News Headlines and Chapel Report — January 12, 2026

News Headlines

Bowling Green Police Chief Bennie Church announced Friday that he is stepping down from the Bowling Green Police Department. Few details have been released at this time, and the situation is considered a developing story. More information is expected as it becomes available.

In Illinois, one person was found dead in a structure fire Sunday morning in Camp Point. The Adams County Coroner’s Office says the fire occurred in the 200 block of East Spring Street, where one person was located deceased inside the structure. The individual’s identity is being withheld pending notification of family. The incident remains under investigation by the Adams County Coroner’s Office, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Fire Marshal. An autopsy is planned.

The filing deadline has passed for the April 7 municipal elections in Missouri. Candidates have filed for mayoral and council races in Bowling Green and Louisiana, as well as positions in Eolia, Farber, Frankford, and Vandalia. Filings were also completed for the BONCL School Board and the Louisiana School Board, with several contested races expected on the April ballot.

Pike County officials will hold a public hearing Thursday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Pike County Courthouse in Bowling Green. The hearing will review the county’s past performance on two Community Development Block Grant projects — the Pike County Road 251 improvement project and the Pike County Water Project. The meeting is open to the public, and accommodations will be provided upon request.

Chapel Report

Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Rennecker, age 73, of Barry, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, January 7, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She is survived by her husband Steve; children Chad, Shawn, and Alicia Rennecker; grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Niebur Funeral Chapel in Barry, with visitation Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. Burial will follow at Parklawn Cemetery.

Donald Smith, age 83, of Pearl, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, January 6. He is survived by his children Doug and Rochelle Smith; grandchildren; siblings; and extended family. Graveside services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Hess Cemetery in Pearl. Arrangements are with Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield.

Nancy L. Wessel, age 84, of Pittsfield, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, January 6, at Barry Healthcare and Senior Living. She is survived by her husband Pete; son Joe Wessel; two granddaughters; sisters; and extended family. Funeral services were held Saturday at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield, with burial at Pittsfield West Cemetery.

Dorothy Hauser, age 90, of Yorkville and formerly of LaPrairie and Timewell, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, January 7, at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora. She is survived by her daughter Esther Blacker; a stepdaughter; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family. Funeral services were held Saturday at Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling, with burial at Mounds Cemetery near Timewell.

Charles Raymond Moore, of the Louisiana, Missouri area, passed away Monday, January 5. He is survived by his wife Marie; four children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family. Graveside services were held Friday at Bethany Cemetery near Louisiana. Arrangements were handled by Collier Funeral Home.

David William Hallows, age 70, of Curryville, passed away Thursday, January 8. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Louisiana.

Talley Lee Saucier, age 80, of Bowling Green, passed away Wednesday, January 7. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, with visitation Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Bowling Green Cemetery.

Casey Price, age 49, of Bowling Green, passed away Thursday, January 8. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory in Bowling Green, with visitation Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.