Community News
DePoppe asks City Council for new squad cars
Hicks shows a bid that the City received for the fencing on the Illinois Power lot.
Gillespie City Council met in a special meeting on November 7, but the lawyers were not able to make the meeting to discuss union contracts so it will be delayed once more.”This is getting to be a time issue,” Gus Ottersberg addressed.
Police Chief Jared DePoppe advised the council that the Police Department is in dire need of new squad cars.”Preferably soon,” DePoppe said. In 2009, the department spent $14,000 in vehicle maintenance while $10,000 was spent in 2010, and $5,000 in 2011 just from January-May with 2 squad cars in the shop right now. We are getting to the point where we do not have a squad car with under 100,000 miles, DePoppe noted.
DePoppe has been checking into grants since he took over as chief. His research has not amounted to many grants available for cars. DePoppe went on to say United Community Bank preapproved the city for anything up to $90,000 for new vehicles. DePoppe also considered leasing new police cars where he can get a 2012 Dodge Charger for $22,000 if it is leased. “Basically, we can get one squad car for $1,921 per quarter,” DePoppe added. Gus Ottersburg noted he has done research on used Crown-Victoria’s that could get the department by for one or two years. “The used cars would have no warranty,” Mayor John Hicks added, “As is!”
DePoppe states each squad car has over 100,000 miles.
In other mayoral news, John Hicks received the annexation letter from CUSD #7 to annex the new elementary school into city limits. Hicks also received permission from United Community Bank that the city can proceed with placing a “yard sale billboard” on the bank’s lot on the corner of Pine and Macoupin.
The city council also discussed a deposit on houses bought in the city to cover situations like overdue bills and when people go “belly up.” Renters and owners both pay a deposit in nearby Sawyerville and Litchfield, and the deposit is never returned. The deposit is a one time thing meaning if you move out of the city and return later, there would be no deposit. How the ordinance is written would determine any other stipulations. The council is going to return on the subject at the next regular council meeting which is scheduled for Monday, November 14.
Donnie Shuey, head of the water department, updated the city on various projects. The motors and starter is burned out on the lift station, but work is being done weather permitting. In the past, the council had discussed taking the money the city gets from the grout job at the new elementary school site to replace old water hydrants. “There are 19 or 20 hydrants in town that are bad,” Donnie addressed, “We have replaced one so far and still have 2 new ones left.” The department will try to get the last 2 in before winter, weather permitting. The 40 hour work week goes into effect next week at the water department. The old water tower was put into service on October 17 and there have been no reported problems.
Numerous council members asked about Christmas decorations. Hicks said the brackets are up, but the power has not been hooked up yet.
According to Donnie, the City has 20 fire hydrants that are bad.
Dave Tucker advised the council of the route where the Illinois Department of National Resources plans to incorporate Gillespie in the bike trail/route. “This is the State of Illinois,” Tucker added, “Department of National Resources covered.” Tucker wants to see the route through Gillespie and not all country routes. The bike route is a secondary route that goes from Springfield down to Chatham, but routes the cyclists through the country until they reach Old Route 66. “There is not a down side to it,” Tucker added, “But I do not see much of a upside either.”
Cub Scout Weblos Pack 51 did some community service at the Gillespie Lake the past weekend, according to Frank Barrett. Barrett went on to say he will need a roll-off dumpster, which ranges from $450-500, to tear down three cabins at the lake.
The council will meet again next Monday, November 14, on a regular meeting to discuss tabled issues and other issues not brought to the special meeting.
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Meet Professors and Current Students, Learn about Opportunities, Tour Campus, and Get Instant Admissions Decisions at the Events
CARLINVILLE, ILL. — Interested students and families will have two opportunities to learn more about Blackburn College this fall. The Admissions and Financial Aid teams will host Open House events on Monday, October 14, and Monday, November 11, beginning at 8:30 am. These events allow future first-time and transfer students to gather important information about the college application process.
Throughout their time on campus, prospective students and their families will explore and tour the beautiful 80-acre campus, make personal connections with current students and professors, and get to know what life is like as a Blackburn student. They will also see first-hand Blackburn’s unique approach to education—where students earn their degrees while building impactful skills and gaining real-world work experience–giving graduates a four-year head start to launch their future careers.
For Justin Norwood, Vice President for Inclusive Enrollment and a Blackburn graduate, these opportunities are valuable for prospective students and families because nothing is more important than finding a school that will be the best fit. “Finding the right college is more than just academics; it’s discovering a place where students feel supported and inspired to thrive,” Norwood said. “At Blackburn, our open house events provide an opportunity to experience what makes our community unique – the close mentoring relationships with peers and professors, the ability to build critical skills and gain real-world work experience, and a personalized financial aid approach that goes beyond affordability and is designed to meet the specific needs of every student.”
Blackburn’s Admissions and Financial Aid team will be available throughout the event to answer all your questions, including about opportunities like the Macoupin Promise – where qualified graduates of Macoupin County high schools can attend Blackburn tuition-free. For more information and to register for an event, go to blackburn.edu/visit or email admissions@blackburn.edu.
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Seven libraries in Macoupin County will welcome new visitors throughout October with a program sponsored by the region’s library system.
The 6th Annual Library Crawl invites patrons to explore new libraries throughout the Illinois Heartland Library System, which composes the southern half of the state. The Crawl also demonstrates the benefits of a library card, which allows users to check out materials from the libraries they visit.
Some 173 libraries across central and southern Illinois are taking part in the Crawl, including Gillespie, Staunton, Mount Olive, Carlinville, Brighton, Virden, and Benld. The event runs from October 1 through October 31.
The first Library Crawl was introduced in 2019 by the Bethalto Public Library, which continues to coordinate the event. The idea was designed to encourage library users to explore the resources of other libraries that are available to request and check out with a valid library card.
Twenty-eight libraries participated in that first year, a number that has now increased over six-fold.
Patrons may pick up a passport for the Crawl at any participating library, and try to visit at least five libraries during the event. A few enthusiastic individuals have actually visited every library on the Crawl in past years.
At each new library, visitors may stop at the main circulation desk to have their passports stamped. To complete the Crawl, patrons may simply return their passports to their home library.
Some libraries also offer special treats for visitors on the Crawl. After any visit to a participating library, patrons are invited to take pictures to post on social media, under the hashtag #IHLSLibraryCrawl2024.
Many libraries are closed in observance of Columbus Day on October 14, so anyone planning a visit should call ahead, to check on hours of operation.
For more information on the Crawl, visit www.illinoisheartland.org or call any of the participating libraries.
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Proceeds benefit St. Francis Cancer Center
LITCHFIELD, Ill. — The HSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor their sixth and final drive-thru dinner for 2024 on Monday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to support the hospital’s Cancer Center expansion project.
Dinners must be ordered by noon on Monday, Oct. 7. Online ordering will not be available for this final meal, but dinner may still be ordered in the hospital gift shop or by contacting Paula Endress at 217-324-8200.
The Oct. 14 drive-thru dinner pick up will take place in front of the main hospital entrance.
The meal will feature a grilled pork chop, loaded mashed potatoes, green beans, roll and a dessert. Cost per meal is $14.
For more information about HSHS St. Francis Hospital, visit stfrancis-litchfield.org.
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Bunker Hill hosting Fall Festival this Saturday, Sept. 14
Gillespie Council votes to buy building for police department
Gillespie Council establishes penalty of late lake lot lease payments, green lights programs to display banners honoring local veterans
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Community News3 weeks agoBunker Hill hosting Fall Festival this Saturday, Sept. 14
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Community News3 weeks agoGillespie Council votes to buy building for police department
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Community News3 weeks agoGillespie Council establishes penalty of late lake lot lease payments, green lights programs to display banners honoring local veterans
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Obituaries3 weeks agoDeath of Beverly J. Katich