Bank volunteers work on new Habitat project

Twenty-eight female bankers from Douglas County Bank last week traded in desks and computers for hammers and nails to volunteer at the site of Lawrence Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build project.

Danette Umholtz, financial services officer at the bank, organized the bank volunteers and said they enjoyed their time at the construction site.

“It’s just such a positive experience,” she said.

The home at 1809 Atherton Court is being built as part of Habitat International’s “Women Building a Legacy” project.

When it’s completed in August or September, Onechanh Rattanavongsy and her three children Austin, Timothy and Destiny will move in.

Volunteers for the project, from left, Lori Kruger and Sarah Clark, get ready to set some rafters Saturday afternoon at the site.

Legislature: Regents foundation donor tax credit fails in House

Topeka Senate President Dave Kerr tried to push through legislation at the end of the session setting up a foundation run by the Kansas Board of Regents that would have given tax credits to foundation donors.

But the proposal failed in the House.

The bill would have authorized state tax credits equal to two-thirds the amount donated to the regents foundation, which would have been used to fund higher-education projects.

The bill also would have reduced appropriations to the regents by the amount of credit claimed for the prior tax year.

That would have cost the state several million dollars in the coming fiscal year, although supporters of the bill said that amount would have been made up later by lowering the state appropriation to the regents.

Several House members opposed the proposal because of the fiscal impact in the next year.

Transportation: Commissioners to discuss changes to U.S. Highway 59

The Douglas County Commission will discuss proposed alignments for a renovated U.S. Highway 59 at its meeting Monday.

Also on the agenda is an executive session to discuss nonelected personnel.

The commission meets at 9 a.m. Monday in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

Crime: Suspects plead guilty to cheating inventors

Olathe Two men have pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from customers who sought help obtaining patents and marketing their inventions.

Alton O. Hauswirth and Kenneth Kruta pleaded guilty Thursday in Johnson County District Court to charges of theft and making a false writing involving four customers who paid a total of $25,000. They agreed to repay more than $51,000 to victims.

Hauswirth, 59, was president of Universal Consulting Service, based in Louisiana, and Kruta, 55, was regional vice president in its Overland Park office before it closed in late 1999.

Prosecutors allege company officials misrepresented themselves and took their customers’ money without intending to do anything.

Sentences of 16 months in prison will be recommended for each of the men. They are scheduled to be sentenced June 28.

Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.26 at Citgo, Ninth and Iowa streets, and 920 N. Second St.

If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price.