Crime

Probation ordered in bloody chalupa scam

Almost four years after a woman claimed she found blood in her chalupa at a Lawrence Taco Bell, the woman has been sentenced for trying to carry out the scam.

Cynthia Atkinson, 29, was sentenced Tuesday in Douglas County District Court to 12 months’ supervised probation. She pleaded no contest to a charge of attempted theft.

Atkinson admitted she and a friend purchased a chalupa in August 2000, put blood on it and called police, all in an effort to get out-of-court settlement money from Taco Bell.

Police and KBI officials performed extensive blood tests on the chalupa.

Deployment

Units called to Iraq include Lawrence troops

Two units with Lawrence soldiers will soon be deployed to Iraq.

The Army Reserve’s 317th Battalion, based in Lawrence, will send troops for specialized training in Fort Riley. The 55 soldiers will head from there to Iraq. It was unclear Wednesday how many Lawrence residents were included in that figure.

In the Kansas Army National Guard, members of the 778th Transportation Company were notified Saturday they would serve in the Middle East.

The 778th is headquartered in Kansas City, Kan., but includes several Lawrence residents, including First Lt. Scott Jackson, who works in production at the Journal-World.

Jackson, who returned in January from a year of service in Baghdad, will take command of the unit Aug. 1 and supervise more than 100 soldiers from Kansas and other states.

Investigation

Sheriff’s Office finishes probe into March fatality

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday said it had finished investigating the March 14 wreck that killed an intoxicated party-goer who was walking along the highway near Teepee Junction.

The report has now been sent to Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office, where prosecutors will review it and decide whether criminal charges are warranted.

The wreck on U.S. Highway 24-40 killed Devin Scott Emery, 20, Wichita, who had come to Lawrence to visit friends and see a performance of Rock Chalk Revue. He was attending a fraternity and sorority party at the junction and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.24 when he was killed, according to court records.

Authorities on Wednesday also released the name of the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban that hit Emery. He was Joseph J. Bell III, 20, of Basehor.

A report said Bell was tested for alcohol after the wreck, but the report didn’t indicate the results.

Kansas University

Provost warns students of financial aid scam

Kansas University officials have warned current and incoming students about a scam involving financial aid.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, someone is impersonating department officials to gain access to student checking account numbers.

A person claiming to be a department official calls a student, says he understands the student has federal loans and offers to replace the loans with an $8,000 grant. The caller explains that a processing fee must be charged and asks for the student’s bank account information.

David Shulenburger, provost and executive vice chancellor, sent students an e-mail Wednesday warning them of the scam. He said the university wasn’t aware of any KU students who had been affected by the scam.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.79 a gallon at Wood Oil Co. No. 5, 920 N. Second St.

If you find a lower price, please call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.