Month: March 2015

Roberts introduces Kelsey Smith Act amendment

A Kelsey Smith Act amendment has been introduced on human trafficking legislation in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., today introduced it as an amendment to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

The bill provides law enforcement with tools to crack down on human trafficking, and help victims restore their lives, according to a statement from Sen. Roberts.

It strengthens law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ”pings,” when a person is abducted and their life is threatened, according to Sen. Roberts’ office.

The amendment is named for Kelsey Smith, who was abducted in 2007 in Overland Park, Kan., and murdered. The abduction was filmed on a store security camera. Four days after her disappearance, authorities located her body when her wireless provider released the “ping” or call location information from her cell phone. The amendment is designed for faster release of this information in emergencies.

Panel discussion on pop-up businesses slated for Downtown Shareholders luncheon March 13

The Downtown Shareholders will meet for a luncheon program at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, at the Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

At the luncheon, a three-person panel will discuss their experiences about pop-up business, the effect they may have on a community and the details of the Downtown Shareholders pop-up program for downtown Kansas City, Kan.

Panel members are Amanda Graor, pop-up entrepreneur; Sarah Antrobus, financial center manager and vice president, UMB; and Daniel Serda, economic development coordinator, Downtown Shareholders.

Also, Jenny Nepper, network navigator, KCSourceLink, will talk about resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Admission to this event is $20 and includes lunch. To make reservations, email director@downtownkck.org or call 913-371-0705 by noon Thursday, March 12.

Revenues up at Hollywood Casino in Wyandotte County

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway gaming revenues were $12.2 million for the month of February, an increase over January’s totals and also an increase from February 2014.

At the Kansas Lottery Commission meeting today, it was reported that the three state casinos together were showing an increase compared to January, which was especially good since February results can be mixed because of winter weather, according to Keith Kocher, director of program assurance and integrity for the Kansas Lottery.

The gaming revenues at Hollywood Casino were up over $400,000 from January’s total, according to figures from the Kansas Lottery.

Compared to February of 2014, last month’s Hollywood Casino gaming revenues were up $1.3 million, a 12.1 percent increase, according to a written report from Bob Sheldon, Hollywood Casino general manager, to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission.

According to Kansas Lottery data, the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kan., was up $500,036 from January to February of this year, while the Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City, Kan., was down $345,672. The Dodge City revenues may have been affected by a snowstorm, and also fewer days during February than January, according to lottery officials.

Sheldon reported that slot revenue at Hollywood Casino in February was up 11.1 percent from the previous year, and table games revenue was up 18.2 percent compared to the previous year.

Sheldon attributed the strong performance last month to better weather than the prior year, and monthly promotions on the casino floor and in the food and beverage outlets. Qualifying slot tournaments were held for the Marquee Millionaire slot promotion, he reported. There also was a patron who won $21,000 in the Superstar Reels daily promotion, he stated.

The Kansas Lottery will hear presentations from three applicants for a casino facility manager in the southeast Kansas gaming zone at the 12:30 p.m. meeting April 15 in Topeka. The zone is in Cherokee and Crawford counties.

One of four applicants, William F. Killian, representing Kansas Casino Partners LLC, withdrew its application on March 5. The remaining applications are Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel, applicant, Kansas Crossing Casino LC, Emerald City Casino and Resort, applicant, Frontenac Development LLC; and Castle Rock Casino Resort, applicant, Castle Rock Casino Resort LLC.