The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 11

NEWS-LEADER Friday. September 23, 2005 3B Missouri Around 1-44 improvements planned Work to be done on treacherous stretch of road on which 20 have died in the last decade. I i III SI. Loul. 7 Millard MriHorf I 1 Mrt.

fcV Um.ru Wiyntivlllt Buffal Wklm'J Houston 0 MtrahfloM Other steps have been taken in recent years, MoDOT spent $20.6 million in a project completed in March 2004 to install electronic message boards warning of upcoming congestion at the Six Flags exit, and to improve the interchange. The speed limit was reduced to 65 mph from 70 mph about a year after an accident in 2000 that killed five members of the Von-der Haar family of Rose, 111., who like the Huckabas and Willinghams were heading for an outing at the popular amusement park. A month later, a tour bus driver and a St. Louis County man died in a five-vehicle crash at the same location. Most recently, two men from Kansas died in July when their pickup struck a tractor-trailer from behind.

so police can change traffic signals on Six Flags Road. MoDOT also plans to: Implement by October a "Travel Safe Zone," which will provide warning signs to illustrate "zero tolerance" for reckless driving. Install additional signs and pavement markings to make motorists aware of the fact that two lanes off of westbound 1-44 can exit onto Six Flags Road. Install a remote camera on a fire station building to monitor traffic. The agency wants all improvements in place in time for Six Flags' "Fright Fcst" weekends in October, which typically draw large crowds.

In the future, MoDOT will consider other action, including doubling fines for speeding near the amusement park. other vehicles were hurt. Relatives of the Huckabas and Willinghams filed wrongful death lawsuits naming, among others, MoDOT for its "dangerous design of the exit ramp." The task force was made up of officials from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Eureka and St. Louis County police, Six Flags and other agencies and organizations. Based upon its recommendations, MoDOT has already: Increased speed enforcement through grants of more than $73,000 to Eureka Police; Added electronic message boards to show motorists how many tickets are being issued on a weekly basis.

Added a push-button control By Jim Salter THE ASS0CIME0 PRESS ST. LOUIS The Missouri Department of Transportation on Thursday announced several steps to improve safety on a stretch of Interstate 44 near Six Flags St. Louis, a stretch where accidents have killed 20 people in the past decade. MoDOT appointed an "1-44 Quick Action Team" in July after a dump truck loaded with gravel collided with a minivan, killing five people: Angela Huckaba, 30; her 9-year-old son, Jacob, and 7-year-old son, Joshua; and Angela Huckaba's 18-year-old sister, Amy Willingham, and 14-year-old brother, Brett Willingham. Twelve other people in five Sprlntjfleld 1 BattlilliM Hootrivlllo OAi Monttt Kut Maine Five face charges in tax-credit scam Accused allegedly exploited a program offering incentives to small businesses in poor areas.

and, just before the promotion, was the secretary for the county's planning and development department. Cathy Hohensee, who was a temporary county employee, took Hammons' old job. As county planner, Hammons will help developers and builders with county regulations. She also expects to study floodplain management and attend regional planning meetings. MISSOURI Governor announces three appointments Gov.

Matt Blunt announced on Thursday the appointment of three southwest Missouri residents to different state boards or commissions. The three, whose appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate, are: Peggy Kubicek, 55, of Springfield, to the County Employees Retirement Fund. A financial adviser for Wad-dell Reed, Kubicek holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in secondary school administration from Missouri State University. Kubicek's term will end Dec. 31, 2009.

Mary K. Meek, 60, of Springfield, to the Missouri Training and Employment Council. Meek is a member of various boards: Commerce Bank, Springfield Business and Development Child Advocacy Center and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Advisory Council. She has a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Missouri. Meek's term will expire Aug.

28, 2008. Adolfo Castillo, 59, of Joplin, to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. A self-employed consultant, Castillo works with local politicians to promote Hispanic involvement in government issues. He holds a bachelor's degree in occupational education from Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio. Castillo's term will end April 1, 2006.

BOLIVAR Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash A Bolivar resident was killed after a head-on crash on Missouri 32 Thursday afternoon, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported. Cody G. Dorman, 19, was riding a motorcycle east on the highway, four miles west of Bolivar, before 4 p.m. when it crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2001 Nissan Altima, the patrol said. Dorman was pronounced dead at an area hospital, the patrol said.

JAMIS A. FINLEY IHt ASSOtlAltD PRISS U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon speak at a news conference in St. Louis.

Thomas and Jason Kyle and Zepp. Those four then applied for tax credits, submitting false invoices and uncashed checks to the state, according to the indictment. Missouri then unknowingly awarded millions of dollars in tax credits to the four. Using a broker and various accountants, the four allegedly sold the tax credits for cash to unsuspecting, wealthy taxpayers who used them to reduce their tax bills. All five then divided the cash proceeds among them, Hanaway said.

Those who bought the tax credits are not under investigation. The charges stem from a 19-month investigation by State Attorney General Jay Nixon, who collaborated with federal authorities, to investigate who was benefiting from the Rebuilding Communities program. Asked whether the state bears some responsibility in enabling easy theft of tax credits, Nixon responded: "It was relatively easy money to get. But it will be stunningly expensive to pay back." Already, he said, those charged earlier had paid back $357,400 of stolen money to the state. Cop accused of firing at car resigns THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ST.

LOUIS A suspended officer accused of firing randomly at a fleeing car that contained three young children resigned Wednesday, an hour before he was supposed to go before the St. Louis Police Board. William Sarti, 33, had been suspended without pay by St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa, who recommended that he be terminated over the incident that took place in March last year. Sard's attorney, Al Watkins, said he was confident his client "would have ultimately prevailed" had the case gone forward.

"But the reality is that even if (Sarti) did prevail, his future and career in the St. Louis Police Department were at a dead end," Watkins said. Sarti had been with the force for six years when he and another officer fired at the car. The other officer, still in his probationary period, was fired. The man driving the car, Emanuel Khaafidh, 34, of suburban Pagedale, was wounded.

His wife, Venecia, 32, and their preschool children ages 5, 3 and 1 were not hurt. Khafidh drove off after a traffic stop and subsequent quarrel with police officers on March 31, 2004. The two officers who approached the car on foot after it was stopped following a chase said they fired after the driver rammed two patrol cars and came toward one of them. The officers said they didn't know children were inside. United Kennel Club Rules will apply for both the play day and buddy hunt.

"We always protect the 'coon," said Oberbeck. "It cannot be caught or harmed." No firearms, alcohol or drugs are allowed at either the play day or buddy hunt, and the lodge cannot be responsible for loss or accidents, Oberbeck said. Concessions will include hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the club. For further information, call Oberbeck at 935-2246. rfi? ociiwiiit OKlMHERlJNG CITY Tablerock Art Guild to host its fall festival The Tablerock Art Guild will hold its 25th Annual Fall Festival of Art from 9 a.m.

to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Ozark Room of the Kimberling Inn Resort and Conference Center in the Kimberling Shopping Center on Missouri 13. Works on display will be for sale including watercolors, oils, acrylics, collage, stained glass, woodcarving, sculpture, pottery and photography.

There also will be raffle prizes. For more information, call the Tablerock Art Guild Gallery at 739-5829. QLANTON Ticket holder wins $6.7 million in state lottery Someone bought a winning Missouri Lotto ticket in Lan-ton on Wednesday worth $6.7 million, before taxes. Lottery officials said a ticket purchased at Hilltop Store matched all six numbers in that night's drawing. The winning numbers are: 6-13-24-26-29-44.

Lottery spokesman Gary Gonder said the winner has 180 days to redeem the ticket. BRANSON Andy Williams invites participation in walk Entertainer Andy Williams is inviting others to join him in the Alzheimer's Association's 2005 Memory Walk on Saturday at The Shoppes shopping center on Gretna Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk at 10 a.m. During the walk, lasting about an hour, local boogie-rock musician Mesa Mitchell and her band will play.

There also will be door prizes. People may walk individually or form a team to garner support from sponsors. Proceeds will help the more than 22,000 people in Southwest Missouri diagnosed with the disease. For more information or to make a donation, call 886-2199 or toll-free at 1-800-487-0747. QChristtan County Woman becomes new county planner Christian County has a new planner.

Glenda Hammons, who has been working for the county since 2000, was named the county planner Monday. She replaced Doug Glossip, who left the county in early August. Hammons had worked for the county recorder of deeds 23 x24'x10' Material 30 x56 x10' Material On! 5,099 4 zr rrr JT" 23 x40 x10' Material Only 30x40'x10' Material OnL By Cheryl Wittenauer THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. Louis Five men were indicted Thursday in a tax-credit scam that allegedly allowed them to profit from a program intended to attract hightech businesses to poor areas, state and federal authorities said. The five facing federal mail fraud and money-laundering charges include James Jones, 67, of House Springs, who allegedly played a central role in the scam.

Prosecutors said he faked purchases at his St. Louis computer store to draw millions in tax credits that were sold for cash from 2000 to 2004. Jones, described by one prosecutor as "the spoon that stirred the drink," did not have a listed phone number, and his attorney did not return a phone message. "This is the worst kind of fraud," U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said at a news conference announcing the indictments.

"They've taken a program intended to assist Mis-sourians and used it purely for their own profiteering." Also named in the indictment are Jones' brother, Charles Jones, 61, of suburban St. Louis; Thomas Kyle, 53, and his son Jason Kyle, 27, of St. Louis; and Dale Zepp, 55, of St. Louis. All were expected to turn themselves in.

Phone messages left with each of them and their attorneys were not returned. A sixth man, Michael Rios, 46, of suburban St. Louis, was charged Thursday in state court with receiving stolen property, Seymour By Donna Baxter FOR THE NEWS-LEADER The Ring Tail Lodge Hunt Club in Seymour will host a play day and buddy hunt Saturday at the Seymour Saddle Club, located at Summit and Water Streets, just off Webster County K. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the play day will begin at 10.

The buddy hunt starts at 8 p.m. "Buy, sell or trade any time during the day things like hunting lights, dogs, guns, anything," said board member Dean Oberbeck of Seymour. wmitm. a a aa-x- ar by allegedly sharing in the proceeds of the tax credits. His number was not listed.

Five co-conspirators, Maxine Allen, Willie Adams, Jill Meyer-hardt, James Holtrop, and Greg Marshall, have been charged in state court and pleaded guilty, their sentencing deferred to gain their cooperation in the investigation. That brings to 11 the number of individuals charged in the investigation. Prosecutors said the five exploited the state's Rebuilding Communities program, run by the Department of Economic Development. Last year, the program was reformed legislatively to avert the possibility of further fraud. Under the program, the state offers tax credits equal to 40 percent of a company's costs for computers and other equipment for small businesses that locate in poor neighborhoods and communities across the state.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in November 2003 1 that a dozen companies got $2.1 million worth of tax credits by claiming to have bought millions of dollars worth of equipment, much of it from Jones' used computer store, Electronics More. Hanaway said Jones allegedly "sold" equipment that did not exist to phantom businesses that had no employees, no phone numbers and no listed addresses. In turn, the phantom businesses gave Jones checks he never cashed. James Jones provided phony invoices to Charles Jones, club plans Admission is free to the play day.

Cost for the buddy hunt is a $5 entry fee for each dog or $10 per pair. Participants must be registered for the 90-minute buddy hunt by starting time. People can bring their own "buddy" or come alone and be matched up with another solo person. All proceeds will go to the club's building fund for their club house. Any hound is welcome and dogs do not have to be registered.

Prizes will include Black Gold mr mi-m m. jr i Great Selection of Home Decor Hwv'S. 65 14 1JVV Ul I ICI -V -i Ozark, MO x''-581-6512 Open: Mon-Sat 9am 6pm Surinam -6pm f' nin play day, buddy hunt and Nitro dog food. Play day events include: Treeing contest A raccoon in a cage is placed up a telephone pole. Whichever dog has the most barks in a one-minute period wins.

Drag race Dogs on the starting line are allowed to see a caged raccoon up close and then watch it be taken to the finish line. The dogs will then race across the finish line. Roll cage The dog that can roll a cage containing a raccoon out of a circle fastest is winner. OUR GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES OR DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK! White Vinyl Welded Double Hung at IJVJUl'lJJi liN LJ -LJ window: -0-U -A -R -E liifts, Culk'i'lililcs Hume Decor -v-. -Tw sibu Nobody, but nobody, beats our prices! Guaranteed! All Work Crews Are Insured! On Your Level Sito 100 Call for a FREE 5 TiJTt tM''' UL fUvMf inc.

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