News Headlines & Chapel Report - 12/4/25

Chief Michael Starman of the Pittsfield Police Department was recently celebrated as a Co-Top Shot after completing a challenging Pistol Red Dot course. The specialized firearms training was held today at the Jacksonville Police Department Training Center and was expertly conducted by Critical Conflict Solutions, a Jacksonville-based training provider known for delivering exceptional instruction. Despite the demanding conditions, including an impressive 10 inches of snow on the ground, Chief Starman and the rest of the class persevered. The social media post, which commended Chief Starman alongside Evan Friye of the Adams County Sheriff's Office, highlighted the officers' outstanding performance. The department is eagerly anticipating more success, as other officers are scheduled to attend the same training course tomorrow.

The Bowling Green R-1 School District is celebrating a major boost for its Mo Beef Kids program with the welcome of first-time donor, Charlene Willis. Her generous contribution will fund over 100 meals featuring locally sourced beef for students and staff, helping the district move closer to its goal of including local beef in 50% of school lunches this year—a significant increase from the former rate of 1 in 10, now standing at approximately 30%. The school district greatly appreciates Charlene Willis and all community donors for supporting this initiative, and those interested in contributing or learning more about the program should contact school board member Tamara Scherder.

The Pike County Animal Shelter Reports Two dogs—a male beagle and a female chocolate lab—were found near Hull on Highway 106. Both are described as very sweet, though the lab’s status is still being confirmed. If you are the owner or have any information about who they belong to, please contact the shelter at 217-285-4811 or call/text 217-285-3425.

The Elsberry School District has confirmed that real estate tax bills arriving this season have a revised format due to the implementation of state Senate Bill 190, which provides tax relief to senior citizens. Public taxing entities, including the school district, must now display two separate line items on the tax bill: the Incidental Fund (Operating Levy), which covers general expenses like salaries and utilities, and the Debt Service Fund, which is restricted for bond payments funding school facilities' construction and maintenance. The district stressed that this is solely a new reporting requirement and does not raise taxes, change the levy, or increase the total school tax rate. However, the district noted that if the total amount due on any bill did increase, the change is due to a rise in the property's assessed valuation, a figure determined by the county assessor's office, not the school district.

Middle school students in Aaron Llewellyn's STEM class at Brown County Middle School recently completed a successful collaboration with Dot Foods, using their skills to 3D print tool prototypes—specifically, handles for the electronic tablets used by Dot warehouse employees. This initiative, which is part of the third year of Dot Foods’ STEM program, involved students developing their projects using computer-aided design and refining their concepts based on feedback from Dot's warehouse staff in Mount Sterling. The prototypes were put to the test by Dot's warehouse team, demonstrating to the students that their classroom learning has real-world applications and can make a tangible difference in their community, according to Llewellyn. By the end of the project, three designs were deemed winners: Kolby Walters, a sixth-grader, took first place; Levi Ransom, a fifth-grader, placed second; and Isabella Huston, an eighth-grader, finished third. Erika Richardson, Dot Foods' senior director of warehousing, found it rewarding to see the designs and how invested the students were in adjusting their prototypes. Suzy Parn, director of Dot's Corporate Charitable Oversight Committee, noted that the project brought their STEM initiative full circle, demonstrating how community partnerships can inspire innovation and growth.

Today's Chapel Report

Sandra Lee Midlam, 83, of Barry, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Barry Healthcare and Senior Living. She was born October 20, 1942, in Clarksville, Missouri, to Lewis and Arloween Howdeshell and worked as a CNA in Louisiana, Missouri, as well as a homemaker. She is survived by her daughter, Lorena Monroe; grandchildren Jason Trower, Carmen Smith, Nathan Blackorby, Jasmine Monroe, and Ben Monroe; great-grandchildren Isabelle Rosas, Victor Tavares, and Baillie Blackorby; great-great-granddaughter Juniper Rosas; siblings Loyd Howdeshell, Mike Edwards, and Darlene Midlam; and several nieces and nephews. No services are scheduled, and memorials are suggested to Blessing Hospice in Quincy.

Mark Thomas Westemeyer, 67, of Nebo, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his home. He was born December 31, 1957, in Moline, Illinois, to David H. and Barbara Ann Westemeyer. He worked in the grocery industry for many years, retiring from Eagle Food Center in Pekin, and later moved to Pike County to be near his son. He is survived by his children, Anthony and Leah Westemeyer; grandchildren Andrew (Julianna) Westemeyer, Jaden Westemeyer, Reid Westemeyer, Silas Spicer, Jacoby Spicer, and six other grandchildren; and siblings Don Westemeyer and Linda Schulte. Cremation rites have been accorded, and services will be held privately. Memorials are suggested to the family through Niebur Funeral Home.

Richard Lee Henderson, 95, of Plainville, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his home. He was born December 18, 1929, in Quincy, Illinois, to Richard Jasper and Bertha Henderson. Richard served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and worked as an engineer for Gardner Denver Industrial Machinery Division before retiring. He also owned the Ole Time Clock Shop in Quincy and served as Plainville Village clerk for 50 years. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Henderson; daughters Jana Call and Joy Barker; grandchildren Carissa Wedding, Kimberly Corzatt, Misty Bagley, Kermit Barker, and Casey Bradburn; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; a special daughter-in-law, Diana Harpole; and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Plainville, with visitation from 1:00–2:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Plainville or QMG Cancer Center in Quincy.

Thomas Dale Spann, 36, of Barry, Illinois, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025. He was born June 17, 1989, in Quincy, Illinois, to Terrill and Marcia Spann. He is survived by his partner, Lori Orr, and her children, Corey and Jazmine Orr; his children, Jaxen and Salym Spann; father Terrill Spann; siblings Jerrad, Tonya, and Casey Spann; stepmother Shelley Spann; niece Journee Wainman; nephew Devon Beahan; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 pm at Niebur Funeral Chapel in Barry. Memorials are suggested to the family through Niebur Funeral Chapel.

Bobbie “Jean” McGuire, 85, of Carrollton, passed away Monday, December 1, 2025, at her home. She was born January 1, 1940, in Provo, Kentucky, to Carl and Veta Southerland Hawes. She is survived by her daughters, Kim Herdler and Kathy Mullins; three grandchildren, Jon, Joe, and Jimmy Herdler; and two great-grandchildren on the way. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2025, at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton, with burial in Carrollton City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be made to the Carrollton Public Library.

Arthur Jackson “Jack” Ivy, 80, of Elsberry, Missouri, passed away Monday, December 1, 2025, at his home. He was born January 7, 1945, in Neelyville, Missouri, to Allen and Beulah Louise Ivy. Jack served in the United States Army National Guard and worked for nearly 35 years as a sheet metal worker and riveter for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft before later working for Collins Construction. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda Ivy; children Glenda Vitro, Brenda Vitro, and Jeff Ivy; eight grandchildren; sister Kathy Brannum; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Memorials may be made to Smith Chapel or God’s House of Ministry.