Russellville files two more nuisance lawsuits

Russellville has filed two more nuisance lawsuits in Cole County Court.

The lawsuits were filed last week against Sarah Williams and Shawn Mahan on their property in the 13300 block of Route C, and Luke and Amanda Jerozal on their property in the 13000 block of Jefferson Street.

In the lawsuit against Williams and Mahan, Russellville City Attorney Nathan Nickolaus alleged the couple is violating a city ordinance for having "junked vehicles" on their property. A "junked vehicle" is defined as being damaged or inoperable and are registered with the state of Missouri.

In the lawsuit against the Jerozals, the city alleges the couple have numerous items that are classified as junk under city code on their property. The items include lumber, abandoned equipment such as freezers or stoves, containers, bottles and rubbish.

Notices were sent to the property owners Nov. 1; they were instructed to clean up the properties by Nov. 1. Nickolaus said both of the property owners failed to take any action to clean up the properties.

The city is asking Cole County Judge Dan Green to find the properties are nuisances. If that happens, the city would then abate the properties and have the couples pay the costs.