LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — The contents of the suburban Kansas City home of a pro racecar driver imprisoned for running an illegal $2 billion payday loan operation are going up for sale later this month as the government recovers assets to pay back cheated consumers.
The estate sale for Scott Tucker’s house in Leawood, Kanas, runs from June 28 to 30. Internal Revenue Service agents took possession of the $2.1 million 4,500-square-foot house in March. Items for sale include designer furniture and clothing, artwork and gym equipment. The home itself isn’t part of the sale.
Prosecutors say the former American Le Mans Series champion preyed on vulnerable borrowers and used the lending business proceeds to finance a professional auto racing team. He’s serving more than 16 years in prison on fraud and other charges.
I work in a busy office, and when a computer goes down it causes quite an inconvenience. Recently one of our computers not only crashed, it made a noise that sounded like a heart monitor.
“This computer has flat-lined,” a co-worker called out with mock
horror.
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred May 16 and after asking the public for help have located and arrested a suspect.
Just after 8p.m. May 16, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 Block of SE 23rd Street in Topeka in reference a disturbance and argument between two people known to one another. One of them had been shot, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
Upon officers arrival police located an adult male victim suffering from a non-life threating gunshot wound.
Officers interviewed witnesses, the victim and collected evidence from the scene.
Just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday, officers in the area of the shooting recognize the suspect identified as 36-year-old Jessica Spencer and were able to take her into custody without incident. She was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.
Jessica Spencer photo Topeka PD
Just before 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 Block of SE 23rd Street in Topeka in reference a disturbance and argument between two people known to one another, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
While enroute to the call a person that was at the scene called into police dispatch and advised that one of the parties had been shot. Upon officers arrival they located an adult male victim suffering from a non-life threating gunshot wound. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers interviewed witnesses, the victim and collected evidence from the scene. Through the investigation it was discovered that this incident was a result from the argument that citizens originally had called in.
Officers are now looking to speak with 36-year-old Jessica Joann Spencer in connection with this incident. If you know her whereabouts or any information on this incident please contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at (785) 368-9400 or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128
Brandon Taylor (Board Member), Gary Shorman (Eagle Communications), Rachelle Lipker (Executive Director for Central and Western Nebraska).
Local Red Cross chapter holds annual meeting Saturday at Fort Hays State University
Multiple awards were presented at the annual meeting of the American Red Cross of Central and Western Kansas on Saturday, June 8. Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Eagle Communications, and Dane G. Hansen Foundation were presented the American Red Cross Spirit of Philanthropy Award, which award honors corporate partners or organizations who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to philanthropy through financial support, employee engagement and/or participation in delivery of the Red Cross Mission.
Corey Becker (Board President) and Gary Shorman (Eagle Communications)
Spirit of Philanthropy Award
Winner: Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Eagle Communications
When catastrophic flooding hit central Nebraska this March, Eagle Communications employee-owners went into action — both in the field during recovery efforts and over the airwaves collecting money for the American Red Cross. $16,515.12 was donated to the American Red Cross to aid recovery efforts in the Midwest. The donation also included a generous contribution from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation. Besides the cash donation, Eagle employee-owners put in countless hours working to restore critical broadband services in the flooded region. Crews quickly restored services to the community of Silver Creek, where a washed-out bridge cut the fiber-optic network.
Winner: Dane G. Hansen Foundation
The charitable foundation has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation has been generous supporter of the American Red Cross especially with our fleet vehicles and to the Northwest Kansas community through various scholarships and grants.
The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work in mid-June on a pair of resurfacing projects in Russell, Osborne and Smith counties.
The first project will cover a 35-mile portion of U.S. 281 from the K-18 junction in Russell County to the Smith County line. Crews will also be working on an additional resurfacing project on a 13-mile stretch of K-18 in Russell County from the east U.S. 281 junction to the Lincoln County line.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zones and controlled by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. Minor delays not exceeding 15 minutes should be anticipated. Both projects are expected to be complete by the end of July, weather permitting.
Venture Corporation is the primary contractor for the projects with total contract costs of $2.1 million for the U.S 281 project and $1.1 million for the K-18 project. For more information, contact Phillipsburg area construction engineer Jim Riener at 785-543-2163 or [email protected].
Food spoils faster in the summer. Why? Bacteria grow fastest in the heat and humidity. Also, more people cook outside at picnics, barbecues and on camping trips, where refrigeration and washing facilities can be hard to find. Fortunately, you can take steps to make sure your food is safe to eat even during the heat of summer.
Here is the “Top 10” list of summer food safety tips shared in an issue of the Dining on a Dime newsletter.
When planning a picnic, barbecue or camping trip, find out if there will be a source of safe drinking water. If not, take water for preparation and cleaning.
Pack disposable washcloths and use them to clean your hands.
Keep beverages in a separate cooler, since it will probably be opened frequently.
Pack perishable foods (such as luncheon meats, cooked meat and chicken, and potato or pasta salads) in sealed plastic bags under several inches of ice, ice packs or containers of frozen water in an insulated cooler. If packing raw meats, do not allow raw meat juices to touch ready-to-eat food. Pack just the amount of perishable food that you can use.
Keep the perishable food cooler in the coolest part of the car. Place it in the shade or shelter it from the sun at the picnic site. Preserve the cold temperature of the cooler by replenishing the ice as needed.
If an insulated cooler is not available, do not take perishable foods. Instead, pack foods such as hard cheese, canned meats, chicken and tuna; nuts, peanut butter, dry cereals, bread, crackers, fruits and vegetables.
Do not partially cook food ahead of time. Pack either raw or fully-cooked meat and poultry. Bacteria can survive and multiply in partially cooked foods.
Pack a food thermometer. Meat cooked on a grill often browns fast on the outside. Check meats with a food thermometer to be sure they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. for beef, 160 degrees F. for pork and 165 degrees F. for poultry.
Wash all plates, utensils and cutting boards that held raw meat or poultry with hot soapy water before using them again for cooked food.
Perishable food that is not kept cold for more than 2 hours is not considered safe to eat. When summer heat gets above 90 degrees, foods left out of the cooler for as little as 1 hour should be thrown away.
Let me end my column with the phrase you may have heard related to food safety decisions. “When in doubt, throw it out,” really is good advice.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or [email protected]
The Hays Larks will host Little League Night/Father’s Day at 7 p.m. Sunday when they take on Park City at Larks Park.
Teams will be announced and go on the field prior to the start of the game for the playing of the national anthem. Little Leaguers also will be able to run the bases after the game. All players will receive a freeze pop. All Little Leaguers who attend will be entered into a raffle for Larks autographed baseball. Players are asked to be at the park by 6:45 p.m.
Also, the first 50 dads will receive a gift from the Larks, and there will also be a raffle for a special Father’s Day bat autographed by the Larks.
Check in at the table next to the apparel stand when you arrive at the ballpark.
TOPEKA — Incoming Washburn University students have been awarded the Garvey Scholarship for the fall 2019 semester. The Garvey Scholarship is a renewable scholarship worth up to $2000, awarded to students with the highest scores on the Garvey Competitive Exam.
The exam is offered several times a year at Washburn University. High school seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher, who have previously applied for admittance to Washburn, qualify to take the exam. To learn more about the Garvey Scholarship, and other scholarships offered at Washburn University, visit washburn.edu/scholarships.
Scholarship recipients include:
• Kaleigh Ashbaugh of Hays, graduate of Hays High School
• Kade Urban of Hays, graduate of Thomas More Prep Marian HS
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on child porn allegations.
Jurado-Garcia-photo Barton Co.
Detectives with the Great Bend Police Department received information in reference to the possession of child pornography by a suspect in Great Bend, began investigating and received additional assistance from the local officials with Department for Children and Families, according to a media release.
Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for an individual’s cellphone contents. A preliminary search of the device confirmed the child pornography on the phone.
On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Juan Manuel Jurado Garcia on requested charges of sexual exploitation of a child and him booked into the Barton County Detention Center with a bond set at $50,000.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
FridayA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 11 to 17 mph.
Friday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
SundayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
HUTCHINSON— A man on community corrections for aggravated assault for a case from 2016 was arrested once again in another domestic case.
Cantu-photo Reno County
Deangelo Cantu, 22, is accused of battering his girlfriend, punching her in the face and cracking her tooth. Cantu fled before police arrived.
Police were familiar with his his black pickup. They conducted a traffic stop and believed he was under the influence of alcohol, according to statements in court Wednesday.
Cantu faces potential charges that include aggravated battery, driving under the influence and driving while suspended. Cantu is on corrections for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly threatening another person with a gun in September 2016.
WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Thursday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to the Kansas City Region, according to a media release from the USDA.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue photo USDA
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” said Secretary Perdue.
Kansas First District Congressman Roger Marshall said of the News on Twitter, “Great team effort by so many people to make this happen. Shout out to @KState and @KUnews in working so diligently with our federal delegation to help make the case for Kansas City. Agriculture and Kansas are truly synonymous – so we thank you, @SecretarySonny!
“The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve.
This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
USDA conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis and conservative estimates show a savings of nearly $300 million nominally over a 15-year lease term on employment costs and rent or about $20 million per year, which will allow more funding for research of critical needs like rural prosperity and agricultural competitiveness, and for programs and employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets. On top of that, state and local governments offered generous relocation incentives packages totaling more than $26 million. Finally, this relocation will give USDA the opportunity to attract a diverse staff with training and interest in agriculture. To learn more about USDA’s Cost Benefit Analysis, you may view the USDA Cost Benefit Analysis document (PDF, 143 KB).
“We did not undertake these relocations lightly, and we are doing it to enhance long-term sustainability and success of these agencies. The considerable taxpayer savings will allow us to be more efficient and improve our ability to retain more employees in the long run. We will be placing important USDA resources closer to many stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from Washington, D.C. In addition, we are increasing the probability of attracting highly-qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities. We look forward to this new chapter as we seek to fulfill our motto at USDA, which is to ‘do right and feed everyone,’” added Secretary Perdue.
Secretary Perdue sent this letter (PDF, 39.1 KB) to all USDA employees this morning and will be holding an all hands meeting with ERS and NIFA employees today to discuss the decision, the process, and next steps.
In addition, USDA announced in August the realignment of ERS under the Office of the Chief Economist. While we believe there is considerable synergies and benefits to a realignment, after hearing feedback from stakeholders and Members of Congress, USDA will not move forward with the realignment plans. The agency of ERS will remain under the Research, Education, and Economics mission area.
Background:
USDA announced in August it would undertake the relocations for three main reasons:
To improve USDA’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities. USDA has experienced significant turnover in these positions, and it has been difficult to recruit employees to the Washington, D.C. area, particularly given the high cost of living and long commutes.
To place these important USDA resources closer to many of our stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from the Washington, D.C. area.
To benefit the American taxpayers. There will be significant savings on employment costs and rent, which will allow more employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets.
Quality of Life: Subcategory examples include Diversity Index, Residential Housing Costs, Access to Healthcare, and Home and Community Safety Ranking.
Costs (Capital and Operating): Subcategory examples include Commercial Real Estate Costs, CPI Index, and Wage Costs.
Workforce: Subcategory examples include Labor Force Growth Rate, Unemployment Rate, and the Labor Force Population.
Logistics / IT Infrastructure: Subcategory examples include Lodging Availability, Proximity to Customers, and Airport Accessibility.
The top Expressions of Interest were reviewed in detail, and USDA selected a short list of locationsoffering existing buildings with sufficient space to meet ERS and NIFA requirements.
While 90% of USDA employees are located outside of the D.C. area, ERS and NIFA are the only USDA agencies that don’t have representation outside of the national Capital Region (NCR). Upon the relocation announcement, USDA proposed that sufficient staff levels would remain in the NCR to complete mission critical activities that require physical presence in or near Washington, D.C. at the recommendation of customers and stakeholders. In both the cases of ERS and NIFA, leadership reviewed the critical functions and staffing needs within and outside the NCR. Senior ERS and NIFA staff, with input from partner agencies and stakeholders, recommended to Secretary Perdue the critical functions to be retained within the NCR.
Out of NIFA’s 315 positions, 294 will relocate while 21 will stay in the NCR. Of the 329 ERS positions, 253 will relocate while 76 will stay in the Washington, D.C. area.
As a result of this move, no ERS or NIFA employees will be involuntarily separated. Every employee who wants to continue working will have an opportunity to do so, although that will mean moving to a new location for most. Employees will be offered relocation assistance and will receive the same base pay as before, and the locality pay for the new location.
USDA will be working with the General Services Administration to secure a permanent lease space through a competitive process in the Kansas City Region. USDA will continue to keep ERS and NIFA employees apprised as updates occur.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Brandon Dixon broke an eighth-inning tie with a sacrifice fly that sent the Detroit Tigers past the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Miguel Cabrera also had a sacrifice fly for the Tigers, and Ronny Rodriguez hit an RBI double.
Jorge Soler drove in both Royals runs but flied out with a runner on to end the game.
The teams now head to Omaha, Nebraska, to play the first Major League Baseball game in that state Thursday night as a prelude to the College World Series, which begins Saturday in the same ballpark – also home of Kansas City’s Triple-A affiliate.
The Royals need a victory to win a series for the first time since April 12-14.
After the start was delayed 24 minutes because of the threat of rain, Royals reliever Jake Diekman (0-3) walked JaCoby Jones leading off the eighth. Christin Stewart doubled under the glove of first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, sending Jones to third.
After walking Nicholas Castellanos, Diekman struck out Cabrera. But then Dixon sent right fielder Terrance Gore to the fence for the go-ahead sacrifice fly.
Nick Ramirez (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win. Shane Greene worked the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances.
Neither starter factored in the decision.
Danny Duffy had a solid outing for the Royals. After walking his first two batters, he buckled down and completed seven innings, allowing two runs and four hits. He walked only those two batters and struck out six.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris gave up two runs and six hits in five innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
Cabrera drove in Jones with a sac fly in the first inning as Detroit scored without the benefit of a hit.
After wasting a couple of scoring chances in the first two innings, the Royals finally got a run in the third. Whit Merrifield stroked a leadoff double to the wall in left-center. He stole third and scored on Soler’s double.
Detroit came right back in the fourth when John Hicks and Rodriguez hit back-to-back doubles.
Soler’s two-out single knocked in Alex Gordon in the fifth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: SS Niko Goodrum was out of the lineup after fouling a ball off his kneecap Tuesday. “He’s sore. There was some swelling. He’s moving around. We’ll talk to him and see how he feels and go on from there,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. … INF Jeimer Candelario was set to begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo. He’s been on the 10-day injured list since June 4 (retroactive to June 2) with left shoulder inflammation. … RHP Jordan Zimmermann will pitch Thursday for Toledo on his rehab assignment.
Royals: 3B Hunter Dozier took grounders and some swings off a tee. Kansas City manager Ned Yost said Dozier was expected to take more swings in the cage Thursday. If everything goes well, he’ll take batting practice on the field and likely head out on a rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
LHP Matthew Boyd (5-4, 3.08 ERA) starts Thursday night for Detroit against RHP Homer Bailey (4-6, 5.90). Boyd’s last appearance at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha was in 2013, when he pitched a four-hit shutout to help Oregon State beat Indiana 1-0 in a College World Series elimination game.
