Community News
Macoupin County Courthouse News
Date range: January 5 – January 11, 2016. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.
LAWSUITS
A Sawyerville bar, the bar’s owner and a 28-year-old Gillespie man are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in Macoupin County Circuit Court seeking more than $50,000 in damages for injuries the plaintiff claims to have sustained in an April 9, 2015, altercation at the bar. In the nine-count suit, the plaintiff, Nathaniel Ward, claims his right eye was permanently injured when Ryan W. Dann of Gillespie allegedly struck him at Bruhno’s Bar, Sawyerville. Dann is facing trial later this year for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm in connection with the same incident. The lawsuit seeks to hold Bruhno’s Bar and it’s owner, Sondra K. Smith, Sawyerville, responsible for the injury under provisions of the state’s dram shop act. Ward claims Dann was intoxicated when the incident occurred and that he became intoxicated from being served alcohol at Bruhno’s. Ward claims the injury has caused him to have double vision, poor overall vision and a permanently dilated pupil. Additional counts seek damages for loss of financial support for Ward’s dependents as a result of the injury, and property damage under a dram shop provision that reportedly allows medical expenses to be considered as property damage. The counts directed at Dann seek actual and punitive damages for Ward’s injuries.
Joshua C. McDaniels is suing Tony Dunn, Benld, for damages in excess of $50,000 for injuries the plaintiff allegedly sustained in a Dec. 3, 2014, crash on Illinois Route 4 north of Quarry Road. According to the suit, Dunn was driving a northbound 2012 Chevrolet Impala that collided with McDaniels’ southbound 2005 Pontiac Grand Am when Dunn allegedly attempted to pass another vehicle. The suit accuses Dunn, who reportedly pled guilty to a traffic charge of improper passing, of negligence in that he allegedly failed to keep his vehicle in the proper lane and failed to keep a proper lookout for McDaniels’ vehicle. The suit seeks a monetary judgment for McDaniels’ injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses and loss of income.
Ruth E. Loveless has failed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Crystal Rhodes, Rob Umphrey and other unknown occupants, seeking possession of residential premises located in the 100 block of Marcia Street in Wilsonville.
Beverly Moehlmann, as power of attorney for Nancy Burdell and Keith Pesavento, has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Mattie Pesavento Gray, seeking possession of residential premises located in the 800 block of East Mill Street in Staunton.
SMALL CLAIMS
Karen A. Dmytryk, Benld, is suing Jonathan Rhodes, Mt. Clare, doing business as J. J. Tire, for $519.75 she claims she is owed for a car that does not run after the engine was installed.
Karen Harbaugh, Carlinville, is suing John and Corina Smith, Palmyra, for $390, plus court costs, she claims the couple owes her.
FELONIES
Heather D. Jett, 31, Irving, is charged with burglary in connection with a Dec. 22 incident during which she allegedly entered the Clark Fuel building in the 100 block of North Walnut Street in Mount Olive with the intent to commit a theft.
Derek T. Zupsich, 27, Springfield, is charged with possession of methamphetamine in connection with a Jan. 1 incident. Zupsich allegedly possessed less than five grams of a substance containing methamphetamine when he was arrested by a Benld police officer.
Robert O. Baker, Jr., 34, Elkhart, is charged with violation of an order of protection in connection with a Jan. 1 incident during which he allegedly drove past the home of a Girard woman subject to an order of protection against him and yelled at her. The charge was elevated to a felony due to a previous conviction for the same offense on Baker’s record from July 1, 2015, in Macoupin County.
Carrie L. Vercoglio, 46, Alhambra, is charged with possession of methamphetamine in connection with a Jan. 7 incident. Vercoglio allegedly possessed less than five grams of a substance containing methamphetamine when she was arrested by a Gillespie police officer.
MISDEMEANORS
Ray A. Holman, 37, Girard, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a Dec. 31 incident during which he allegedly pushed his wife’s head into a wall.
William D. Gray, 35, Staunton, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a Jan. 1 incident during which he allegedly threw his wife to the ground.
Jennifer M. Conover, 39, Girard, is charge with domestic battery in connection with a Jan. 2 incident during which she allegedly threw an ashtray at her boyfriend causing a cut to his arm.
Roy E. Davis, Jr., 29, Carlinville is charged with retail theft in connection with an incident during which he allegedly attempted to deprive a merchant of the full value of a Linksys router by altering the price tag.
Kelsey McKinney, 27, Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to property in connection with a Dec. 20 incident during which she allegedly entered upon the property of the Macoupin County Housing Authority in Carlinville after having received a “no trespass” notice from MCHA.
Lawrence W. Haustein, 20, Staunton, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Dec. 3 incident in the 100 block of Rice Street in Wilsonville.
Zachary Carter, 20, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Dec. 3 incident in the 100 block of Rice Street in Wilsonville.
Braden M. Barnes, 19, Royal Lakes, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Dec. 3 incident in the 100 block of Rice Street in Wilsonville.
John Hammond, 23, Wilsonville, is charged with criminal trespass to a motor vehicle in connection with a Nov. 26 incident during which he allegedly entered a 1992 GMC truck without the authority of the truck’s owner.
Jori G. Ervrs, 19, Carlinville, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Jan. 1 incident on North Lake Street at West Main Street in Mount Olive.
Jordan C. Losier, 18, Greenville, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Jan. 1 incident in Mount Olive.
Sammie L. Cole, 38, Carlinville, is charged with retail theft in connection with a Nov. 21 incident during which she allegedly shop-lifted hair dye and make-up valued at less than $300 from the Dollar General Store in Carlinville.
Lawrence W. Haustein, 20, Staunton, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Jan. 3 incident on Double Arch Road at Deer Run Estates.
Zachary Carter, 20, Staunton, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Jan. 3 incident on Double Arch Road at Deer Run Estates.
TRAFFIC
Richard D. Alward, 42, Shipman, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Jan. 3 incident on North Washington Street at Pleasant Street in Bunker Hill. Alward also faces a traffic charge for alleged improper lane usage.
Clayton K. Coffmann, 18, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Jan. 1 incident on West Warren Street at Brighton-Bunker Hill Road in Bunker Hill. He also is charged with traffic charges for allegedly following too closely and improper lane usage.
Mitchell T. Mann, 30, St. Louis, Mo., is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with an incident on Prairie Town Road south of Staunton-Bunker Hill Road. Mann also faces traffic charges for allegedly driving on a suspended driver’s license and failing to reduce the speed of the vehicle he was driving to avoid an accident.
Kyle J. Williams, 22, Bunker Hill, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Jan. 1 incident on South Franklin Street in Bunker Hill. He also faces a traffic charge for alleged improper lane usage.
Valerie L. Gregory, 33, Shipman, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Jan. 1 incident.
Shaun L. Blond, 38, Mount Olive, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a Dec. 27 incident on Route 66 at Tall Timbers Road. In addition, he is charged with a traffic violation for allegedly disregarding a traffic control device.
DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Amanda I. Davis, Litchfield, vs. David T. Davis, Gillespie.
- Travis L. Robbins, Hillsboro, vs. Amber N. Robbins, Witt.
- Dennis W. Richardson, Chesterfield, vs. Tracey D. Richardson, Carlinville.
- Tracy L. Holliday, Benld, vs. Dean W. Holliday, Jacksonville.
- Krashauna Castleman, Virden, vs. Jared Castleman, Waverly.
- Suzanne Landreth, Bunker Hill, vs. Jeffrey D. Landreth, Bunker Hill.
- Paul G. Henderson, Columbia, vs. Barbara Henderson, Staunton.
- Richard Releford, Gillespie, vs. Mary Releford, Jacksonville.
DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE GRANTED
- Amanda I. Davis, Litchfield, vs. David T. Davis, Gillespie.
- Krashauna Castleman, Virden, vs. Jared Castleman, Waverly.
- Richard Releford, Gillespie, vs. Mary Releford, Jacksonville.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Louis J. Maher and Michelle D. Edlin, both of Virden.
- Lindell C. Shockley and Brittany N. Baker, both of Springfield.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take
Comments
A former Carlinville High School football standout has signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots.
Kyle Dixon, a record-setting receiver at Culver-Stockton, an NAIA program in Canton, Missouri, inked the deal with New England after being passed over in the NFL Draft April 23-25.
Dixon was seen as an outside shot at being selected in the draft. He reportedly had visited at least one team, including Indianapolis, and was the subject of Internet speculation from various writers on his potential.
At Culver-Stockton, Dixon named to the American Football Coaches Association – NAIA All-American team. He was also a Heart of America Athletic Conference first team pick for the second straight year.
The 6-4, 216-pound Dixon was fourth in the NAIA with 83 receptions and third with 1,282 receiving yards in 2025.
New England advanced to last February’s Super Bowl, losing to Seattle.
It was the tenth Super Bowl appearance in the last 25 seasons for the Patriots, one of the NFL’s marquee teams over the last quarter-century.
New England won six Super Bowl titles in that span. The Patriots also played in the Super Bowl after the 1985 and 1996 seasons.
Though most undrafted free agents have an outside chance of sticking on NFL rosters, some future superstars began that way. Notable UDFAs include NFL Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates, Adam Vinatieri, and John Randle.
In 2025, eight NFL teams had at least three starters who had been UDFAs coming out of college.
The Patriots are known for their development of UDFAs. The franchise has had sixty starting players who were undrafted free agents from 2011-25, more than any other team in the NFL.
At Carlinville High School from 2015-18, Dixon finished in the top 20 in Illinois High School Association history in single-season receiving yards and touchdowns, career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, and career interceptions on defense.
An all-state selection as a defensive back, Dixon was an all-South Central Conference pick as a receiver. He was also a two-time all-SCC pick in baseball.
Prior to Culver-Stockton, Dixon played baseball at SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, and Georgia Gwinnett College.
Dixon will try to become just the third Carlinville product to play in the NFL.
The others were Leland “Tiny” Lewis, who appeared in 14 games over the 1930-31 seasons with Portsmouth (now the Detroit Lions) and a now-defunct Cleveland franchise, and Mike Seyfrit, who played in 13 games for now-defunct franchises in Toledo and Hammond in 1923-24.
(Tom Emery may be reached at ilcivilwar@yahoo.com or 217-710-8392).
Comments
Community News
Illinois treasurer to help Macoupin County residents reclaim $8.6 million in unclaimed funds on May 13 at Gillespie Library
Staff from Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office will be at the Gillespie Public Library on Wednesday, May 13, to assist residents in reclaiming money through the I-Cash program. The state estimates that about 64,700 people and businesses in Macoupin County have unclaimed cash or property totaling $8.6 million, with statewide totals reaching $5 billion dollars.
A spokesperson noted that many people may not realize they’ve overlooked an investment account or a final paycheck, and that the thousands of names in the state’s database show it happens more often than people might think. The message emphasizes that this money belongs to Illinois residents and should be in their bank accounts rather than the state’s. The planned event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gillespie Public Library, located at 201 W Chestnut Street, Gillespie, IL.
Attendees can expect on-site assistance with the I-Cash process, which helps residents search for unclaimed funds and pursue claims through official channels. The I-Cash program is described as a state-level initiative designed to reunite Illinois residents and businesses with unclaimed funds such as lost wages, refunds, or insurance benefits.
Individuals can search the state’s database for their name, name of business, or nonprofit online as well: https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/
Comments
The Macoupin County Historical Society will host a drive-through chicken fried chicken dinner starting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the MCHS grounds located at 920 W. Breckenridge, Carlinville.
Serving will continue until 7 p.m. or until food is sold out.
Meals are $12 each and include a chicken fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and a roll.
“We offered a chicken dinner last year and were sold out within a couple of hours,” said Dan Hauter, MCHS President. “My advice is to come as early as possible to make sure you can buy a meal.”
Serving will be drive-through only. No walk-up orders will be taken.
Persons who wish to dine on the grounds may park their vehicle after getting their order and dine in the pavilion adjacent to the Red Barn. Water and soda will be available for purchase or customers may bring their own non-alcoholic beverage.
Proceeds will benefit the Macoupin County Historical Society.
Comments
-
Community News5 days agoHSHS St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary drive-thru dinners return
-
Community News3 days agoIllinois’ role in American Revolution focus of discussion at upcoming MCHS program on May 4
-
Community News4 days agoBenld Public Library to host Illinois state service events in May
-
Court News3 days agoMacoupin County Courthouse News