Community News
Village of Wilsonville seeking new emergency warning system
The yellow area on the map provided by Sentry Siren displays the range of the proposed siren in clear weather conditions.
The Village of Wilsonville is seeking a new emergency warning system and the trustees are hoping to secure a $25,000 community facilities grant to cover more than half of the proposed expense.
Board trustee John Veres explained to the board last Tuesday evening during the village’s monthly meeting that the proposed system has a huge broadcast range that will cover the Village of Wilsonville, the rural area surrounding the village and may even stretch as far as Dorchester and Mt. Clare depending on the weather conditions.
The warning system the village is investigating has a total bid price of $46,750, only $17,250 of which is the actual siren. The bid provided by Sentry Siren allocates $17,250 for the 16V1T-B siren, $6,000 for installation, $20,000 for storm sentry and $3,500 for Emergency Protocol Information Center (EPIC). The system includes a PC-based software interface for FEMA’s IPAWS network that would allow village officials to author and distribute Common Alerting Protocol messages to better inform the community.
[pullquote]Veres is wanting the village to apply to other programs so the warning system can be covered without using village dollars[/pullquote]Veres is hoping to attain the full amount from the facilities grant offered by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas and the program cites areas with no more than 20,000 residents as eligible applicants for the program.
If the village would attain the full amount of $25,000 from the facilities grant, the village would be left with a remaining balance of $21,750 and Veres is wanting the village to apply to other programs so the warning system can be covered without using village dollars. He explained last week that he has already contacted Jim Pitchford with Macoupin County Emergency Management and Congressman Rodney Davis’ office.
Bids for demolition or new roofing at Shady Oak Park
Shady Oak Park sparked some interest among the trustees last week after trustee Bob Carr said the village needs to move on the public area. “I say we get going on it,” Carr opened after he said he wanted to discuss it. “It doesn’t set a good example when we have run down property of our own.”
Other trustee members, particularly Pam Zaksas, disagreed and said the village has already made good progress on a handful of the village owned properties that needed updated. “It is not fiscally responsible of us to spend money out there right now,” Zaksas explained. “We have already fixed four or five of our properties and I think that’s pretty good.”
The board opened the bids received for the property, which included fixing the bingo stand/pavilion and tearing down the building they referred to as the “fish stand”. Preliminary bids displayed estimates for metal roofing for the bingo stand/pavilion for $10,698 and shingle roofing for $7,732. A demolition bid for the fish stand amounted to $2,790.
After a comment from John Veres, who said the village has too many “irons in the fire”, the board decided to table action and investigate material costs if the village would do the work with volunteers – similar to the handicap entrance installed at the community center.
Old Business
President Annetta Veres reported the following:
- The village received a check from Geico Insurance for the damage on North Stemme.
- The village received $660 from Marie Bertetto’s memorial. The amount will be deposited in the community improvement fund.
- Culvert, band and rock prices have been set and posted and the village has already had their first customer.
- “Kids at Play” signs at the park were damaged and replaced by the sign company.
New Business
President Annetta Veres presented the board with bids for the community center cleaning, the old Crown Vic police car, tree trimming at the three village properties and the ceiling repair in the village office. In respected order, the board voted to approve a $65 cleaning fee for the community center, accepted a $429 bid for the retired police car and then approved to remove two trees by the water tower and stump removal at the park with objection by trustees Zaksas and Deno Fillipini.
Veres also explained that Benld Mayor Gloria Sidar said the city of Benld isn’t interested in taking Wilsonville on as part of their police coverage. The village board voted to keep former police officer, Officer Carlen, employed for up to 10 hours a week as a part-time officer. Carlen was recently hired full-time to Benld’s police department. The vote to keep Carlen employed was split 3-3 among the board with objection from Carr, Zaksas and Filippini, but President Veres voted in favor to pass the motion.
In other action items, the board discussed the following:
- Approved to purchase a porta power for $99
- Approved purchase of a new pump from Flo-Systems to have on hand after the village lost the pump at Center Street. The new pump had a price tag of $924.
- President Veres said the village received a $50 payment from Life Harvest church for the water break and said the remaining balance of $279.63 will be paid in the upcoming months after a fish fry.
- President Veres reported that she attended a water loss class from Illinois Rural Water Association with trustee Veres and it was suggested that the village approve water charges for fires on private property.
- The board announced a community event scheduled for October 3 at 7 p.m. It will be a movie night at the school park.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
