Community News
Macoupin County Courthouse News
Date range: December 15-21, 2015. Visit the “Court News” category under the “Community News” tab for other editions.
LAWSUITS
A Mexico, Mo., man is suing an Indiana trucking company and a driver employed by the company for damages in excess of $50,000 for injuries the plaintiff claims to have sustained in a Nov. 18, 2014, traffic accident in Macoupin County. The plaintiff, Anthony L. Felton, claims the driver was negligent when he allegedly operated the vehicle he was driving at “such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal movement of traffic” in the northbound lanes of Interstate 55 in Cahokia Township. As a result, Felton’s vehicle collided with the rear of the truck, causing Felton to sustain internal and external injuries. Named as defendants in the suit are Guifarro Trucking, LLC, of Hammond, Ind., and the company’s driver Wilson Thomas Medrano of Indianapolis. In addition to driving below the minimum speed, the suit alleges Medrano failed to exercise proper control of the truck he was driving, and failed to sound his horn or observe proper precaution in observing Felton’s vehicle on the highway. Felton seeks damages for his alleged injuries, loss of income, and pain and discomfort.
Briar Ridge, LLC/Jesse Hartsook, Carlinville, has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Melissa Hanson, Virden, seeking $1,100 in alleged back rent plus possession of residential premises located in the 200 block of South Springfield Street in Virden.
Lonnie Hood, Mount Olive, has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Mike Satterly, Mount Olive, seeking $1,761.99 in alleged back rent, plus possession of residential premises located in the 200 block of South Oak Street in Mount Olive.
Randall J. Foster, Staunton, has filed a forcible entry and detainer complaint against Holly Taylor, Staunton, seeking $4,500 in alleged back rent, plus an unspecified amount for delinquent utility charges and possession of residential premises located in the 700 block of South Hibbard Street, Staunton.
SMALL CLAIMS
Credit Collection Partners, Taylorville, is suing Raquel Donaldson Brown, Carlinville, for $630, plus court cost, allegedly owed for an unpaid down payment on the purchase of a vehicle.
Credit Collection Partners, Taylorville, is suing Patrick Kelley, Bunker Hill, for $1,432, plus court costs, allegedly owed for an unpaid medical bill.
Credit Collection Partners, Taylorville, is suing Mike Landon, Carlinville, $1,620.72, plus court costs, allegedly owed for an unpaid auto repair bill.
Credit Collection Partners, Taylorville, is suing Michael Sawyers, Staunton, for $9,635.25, plus court costs, allegedly owed on defaulted bank loan.
Synchrony Bank is suing Matthew Lovelace, Gillespie, for $3,111.06, plus interest and court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Rural King credit card account.
Synchrony Bank is suing Merri Bogard, Staunton, for $2,510.55, plus interest and court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Old Navy Visa credit card account.
In separate suits, Synchrony Bank is suing Cleofe Abernathy, Piasa, for $1,891.48 and $2,187.34, plus interest and court costs, allegedly owed on defaulted JCP credit card accounts.
Synchrony Bank is suing Emily Lucken, Mount Olive, for $1,413.15, plus interest and court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Old Navy credit card account.
Absolute Resolutions Corp is suing Roque D. Winchester, Brighton, for $3,084, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Capital One credit card account.
Absolute Resolutions Corp is suing John N. Fraley, Girard, for $4,069.51, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Capital One retail credit card account.
Capital One Bank is suing Silvia Haas, Staunton, for $3,580.37, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Nancy Conlee, Girard, for $809.04, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Ricky Schildroth III, Virden, for $645.23, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC, is suing Jason Rae, Staunton, for $585.25, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Fingerhut credit card account.
Absolute Resolutions Corp is suing Debbie A. Carty, Carlinville, for $2,251.68, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Capital One credit card account.
Webbank/Fingerhut Revolving is suing Richard Bender, Girard, for $2,344.47, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Fingerhut charging account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Silvia Haas, Staunton, for $992.21, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Rural King credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Amanda Rathgeb, Carlinville, for $519.50, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a G.E. Capital credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Zack Hutchins, Gillespie, for $1,869.57, plus court costs, allegedly owed on an Amazon.com charging account.
Absolute Resolutions Corp, is suing Donnie D. Smith, Bunker Hill, for $1,184.16, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted HSBC credit card account.
First National Bank in Staunton is suing Lisa R. Peters, Staunton, for $2,356.41, plus court costs. The bank claims Peters opened a bank account and then wrote checks on a closed account for deposit in the newer account.
Atlantic Credit and Finance Special Finances Unit, LLC, is suing Melisa Medders, Gillespie, for $7,213.08, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Citibank loan.
Discover Bank is suing Lindell E. Hagen, Brighton, for $4,498.90, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Deborah K. Sneed, Staunton, for $784.50, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted Citibank credit card account.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, is suing Annie Johnson, Benld, for $7,071.18, plus court costs, allegedly owed on a defaulted G.E. Capital credit card account.
FELONIES
Michael V. Biciocchi, 46, rural Alton, is charged with domestic battery in connection with a Dec. 15 incident during which he allegedly pushed his wife into a door frame. The charge was elevated to a felony due to a previous conviction for domestic battery on Biciocchi’s record from 2012 in St. Clair County.
Dustin J. Marci, 24, Virden is charged with possession of less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.
MISDEMEANORS
Issac James Page, 18, Staunton, is charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in connection with a Nov. 12 incident in Staunton.
Richard W. Wendel, III, Litchfield, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor in connection with an Oct. 12 incident during which he allegedly possessed a multi-colored glass pipe used for smoking marijuana and gave Miller Lite beer to a male under the age of 21.
Steven M. Baty, 19, Staunton, is charged with possession of less than 2.5 grams of a substance containing cannabis in connection with an Aug. 14 incident in Benld.
Logan A. Beemer, 60, Jerseyville, is charged with possession of less than 2.5 grams of a substance containing cannabis in connection with a Sept. 8 incident in Benld.
Several area residents are charged with deceptive practice for allegedly writing checks to local businesses or individuals while knowing their bank would not honor the drafts. Those charged are: Brandon M. Lyons, 25, Sawyerville, accused of writing a bad check for $19.13 on Oct. 16 to Roma’s Pizza, Gillespie; Ricky L. Ridenhour, 58, Benld, accused of writing a bad check for $75.42 on Oct. 16 to T.J.’s, Benld; Sara J. Rosenthal, 32, Sawyerville, accused of writing bad checks totaling $200 on May 14 and June 20 to William Hefler; Shannon S. Hopper, 32, Benld, accused of writing a bad check for $231 on July 13 to Randy’s Market; Ronald D. Layton, 35, Carrollton, accused of writing checks totaling $81.18 on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 to Boente Shell; Jeffery A. Overvig, 57, Virden, accused of writing a bad check for $40 on April 10 to Showtime Lanes, Virden; and Heather M. Weinberg, 29, Bunker Hill, accused of writing bad checks totaling $100 on Sept. 18 and Oct. 20 to the Bunker Hill Short Stop.
Kelsey E. McKinney, 27, Carlinvlle is charged with battery in connection with a Dec. 16 incident in Carlinville during which she allegedly struck a Carlinville male in the head with a beer bottle.
Jake D. Vesper, 23, Gillespie, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with a Dec. 17 incident in Gillespie during which he allegedly possessed a blue metal pipe used for smoking marijuana.
TRAFFIC
Joley D. Throne, 56, Bunker Hill, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with traffic charges for alleged illegal parking outside a business or residence, and illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver.
Tyler Sharp, 22, Litchfield, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with a traffic charge for alleged improper lane usage.
Earnest J. Bell, 27, Chesterfield, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with traffic charges for alleged speeding 15 to 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and failure to drive on the right side of the road.
Sunshine J. Carol, 41, Bunker Hill, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with a traffic charge for allegedly disregarding a stop sign.
Daniel R. Kowalski, 54, Mosinee, Wis., is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with traffic charges for speeding one to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and possession or use of a radar jamming device.
Theodore Hopper, 43, Gillespie, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with traffic charges for allegedly operating a vehicle with an expired registration and speeding 15 to 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Michelle R. Greenwalt, 48, Carlinville, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
William D. Gray, 35, Staunton, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, along with traffic charges for allegedly driving on a revoked driver’s license and leaving the scene of an accident.
DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Tina Thomas, Sawyerville, vs. Patrick Thomas, Murrayville.
- Wyatt Beeler, Carlinville, vs. Shelby Beeler, Carlinville.
- Eric A. Humphreys, Medora, vs. Sara R. Humphreys, Medora.
- Robin L. Hamby, Modesto, vs. David M. Hamby, Hillsboro
- Chastity Fawn Campbell, Mount Olive, vs. Timothy Daniel Campbell, Wilsonville.
- Kimberly Stassi, Medora, vs. Chad Stassi, Moro.
- Gary John Drake, Girard, vs. Marcia Jo. Drake, Novato, Calif.
DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE GRANTED
- James Adrey, Carlinville, vs. Shereen Adrey, Greenbush, Va.
- Wyatt Beeler, Carlinville, vs. Shelby Beeler, Carlinville.
- Eric A. Humphreys, Medora, vs. Sara R. Humphreys, Medora.
- Robin L. Hamby, Modesto, vs. David M. Hamby, Hillsboro
- Kimberly Stassi, Medora, vs. Chad Stassi, Moro.
- Gary John Drake, Girard, vs. Marcia Jo. Drake, Novato, Calif.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Nicholas Ryan Davis and Lindsey Marie Catlett, both of Neosho, Mo.
- Jeffery L. Michaels and Natosha L. Wallis, both of Carlinville.
- Stephen G. Colliflower and Suzanne M. Borella, 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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