Weekly News
Pictured: Swing ‘n’ low – Crew members from Ishmael Construction guide a wall
section into place at the new Cass Community Bank, Virginia. The pre-
formed, high strength concrete wall sections weigh 350 lbs. per
linear foot. The ends are beveled to wedge into a tight fit.
Industrial adhesive is spread under and between sections, which are
bolted to each other, and to the foundation. Ishmael’s will also
install the geo-thermal heating/cooling system to the energy-
efficient structure. Blair photo
Beardstown city council approves demolition process
By Marla Blair ...
At a special meeting July 1, the Beardstown city council voted
to approve an ordinance “authorizing demolition or causing the
demolition of a dangerous, unsafe or abandoned building within the
territory of the city of Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois.” The
property referred to is the Lisenbee house in the 1200 block of Wall
Street.
The house was the residence of Shane and Stephanie Lisenbee and
their family. In January, 2008, the couple was arrested on charges of
predatory criminal sexual assault of children. Shane Lisenbee is
currently serving a 35-year sentence in the IL Department of
Corrections. Stephanie Lisenbee is being held in the Morgan County
Jail, awaiting trial in September.
The house was uninhabited when it became the target of an arson
fire on February 6. The condition of the house has become
progressively worse and is now a shell with a caved-in roof. Pieces
of walls are strung around the yard, due to wind and rainstorms.
The councils resolution makes an official statement to the
affect that the city is ready to pursue the issue of demolition.
Notices will be delivered on July 2 to Shane Lisenbee, Stephanie
Lisenbee and their respective lawyers, notifying them of the
council’s resolution. A 15-day time period will allow for a response.
Mayor Bob Walters stated, “I don’t care if they demolish it or they
give us permission to do it. It needs to be done and has for a long
time.”
If no response is received after the initial time period has
passed, an injunction will be filed with the court system to gain
funds from Lisenbee’s homeowner’s insurance money. An additional five-
day waiting period will be allowed before further legal action is taken.
According to Walters, a member of the Lisenbee family approached
the city in May and asked for recommendations of a contractor who
might demolish the house. Two local men were suggested and were asked
to submit bids. Nothing was done and the city has not been contacted
by with the family.
Walters said, “We waited for the criminal investigation, the
arson investigation and waited to let things run their course. It’s
time to take the matter into our hands and tear the building down
ourselves.”
Committee of Ten continues discussion
The Committee of Ten (C-10) for the proposed consolidation
between Meredosia, Triopia and Virginia school districts continues to
meet and discuss promotion, community meetings and questions from
residents. At the June 25 meeting, members present were: Mike
Gadberry, Brian Millard, Scott Kaufmann, Dave Virgin, Amy Parlier,
Kerry Johnston and Ken Crews. Absent: Jody Parrish, Bruce Jokisch and
Jeff Schmitz.
Mike Gadberry presented questions from Chapin resident Bob
Williams, about state aid and the boiler status at Virginia. C-10
members will speak to the Virginia superintendent and a state board
of education spokesperson for answers to the individual questions.
The C-10 planned public contact activity for the next few
months. The question and answer flyers passed out at the public
hearing June 17 will be distributed to assorted locations across the
three-district area, to reach members of the general public who were
not present at the hearing. Town meetings will be scheduled for July;
mailings will be sent out in early August; teachers’ meetings will be
conducted in late August-possibly as the teachers assemble for in-
service; community meetings are planned for September.
Committee of Ten members will contact city councils/village
boards to make arrangements for joint meetings with the C-10. A bulk
mailing is being considered and cost is a factor. A decision will be
made after an inquiry into the possible expense.
Beardstown race car driver, Kevin Lyles, dies after car flips at track
By Marla Blair ...
Kevin W. Lyles, 35, of Beardstown, died June 28 after a single-
car accident at the Macomb Raceway, rural Macomb. Lyles was competing
in the main event of a Figure 8 race when his car hit a tire in the
middle of the track, flipped onto its top and caught on fire.
Attempts to rescue Lyles from the vehicle were unsuccessful. Tires
are used to create the figure eight on the oval track.
According to Macomb Raceway owner Robert Giles, “a large number
of extinguishers were on hand and drivers came out of their cars with
their own extinguishers, to help put out the flames. There were
dozens of volunteer firemen in attendance, as well as several EMT’s.
Emergency measures were taken to stop the fire and free him from the
car. But, the oil and fuel fed the flames and there was nothing we
could do.”
Giles is ready to help the family as they recover from the
tragedy. “I want people to know we care about the Lyles family and
want to help them as time goes by,” Giles said. “I feel horrible
about this. Safety is of the utmost importance to us at the race
track and we never could have imagined anything like this happening.”
Giles purchased the race track two years ago to create a family-
oriented source of entertainment.
The Emmett-Chalmers Fire Department, a volunteer squad based on
the edge of Macomb, the McDonough District Hospital ambulance and
McDonough County Sheriff’s department arrived on the scene to assist
track personnel after the incident.
Graveside services for Kevin W. Lyles were scheduled for 11
a.m., Thursday at Beardstown City Cemetery. The funeral procession
will leave the funeral home at 10:45 a.m., led by a 1923 Ford
Roadster carrying the remains.
New physician coming to Beardstown in August
Dr. Susan Burge, a resident with the Quincy Family Medicine
Clinic and Residency Program Practice Center in Quincy, has signed an
agreement to begin her practice at Beardstown Clinic I. David Hester,
Chairman of Culbertson Memorial Hospital Board of Directors said, “We
are delighted to recruit such an excellent candidate from a quality
program nearby. Dr. Burge made a visit earlier this year and
interacted with many people, so she knows what we have to offer. She
was very pleased with the community and especially the people she
meet and will be working with.”
Born and raised in the Republic of Panama, Dr. Burge is fluent
in Spanish and served for 16 years as a civilian interpreter for the
U.S. Army. Dr. Burge has family in the Quincy area and is interested
in being a part of a community with a Latino population.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Columbus
State University in Columbus, Georgia in 2001. In June 2005, Dr.
Burge graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
in Kirksville, Missouri. She completed her family practice residency
from Southern Illinois University-Quincy Family Medicine Residency in
Quincy on June 30.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Burge wants to pursue two
lifelong dreams, to become a pilot and to own horses.
With Pen in Hand
By Richard Middaugh
If I could sign the Declaration of Independence with pen in
hand, I would thank those who came before me, giving me this great land.
I would never assume anything or take anything for granted for
you see, our forefather’s had a dream.
A nation was born to make us all united.
They had a great cause and the seeds have been planted.
For this great nation, stands on its own and takes nothing for
granted.
They had a duty, to do what they had to do.
Now it’s up to you and me, America, oh how she holds true.
The stars and stripes forever, old glory, is her name.
She wasn’t seeking fame or fortune, or anyone to blame.
The red, white, and blue, she went to fight for freedom, upon
the open plains.
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Updated 7/2/08
Webmaster, Tippey Designs
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