By Ben Cox
Jacksonville man found guilty of first-degree murder in Beardstown stabbing death
Cass County State’s Attorney Craig R. Miller announced July 21 that on July 18 a Cass County jury found a Jacksonville man guilty of first-degree murder and home invasion. Benchy R. Couloute, 45, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by the jury after over 2.5 hours of deliberation.
During the five-day trial, Miller presented the following evidence in court. On March 23, Couloute was captured on surveillance video stalking his ex-wife. Later that evening, additional surveillance footage showed the defendant driving through the DOT Foods parking lot in Mount Sterling, where both his ex-wife and the victim, Junior N. Kalonji, 37, were employed. In the early morning hours of March 24 at approximately 12:30 a.m., the defendant was seen placing a GPS tracking device on his ex-wife’s vehicle. Just under an hour later, at 1:17 a.m., a surveillance video captured the defendant pursuing her vehicle.
Cellular data analysis presented by the State further tracked the defendant’s movements during the overnight hours of March 23 and March 24. At approximately 6:48 a.m., the defendant’s ex-wife departed a residence located at 1200 State St. in Beardstown. Minutes later, at 6:55 a.m., a vehicle believed to be driven by Couloute was observed approaching the same location. He then unlawfully entered the residence at 1200 State St., where he fatally stabbed Kalonji 12 times in the neck. At approximately 7:11 a.m., surveillance footage showed a vehicle believed to be driven by Couloute leaving the area.
A subsequent investigation revealed the victim’s blood and the defendant’s DNA inside the vehicle. Investigators later determined that Couloute had fled to the state of Indiana. In conjunction with Illinois State Police special agents, members of the Indiana State Police located and arrested Couloute in early April.
Upon return of the verdict, Judge Timothy J. Wessel ordered that Couloute remain in custody pending sentencing. Judge Wessel set Couloute’s next court appearance for September 8 at 1:30 p.m. He could face between 20 and 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Kalonji’s murder.
JMH, ImpactLife host two blood drives in August
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital and ImpactLife are once again partnering for two community blood drives in early August. The blood drives will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, August 4 and Monday, August 11 at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, 1600 West Walnut Ave., inside Meeting Rooms 2 & 3. To donate, please contact ImpactLife Springfield at 800-747 5401 or visit bloodcenter.org and use code ‘60058’ to locate the drive.
Appointments are requested. Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through bloodcenter.org and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. Donors who last gave blood on June 16 are eligible to give at this drive. All successful donors will get an ImpactLife Reward of their choice.
Morgan County Commissioners approve bids for 4 bridge replacements
The Morgan County Commissioners approved the contractor for four upcoming bridge replacements in the county at their regular scheduled meeting on July 21. County Contractors of Quincy received three of the four projects. The first bridge will be located at Stevenson Road south of Prairie College Road for County Contractors at $366,186. The second bridge is located at Wheeler Road north of Ring Road and will also be County Contractors with a bid of $499,995.50. The third bridge is also to County Contractors located at Arcadia Road north of Literberry-Triopia Road for a bid of $356,095.40.
The fourth bridge, located at Woods Lane south of McKean Road was awarded to Yamnitz & Associates of Fieldon for a bid of $515,183.92. Morgan County Highway Department Director Matt Coultas says the timeline for the projects is dependent on materials: “Contractors will submit proposed schedules once they have necessary materials available to complete projects at each location. The County Highway Department has received necessary shop drawings for deck beam designs, and those material suppliers can now proceed with manufacturing. Steel availability will probably be the driving force for start dates.”
Winchester City Council mulling idea of little league baseball/softball facility on Coultas property
The Winchester City Council is thinking over a proposal to place a new baseball and softball facility at the city-owned Coultas property on the north side of Winchester.
The Scott County Times reports that Paul Sansone presented the idea as well as a petition with over 100 signatures to the city council at their July 2 meeting. Sansone says that Winchester only has one ballfield available at the high school. He says that little league often has to move games out of the city because the field is already being used. Sansone went on to say that when games are moved out of town, the city misses out on the benefits to the local economy because he sees little league as a great economic generator.
Winchester Mayor Rex McIntire is said to have agreed with the idea and says that the city should look at using an Open Spaces Land and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a way to fund the project. The City of Winchester previously used an OSLAD grant to renovate the Winchester Municipal Pool in the recent past. McIntire says one of the chief goals when the city purchased the Coultas property six years ago was to create a recreational facility of some kind. According to the Scott County Times report, the Coultas property consists of 26 acres on the north edge of Winchester, with a small portion of the property already housing the new Dollar General store. McIntire has suggested that the city council create a committee to work with Benton Engineering of Jacksonville to pursue grants for the proposal.
Archery Deer Site and Waterfowl Blind drawing set for Lake Jacksonville
The Lake Jacksonville waterfowl blind drawing will be held Wednesday, August 13 in the Nichols Park Pavilion; doors will open at 5 p.m. with the draw starting at 6 p.m. This draw is for 13 waterfowl blinds and is a two-year allocation. Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age, show proof of a valid driver’s license or State of Illinois identification, reside within the city limits of Jacksonville and possess a 2024 or 2025 hunting license with Federal and State Waterfowl Stamps. The fee for the allocation is $200 per year per blind site.
The Lake Jacksonville archery deer site drawing will be held Wednesday, August 13 in the Nichols Park Pavilion; doors will open at 5 p.m. with the draw taking place at 6:30 p.m. The draw is for 21 deer site locations and is a two-year allocation. Applicants must show proof of a valid driver’s license or State of Illinois identification, a 2024 or 2025 hunting license with habitat stamp, reside in Morgan County, and be a minimum of 16 years of age to enter the lottery. The fee for the two-year allocation is $50 per year per site.
If applicants have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Jacksonville Lakes Superintendent Brett Gilbreth at 217-479-4644.
Jacksonville Center for the Arts Board adds two members
The Jacksonville Center for the Arts Board has elected two new directors. Katie McDannald, student and community engagement coordinator at Lincoln Land Community College, and Pam Martin, recently retired director of the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Foundation, have joined the board. Current board member Gary Mather was elected vice president.
An alumna of Ken Bradbury musical productions during her school years, McDannald serves as play director at Triopia Junior-Senior High. She also serves on the Jacksonville Promise Foundation Board, Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee and Green Pastures Christian Campground Board. In addition, she organizes and runs the Concord Fish Fry every summer and serves as a counselor at Green Pastures’ Christian Performing Arts Camp.
Martin is known for operating the philanthropic arm of Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Her volunteer leadership has extended to several organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Division, JREDC, Jacksonville Country Club and Illinois College’s David A. Smith House. With a nod to her dairy farming heritage, she is an annual competitor in the Illinois State Fair’s mini butter cow contest, which she has won in three of the past five years.
McDannald, Martin and Mather join president Larry Kuster, secretary Drew Snodgrass, treasurer Mary Fergurson as well as directors Richard Basden, Gene Fergurson and Cathy Randall on the JCA Board, and bring their extensive skills to bear in the JCA’s effort to bring a multi-purpose civic center with performing arts facilities to Jacksonville.
CDA Salad Luncheon to take place August 6
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas invite you to join them for their annual CDA Salad Luncheon. The salad luncheon will be held Wednesday, August 6 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 320 1/2 E. State St. in Jacksonville. Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased from any CDA member or at the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon offers a huge variety of salads and salad-type dishes for dine-in or carryout. Contact Charlotte at 217-883-1409 or Anne at 217-719-0103 with any questions.
Morgan and Greene County health departments confirm positive West Nile Virus mosquito pools
The Morgan County Health Department and the Greene County Health Department both confirmed batches of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile Virus on July 23. West Nile Virus is a vector-borne disease transmitted through the bite of a Culex species mosquito, commonly called a house mosquito, that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks.
Most people infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms; however, in rare cases, severe illness including meningitis, encephalitis or even death can occur. People older than 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness from West Nile Virus. Surveillance in both counties is expected to continue. Environmental Health staff will also increase larviciding to help reduce the number of areas where mosquitos can breed. Both health departments remind the public to follow the three “R’s” to help “Fight the Bite”: Reduce, Repel and Report. Additional information about West Nile Virus can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.
Jamison named director of Jacksonville Memorial Foundation
Kristin Jamison has been named the new director of the Jacksonville Memorial Foundation effective November 3. She succeeds Pam Martin who recently retired. Jamison currently serves as president of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation, a role she has held since 2019. She is co-owner of the Future Champions Sports Complex and Jamison’s Future Swings. “Kristin is a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of Jacksonville and the surrounding region,” said JMH president and CEO Trevor Huffman.
“Her knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for service will be an asset to the Foundation and our entire organization. I look forward to working alongside her as we continue to strengthen our ties within the community.”
Jamison serves on the boards of the Jacksonville Airport Authority, Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Jacksonville Main Street, and is a member of Jacksonville Kiwanis Club. She has a bachelor of arts degree in communications and theater from Illinois College and a master of arts degree in communication from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Her previous professional experience includes several marketing, development and alumni relations roles at Illinois College.
In addition to leading the Foundation, she will also oversee the hospital’s volunteers and the activities of the Jacksonville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. “Jacksonville Memorial Hospital plays an essential role in our community and our region,” Jamison said. “I’m excited to help ensure they can continue their long legacy of service, both today and for many years to come.”
Grounds named head coach of IC’s new women’s flag football program
A name synonymous with football in Jacksonville over the past couple of decades has a new coaching job to add to his responsibilities.
Illinois College’s athletic department announced on July 24 that Mark Grounds has been hired as the head coach of the newly established women’s flag football program. While starting the IC program, Grounds will continue to perform his current roles within the Jacksonville School District, which include serving as the head coach of the football program at Jacksonville High School. Mark’s unique position will enable him to maintain a strong presence and influence at the high school level, which will help him build the foundation for a competitive and inspiring flag football program at IC, according to the announcement. The Lady Blues will begin competition during the spring of 2026, and recruiting efforts are currently underway.
Forest Park Owls program returning to Jacksonville Public Library
The Jacksonville Public Library invites the public to the library on August 7 at 6:30 p.m. for Mark Glenshaw’s “Forest Park Owls: Mating, Nesting and Owlets” program. Mark H.X. Glenshaw is an award-winning naturalist who has closely observed and documented the lives of great horned owls in Forest Park in St. Louis since December 2005. Glenshaw’s program will share his observations and documentation of the owls’ breeding cycle including: mating, nest selection, feeding of the owlets, fledging and gradual maturation of owlets, and the dispersal of the owlets. The program uses many of his photos and videos to illustrate the behaviors of these beautiful birds. Admission is free.
Florence Bridge replacement delayed
The Scott County Times reports that the Florence Bridge replacement project has been delayed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The bridge carries Illinois Route 106 over the Illinois River from Scott County into Pike County. IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappell told the Times that land acquisition and permit acquisitions are nearing completion. Both pieces to the project have taken longer than expected. Wappell says that IDOT hopes to post the project for bid in the early months of 2026. Studies and plans to replace the nearly 100-year old lift-span bridge have been in the works for nearly a decade. The new bridge is expected to be located 300 feet south of the existing bridge.
South Jacksonville Treasurer recommends keeping 1% grocery tax
The South Jacksonville Board of Trustees continue to debate whether or not they want to keep the 1% sales tax on groceries. The Illinois General Assembly eliminated the statewide grocery tax during the Spring legislative session. The impetus to collect the tax has now been pushed down to local municipalities. Towns and villages have until October 1 to submit an ordinance to the Illinois Department of Revenue if they would like to keep the tax.
South Jacksonville Village Treasurer Mindy Olson recommended that the village keep the tax at their July 24 committee of the whole meeting. Olson recently received information from a subject matter expert from Tinley Park. The expert calculated that the village would lose $22,400 in annual revenue with elimination of the tax.
Olson says that the village has several multi-million dollar capital improvement projects looming in the near future. “It’s not a new tax, so to speak, it’s just a shift of the taxing responsibility,” Olson explained, “I don’t see that it’s going to impact anybody negatively by keeping it and it’s not going to be a huge impact to the community if it’s done away with, but it will be a huge impact on the village. There’s major projects coming especially with the West Central ETSB, changing and upgrading their system. That means all of our emergency responders will have to upgrade their radios. The water tower is going to need some maintenance done to it. We have the tornado siren that needs some maintenance, things like that. So there’s quite a bit of capital improvements and just regular, everyday increases with insurance and salaries and that need to be covered, that the funds need to be there.”
Olson says that lead line replacement and work on the local parks are also being budgeted for in the upcoming budget discussions for Fiscal Year 2026. She hopes that grant funds may be able to cover some of the costs to alleviate some of the costs. Olson and Village President Dick Samples say that the item will be brought up for continued discussion at subsequent meetings so that the trustees can hear from the public and make an informed decision. Olson says her office at Village Hall is open if anyone would like to have the tax explained or to voice their concerns.
Crime of the Week: Electric scooter theft
Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties is requesting the public’s help to assist the Jacksonville Police Department in their investigation of a recent theft.
Sometime between 10:15 p.m. on July 20 and 1:30 p.m. on July 21, unknown individuals removed an electric scooter from a residence in the 600 block of Gladstone Street. This is at least the second theft of an electric scooter in the city in recent weeks. The scooter taken from the residence on Gladstone is described as a 2024 Camora that is grey in color with a black rear basket.
Anyone with any further information about these incidents can submit a tip online by visiting the Morgan, Scott & Cass County Crime Stoppers Facebook page and clicking the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page, or by visiting morganscottcrimestoppers.com. Click on the ‘Submit A Tip’ option at the top of the home page. Remember, Crime Stoppers just want your information and not your name. If your tip leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you may be eligible for a cash reward.
