Kansas Klips
Salina man lost nearly $1,500 in utility phone scam
SALINE COUNTY — A Saline County man who got caught up in a utility phone scam is out nearly $1,500. Recently, the 49-year-old man reported he received a call from someone claiming to be with Evergy. The recorded call claimed that Evergy was on the way to disconnect service at a property the man owns in Falun as it was 60 days past due. The man was directed to stay on the line to talk with an Evergy representative. The man did so, as his son lives at the property and the man thought that, perhaps, his son had not paid the bill. A person claiming to be an Evergy representative got on the call and told the man to download the Zelle app to make the $498.72 payment. Soldan said the man did so but was told the payment did not go through. The man was then told to download the Venmo app to make the payment. He did so and made the payment, as he was told the first time didn’t work. In reality, the man paid the scammers $498.72 three times, Soldan said. (SalinaPost.com)
Hay fire closes K-96
La CROSSE — A fire at Alexander halted traffic on K-96 for several hours on Sunday, Dec. 11, when a semi hauling a trailer load of hay pulled into the rest stop at Alexander and the driver noticed the hay was on fire. The driver was able to disconnect the semi from the trailer, but the trailer was a total loss. The hay was moved from the trailer to the ditches alongside K-96 and broken up to provide access to the burning hay. K-96 was closed for several hours due to poor visibility from the smoke. Alexander fire department was on the scene for six hours and called back out later as the fire kicked up again. La Crosse Fire Department and area farmers provided water to fight the fire. (The Rush County News)
NWKS author honored by Huck Boyd Institute
MANHATTAN — “Ruralpreneurs” in business, tourism, technology and agriculture along with community volunteers are among those honored by K-State’s Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development as Leaders of the Year for 2022. This year’s award categories and winners incude an author from Northwest Kansas. Roxie Yonkey, Goodland, is the author of “100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die.” Yonkey serves as her organization’s CEO—in this case, Chief Exploration Officer. After designing travel guides and promoting tourism from her home in Goodland, Yonkey became a travel writer and blogger. Her award is in the Creative Arts category. Other awards being given across the state are in the categories of Entrepreneurship, Technology, Community Service, Entrepreneurial Development, and Agriculture. (News Release)
Sedgwick County Zoo’s baby chimp, Kucheza, has died
WICHITA — Kucheza, the chimpanzee born at the Sedgwick County Zoo fiveweeks ago, has died, the zoo announced last week. The animal care team found Kucheza dead and cradled in his mother Mahale’s arms when they arrived at the zoo the morning of Dec. 22.A full medical assessment will be done to determine the cause of death. “Mahale’s love for Kucheza was and will continue to be felt by billions of people around the world,” the zoo said in a release. “In his few short weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many, sparked an opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly—why we should care.” Mahale gave birth to Kucheza by c-section on Nov. 15. Two days later, the zoo posted video of the two being reunited. (KAKE News)
Former Kansas lawmaker found guilty of COVID relief fraud
WICHITA — Former state lawmaker Michael Capps has been found guilty on 12 of 18 counts of fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering of COVID relief funds. Prosecutors accused Capps of lying repeatedly to get pandemic relief funds meant for struggling businesses during the lockdown. Capps, of Wichita, is listed as the owner and/or majority owner of three companies. Capps was accused of submitting false and fraudulent documents on behalf of the companies to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), as well as the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Business Working Capital grants and to Sedgwick County for a Sedgwick County Cares grant. Now the jury must decide if Capps must forfeit property or bank accounts associated with the funds. (KAKE News)
