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Resignation of GPD Chief of Police: Dean Plovich

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After two and one half years as chief of police, Dean Plovich has resigned effective immediately according to Plovich himself.

“I spoke with my wife about it before anyone, and then made the daunting decision to resign on Monday, June 27th,” Plovich explained to us. With considerable difficulty, Plovich wrote a letter to the Mayor and the City Council advising them of his decision to take a position as Colonel with the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department as the Jail Superintendent. “It was a very tough decision to make.  I have enjoyed working for the city of Gillespie, and I plan on continuing to work for the department on a part-time basis as an officer.  I decided to make the career change based on personal reasons.  I still care about the city of Gillespie and hope to continue to try and help the city be a great place to live,” Plovich added.

“I have learned a lot in my experience as chief of police. I found the police department to have a remarkably dedicated staff that works hard to serve the citizens of Gillespie the best they possibly can,” Plovich told us.

Plovich said Sergeant Depoppe will be acting as intern Chief of Police until a new Chief is appointed, which could be a decision that could take months.

Plovich (middle 30s) started as a patrol officer with the City of Gillespie in April of 2006 and then advanced to Chief of Police in December of 2008. Plovich graduated from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville with a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Studies and then went on to work for the SIUE police department in 2002 after he graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in Champaign. In 2006, Plovich left the SIUE department and began his journey in Gillespie as a patrol officer. In 2008, Plovich was deemed detective and retained his Sergeant Status. Then, in December of 2008, he became Chief of Police and served until last Monday, June 27.

“It was a very difficult decision, not something my wife and I came to easily,” Plovich said. “It’s just not simple, it’s not easy anytime you make a change like this, I guess it never would be no matter when you do it. I will miss the daily interaction with the citizens of Gillespie and the people I work with. There isn’t one thing that I will not miss, I truly enjoyed my job.”

Although this will be a big step for Plovich, he said he is very excited to become a member of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department and learn the “ins and outs” of the jail. Plovich also mentioned  he will be remaining on the Gillespie Police Department roster as a part-time officer.

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Thunderstorms, winds, snow, freezing rain coming to BenGil area

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Another major winter storm is forecasted to blanket the BenGil area in heavy rains, flooding and snowfall starting Wednesday night through Thursday.

The mixture of precipitation and rapidly changing weather likely will produce the potential for sudden icing on roads, with high winds leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.

“The Illinois Department of Transportation’s snow-and-ice teams will be prepared and out in force, but the public needs to be ready for conditions to change quickly and worsen if they are out on the roads,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “As always during periods of extreme weather, the safest option is to postpone any unnecessary trips and stay home. If you must travel, prepare for very slow and potentially hazardous conditions. And please slow down around our plows and other emergency vehicles, giving them plenty of room to do their jobs.”

The National Weather Service is predicting a wintry mix of precipitation to start with thunderstorms and heavy rain in much of the state this evening, converting to freezing rain overnight before turning to snow Thursday morning. In addition to localized flooding, ice and sleet accumulations are likely, creating extremely slippery surfaces and slick conditions.

Due to the rainy conditions ahead of temperatures falling overnight, the effectiveness of pretreating and salting surfaces in advance of significant snowfall will be limited. The public should anticipate icy conditions even when roads appear clear and greatly reduce speeds. 

“As the Illinois State Police plans to take on the unpredictable Illinois weather, we would like to remind motorists to do their part in keeping the roads a safe place,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.  “ISP, alongside IDOT and other agencies, will be working in hazardous weather conditions. Please remember to slow down, stay vigilant and move over for ANY vehicle on the side of the road.”

Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to plow, treat roads and respond to weather emergencies. If you encounter a plow or any maintenance vehicle during your travels, please slow down, increase your following distance and remain patient. Do not attempt to pass – conditions in front of the plow will be worse than behind it.

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Police investigating death of Bunker Hill woman

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Police are investigating the death of a Bunker Hill woman who was found dead at the end of her driveway near the roadway on Monday morning, January 31.

Nancy Blycker, 91, had multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the 2900 block of Wood Hill Lane around 7:40 a.m. on Monday.

The initial suspicion was homicide, according to a release by the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis who said approximately 20 investigators were working the investigation, but the autopsy contradicted that suspicion.

The Major Case Squad said on Tuesday it is “highly unlikely” Blycker’s death was the “result of homicidal means.”

The Major Case Squad turned the case back over to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department. The official cause of death is pending further lab analysis.

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Winter storm warning issued for BenGil area

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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the BenGil area, southwestern Illinois, and the St. Louis area.

The warning was issued early Tuesday taking effect at midnight tonight until noon on Thursday, February 3 calling for a “wet, heavy” snow. The forecast also calls for ice prompting a warning about possible power outages.

“All indications continue to point to a disruptive, impactful, and dangerous winter storm impacting the region starting late tonight and lasting through Thursday night,” the National Weather Service said in its Area Forecast Discussion.

The BenGil area is expected to receive heavy mixed precipitation including snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, sleet accumulations around three-quarters of an inch, and ice accumulations around two-tenths of an inch. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph on Thursday.

The storm is expected to start with rain most of the day today before transitioning into a mixture of freezing rain and/or sleet Tuesday night, then all snow Wednesday morning or as late as Wednesday afternoon continuing until about noon on Thursday.

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