor race is the only race with more than one candidate running for office. The mayor position, currently held by Micky Robinson, is being quested by Peyton Bernot and Gloria Sidar. Both Bernot and Sidar are currently on the municipal board.
City Clerk Wanda Bernot is not running for reelection, but Nadine Ferrero is running without opposition for the position while Mary Ann Scopel is the predetermined winner for the treasurer position. Lynn Fraelle and Gloria Sidar are currently representing Ward 1 on the council, but neither alderwomen are running for reelection as Sidar is seeking the mayor position and Fraelle is seeking Cahokia Township Supervisor.
In the case of Sidar winning the mayor election, Bernot will remain on the board as alderman of ward 3. On the opposite hand, Sidar will not have any position on the municipal board if Bernot wins the mayoral election which will leave the Peyton Bernot appointing someone to fill out the remaining two years as alderman of ward 4.
Teresa Tucker is running without opposition for the four year term in Ward 1 while Brian Frensko is running without opposition for the two year term in Ward 1. Current mayor Micky Robinson is seeking unopposed election in Ward 2 while incumbent Jim Kelly is seeking unopposed election in Ward 3.
In addition to a municipal board positions, Benld residents will also be voting on two ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions.
- The first question pertaining to public safety questions if Macoupin County shall be authorized to impose and increase on its share of local sales taxes by .75%.
- The second question allows State Legislature to enact a law allowing citizens to carry a concealed firearm, after a background check and training.
Polls are open from 6am to 7pm. Follow immediate polling updates right here on our website, on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter page. Let your voice be heard.
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A former Carlinville High School football standout has signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots.
Kyle Dixon, a record-setting receiver at Culver-Stockton, an NAIA program in Canton, Missouri, inked the deal with New England after being passed over in the NFL Draft April 23-25.
Dixon was seen as an outside shot at being selected in the draft. He reportedly had visited at least one team, including Indianapolis, and was the subject of Internet speculation from various writers on his potential.
At Culver-Stockton, Dixon named to the American Football Coaches Association – NAIA All-American team. He was also a Heart of America Athletic Conference first team pick for the second straight year.
The 6-4, 216-pound Dixon was fourth in the NAIA with 83 receptions and third with 1,282 receiving yards in 2025.
New England advanced to last February’s Super Bowl, losing to Seattle.
It was the tenth Super Bowl appearance in the last 25 seasons for the Patriots, one of the NFL’s marquee teams over the last quarter-century.
New England won six Super Bowl titles in that span. The Patriots also played in the Super Bowl after the 1985 and 1996 seasons.
Though most undrafted free agents have an outside chance of sticking on NFL rosters, some future superstars began that way. Notable UDFAs include NFL Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates, Adam Vinatieri, and John Randle.
In 2025, eight NFL teams had at least three starters who had been UDFAs coming out of college.
The Patriots are known for their development of UDFAs. The franchise has had sixty starting players who were undrafted free agents from 2011-25, more than any other team in the NFL.
At Carlinville High School from 2015-18, Dixon finished in the top 20 in Illinois High School Association history in single-season receiving yards and touchdowns, career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, and career interceptions on defense.
An all-state selection as a defensive back, Dixon was an all-South Central Conference pick as a receiver. He was also a two-time all-SCC pick in baseball.
Prior to Culver-Stockton, Dixon played baseball at SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, and Georgia Gwinnett College.
Dixon will try to become just the third Carlinville product to play in the NFL.
The others were Leland “Tiny” Lewis, who appeared in 14 games over the 1930-31 seasons with Portsmouth (now the Detroit Lions) and a now-defunct Cleveland franchise, and Mike Seyfrit, who played in 13 games for now-defunct franchises in Toledo and Hammond in 1923-24.
(Tom Emery may be reached at ilcivilwar@yahoo.com or 217-710-8392).
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Community News
Illinois treasurer to help Macoupin County residents reclaim $8.6 million in unclaimed funds on May 13 at Gillespie Library
Staff from Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office will be at the Gillespie Public Library on Wednesday, May 13, to assist residents in reclaiming money through the I-Cash program. The state estimates that about 64,700 people and businesses in Macoupin County have unclaimed cash or property totaling $8.6 million, with statewide totals reaching $5 billion dollars.
A spokesperson noted that many people may not realize they’ve overlooked an investment account or a final paycheck, and that the thousands of names in the state’s database show it happens more often than people might think. The message emphasizes that this money belongs to Illinois residents and should be in their bank accounts rather than the state’s. The planned event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gillespie Public Library, located at 201 W Chestnut Street, Gillespie, IL.
Attendees can expect on-site assistance with the I-Cash process, which helps residents search for unclaimed funds and pursue claims through official channels. The I-Cash program is described as a state-level initiative designed to reunite Illinois residents and businesses with unclaimed funds such as lost wages, refunds, or insurance benefits.
Individuals can search the state’s database for their name, name of business, or nonprofit online as well: https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/
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The Macoupin County Historical Society will host a drive-through chicken fried chicken dinner starting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the MCHS grounds located at 920 W. Breckenridge, Carlinville.
Serving will continue until 7 p.m. or until food is sold out.
Meals are $12 each and include a chicken fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and a roll.
“We offered a chicken dinner last year and were sold out within a couple of hours,” said Dan Hauter, MCHS President. “My advice is to come as early as possible to make sure you can buy a meal.”
Serving will be drive-through only. No walk-up orders will be taken.
Persons who wish to dine on the grounds may park their vehicle after getting their order and dine in the pavilion adjacent to the Red Barn. Water and soda will be available for purchase or customers may bring their own non-alcoholic beverage.
Proceeds will benefit the Macoupin County Historical Society.
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