Community News
Summary of Latest Benld City Council Meeting
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night approved a $1.9 million appropriation ordinance for the current fiscal year, accepted a certificate of substantial completion for the Eiler Avenue Water Main Project, and approved a tax abatement ordinance in regard to water and sewer bonds issued by the city.
The new appropriation ordinance is “pretty much right down the line with last year’s,” Mayor Jeff Hendricks told the council. “I don’t foresee any significant increase in income, so there’s no real increase in spending.”
Totaling $1,905,092, the appropriation sets spending ceilings for specific line items for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2012. The appropriation is not a budgetary document, but does set the maximum amount the city can spend from any one fund.
Broken down by fund, the appropriation ordinance sets maximum spending levels as follows: Administration, $220,355; Police Department, $281,180; Maintenance Department, $136,147; City Property, $67,180; ESDA, $1,000; Band, $3,000; Audit, $10,507; Tort and Liability, $10,349; Social Security, $30,862; Workers Compensation, $10,349; Recreation and Park Development, $5,000; Cemetery, $5,000; Library, $70,503; Unemployment Compensation, $5,121; Purchase and Lease, $25,512; Motor Fuel Tax, $50,000; Water Department, $377,000; Sewer Department, $179,000; Alternate Bond and Interest Fund, $117,000; Water Depreciation Fund, $100,000; and Infrastructure Expenditures, $200,000.
After hearing a report from Jesse Maynard of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Consulting Engineers, Carlyle, the council voted to accept a “certificate of substantial completion” on the Eilers Avenue water main project and authorized payment to Korte & Luitjohan, the general contractor responsible for the work.
Maynard said the new water main “is in and is working.” The only items left to be completed, he said, are grading, seeding and road repair work.
On Maynard‘s recommendation, the council authorized payment to the contractor, pending delivery of final paperwork. Maynard said the entire contract was valued at $163,000, $54,000 of which has already been paid. The council authorized paying the remainder of the contact, less a 10 percent retainage and the estimated cost of work remaining to be done.
In a related matter, the council approved a $500 amendment to HMG’s contract to pay for preparation of a grant application to make repairs to a damaged storm sewer.
Maynard said the sewer project could be considered a “water project” under terms of HMG’s contract, which will allow the city to pay for the grant application work with grant funds.
Responding to a question from Ald. Peyton Bernot, Maynard said HMG is asking the city to pay $10,700 of its current fee from the city’s general fund because terms of the grant preclude the firm from receiving full payment from proceeds of the grant. He said the original grant was for installation of a transmission line between Gillespie and Benld, and that a portion of that grant was set aside for engineering fees. However, the city used all of the grant to pay the general contractor.
A second grant for the Eiler Avenue project has a limit on the amount that can be spent for engineering services. HMG’s total fee for the transmission line and the Eiler Avenue project exceeds that ceiling, necessitating the city to pay a portion of the bill from its general fund.
On the recommendation of City Attorney Rick Verticchio, the council approved an ordinance to abate the portion of property taxes collected to retire $75,375 in revenue bonds for water and sewer improvements. Verticchio said the city has repaid the bonds with water and sewer department revenues. One of the conditions of the bond issue was that the city impose a levy for repaying the bonds in the event water and sewer department revenues were not sufficient.
While the city never collected the tax levy, the levy itself remained on record with the County Clerk’s office.
Verticchio said past practice had been for municipalities to simply tell the County Clerk they did not intend to collect the levy. Newly elected County Clerk Pete Duncan, however, had advised Verticchio that the levy needed to be formally abated.
“Pete (Duncan) says that unless we formally abate the tax, he’s going to extend it,” Verticchio said.
The council tabled approval of a new contract for rental of city facilities, including the Civic Center and City Park. City Property Chairman Mickey Robinson presented the revised contract, but Mayor Hendricks said he still had questions about insurance requirements for renters who serve alcohol.
“I’m not out to make this a money-maker for the city,” Hendricks said. “These are public facilities and I think our citizens should have access to them. On the other hand, the air condition it doesn’t run for free. We need to recoup some of our costs.”
Robinson said one aspect of the proposed rental policy would require rental fees to be split between the city’s general fund and a special fund to be used for repair and maintenance of the facilities.
Council members unanimously voted to authorize the Benld Public Library Board to seek bids for a contractor to begin removing damaged portions of the library’s parking lot to determine the cause of the damage. The library has sustained significant structural damage in the last few years. Cracks have appeared in interior and exterior walls, and part of the parking lot has sunk. So far, the city’s insurance carrier has refused to cover the damage because the library boar has been unable to conclusively attribute the damage to mine subsidence.
Emmlee Robinson, Library Board Secretary, told the council the board has received a letter from Brian Hummert with Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende that discusses possible causes of the damage. In his assessment, the damage may be due to the 12-inch footings originally installed for the building may not be big enough, soil settlement due to mine subsidence or other factors, or failure of a piping system to drain excess water from the site.
“They’re not totally discounting the possibility of mine subsidence,” Robinson said.
She said Hummert suggested “carefully removing” the damaged portion of the parking lot to ascertain the cause of the damage. “We would like to get started on that as soon as possible,” she said.
“It’s a nice building and we don’t want to see it continue to go down, down, down,” said Mary Ann Scopel, City Treasurer and a member of the Library Board.
“Yes,” Hendricks agreed. ‘We had two nice buildings in town, but one of them has already fallen down.”
Written and Contributed by David Ambrose
Comments
FELONIES
Christopher L. Black, 43 of Virden, is charged with home invasion/causing injury and two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer in connection with a January 4 incident.
Casey W. Sobberi, 40 of Wilsonville, is charged with burglary in connection with a January 3 incident.
Eugene Arnold, 62 of Royal Lakes, is charged with aggravated battery/great bodily harm, aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon, and domestic battery/bodily harm in connection with a January 6 incident.
Michael A. Upton, 34 of Palmyra, is charged with twelve counts of child pornography and possession of methamphetamine (5 grams) in connection with multiple dates in 2025.
Bryer D. Greff, 31 of Virden, is charged with aggravated battery/public place, resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee, and two counts of disorderly conduct in connection with a January 7 incident.
Shayne W. Dugger, 26 of Palmyra, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a September 28 incident.
Sarah L. Winston, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a November 4 incident.
TRAFFIC
Austin D. Courier, 30 of Vriden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 30 incident.
Courtney N. Lomelino, 23 of Virden, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a December 25 incident.
William R. Dyer, 55 of Carlinville, is charged with leaving the scene, driver failing to give notice of a crash, transporting/carrying alcohol/driver, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper traffic lane usage, seat belt required/driver, and failure to reduce speed in connection with a January 4 incident.
Billy R. Austin, 44 of Modesto, is charged with expired registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and being unlicensed in connection with a January 4 incident.
Richard W. Wallis, 63 of Nilwood, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a January 5 incident.
Stephanie E. Jennings, 34 of Girard, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a January 6 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 60 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 5 incident.
Clayton R. Sampson, 19 of Palmyra, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a January 6 incident.
Dakota R. Lavely, 20 of Troy, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 5 incident.
Wayne E. Mitchell, 46 of Brighton, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expired registration in connection with a December 30 incident.
Monty M. Gardner, 55 of Brighton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a January 2 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Catherine Harrison versus David Breen
- Margaret Putman versus Justin S. Putman
- Taunia R. Moore versus Blake A. Moore
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Wade Logan Yates of Brighton and Anna Catherine Marcy of Riverton.
- Douglas Guennewig and Buffy Riddens, both of Staunton.
Comments
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Charles Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to South Hard Road in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to neighbor trouble.
Jiles R. Lyons, 36 of Benld, was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for possession of another’s credit/debit card.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint in the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Osie Street and Handy Street in reference to a security check.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to juvenile issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Burton Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to harassment.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Walnut Street in reference to a neighborhood dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Francis Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a burglary.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Debra A. Brooks, 65 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Adams Street in reference to ordinance issues.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Osie Street. Kylee P. Cothern, 18 of Benld, was issued a citation for expired registration and operating uninsured vehicle.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a hit and run traffic crash.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Tiana F. McFarland, 28 of Staunton, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Virginia Street in East Gillespie. Debra A. Brooks, 65 of Carlinville, was issued a citation for speeding.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
The School Resource Officer was dispatched to the High School office in reference to a fight.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Street in East Gillespie. Darlene Karns, 70 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for speeding.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at 7th Street and Pine Street in Benld. Dylan S. Richards, 32 of Staunton, was issued a citation for suspended registration.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a security check.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to criminal trespass.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to criminal damage.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Montgomery Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer spoke with a female at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 500 block of South Jersey Street.
An officer spoke with a male at the Gillespie Police Department in reference to an animal complaint in the 200 block of West Maple Street.
The School Resource Officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Frey Street in reference to criminal damage.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Pine Street. Racheal A. Aleshire, 47 of Gillespie, was issued a citation for driving while her license was revoked.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Hard Road and Central Avenue in Benld. Amber R. Brackett, 31 of Gillespie, was issued citations for suspended registration and for no insurance.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Elm Street in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an intoxicated pedestrian.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Virginia Street in East Gillespie in reference to stalking.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Comments
FELONIES
Micah J. Ramsey, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with aiding/abetting/selling a stolen vehicle and driving on a revoked license in connection with a December 27 incident.
Shawn M. McBride, 38 of Staunton, is charged with obstructing justice/destroying evidence in connection with a December 18 incident.
Riley G. Rhodes, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with possession/displaying an altered ID card in connection with a December 18 incident.
Shane S. Bell, 35 of Girard, is charged with possession of methamphetamine (<5 grams) in connection with a November 6 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Ted. E. Hanner, 50 of Bunker Hill, is charged with obstructing identification in connection with a December 3 incident.
Brittany M. Lyons, 35 of Benld, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a December 19 incident.
Betty J. Jamieson, 75 of Carlinville, is charged with violating the animal control act in connection with a December 29 incident.
James J. Denby, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a December 8 incident.
Tricia J. Pfeiler, 37 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/cause bodily harm and cruelty to animals in connection with a January 1 incident.
Rodney J. Rosentreter, 60 of Gillespie, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) and resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a January 1 incident.
TRAFFIC
Rustin L. Reed, 19 of Springfield, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a December 27 incident.
Passion M. Kinzey, 33 of Chicago, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 27 incident.
Ella R. Robinson, 20 of Bonne Terre, MO, is charged with speeding 35 mph over the limit in connection with a December 30 incident.
Julie B. Kruse, 55 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 18 incident.
Gregory A. Knezic, 60 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license and improper use of registration/title in connection with a December 23 incident.
Dixie L. Moffitt, 73 of Worden, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 22 incident.
Dakota L. Schoondyke, 28 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Debra E. Seago versus Carl L. Seago Jr.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- David L. Ehlers and Shirley Marie Lee Haines, both of Bunker Hill.
- Steven D. Clattenburg and Billie Jo Croll, both of Virden.
- Robert J. Halpin and Chelsea L. Kirkover, both of Gillespie.
