Community News
Macoupin County Courthouse News
Date range: July 12-18, 2016. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.
LAWSUITS
A Gillespie man is suing his former business partner for damages upward of $22,000, claiming the defendant defaulted on promissory notes, breached a guaranty and converted personal property owned by the business for his own use. The plaintiff, Carlos Azora-Mark claims he and Robert A. Hartman, Alton, formerly of Gillespie, were business partners in Today’s Foods, LLC, pursuant to an operating agreement signed Sept. 23, 2015. Immediately prior to establishing the business relationship and during the time the two were in business together, Azora-Mark claims he made personal loans to Hartman that were never repaid. While Hartman allegedly made some payments toward satisfying the debt during 2015 and the first part of 2016, Azora-Mark claims the defendant has made no payments since March and has quit communicating with him. Specifically, Azora-Mark seeks $2,425, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs, allegedly owed on a promissory note executed Oct. 1, 2015, and $6,643.60, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs, allegedly owed on a $9,018.60 promissory note executed on Sept. 23, 2015. The plaintiff also claims he loaned Hartman $415 in October 2015, but later learned that instead of making payments on the debt, Hartman allegedly borrowed additional money from the plaintiff’s personal account, accruing a balance of $2,818, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. The complaint further alleges Hartman signed as a personal guarantor on a loan from Litchfield National Bank but later defaulted on the loan resulting in the repossession of the company’s truck and damaging the plaintiff in the amount of $8,056, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. Azora-Mark also alleges Hartman retained two freezers owned by the business, which Hartman kept at his home to store food for delivery. The complaint alleges Hartman has refused to surrender the equipment for which Azora-Mark seeks damages of $2,596.33, representing the value of the freezers, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.
Lynn Bruemmer has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Brittany Marsh, Wilsonville, seeking $2,530 in alleged past-due rent and other damages, plus possession of residential premises located in the 200 block of Rice Street in Wilsonville.
Carolyne Johnson has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Dena King, Staunton, seeking $350 in alleged past-due rent, plus possession of residential premises located in the 500 block of East Olive Street in Staunton.
Evelina Zollicoffer has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Richard Smith, Jr., Royal Lakes, seeking $700 in alleged past-due rent, plus court costs and additional damages and possession of residential premises located in the 600 block of Tamarack Avenue in Royal Lakes.
Danny Childress has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Crystal Gumes Rose, Brighton, seeking $1,470 in alleged past-due rent, plus possession of residential premises located in the 100 block of Walnut Street in Brighton.
Briar Ridge, LLC, has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Angela Drew, Virden, seeking $1,250 in alleged past-due rent, plus possession of residential premises located in the 200 block of South Springfield Street in Virden.
Shirley Lomelino has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Terri Turner, Virden, seeking $1,100 in alleged past-due rent, plus possession of residential premises located in the 300 block of West Jackson Street in Virden.
SMALL CLAIMS
Discover Bank is suing Angela K. Williams, Royal Lakes, for $5,556.76, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Roger and Kay McElroy of Missouri are suing Spencer Mims, doing business as Spencer’s Automotive, Bunker Hill, for $8,534.92, plus court costs. The McElroys claim they were damaged when employees of Spencer’s Automotive left their 2007 Nissan at the side of the road after they transferred possession to the defendant for repairs on April 27, 2015.
Consumer Adjustment Co., Inc., is suing Allison Wells, Gillespie, for $2,042.22, plus court costs, allegedly owed for services provided by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.
Capital One Bank is suing Michael Roberts, Brighton, for $5,759.12, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Theodore Hopper, Gillespie, for $2,751.72, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Philip L. Cunningham, Brighton, for $1,295.50, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Lindell Hagen, Brighton, for $4,153.02, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Yavonne Johnson, Carlinville, for $1,256.31, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Roberta L. Robbs, Staunton, for $1,448.66, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Larry Rowe, Mount Olive, for $2,656.84, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Midland Funding, LLC, is suing Somer Crays, Carlinville, for $871.66, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit line issued by Credit One Bank.
Midland Funding, LLC, is suing Amber Weller, Bunker Hill, for $1,326.45, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit line issued by Barclay’s Bank.
Midland Funding, LLC, is suing Sandra Cramer, Carlinville, for $924.03, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit line issued by Credit One Bank.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Christy L. Brawley, Brighton, for $1,338.81, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Victoria’s Secret credit card account.
Discover Bank is suing Daniel Gooding, Carlinville, for $1,546.86, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Anderson Hospital is suing Stephen Maykopet, Benld, for $1,665.36, plus court costs, allegedly owed for medical services.
Midland Funding, LLC, is suing Adlynn Cope, Mount Olive, for $964.19, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted line of credit issued by Credit One Bank.
Capital One Bank is suing Percy Stewart,Brighton, for $3,303.65, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates is suing Rebecca Kriasser, Bunker Hill, for $45,068.92, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Home Depot credit card account.
Midland Funding, LLC, is suing Roberta Robbs, Staunton, $1,125.92, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
General Credit Acceptance Co., LLC, is suing James P. Favre, Gillespie, for $7,627.35, plus interest and court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted auto loan executed in April 2013.
Brian and Lisa Engelke, Gillespie, is suing Dana K. Zumwalt, Gillespie, for $1,500 for the cost of replacing a dog, veterinarian expenses and medical expenses resulting from a dog attack. Zumwalt also has been charged in felony criminal complaint for allegedly failing to comply with provisions of a dangerous dog order.
FELONIES
Demetrius A. Ransom, 36, St. Louis, Mo., is charged with possession of weapons by a felon and possession of cannabis in connection with a July 9 incident during which he allegedly possessed a .40 caliber Hipoint ICP handgun after having been convicted of a felony as well as less than 2.5 grams of substance containing cannabis.
Lisa R. Peters, 37, Staunton, is charged with burglary in connection with a June 25 incident during which she allegedly entered the Staunton Dollar General Store without authority and with the intent to commit a theft.
Brantley L. Painter, 29, Carlinville, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender for allegedly failing to register with the Carlinville Police Department within 90 days of his last registration date on March 27. The charge was elevated to a felony due to a previous conviction on Painter’s record for failing to register as a sex offender in 2014.
Dana K. Zumwalt, 41, Gillespie, is charged with failing to comply with a dangerous dog order resulting in serious injury to a companion animal in connection with a July 7 dog attack in Gillespie. Zumwalt allegedly failed to spay or neuter her pitbull within 14 days after the dog was declared a dangerous animal. The charge is classified as a felony because the dog allegedly was involved in an attack resulting in serious injury to a companion animal.
Brandon L. Weatherford, 22. Carlinville is charged with possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine in connection with a July 13 incident in Carlinville.
In separate cases, two Staunton individuals face multiple drug charges stemming from a South Central Illinois Drug Task Force investigation. Nicholas T. Bond, 31, Staunton, is charged with unlawful production of cannabis sativa plants and possession of a controlled substance in connection with a July 13 incident during which he allegedly was found to be growing 43 marijuana plants at his home in the 600 block of East Pennsylvania Street in Staunton, and to be in possession of less than 15 grams of a substance containing psilocybin. Heather N. Wadlow, 31, of the same address, also is charged with unlawful production of cannabis sativa plants and possession of a controlled substance. In addition, she faces two counts of possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver in connection with incidents on July 8 and July 12 during which she allegedly possessed 10 to 30 grams of a substance containing cannabis with the intent to deliver.
Eugene D. O’Howell, 34, Crystal Lake, is charged with possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine in connection with a July 15 incident in the southbound lanes of Interstate 55 at mile marker 47. In addition, he faces a traffic charge for allegedly speeding 15 to 20 miles per hour in excess of the posted speed limit.
MISDEMEANORS
Steven K. McDaniels, 29, Carlinville, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a July 10 incident in Carlinville during which he allegedly struck his girlfriend in the side of her head with his hand.
Gary D. Redding, 19, Mount Olive, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a July 10 incident during which he allegedly struck his girlfriend in the side of her face with his closed fist.
Shawn M.D. Clark, 28, Jerseyville, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a July 10 incident in Bunker Hill during which he allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground.
Christopher A. Hendy, 40, Benld, is charged with deceptive practice for allegedly writing a check of $65 on April 24 to TJ’s in Benld while knowing his bank would not honor the draft.
David A. Lindsay, 45, Litchfield, is charged with deceptive practice for allegedly writing a check for $30 on April 12 to Macoupin Family Practice, Gillespie, while knowing his bank would not honor the draft.
Christian J. Novak, 18, Staunton, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a July 1 incident in Staunton.
Clayton K. Coffman, 19, Bunker Hill, is charged with battery in connection with a July 9 incident in Bunker Hill during which he allegedly struck a male victim in the head with his closed fist.
Brandon L. Goldbricht, 22, Carlinville, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a July 16 incident in Carlinville during which he allegedly struck his girlfriend in her face with his closed fist.
Nicholas D. Aubuschon, 19, Sorento, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a July 15 incident in Gillespie during which he allegedly pushed his girlfriend and pulled her hair.
TRAFFIC
Jason L. Urban, 32, Livingston, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a July 3 incident on Old Route 66 about a quarter-mile north of Newbert Road. Urban also is charged with allegedly failing to reduce the speed of his vehicle to avoid an accident and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.
Brandon J. Kruemmelbein, 22, Bunker Hill, is charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a July 8 incident on Washington Street at Franklin Street in Bunker Hill. He also faces traffic charges for alleged illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver, speeding 21-25 miles per hour in excess of the posted speed limit and making an improper turn signal.
Austin E. Rose, 23, Bunker Hill, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a July 10 incident in Bunker Hill. Rose also faces traffic charges for alleged illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver and operating a vehicle with no rear registration light.
Zoe R. Strouse, 36, Carlinville, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a July 9 incident in Carlinville. Strouse also faces a traffic charge for allegedly driving without headlights while operating the windshield wipers.
DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Brandon Holland, Virden, vs. Victoria L. Holland, Nilwood.
- Heather L. Bragg, Carlinville, vs. Dylan R. Bragg, USS Theodore Roosevelt.
- Lisa Bostick, Bunker Hill, vs. David Bostick, Bunker Hill.
- Nichole M. Miller-Gulley, Staunton, vs. Ross J. Gulley, Columbia.
- William Delich, Virden, vs. Rebecca Delich, Virden.
- Marietta L. Reece, Brighton, vs. Joseph A. Reese, Shipman.
- Mary A. Fair, Benld. vs. Mark R. Fair, Benld.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Michael G. McKinney and Trish A. O’Donnell, both of Carlinville.
- Adam L. Schulte of Mount Olive and Sarah I. Caldieraro of Staunton.
- Richard Byron Cotterman and Jill Sang Hee Mayes, both of Virden.
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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).
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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/
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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.
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