By Ben Cox
Grain Belt Express transmission line moving forward with construction permits in neighboring states
The Grain Belt Express transmission project is moving forward with the announcement of $1.7 billion in construction contracts awarded to Quanta Services and Kiewit Energy Group. KHQA reports that Invenergy will start with Phase 1 of the project to connect Kansas and Missouri despite severe opposition in both states for the usage of eminent domain. Invenergy officials have told the media they plan to source materials for the project locally as often as possible. Offices for engineering, procurement and construction will be based in Overland Park and Lenexa, Kansas.
Grain Belt Express remains on track to begin Phase 1 construction in 2026. On March 8, 2023 the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) voted to grant a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for Grain Belt Express and approved the project route. The Fifth District appeals court judges found that Grain Belt Express LLC, acting as the developer, did not meet that requirement when it went before the commission and reversed Illinois’ portion on August 8, 2024.
Illinois Farm Bureau warned landowners in February that surveying for Grain Belt Express’ (GBE) proposed 207-mile transmission line through the state is not authorized contrary to correspondence by the project’s land agent. The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal by GBE, but no ruling has been issued as of press time. The transmission line is expected to travel through portions of Pike, southern Scott, northern Greene and
Macoupin counties in West Central Illinois.
Greenfield man killed in two-vehicle crash south of Jacksonville
A Greenfield man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on IL-267, south of Jacksonville on May 10. According to a preliminary report by the Illinois State Police, at 2:20 p.m., Troop 6 units responded to a report of the crash on IL-267 at Lake Jacksonville Road just south of I-72 and South Jacksonville.
Timothy Pennington, 60, of Greenfield was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Morgan County Coroner’s office. According to ISP crash reports, Pennington’s motorcycle and a pickup truck were traveling southbound on IL-267 near Lake Jacksonville Road, when for undisclosed reasons, the motorcycle struck the rear of the pickup. The highway from Hansen Road to Old Airport Road was closed for approximately 5 hours due to reconstruction and clean up of the scene. An autopsy was scheduled for May 12.
Services for Pennington have been scheduled for a later date and are being handled by Shields-Bishop Funeral Home of Greenfield.
Jacksonville City Council debating ordinance that would fine those who camp on public property
The Jacksonville City Council reviewed a draft of an ordinance at their May 12 meeting that would effectively ban camping and sleeping on public property. The city police will be allowed to issue a written warning before moving to a city ordinance violation, which involves a gradual increase in fines. The ordinance would also allow local authorities to confiscate personal effects of those found camping on public property.
“Obviously, we know over the past year, we’ve seen a lot more uptick on homelessness,” Mayor Andy Ezard told the council, “I haven’t researched this but it’s probably been on the rise over the last four to five years. Our friends from Jacksonville Main Street have put together this camping ordinance that is very similar to what the Village of South Jacksonville passed as far as their attempts of curbing homeless people camping and having personal items on public property.”
The council heard from various members of the Jacksonville community that work directly with homeless individuals including members of Locust Street Resource Center and Moving Jacksonville Forward. “I think this ordinance was well written,” Ward 2 Alderwoman Lori Large-Oldenettel said, “I think it addresses a lot of the issues we’ve been hearing from constituents and things we’ve been discussing as a council. If we are all in, this ordinance would cover the issues we are seeing throughout the community and I would hope, and I want to ask the Chief of Police, it would seem that we are giving his department the tools they need in order for the officers to do the things they need to do.”
Ward 3 Alderman Joe Lockman asked about the fine mechanism, and why it would be prudent to fine people who mostly don’t have an income and offered up community service as an alternative. Ward 1 Alderwoman Erin White-Williams also asked about the civil asset forfeiture of those having personal items taken away when they are removed from a public area by police upon violation of the ordinance. “This criminalizes being homeless,” Ward 2 Alderwoman Allison Rubin de Celis said. “What worries me is that it won’t eliminate homelessness; it’ll just drive people underground.”
The city council is expected to take action on the ordinance at their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
West Morton donut shop getting new owners and new branding
Kim and Brad Fellhauer announced back in early April that they were attempting to sell Kim’s Other Place Donut Shop, but they weren’t in too big of a hurry to sell. It didn’t take long for the Fellhauers to find the right buyers after nearly three years in business. Kate Mann in partnership with Marcy Patterson have purchased the donut shop. The shop will be rebranded as X’s and O’s Donuts and Bakery.
“The new owners, Marcy Patterson and Kate Mann will bring to the table some youthful energy and creative concepts to the same location. In listening to their ideas, I am overly confident that everyone will be pleasantly surprised at what they will bring you,” said an announcement on the bakery shop’s Facebook on May 14.
Mann and Patterson say that they are going to continue to offer all of the similar treats on the menu that are offered currently. Mann will largely handle all of the day-to-day operations while Patterson will remain a silent partner.
The shop at 218 West Morton Ave. in Jacksonville will close at noon on May 25 while the business transitions and some minor renovations are made inside. The plan is to reopen on June 4 with similar hours from 6 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Sunday, with the possibility to expand hours down the road. The business was granted $25,000 from the City of Jacksonville’s revolving loan program to help offset costs of the planned renovations. Mann told the Jacksonville Journal-Courier there are also plans to expand the menu with some healthy food options like fruit bowls, fruit smoothies and parfaits.
Jacksonville Main Street installs updated Grierson mural on Journal-Courier building
The General Benjamin Grierson mural on the Jacksonville Journal-Courier building at 235 West State St. was reinstalled on May 13. The original mural depicted Grierson’s raid from Tennessee to Louisiana in 1863 acting as a diversion for General Ulysses S. Grant’s attack on Vicksburg, Mississippi, which created a turning point in the Western theater of the Civil War.
The mural drew significant criticism from area resident and vice president of the Jacksonville NAACP Art Wilson for its depiction of the Confederate Army and the Confederate flag, for which he had lobbied to have it taken down. A Jacksonville Main Street committee voted to redo the mural earlier this year because it had begun to chip and the paint of the former mural had begun to fade.
Walldogs mural painter Scott Lindley of Mt. Pulaski said he redesigned the mural because Grierson’s life was much more than a single part of the Civil War. Lindley incorporated multiple facets of Grierson’s life into the new mural including his time as a music teacher and band leader in Jacksonville, his home in the city and his leadership of the U.S. Army’s 10th Cavalry Regiment, one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments formed entirely of African-American soldiers after the Civil War.
Jacksonville Main Street Executive Director Judy Tighe, Market House Antiques owner Nick Little and Jacksonville Main Street Board Vice President Jeremy Coumbes were on hand to help with the installation.
Eleven local students receive Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship
Illinois College announced on May 13 that 11 students were chosen as recipients of the Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship. The 2024-2025 recipients are: Justine Gaive Agsalda ’26, of Jacksonville; Isaac Anderson ’27, of Jacksonville; Aurora Baker ’28, of Carrollton; Daxton Baptist ’27, of Jacksonville; Meryn Davis ’27, of Jacksonville; Hunter Gillis ’27, of Jacksonville; Tiffany Hill ’27, of Meredosia; Camille Lyons ’25, of Greenfield; Payton Mueller ’25, of Chapin; Sara Ralston ’26, of White Hall; and Kathleen Watson ’27, of South Jacksonville.
The Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship was established through a $2.35 million gift from the estate of Howard and Vera Million. Howard Million, an Illinois College honorary degree recipient in 2012 and long-time friend of the college, was a lifelong resident of the region and founder of the former Roodhouse Savings and Loan Association. He was dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students in rural Illinois.
Historic photo presentation planned as part of Jacksonville Bicentennial Celebration continues
Historic photographs of Jacksonville will be the focus of a presentation on Saturday, May 24, at the Jacksonville Public Library.
Pat Kennedy and Greg Olson will give a PowerPoint presentation of about 60 images, covering notable former residents such as Catherine “Mother” Carson and William Jennings Bryan, and former local landmarks such as the main buildings at the Jacksonville State Hospital and MacMurray College. The program, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m. in the library’s lower-level meeting room.
The May 24 program is the first of three different photo presentations that Kennedy and Olson plan to give this year to commemorate Jacksonville’s 200th anniversary. Jacksonville’s Bicentennial Planning Committee, the Morgan County Historical Society and the Jacksonville Area Museum are hosting the program.
Nestle worker rescued from elevator
by Jacksonville Fire Department
A worker at Jacksonville’s Nestle facility was rescued from an elevator on the afternoon of May 12 by members of the Jacksonville Fire Department after the elevator malfunctioned between two floors. Firefighters worked with Nestle management and a representative of the elevator company, Kone Elevator, to shut down and ensure that the elevator car would not move while they attempted to extract the male worker from inside.
After determining the elevator could not be accessed from the third floor, firefighters moved to the fourth floor and used a 24-foot extension ladder to reach down the shaft and onto the roof of the stuck elevator car. A firefighter was lowered to the stalled car and was able to enter it by removing a top panel, according to a Jacksonville Fire Department report.
Firefighters were able to remove the top of the elevator car and extract the man from inside with little trouble. Fire officials say they have worked closely with Nestle officials in the past to train for these types of situations. Nestle USA has previously donated money to the Jacksonville Fire
Department for small equipment, some of which was used on May 12 during the rescue operation. The elevator was being inspected and repaired before being put back into service, according to the fire department’s report.
Benton & Associates rebrands to Benton Engineering with new website, logo
Benton Engineering, formerly Benton & Associates, Inc., has announced an all-new brand in conjunction with the company’s 55th anniversary, according to an announcement on May 12. The new brand consists of a new business name, logo and brand promise that honors
Benton Engineering’s history while also embracing its bright future. The rebrand also includes the launch of a new, mobile-friendly website, bentoneng.com.
“We’re forever grateful to our valued clients and the hard work and dedication that went into building Benton into the trusted engineering firm it is today,” said Benton Engineering President Jamie L. Headen, PE. “This rebrand allows us to pay homage to those who came before and to look ahead with excitement for what we’ll accomplish together. This is an extraordinary time for our entire firm as we enter a new chapter of our company’s history, but with the same promise to our clients.”
Founded in 1970 by Robert H. Benton in the basement of his home in Springfield, the firm now has offices in Jacksonville, Macomb and Taylorville as well as two offices in Missouri and serves multiple clients Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana.
New book shop, art gallery to open on Winchester square
Winchester resident Lucy Reid is opening an art gallery, bookstore and retail space in one on the Winchester square at 11 East Market St. in the coming weeks. Reid has been in the process of renovating and decorating the space since early April. The bookstore will be a special partnership between the new store called The Diana and Jacksonville’s Our Town Books.
“I’m selling a curated inventory of used books, art, travel, history, classic lit, children’s, some vintage/antique/rare books,” Reid says, “It’s not exclusively those genres. I am a bookseller and book enthusiast. I want all books to be more available to the [Winchester] community.” Reid says a photography studio for portraits will eventually be set up at the location, and she will continue to pursue a project started in April 2019 called “The Winco Project.” The photography and culture project seeks to document the history and culture of Scott County. Reid says she’s now looking for vendors for the retail side. Interested parties should email dianaonmarket@gmail.com for options to rent a portion of the space or to have an exhibit. Reid has not given an exact date for an opening, but she does expect it sometime this summer.
Davidsmeyer: Beware of high energy costs his summer
House Republican members of the Illinois House Energy & Environment and Public Utilities Committees held a Capitol news conference on May 13 to warn of a coming summer energy cost crisis and offer solutions to expand energy production capacity. The Republicans held the press conference after sending the House’s Energy & Environment Committee Chair and Vice Chair a letter explaining the urgent need for hearings into the recent results of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) capacity auction which returned a $666.50 per megawatt-day price across all zones in the summer. That same price just one year ago was $30. Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) detailed price, capacity, and reliability consequences that have saddled energy producers and customers since the 2021 passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. “Due to misguided public policy like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, as well as market factors, Illinois’ power generation capacity has taken a significant hit. CEJA opponents, including myself, warned of rising prices and reduced supply when the law was passed nearly four years ago,” Davidsmeyer said. “Under current law, all electricity in the state of Illinois will be required to come from zero-emission sources and nuclear power by 2045. We have literally tied our hands and turned our backs on abundant Illinois coal.” Davidsmeyer explained the impacts electricity customers in the Ameren Illinois region will experience this summer. “As a result of the increase in summer capacity charges, Ameren Illinois’ supply price will increase by roughly 50 percent, from around 8 cents per kilowatt hour to around 12 cents per kilowatt hour. This will result in an approximately 18% to 22% total bill increase for residential Ameren customers. Governor Pritzker and the majority party in the legislature – where is your plan to maintain a reliable and affordable energy grid for Illinois families and businesses?” Davidsmeyer largely blamed the increased costs on the state’s closure of coal-fired power plants and green energy sources inability to pick up the needed energy production. House Republicans have introduced a package of legislation that would roll back CEJA provisions, which they say will ease the increased utility costs and make the state’s electricity grid more reliable.
Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation announces scholarships and awards
The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation has announced the recipients of this year’s scholarships and awards which are managed by the Foundation. The following JHS seniors were selected through this year’s scholarship application process:
Bobby Hoffman Memorial Scholarship ($500 award) – Jacob Henry and Ryan McCombs
• Bud Walker Golf Award ($250 award) – Colton Barr
• McLain Family Scholarship ($500 award) – Ella Rajaguru
• Parker Oldenettel “Gearhead” Scholarship ($1,000 award) – Case Hembrough
• Terry Hickey ’95 Vocational Program Award ($500 award) – Alexander Lansaw
• William A. and Carlene L. Fortschneider
• Agriculture Award ($500 award) – Alexander Lansaw
• Herman Dieckamp Scholarship (full tuition and fees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) – Kylie Chumley
Applications for these scholarships are annually made available to JHS seniors through the JHS Student Services Office. Deadlines vary according to the scholarship, but are all during the spring semester. This year’s awards were presented at the JHS Senior Awards Presentation held on May 5 with the exception of the Bobby Hoffman Memorial Scholarship and the William A. and Carlene L. Fortschneider Agriculture Award. The recipients of the Bobby Hoffman Memorial Scholarship received their awards at the JHS Men’s Basketball Banquet on March 16 from Kristan Becker Hoffman and family. The William A. and Carlene L. Fortschneider Agriculture Award was issued on May 8 at the JHS FFA Banquet.
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln announces scholarships
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln announced 102 scholarship awards and scholarship renewals for 2025 totaling nearly $240,000. These scholarships were made possible through charitable funds established at the Community Foundation by more than 43 individuals, families and organizations. This year’s awards bring the cumulative scholarship distributions from the Community Foundation to more than $2.5 million over the past 21 years. Recipients from the area include:
• COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship – Lillian McEvers, Triopia High School, $2,000
• Girls on the Run Founder Scholarship – Arianna Toney, Jacksonville High School, $1,500
• Tom and Dee O’Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing – Bailey Morris, Jacksonville High School, $2,000
For more information concerning the scholarship program or establishing a scholarship fund, please call the Community Foundation at 217-789-4431. The next application season for students is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, with applications due March 1, 2026. Scholarship criteria and information will be posted on the Community Foundation’s website, CFLL.org.
Eoff selected for Morgan County Sheriff’s Scholarship
Lauren Eoff was awarded the Illinois Sheriffs Association Scholarship recently. Chief Deputy Sheriff Jamie Jackson gave the award to Eoff. Eoff, the daughter of Scott Eoff and Monica Eoff, is a senior at Routt Catholic High School. Upon her graduation, she will be attending Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville where she will be pursuing her CNA degree prior to entering Illinois College as a direct admission into the nursing program in the fall.
South Jacksonville appoints one trustee, set to lose another
South Jacksonville Village President Dick Samples reappointed J.W. Coleman to a trustee seat on the village board on May 15. Coleman did not seek re-election in the April Consolidated Election due to ongoing health concerns and a possibility he would not be able to attend meetings for a lengthy time. The board and Samples had previous discussions with Coleman saying that accommodations could be made so that he could attend remotely if need be.
Coleman would have run unopposed had he decided to seek re-election. Coleman accepted the oath of office in a special meeting on May 15, prior to the board’s regular scheduled committee of the whole session. Shortly after Coleman’s reinstallation, Samples announced to the board that current trustee Tom Luber would be resigning within the next few months. Luber told the board that he and his wife are moving to a single-level home in the City of Jacksonville in order to downsize. Luber said he would remain a trustee until his residence officially changes within the next two months. The Village of South Jacksonville would then have two vacant positions.
Jacksonville man arrested on child pornography charges by Attorney General’s office investigators
Members of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with the assistance of the Jacksonville Police Department arrested a Jacksonville man on the afternoon of May 15 on child pornography charges. Austin R. Castleberrry, 29, of the 1000 block of East Morton Avenue was booked into the Morgan County Jail at 4:40 p.m. on four counts of child pornography video possession, all Class 2 felonies. No further information about the case has been released. Castleberry was being held at the jail pending a pretrial detention hearing. He is scheduled for a first appearance with legal counsel on June 17 in Morgan County Circuit Court.
Rise Broadband visits Virginia City Council to bring new Internet service
Englewood, Colorado-based Internet service provider Rise Broadband is looking to expand its territory into West Central Illinois. Rise Broadband currently offers services Rockford, Kankakee, Champaign, Bloomington, Decatur and Springfield. The Cass County Star-Gazette reports that Rise Broadband Market Development and Launch Manager Ron Macek met with the Virginia City Council on May 12 at their regular scheduled council meeting.
Macek told the council that Rise Broadband is looking to construct a new fiber optic network in the region starting later this summer. When complete, Macek says it will offer Virginia residents another option for broadband Internet service. Macek is looking to return to begin the discussions about permitting and access to public utility right-of-way. The City of Virginia currently doesn’t have a public right-of-way ordinance for utilities to follow. The Virginia City Council’s ordinance committee is slated to begin work on a draft ordinance to provide companies guidance on liabilities when operating in public right-of-way.
Local Crime Stoppers add QR code to list of ways to provide tips
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott, and Cass Counties has added another anonymous tip submission option to the program. On May 16, the group announced and introduced a QR code on their Facebook page.
The code will take those who snap it directly to the Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott, and Cass Counties’ website. Stickers that provide the QR code will quickly be appearing throughout the three-county area. The code joins the four other options for providing an anonymous tip: submit a tip online at the group’s Facebook page by clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page, directly visiting the website morganscottcrimestoppers.com, calling their hotline at 217-243-7300 or texting to the number 274637 (CRIMES) – ensure the first word of the text tip is “payout.”
If your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward. Since the local program began in 1985, anonymous tips have led to over 800 cases solved, 2,100 arrests and over $160,000 in property & illegal drugs recovered. Rewards totaling over $975,000 have been paid over the past forty years of the program.
Jacksonville Walmart hosts ribbon cutting after completion of renovations
The Jacksonville Walmart hosted a ribbon cutting on May 16 for the community to officially announce the completion of renovations and remodeling that began in early February. The community was invited to see expanded and remodeled apparel, baby food, Hispanic food, home decor, pet food and liquor sections. Jacksonville Main Street representatives were presented a check of $1,500 as a difference maker in the Jacksonville community. It was the store’s first full remodel in its 17 years in the Jacksonville community. Digital price tags, QR codes and other modern touches that link the online to the physical shopping world have been installed.
Two Peoria area men arrested for armed robbery at Jacksonville business
Two Peoria men have been arrested for an alleged armed robbery that occurred on May 17 Jacksonville. According to a press release from the Jacksonville Police Department, at approximately 9:25 p.m. on May 17, officers with the Jacksonville Police Department, along with the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation and surveillance detail into two serial armed robbers, who were suspected of targeting a business in the 1100 block of West Morton Avenue. Shortly after the surveillance detail began, the two suspects entered the business and committed an armed robbery. The suspects exited the business and entered into a suspect vehicle which was parked hidden, across the road. The ATF, ISP, and the Jacksonville Police Department were able to safely apprehend both suspects without incident. A single victim was treated by EMS and released at the scene. The Jacksonville Police Department believes this was an isolated, targeted occurrence, and do not believe there is any further threat to our community as both suspects are in custody. The two suspects have been identified as Mitchell R. Smith, 43, of East Peoria and Titus J. Alexander, 32, of Peoria. Both were being held at the Morgan County Jail. If anyone has any further information regarding this investigation, or any other investigation, please contact the Jacksonville Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 217-479-4630 or contact the AFT at 312-846-7200.
